"Kazuyama-sensei! Can't you find another way? I can run on my own!"
Kakashi was being swung around like a ragdoll, barely dodging tree branches as Kazuyama carried him at high speed.
"Ouch! Kids are kids! Do you have legs as long as mine? Do you take strides as big as mine?"
"Letting me carry you conserves your energy, doesn't it?"
"Kakashi, you know what? Children should learn to be grateful!"
Instead of relief, he got a lecture. This night is going to be way too long...
[Ding! The host has given Kakashi a valuable life lesson, inspiring him to grow taller and stronger. Reward: +1 Taijutsu.]
Hearing the familiar prompt, Kazuyama smiled in satisfaction.
From years of experience, he knew that putting effort into training future legends increased his chances of receiving rewards.
Just a few words, and he'd already gained an attribute boost. It was only Taijutsu this time, but every little bit helped.
Meanwhile, two kilometers ahead—
A five-man team, dressed as civilians, moved cautiously toward the Daimyō's Manor.
"This direction must lead to the Fire Daimyō's castle. My senses are never wrong."
"Kurosawa, mark the coordinates and relay them to Jūzō Biwa, the Jōnin."
"Once we confirm the target's location, we can attack immediately."
The man named Kurosawa quickly jotted down the directions.
It was clear—this was a Kirigakure scouting team, and they had successfully found their target.
"Heisaburō, how's your side? Notice anything unusual?"
"We need to secure the perimeter. We're deep in the Land of Fire—if we're exposed, we might be wiped out before we even strike."
At that moment, Kazuyama arrived nearby with Kakashi in tow.
Hearing their conversation, Kazuyama shot a displeased look at Kakashi.
Kakashi, completely baffled, leaned in and whispered, "Kazuyama-sensei, did I do something wrong?"
"That's not right—you've been leading the way this whole time, and I haven't even had a chance to do anything on my own."
He genuinely had no idea what he had done wrong.
"Look over there. They're obviously using Perception Ninjutsu. I can avoid it with the Transparent Escape Technique."
"What about you?"
"Did you just give yourself away? Because I feel like I should be glaring at you right now."
"That's enough, Kakashi! Time to show what you've got! Go on—I believe in you!"
Under Kakashi's shocked gaze, Kazuyama slowly vanished without a trace.
"Damn it! This isn't fair! You're the sensei!"
"Someone's over there!"
Kakashi and Heisaburō shouted at the same time.
The former immediately unsheathed his short sword and leapt away, entering combat mode.
The five-man Kirigakure team reacted just as quickly, instantly surrounding him.
"Hmph, a Konoha brat?"
"Not bad. Most Genin would run at the sight of us."
Kurosawa sneered, dismissing Kakashi as nothing more than a Genin based on his age.
Little did he know that geniuses existed—and the boy in front of him wasn't a Genin but a Chūnin.
"Kill him! We can't risk being exposed!"
The one who spoke first, clearly the leader, issued the order.
The moment his words fell, a rain of shuriken flew toward Kakashi from all directions.
"Clang!"
The sound of metal colliding rang out as Kakashi skillfully deflected the projectiles with his short sword, all while retreating backward.
He knew Kazuyama was somewhere nearby. And obviously, I'm the bait.
Unbelievable. He's the sensei, but he's shameless enough to let me take all the blame!
"The brat's got some skill. He actually survived the first wave."
"In our village, you'd be considered average. Too bad—you'll die here."
As the Kirigakure ninja closed in, Kakashi remained calm.
He swiftly formed hand seals—
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A roaring sphere of flames shot forward. The five enemies instinctively backed away.
Then, a chilling voice echoed through the night like a demon's whisper.
"Many Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Dozens of serpents lunged from the darkness, their fangs sinking into one of the Kirigakure ninja.
"Ahhh!"
A scream of agony tore through the air.
The others barely had time to react before a shadowy figure appeared behind them.
Kakashi's expression turned grim. That hand seal...
His lifelong nightmare!
"One Thousand Years of Death! Rasengan Ascension!"
A Rasengan-enhanced One Thousand Years of Death sent the already poisoned ninja soaring straight to the afterlife.
"AAAAHHH!"
The scream was brief—it ended as soon as it began.
"Damn it! There's someone else!"
"That brat was just a decoy!"
"Heisaburō, what did you sense?!"
The captain roared, but Heisaburō was just as shaken. He had only detected one presence earlier.
"Forget it! One or two, doesn't matter—kill them both!"
"Kurosawa, handle the kid. The rest of you, come with me. Take the other one down!"
The team split—four against Kazuyama, while Kurosawa faced Kakashi alone.
Unfortunately for them, their strategy was solid, but reality was brutal.
Kazuyama had already prepared his Flying Thunder God Technique.
Kunai and shuriken marked the battlefield in every direction.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
The captain unleashed his strongest technique.
"Water Release: Water Whip!"
Two others followed up, sending water whips to ensnare Kazuyama.
But before their attacks could land—
"What the hell—?!"
Their target was gone.
"No good! Kurosawa!"
Realizing the danger, the team leader quickly cut off his jutsu and turned toward Kurosawa.
Sure enough—
Kazuyama had reappeared right behind him.
A dozen long snakes lashed out, sinking their fangs into Kurosawa's flesh.
Then, with a sharp pull, Kazuyama yanked him into his grasp.
"Second one!"
"Ahhhh!"
With a final scream, Kurosawa was gone—victim to both snake venom and another Rasengan-powered One Thousand Years of Death.
"Damn it! Was that the Body Flicker Technique?! He's too fast!"
"How are we supposed to fight this?! Team Leader, we need to retreat!"
"Yeah, this is impossible!"
Faced with Kazuyama's overwhelming techniques, the remaining Kirigakure ninja lost all will to fight.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake