"Huhh!"
Aaron slumped against the rough bark of the tree, his chest rising and falling as he took in gulps of air, the burn of exertion still lingering in his muscles. He uncapped his water pouch with trembling fingers, tilting it back for a deep swallow, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat. Sweat clung to his brow, streaking through the grime and blood splattered across his face.
But despite the exhaustion, a smile crept onto his lips.
"It was grueling, pulling those goblin squads out one by one... but worth it."
His gaze flicked to his interface 2250 points. A hard-earned total after dismantling four teams of fifteen goblins each. The fight had pushed him, tested his limits. He had barely managed, but somehow, he had endured.
He let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders, trying to shake off the ache settling deep in his bones.
Then, his eyes drifted toward the Goblin Camp.
The once restless movement of its inhabitants had stilled. No scattered patrols, no reckless wanderers. Instead, the goblins had drawn inward, clustering tightly near the heart of the camp, their bodies tense, their posture wary.
They knew.
Something was wrong.
Aaron exhaled, his breath slow and measured as he turned his hand over, studying the raw redness streaking across his palm. The kunai's grip had pressed deep into his skin, the pressure of battle leaving behind angry lines where his fingers had clenched too tightly. A dull ache radiated through his muscles, his hand trembling slightly from overexertion.
Yet, despite the discomfort, there was something satisfying about the pain it was proof of his effort, a silent testament to the fight he had endured. He flexed his fingers, feeling the lingering sting, then slowly curled them into a fist.
Aaron exhaled, the tension in his body easing slightly as realization set in things would become less grueling from here.
Finally, he could redeem ninjutsu.
He recalled the moment he had first discovered his elemental affinities earth, wind, and sand. Each one unlocked the instant his body had fused with the One-Tailed Beast.
Now, he had options.
With 2000 points, he could purchase two D-level ninjutsu basic techniques, modest in their offensive capability, but still invaluable. At this stage, raw power wasn't the goal control was. Precision. A foundation to build upon.
Aaron browsed through the shop, his eyes scanning the available ninjutsu, weighing each option carefully. After thoughtful consideration, he made his choice two techniques that would complement each other perfectly.
One would grant him stealth, allowing him to maneuver unnoticed. The other would disrupt enemy formations while dealing precise damage.
D-rank ninjutsu consumed between 100 to 500 chakra units, with an effective range of up to 100 meters well within his current capabilities.
Sand Veil Technique (Sand-based, Utility & Evasion)
Effect: Aaron summons a sudden burst of swirling sand, creating a dense veil around him. This obscures vision, making it difficult for enemies to track his movements.
Earthen Spikes Eruption (Earth-based, Area Control & Disruption)
Effect: Aaron channels chakra into the ground, triggering jagged stone spikes to burst upward, impaling and disorienting enemies within a controlled radius. The radius can vary between 2 to 10 meters, with the chakra cost scaling accordingly greater reach demands higher chakra expenditure.
After resting for a while, Aaron's gaze settled on the clustered goblins, a deep frown creasing his face. He hesitated, gripping his kunai tightly, considering his next move.
Then, with measured precision, he unwrapped a detonation talisman, carefully binding it around the kunai's handle. This would be enough. Enough to scatter them, enough to draw their attention enough to set the stage for what came next.
The goblins remained tightly packed, unaware of the destruction about to unfold. Aaron steadied his breath, feeling the faint pulse of chakra in his fingertips. Once the explosion created the opening, his newly acquired ninjutsu would do the rest.
The moment the kunai left Aaron's grip, spinning through the air toward the clustered goblins, time seemed to slow. The detonation talisman ignited just before impact.
Boom!
A blast of fire and concussive force ripped through the goblin ranks, sending bodies sprawling, weapons clattering to the ground. Shrieks of panic erupted as dust and smoke curled into the air, obscuring their vision, throwing them into confusion.
But Aaron wasn't waiting.
He dashed forward, already forming the hand seals for his next attack. His chakra surged through the ground
Earthen Spikes Eruption!
Jagged stone spikes burst upward beneath the disoriented goblins. Several were impaled instantly, their cries cutting short as the terrain betrayed them. Others stumbled back, scrambling to regain control, only for more spikes to rise beneath their feet. The formation was in chaos.
Aaron pivoted, his instincts sharp, kunai already in hand. A goblin lunged, its rusted sword slicing toward him he twisted away, the blade barely grazing his shoulder. In retaliation, his kunai struck true, burying deep into the goblin's throat. It collapsed, choking on its own breath.
Then movement at his flank.
Three goblins surged toward him, weapons raised. Too close.Too many to strike cleanly.
Sand Veil Technique!
A dense shroud of swirling sand exploded from Aaron's feet, enveloping him in a golden storm. The goblins halted, eyes darting wildly as their vision blurred. He was gone.
A second later, Aaron reappeared behind them.
The first didn't even have time to react before Aaron's kunai slashed across its back, sending it crumbling forward. The second barely turned when a stone spike erupted beneath it, impaling its legs. The last goblin saw him too late. Aaron's foot slammed against its chest, sending it crashing onto the blood-soaked ground.
The battlefield was his.
But the remaining goblins weren't fools. They regrouped, adjusting to his tactics. Their eyes burned with fury. They wouldn't fall so easily again.
Aaron's pulse thundered in his ears, his breath sharp and measured. The adrenaline that surged through his veins brought an undeniable rush an addictive thrill. But even through the haze of battle, his instincts held firm.
He couldn't take them head-on.
The goblins had learned, adjusted, and tightened their formation. Charging in recklessly was a death sentence. He had seen their weapons spears raised, ready, anticipating his next move.
But Aaron wasn't there anymore.
A fraction of a second before the attack landed, his Substitution Technique had already taken effect.
Thunk!
Spears pierced through the trunk where his image had stood wood splintering, the goblins snarling in triumph. But their victory was false.
Aaron had already repositioned high above, perched within the branches of a twisted tree, obscured by dense foliage. His eyes sharpened as he watched the goblins hesitate, their aggression faltering for just a moment as they realized they had been tricked.