"It feels... somewhat underwhelming," Haseo muttered with a slight frown, offering an assessment that struck everyone as oddly detached.
Looking at those Kumo ninja who had clearly died from collisions yet whose corpses resembled victims half-devoured by beasts, and even further away, the first attacker reduced to mere particles—Haseo's words seemed increasingly inhuman. Shouldn't someone like him, who had trained for only three and a half years, already be considered strong enough?
But some folks just talk one way and act another—claiming they'd rather farm than fight, yet when they do throw down, they hit harder than anyone. And when someone like him spends thirty solid minutes farming, only to realize his damage output is weaker than a basic turret, well… obviously he's gonna feel frustrated. That's why he says things like, "I guess I'm not quite as confident this year as I was last."
Haseo's Earth Release technique "[Tianxian Jue Chong · Poque Shuiyue]" exceeded its designed specifications on its very first use. Though this technique appeared complex, its original principle was actually quite simple.
It's like how Rasengan led to Wind Release: Rasengan, then Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, and finally [Sage Art: Wind Release: Rasenshuriken]. No matter how powerful these techniques became through later development, their foundation remains the Rasengan itself, and the design principle is nothing more than the principle of the Rasengan.
The foundation of Haseo's current kinjutsu, however, lies in his [Water Release: Dazong Lu].
Initially, his mimicked water-natured chakra merely circulated within the pseudo-meridians projected inside his body. But over time, due to muscle memory and habit, what was once called a pseudo-meridian couldn't really be called "pseudo" anymore. It gradually solidified within his body as an alternative chakra circulation pathway—a second meridian fully established.
Although it was an artificially designed second meridian, once it became real, there was no reason for it to circulate only one type of chakra—water natured alone.
By circulating earth-natured chakra at double speed across both meridians simultaneously inside his body, and then triggering it through a special formula, the resulting ninjutsu became "[Tianxian Jue Chong · Poque Shuiyue]" currently used by Haseo.
Only a technique like this could truly be called "Chakra Control."
Eight-Tails Jinchuriki B turned his gaze away from the ninja now splattered against the barrier, then asked Renjiro beside him, "Have you ever seen him use this technique before? Do we have any related intelligence?"
Renjiro shook his head. "This is my first time seeing it too. But as he said, it's definitely an Earth Release technique. It might somewhat resemble Iwagakure's Heavy Rock or Light-and-Heavy Rock techniques, but his method of using them differs fundamentally from Iwagakure's approach... much sharper."
Haseo's Kinjutsu, if categorized, would still fall under Ninja Taijutsu. He wasn't particularly fond of close-range combat, but somehow, every technique he developed boosted his physical abilities… Perhaps this was simply a cannon's resistance against its own fate as a cannon.
Under normal circumstances, Haseo wouldn't mind enemies analyzing his techniques—it was amusing to see them trying hard but failing to grasp the key points. But now, he didn't have time for games.
His chakra supply was minimal, and every second counted.
This dual-loop-enhanced chakra pattern generated an extremely intense level of chakra. However, Haseo was born as an ordinary ninja. Even though his body had undergone extensive training over time, it simply couldn't endure this level of chakra for long… The reason this Kinjutsu was classified as such was that it could very likely cause the user's body to disintegrate at any moment.
Therefore, he took a step forward, then rushed backward into the enemy ranks.
Haseo needed to eliminate as many enemies as possible in the shortest amount of time.
At this moment, with the pride of Kumo shinobi, they absolutely wouldn't retreat when attacked head-on by just one opponent; therefore… brutal combat began.
Even judging purely from taijutsu alone, Haseo could no longer be considered an average fighter. Dashing into the enemy ranks, his refined physical skills combined with the enhancement of [Tenson Seichū] unleashed unparalleled destructive power. Any foe touched by him faced instant death.
In merely a short while, the earth beneath Haseo's feet had turned into a blood-soaked battlefield. Scattered across it were severed limbs and warm corpses.
"Fall back! Use long-range ninjutsu on him!"
After a brief clash and getting overwhelmed, the trained Kumo shinobi finally realized what they had to do—no longer let Haseo close in freely.
Thus, the ring of Kumo shinobi scattered outward before launching wide-area elemental techniques toward Haseo.
"Haseo-sama, it's nearly been three minutes."
At this point, the slug on Haseo's shoulder issued him this reminder.
"Hmm."
Haseo acknowledged with a nod. His attacks had indeed inflicted heavy damage upon the Kumo shinobi, eliminating over a dozen enemies within such a short time. Yet… three minutes—that was about all he could take.
Then, Tenson Seichū around his body dissipated.
Simultaneously, a barrage of ninjutsu rained down on him.
"Boom!"
The well-trained, coordinated squad of Kumo shinobi unleashed large-scale, high-impact compound techniques that completely engulfed the area around Haseo within dozens of meters. When the jutsu struck the ground, they exploded with a deafening roar, like a meteor crashing down.
"Haseo!" Chichio, seeing the moment Haseo was swallowed up from a more distant location, finally couldn't help letting out a soft cry of alarm.
"It'll be fine."
"But," said Katsuyu on her shoulder, "Haseo-sama... it's alright."
Sansho-sama, Haseo-sama, what is the human perspective like? However, there's no need for both eyes to constantly look forward. One must learn to turn around and look behind. Perhaps ahead lies nothing but barren wilderness, but if you just turn your head, you'll discover that behind you already blossoms a whole field.
The brown bloodstains, scorched by waves of fire and now dried, reappeared. The carbonized limbs emitted an especially pungent odor. Yet Haseo stepped forth one step at a time from within that devastating strike, stood still, then lifted his head.
Wintry remains.
The drizzle turned abruptly into heavy snowfall.
Beside Haseo stretched boundless wilderness, further out lay the sea, already covered in thousands upon thousands of pure white hexagonal snowflakes (rokka).
Oh, perhaps this should be called 'Feathers, Sea, Fields, and a Thousand Blooms.'
"Don't understand? The jutsu active on me right now is called 'Chakra Control Mode: Water Release · Mizukagami Zetsuchou · Nichirin Dōruku.' I never said I could use only one chakra mode, otherwise why would I insist on becoming a ninja capable of all five natures?" Haseo said, looking at the Kumo shinobi surrounding him.
At this moment, the chakra overflowing beside him had already transformed into a translucent water-like sheen.
Haseo dared to engage enemies of such numbers, naturally not relying solely on rash bravery... He certainly hadn't claimed he possessed only one kinjutsu.
When comparing with the Second Hokage, how could he himself have only one forbidden technique?
At this moment, Renjiro realized they couldn't continue like this. He rushed forward, hands forming seals rapidly, before unleashing a powerful and unique area-based ninjutsu at Haseo.
Quickly completing hand seals, shortly after he pressed both palms together, a glowing circle approximately half his body length in diameter appeared centered at his hands. Then, countless bright streams radiated outward, surging directly toward Haseo.
[Storm Release · Reicuo Sa Kaho]
Yet at this moment, Haseo didn't dodge at all. Those light currents arrived near him, smoothly refracting off the chakra cloak surrounding his body. His entire figure was enveloped in radiant light, yet he manipulated, trained, and tamed these rays; they obeyed him completely without causing the slightest injury.
"Storm Release, huh? A bloodline limit user who can become a spy and remain hidden for ten years indeed has some skill... Jinchuriki, I'm actually a bit envious of you," Haseo remarked.
It's common knowledge in the industry that Storm Release surpasses both Water Release and Lightning Release combined. However, what exactly did Haseo envy anyway? Shouldn't it be the other way around—envy for a bloodline user who hasn't touched him at all?
Renjiro took a deep breath, then drew the straight-bladed long sword at his waist and pointed it toward Haseo... His earlier attack had just been a test, and now the results were clear.
Haseo's Earth Release focused on ultimate offensive techniques, while his Water Release conversely served as a defensive technique. Energy-based ninjutsu won't break through this defense unless... Renjiro glanced over his shoulder at B and thought, unless they could go all out with something as powerful as a Tailed Beast Ball.
However, this was almost impossible—B wasn't a perfect jinchuriki. If he fully transformed into the tailed beast form, he would definitely lose control.
"Nice blade."
"Ah, these two blades… they're long swords forged from shards of the Seven-Star Sword."
"...If that's the case, then they have a destined connection with me."
Renjiro tightened his grip on the blade and swiftly closed in, launching a rapid and ruthless stab toward Haseo. He wasn't merely some clumsy reconnaissance ninja—his Kekkei Genkai, ninjutsu, and taijutsu all revealed that he had hidden most of his strength back when he was in Konoha.
The tip of the sword pierced Haseo's chakra cloak. It went in at first, but then an intense resistance stopped Renjiro from advancing even an inch further.
This special type of defense formed by highly condensed chakra felt just like striking rubber, yet… Renjiro also realized that in this current state, Haseo actually didn't have such high tolerance against physical attacks.
"Did you misunderstand something? Do you think I can only use this one technique?"
"Why'd you come so close?"
As the voice echoed beside his ear, Renjiro instantly felt the resistance on the blade vanish. Before he could even react, his body had already lunged forward uncontrollably.
Haseo's chakra cloak suddenly disappeared, replaced by a faint, brilliant blue lightning aura.
[Lightning Release: Mikage]
He moved at an incredible speed, faster than the senses could track. He circled behind Renjiro, casually drew the other longsword from his opponent's waist, and then slashed upward with a reverse grip using one hand.
A slight resistance ran through the blade before vanishing entirely.
A whistling sound came slicing down from above, but without looking back, Haseo shot out his other hand and snatched whatever it was midair.
Now he was holding both swords… though one of them came with a little extra attached.
See what I mean? That's exactly why we used to be on the same team. Renjiro wasn't just charging over here to hand over weapons—it turned out he'd even tossed in a warm, severed arm for good measure.
That vivid red hue looked almost celebration-worthy.
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