"Clang!"
The tall, muscular boy's blade clashed hard, his face suddenly paling. Lock caught the faint tremor that ran through the boy's frame, and his eyes sharpened instantly.
There—!
"Now's my chance!"
"Blink Strike!"
Lock blurred, his chakra surging as he flickered behind the enemy once more. The repeated use of his technique had already drained more than half of his chakra reserves, but none of that mattered. If this attack landed true, it would all be worth it.
His kunai stabbed forward—only for his expression to twist in alarm.
The thrust barely sank in, shallow and weak. The tall boy had already anticipated the strike. His hand snapped back with uncanny reflexes, seizing Lock's wrist in a crushing grip.
"Caught you," the boy growled, lips curling into a feral grin.
He spun, driving his elbow back toward Lock's head with brutal force.
Lock's face blanched. He tried to use Blink Strike again, but realization struck him like ice: the jutsu wasn't ready. There was still a cooldown, just like before.
Damn it!
He strained against the boy's iron grip, but it wouldn't budge. The short blade in the other hand whistled toward him. Lock twisted desperately, bringing up his free kunai to parry.
Steel rang against steel as sparks flew, both locked in a deadly struggle—one trying to cut free, the other to sever a limb.
"Eight… nine… ten!" Lock's mind raced, counting down the seconds. "It's ready!"
The moment the technique reset, he reached for it—only for his heart to sink. Nothing happened.
What—!?
His shock lasted a split second too long.
The boy's elbow smashed into his face with the weight of a sledgehammer.
"Boom!"
Lock was hurled back like a rag doll, body crashing into the trunk of a nearby tree with a sickening thud.
"Gah!" Blood sprayed from his mouth. His cheek swelled instantly, but he forced himself upright, shaking his head clear. His vision spun, but he was alive. Barely.
If he'd struck with his blade instead of his elbow… I'd be dead.
His mind replayed the failed Blink Strike. The technique hadn't triggered while he was held.
So that's it… If I'm restrained, I can't use it. Unless… I sever the part being controlled.
The thought made his stomach knot. That level of desperation… he hadn't been ready for it.
The tall boy didn't press his advantage. Instead, he tore bandages from his pouch and began binding his waist, glaring at Lock with cold eyes. Blood still leaked heavily from where Lock's kunai had pierced earlier, but he was tough, enduring the pain.
"You think you're clever?" he spat. "That teleportation trick of yours is strong… but I don't believe you can use it forever."
Lock stayed silent, breathing hard, thoughts racing. His chakra reserves were dwindling fast—less than half remained. Even with his faster-than-average recovery, it would take hours to replenish. Hours he didn't have.
This fight needs to end quickly… or I'll lose.
The boy's fingers blurred through seals. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
His chest expanded, then a roaring sphere of flame surged from his lips, devouring the air as it barreled toward Lock.
Lock's eyes flashed. Perfect.
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
Chakra surged into his throat as he spat a torrent of water, erecting a cascading wall before him.
"Psshht!"
The fireball slammed into the barrier, steam hissing violently as fire and water clashed. The wall crumbled, the flames dissipated, and a thick fog rolled outward, cloaking the battlefield in mist.
The boy's eyes narrowed. Water Style? That wasn't in the intel.
From within the haze, a shadow burst forth—Lock, sprinting head-on.
The boy tensed, then lunged to meet him. But as his blade drove forward, Lock's body burst into smoke.
"A Shadow Clone—!?"
His instincts screamed. He spun—too late.
Lock's real body appeared from behind. But instead of striking, he skidded back, fingers weaving seals.
The boy's blade slashed air. His target vanished, dissolving into nothing.
"What—an illusion!?"
Branches suddenly coiled around him, binding him tight against a tree. His limbs strained, but the wooden grip only tightened.
A voice echoed from above.
"It's over."
The boy's eyes shot up. Lock was there, descending with his kunai poised.
His blood chilled. Genjutsu—!
He bit his tongue savagely, pain snapping him free. His body twisted just enough to avoid the killing strike, stumbling back.
But he froze as Lock's calm voice rang out.
"Ninety."
Confusion flickered for a heartbeat—then agony.
He looked down. The tip of a kunai jutted from his chest, crimson blooming.
Eyes wide with disbelief, his strength drained. His heart had been pierced clean through.
The boy crumpled to his knees, blood dripping onto the earth.
Above him, Lock exhaled slowly, lowering his weapon.
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