103 Chapter 103
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With a final slash, Kyomu wiped his blade clean before sheathing it. The number of Sand ninja who fell by his hand today reached eighteen. Had his teammates not competed for kills, he could have claimed even more.
Closing his eyes, Kyomu took a moment to feel the changes within his body.
Upon opening his eyes, a fleeting sharpness sparkled within them.
He could feel the deep-seated injuries within his body healing, his bones growing stronger, muscles more robust, organs more vital, and a significant improvement in his blood quality.
Although these changes wouldn't immediately translate into strength, the body is an asset. With a strong foundation, monetizing it becomes easy.
And the foundation is always the cornerstone of building heights, making Kyomu's path ahead even broader.
Both his chakra and mental strength had significantly increased.
Measuring his chakra against that of Kisame, Kyomu had previously been on par, but now he had surpassed him by a margin.
Mental strength, mysterious and profound, lacks a good reference, but Kyomu felt that the power of his ninjutsu had increased.
This was just from killing eighteen people.
If he killed even more…
The latent bloodlust within Kyomu stirred, appearing fierce, yet his reasoning remained as calm as ever.
"Let's go, lead the remaining Sand ninja chasing us in circles again."
Kyomu commanded, noting from the corner of his eye a few teammates had sustained injuries, one severely, but thankfully, there were no casualties.
"Shake them off quickly so we can find a safe place to rest," he added.
"Yes, Captain Kyomu!"
The team followed Kyomu, speeding forward with the severely injured carried on a stretcher, ensuring no one was left behind.
Meanwhile, Kyomu turned to Ren at his side.
"Ren, I don't want a repeat of this situation," Kyomu said coldly, "A mistake is normal, especially under tough conditions. I won't blame you. But a second time would disappoint me."
Ren tensed up, "Rest assured, Captain, the same mistake won't happen again."
With Ren's assurance, Kyomu felt slightly relieved and continued leading the team.
As night fell completely, Kyomu and his team successfully evaded their pursuers, misleading them in the opposite direction.
Thus, the tightly pursuing Sand ninja once again found themselves exploited, unable to easily discover the loophole without Kyomu and his team showing themselves.
Especially with top-ranking Sand ninja like Karura, who excels in pursuit, being in short supply.
Indeed, Karura, who narrowly escaped death at Kyomu's hand, was a Jonin.
Although not considered among the elite of the Sand ninja, with the support of the mythical Three-Star Fan, she remained competitive.
"Captain Kyomu, that female Sand ninja was a Jonin, right?" Ebisu whispered during a rest, guarding with Kyomu.
"Indeed."
"Only Captain could maintain such strength even after using two body-damaging forbidden techniques." Ebisu praised, "If I had even half of Captain Kyomu's strength, I wouldn't need saving so often."
"Your strength has improved quickly," Kyomu patted Ebisu's shoulder, "Among the Chunin, you excel. I believe by next year, you could reach or even surpass the threshold of a special Jonin."
"Hopefully," Ebisu replied before changing the subject, "Captain, I'll check over there."
Nodding, Kyomu watched Ebisu disappear into the night, finally having time to examine the Three-Star Fan.
But as soon as he touched the fan, Yoei, sheathed at his waist, began to tremble, clearly eager.
"How do you plan to consume it?" Kyomu whispered.
Yoei, incapable of speech but spiritually connected with Kyomu, conveyed its intent clearly for simple matters.
"Like this?"
Kyomu unsheathed Yoei, placing it alongside the Three-Star Fan, "Are you sure you don't need me to break it?"
Yoei refused, signaling for Kyomu not to disturb it.
Smiling, Kyomu left Yoei to consume the Three-Star Fan and headed in the opposite direction of Ebisu for reconnaissance.
Ren needed rest, unable to constantly use the Byakugan. In its absence, extra vigilance was never amiss.
---
"The Three-Star Fan is gone?!"
In the Land of Rivers, Chiyo, overseeing the rear defense and supply lines against Konoha ninja, glared at Karura with fierce eyes.
"I'm sorry, Elder Chiyo. I was no match for Kyomu," Karura bowed, yet added, "But if we face off again, as long as Kyomu doesn't use that forbidden technique, I can defeat him."
Chiyo eyed Karura, combining this with the intelligence from her brother, Ebizo, before reaching a conclusion.
"Most likely," Chiyo nodded, "Anything else?"
"In my fight with Kyomu, he used Lightning, Water, and Scorch Release, confirming he possesses all five elemental chakra natures. His mastery in elemental ninjutsu is remarkable, not just his swordsmanship. Ignoring his elemental techniques could lead to grave mistakes."
"Continue," Chiyo's heart sank, wondering if Konoha had some special blessing.
"Moreover, Kyomu's expertise in combining ninjutsu and seizing opportunities is unparalleled, making him difficult to exploit. His physical resilience is astounding; only direct blade strikes can harm him, which requires caution."
Chiyo sighed, interrupting Karura, "You've praised Kyomu, but what about his weaknesses?"
"Like Konoha's White Fang, he highly values his comrades," Karura mentioned a non-weakness, "Had he not been concerned about our counterattack, he could have pursued and killed me despite my injuries. He chose his team's safety over pursuing me, a potential breakthrough if exploited correctly."
Chiyo wanted to agree but shook her head, "That's speculative. We can use it, but can't rely solely on it. Tell me about his weaknesses in strength or techniques."
Karura thought, then shared her perceived weakness of Kyomu.
"Elder Chiyo, many of Kyomu's techniques, especially his sword skills, are high-cost but powerful. This means he's quick but lacks endurance. In a prolonged or exhausting battle, his combat effectiveness would diminish."
Chiyo wanted to scold Karura but held back, realizing this applied to all ninja.
"You're saying Kyomu's techniques and abilities are flawless?"
Karura fell silent but soon spoke again, "If we use large-scale Earth Release or physical attacks mediated by chakra, Kyomu would struggle."
Chiyo's eyes brightened, "Meaning..."
"Kyomu excels in single or group combat with his swordsmanship, speed, and strength, akin to Konoha's White Fang. However, if the attack is broad enough, he cannot evade, and his sword cannot fully block physical ninjutsu."
Karura's point was clear: aside from purely chakra-based Fire and Wind Release, other forms like Earth, Water, and Lightning Release could bypass Yoei's defenses.
"I understand," Chiyo nodded, "I'll make arrangements."
Standing, Chiyo prepared to leave, "Heal well. The disgrace of your defeat and losing the Three-Star Fan is yours to cleanse."
"Elder Chiyo, I will!" Karura nodded, determination flickering in her eyes.
---
The next morning, Kyomu awoke, retracting Yoei covered in dewdrops.
As he sheathed the blade, the Three-Star Fan on the ground cried out, its frame shattering and the surface blackening as if burned, losing its former luster.
It was dead.
Yoei, devoid of guilt but exhilarated, informed Kyomu of its gains and the new ability acquired from absorbing the Three-Star Fan.
Yes, an ability, not just a trait.
Abilities are additional derivatives, vastly different from rule-nearing traits. Yet, this derivative ability significantly boosts combat effectiveness.
Like the Three-Star Fan, capable of unleashing devastating wind slashes given sufficient chakra, Yoei's new derivative ability naturally involved the fan's wind-creating powers.
Through their spiritual connection, Kyomu instantly understood how to utilize this new ability.
"Not bad, quite a powerful boost for my current stage," Kyomu thought contently, choosing not to experiment immediately to avoid revealing their location.
He planned to further antagonize the Sand ninja, sneak into the Land of Wind, and infiltrate Sunagakure.
"Check our supplies, estimate how long we can last," Kyomu ordered as they prepared to depart.
After a quick inventory, the team informed him of their status.
"We can last about twelve more days, more than enough," Kyomu concluded, signaling to move out, "Let's detour and hit the Sand ninja's supply lines or field hospitals."
Attacking field hospitals didn't trouble Kyomu; in the world of shinobi, such conventions were scarce. Targeting medics, sensors, and communication ninjas was a priority, exploiting weaknesses mercilessly.
With Ren's Byakugan, Kyomu effectively had a seven-kilometer radius full-map hack, easily finding loopholes and reaching unexpected positions.
Their tactics were sophisticated, masterfully employing flanking and infiltration.
Leading his team to a position six kilometers from a Sand ninja field hospital, Kyomu noted its strategic placement between the frontline and rear guard, treating severely wounded from the front.
These patients posed little threat; breaking through the guards would be effortless.
However, the Sand ninja valued their hospital, heavily guarding it.
"Captain, there are no gaps in their defense," Ren reported, sketching the observed details.
Kyomu smirked at the makeshift map, "Indeed, their numbers make them formidable, with a well-guarded defense. Seems we have no choice but to force our way through."
Determined yet cautious, Kyomu saw an opportunity.
Having formed a pact with the Dragon Earth Cave, it was time to demonstrate its power, lest others think him incapable or unwelcome by the cave's serpents.
Biting his finger, he slammed his hand onto the ground.
Summoning Technique: Green Snake!
(End of Chapter)
