Chapter 36: Tatsuma VS Kushina

"Host: Sakamoto Tatsuma

Attributes:

Strength: 1576/1984

Speed: 1821/3893

Stamina: 1701/3490

Wisdom: 1205/1432

Ninjutsu: 1193/1547

Illusions: 661/1013

Spirit: 1236/1757

Seals: 1344/1682

Special Talents:

Space-Time: 80%

Ninjutsu Development: 70%

Ninja Tool Throwing (Minato Namikaze Limited Edition): 90%

Sensory: 55%

Sealing (Kushina Uzumaki Limited Edition): 30%

Tatsuma's current system display showcased his remarkable achievements:

All talent limits have successfully met the Chunin requirements. Moreover, each talent has ascended to the level expected of a Chunin, except for illusions, which continue to progress within the ranks."

Furthermore, there's a glimmer of hope for Genjutsu. Recently, Tatsuma mastered the Illusion·Hell Viewing Jutsu, demonstrating a more diverse approach beyond relying solely on enduring other people's illusions for practicing Genjutsu.

In addition, once he reaches a talent value of 1000, Tatsuma who used to only be able to redeem one point per day and sometimes it reaches up to two points, will be able to increase it to a consistent two points per day, occasionally even reaching three.

To put it differently, within the span of at most half a year, all his abilities will impeccably reach the Chunin standard.

Despite these advancements, Tatsuma harbors a subtle lack of confidence in practical combat. His training partner, Minato, has become so familiar that they can't accurately gauge each other's strength, leaving Tatsuma yearning for more diverse combat experiences.

Regarding the others in the class, Tatsuma finds them somewhat lacking in strength. Even Uchiha Tenko falls short of making Tatsuma exert his true strength. Consequently, he secretly wishes for Kushina to have become stronger since their last encounter, as he yearns to test his true capabilities.

Observing Tatsuma emerge from behind a massive tree, Kushina eyed him with suspicion, wary of any potential use of Transformation Jutsu or similar deceptive techniques. However, upon closer inspection, unable to discern any trickery, Kushina dismissed her doubts and charged directly at him.

"Bang!"

Another punch lands, accompanied not by the muffled sound of smoke, but by the authentic noise resulting from the impact between Kushina's fist and Tatsuma's forearm.

After Kushina's powerful strike, Tatsuma took two steps back, a subtle smile playing at the corner of his mouth. The reason for his amusement? Kushina's strength proved to be formidable, surpassing Tatsuma's estimate by at least thirty percent.

Observing that Tatsuma couldn't hold his ground due to her forceful blow, Kushina couldn't resist emitting a proud hum. However, before she could revel in her success and taunt him, she noticed something peculiar—Tatsuma's right hand suddenly held several Shuriken.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh~"

Three Shuriken formed a precise triangular pattern, swiftly hurtling toward Kushina. Swiftly swallowing her words, she deftly drew a Kunai, using it to block the incoming Shuriken with practiced skill.

Having dealt with the trio of Shuriken, Kushina shifted her attention to Tatsuma, only to discover him swiftly forming hand seals with both hands, the technique already complete.

"Paralysis Jutsu!"

In an instant, invisible ropes seemed to bind Kushina's limbs, torso, and head, rendering her entirely immobile. The Paralysis Jutsu proved to be a simple yet potent D-rank Ninjutsu. Despite its straightforward nature, its effectiveness was undeniable. The extent and strength of the binds could be tailored according to the amount of Chakra infused.

Tatsuma, aware that he didn't need to restrain Kushina for an extended period, refrained from infusing an excess of Chakra, aiming for just enough to immobilize her briefly—merely a prelude to a single, decisive strike.

Capitalizing on the moment when Kushina found herself immobilized, Tatsuma deftly reformed the Seal of Confrontation, triggering the instant activation of the Body Flicker Jutsu.

The standard Body Flicker Jutsu, a mere D-rank Ninjutsu, is operated by utilizing Chakra to propel the body forward, enhancing speed. Tatsuma and Minato had grasped this technique in less than a day thanks to their prior understanding of using Chakra to activate the body acquired during the study of Jiraiya's Needle Jizo and Wild Lion's Mane Jutsu.

Tatsuma's execution of the Body Flicker Jutsu in this moment was remarkably seamless. It appeared as if he vanished the moment he raised his hand to gather Chakra, and upon reappearing, he stood already before Kushina.

"I won't let you succeed!"

Caught off guard for a moment, Kushina's initial surprise quickly transformed into heightened fury. Channeling a surge of intensified force and Chakra, she effortlessly shattered the Chakra bonds that restrained her. With newfound freedom, she hurled a punch towards the astonished Tatsuma.

"Bang!"

As a triumphant smile graced Kushina's lips, her fist made intimate contact with Tatsuma's face. However, at that very moment, Tatsuma abruptly transformed into a burst of smoke.

"Substitution Jutsu?! No, Clone Jutsu!"

Confronted with the emptiness in front of her, a sense of unease settled over Kushina. She scanned the surroundings in search of Tatsuma's figure but found no trace. Meanwhile, the ground beneath her feet subtly rippled.

"Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Jutsu."

In an instant, a pair of hands emerged from the grass, seizing Kushina's ankle and forcefully yanking her toward the ground.

This Nature Transformation Jutsu was the sole mastery in Tatsuma's repertoire, standing as the only Ninjutsu that eluded Minato's skill set. As Minato, who observed the unfolding battle, witnessed Tatsuma employing this technique, a hint of envy crossed his features.

Tatsuma had previously suspected that Minato lacked Earth Release Chakra, hindering the smooth resonance of his Chakra with the Earth to shape it effortlessly. Nevertheless, Tatsuma held the belief that given time, Minato could undoubtedly master this Ninjutsu. After all, the Double Suicide Decapitation Jutsu, despite belonging to Earth Release, didn't demand Chakra Nature Transformation. It merely required the use of Chakra to manipulate the landscape's form.

Having Earth Release Chakra might facilitate things, but even without it, mastering this technique is not an insurmountable challenge. Unlike, the advanced techniques that demand Chakra Nature Transformation and may entail specific prerequisites related to the corresponding attribute's Chakra.

Tatsuma, unfazed by Minato's current reaction, remained completely absorbed in his ongoing battle with Kushina. Despite successfully grabbing her, he encountered unexpected resistance while attempting to pull her to the ground.

In response, Kushina, having overcome her initial panic and imbalance, swiftly regained her composure. Despite her lower body being drawn into the earth, she acted promptly, using her hands to support herself on the ground, staunchly preventing further descent.

Her physical prowess surpassed Tatsuma's. After a brief struggle beneath the surface, Tatsuma swiftly conceded, emerging from the ground and brandishing a Kunai aimed at Kushina, who was partially buried in the soil.

"Damn it, all you know is to play tricks!"

Despite having only half of her body in motion, Kushina clung to her determination. With one hand grounding her, she exerted considerable effort to pull herself out, the other hand gripping the Kunai in a defensive stance.

"Ding~"

The clash of the two Kunai resonated. Despite Kushina's initial strength advantage, her awkward body position unexpectedly diminished her force compared to Tatsuma. Nevertheless, she skillfully deflected Tatsuma's Kunai, narrowly avoiding a direct hit as it grazed her ear and sliced a few strands of her vibrant red hair.

Witnessing her hair sliced by Tatsuma, Kushina, seemingly powerless until that moment, unleashed a surge of astonishing strength, fueled by a flash of anger. She forcefully extricated herself from the ground, seamlessly transitioning into a Capoeira-style kick directed at Tatsuma.

Swiftly stepping back, Tatsuma employed his hands to block and deflect Kushina's kick with nimble precision, thwarting its effectiveness. Despite the unsuccessful kick, Kushina now found herself free from the ground, reclaiming a favorable position.

"Let's start over! Seaweed Head!"

Menacingly moving her feet, Kushina taunted Tatsuma. His eye twitched, and he muttered to himself, "Daring to mock my hair! Ninja Art! Needle Hell!"

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