Chapter 77: Battle
"Could it be you want to experience my Super · Shinra Tensei again?"
Seeing his escape route blocked by Hanzō, Ling Yu turned back and threatened coldly.
"Hmph, Senju Ling Yu—you're Tsunade's little brother, right? Last time I underestimated you. This time I'll go all out—let's see if you can still use that technique."
Hanzō spoke with confidence.
Ever since the Rain ninja suffered a crushing defeat, he had spent considerable effort investigating Ling Yu's identity. He learned that Ling Yu was a newly risen prodigy.
So he concluded that Ling Yu's combat experience was far inferior to his own. In a one-on-one duel, he should be able to take Ling Yu down.
"Then let's try it."
Ling Yu sneered. He also wanted to test just how strong this so-called "demigod of the ninja world" really was.
"Super Strength Fist!"
In the next instant, Ling Yu's figure vanished from his spot. When he reappeared, he was already behind Hanzō—his right hand coated in chakra as he smashed it viciously toward Hanzō's back.
A sharp sense of danger surged through Hanzō. Relying on years of battle experience, he spun around instantly, raising his weapon to guard his chest and barely blocking the attack.
Though he managed to defend against Ling Yu's Super Strength Fist, the tremendous force still sent Hanzō flying dozens of meters backward, his feet carving deep furrows into the ground.
Suppressing the pain of being blasted away, Hanzō quickly stabilized himself. Then a sinister smile appeared on his face as he rapidly formed hand seals.
"Heh heh—you fell for it!"
"Explosive Flame Formation!"
He had anticipated Ling Yu's space-time technique that allowed instant movement behind enemies. To counter it, he had prepared in advance.
While taunting Ling Yu earlier, he had secretly planted explosive tags all around his own body—setting a trap.
Now was the perfect moment to detonate it!
"Explode!"
With a low roar from Hanzō, the tags detonated. A series of massive explosions rang out, engulfing Ling Yu's position in thick black smoke. The ground beneath him collapsed into a huge crater.
"Phew… experience really does count for veteran Kage-level fighters."
Using Observation Haki's early warning, Ling Yu had activated Space Power and escaped the blast zone before it went off. He now reappeared behind Mikoto and Kushina.
Narrowing his eyes at the distant Hanzō, Ling Yu's expression grew slightly serious as he thought inwardly:
Sure enough—veteran Kage-level fighters have far richer combat experience than me. If I hadn't already cheated with my abilities, I might not have dodged that explosion.
"Tch… he actually survived. What a troublesome brat."
Seeing Ling Yu escape unscathed, Hanzō muttered in disappointment.
Though he had anticipated the possibility, he was still deeply frustrated.
He had trained rigorously since childhood, survived countless brushes with death, and only reached his current level in middle age—earning the title "demigod of the ninja world."
And yet Ling Yu? Not even ten years old, and already matching—or surpassing—his strength. If Ling Yu gained more battlefield experience over the next few years, Hanzō might not even be able to fight back.
"I'll hold him down. Everyone else—attack! Make sure to kill that Konoha ninja who stole our intelligence!"
Gripping his scythe tightly once more, Hanzō barked the order to the Rain ninja behind him before charging at Ling Yu again.
"Ling Yu—what do we do? Should we fight?"
Earlier, Kushina had been eager to join the battle, but now that the Rain ninja were swarming, she turned to Ling Yu with an excited expression.
Mikoto beside her wore the same eager look. Seeing their expressions, Ling Yu knew they were itching for a fight.
Since that was the case, he wouldn't stop them. Letting them vent their energy and have some fun against the Rain ninja wasn't a bad idea.
"Katō Dan—you take those two back to report the mission. We'll cover the retreat."
Giving Katō Dan—who was still floating in the air—a retreat signal, Ling Yu turned to the girls and said:
"Mikoto, Kushina—you two hold them off. I'll keep Hanzō busy and buy you some time."
"Hehe—time for this lady to have some fun!"
With an excited grin, Kushina shouted and charged straight toward the Rain ninja. Mikoto followed closely behind.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
Both girls were incredibly strong—especially Mikoto, who had already reached Kage level. Her power completely overwhelmed the Rain ninja present.
As soon as they stepped in front of the Rain forces, the difference in strength became painfully clear.
Every attack from the two girls took down one or several Rain chūnin. Their powerful ninjutsu left the Rain ninja completely helpless.
Except for the jōnin—who could barely hold their own—most Rain ninja were instantly killed the moment they engaged.
"Damn it! How did Konoha produce two more troublesome brats?!"
Dodging another of Ling Yu's Super Strength Fists, Hanzō—who had been keeping Ling Yu occupied—saw this scene and felt rage boiling inside him.
He had thought only Ling Yu was a real threat. Once he pinned Ling Yu down, the Rain ninja could easily crush the rest of the Konoha forces.
But he never expected the two girls beside Ling Yu to be this powerful.
While he was still thinking about how to turn the situation around—
Whoosh—
A black kunai sliced through the air, flying straight toward Hanzō's forehead from behind.
Without hesitation, Hanzō raised his scythe and deflected the kunai, narrowly avoiding the sneak attack.
"Don't get distracted—or the next one to die will be you."
Maintaining his throwing posture, Ling Yu gave a light laugh and spoke to Hanzō.
"Hmph—don't get cocky."
Now that he was struggling to protect himself, Hanzō no longer paid attention to the rest of the battlefield. He began taking Ling Yu seriously.
Meanwhile, on Katō Dan and the two Konoha ninja's side—
"Katō-senpai—what do we do now? Should we retreat or…?"
Seeing that Ling Yu and the girls had completely blocked the Rain ninja and Hanzō's advance, one of the Konoha ninja asked.
"Retreat? No way! Don't you see we have the advantage now? Attack! If we can wipe out the Rain ninja, Konoha's victory will be one step closer!"
Seeing the battlefield tilting heavily in their favor, Katō Dan—who had released his Spirit Transformation—couldn't resist the temptation of defeating the "demigod" and making a name for himself. He ordered the two Konoha ninja forward.
Then he rushed toward Ling Yu's battlefield, hoping to assist and perhaps help take down Hanzō. If successful, his prestige in Konoha would skyrocket.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
With that thought, Katō Dan immediately attacked. Invisible wind blades shot out from behind Ling Yu toward the distant Hanzō.
"Katō Dan? Didn't I tell you to retreat? Why did you come back?"
The sudden ninjutsu made Ling Yu turn around. Seeing Katō Dan—who was supposed to have withdrawn—now standing nearby, Ling Yu frowned and asked.
"I saw the situation has turned in Konoha's favor—so I came to support you. If we can capture Hanzō alive, Konoha's victory will be assured!"
Standing beside Ling Yu, Katō Dan looked at Hanzō with fanatic excitement.
"Hahaha—capture me alive? Such arrogance. I was just thinking about how to catch you—and now you've delivered yourself to me. I won't hold back!"
Hearing Katō Dan's words, Hanzō laughed mockingly.
Since Ling Yu was too difficult to deal with, surely he could crush an ordinary jōnin, right?
"Summoning Technique!"