Chapter 27: A One-Sided Battle

A Training Ground, Somewhere

"I didn’t expect this many spectators."

"Being stared at like some kind of circus act… really pisses me off."

Yoru hated this kind of atmosphere.

His gaze shifted to the three before him—Ameyuri Ringo, Hōzuki Suigetsu, and Shimama Isshin—and he asked flatly, "Who’s first?"

His tone was indifferent, as if they weren’t even worth his attention.

"I’ll go."

Ameyuri stepped forward, gripping her twin blades tightly.

"Then let’s begin."

The next instant, Yoru was already in her face. His eyes flashed.

"Genjutsu: Paralysis Jutsu!"

Ameyuri froze—completely helpless.

Before she could even blink, Yoru’s blade rested against her throat.

"You lose."

He released the genjutsu, his voice calm.

"Damn it!" Ameyuri gritted her teeth, frustration burning inside her. "The gap’s already this big?!"

Graduation had only been half a month ago.

Back then, Yoru would’ve struggled to restrain her.

Now? It took no effort at all.

Was he getting stronger by the second?!

"Next. Who’s it gonna be?"

Yoru’s eyes flicked between Suigetsu and Isshin.

"Me. Don’t think you’ll beat me that easily!" Suigetsu smirked, oozing confidence.

And why wouldn’t he be?

The Hōzuki Clan’s Hydrification Technique was legendary. Without a direct counter, touching his real body was nearly impossible—let alone defeating him.

"Alright. Let’s go."

Once they were both ready, Yoru locked eyes with Suigetsu—

"Not falling for that again!" Suigetsu shut his eyes and leaped back, grinning. "Same trick won’t work twice!"

But—

"Who said I was using genjutsu?"

A cold edge pressed against Suigetsu’s neck.

By the time Yoru’s voice registered, it was already over.

"You lose." Yoru lowered his blade, flashing a sharp grin.

"Tch!" Suigetsu’s face darkened as he stepped back.

He’d talked big—only to get humiliated in seconds.

Worse, he hadn’t even gotten to show off his skills.

The surrounding mist-nin erupted in cheers.

Genjutsu to crush Ameyuri. Misdirection to outplay Suigetsu.

In their generation, only Yoru could pull off something like this—effortlessly, flawlessly.

Monstrous.

"That just leaves you."

Yoru’s gaze settled on the last opponent—Shimama Isshin.

"Please go easy on me."

Isshin bowed politely before drawing his sword.

"Sure, sure."

The moment the words left Yoru’s mouth, he lunged.

"Suiton: Water Wall!"

Isshin’s hands flew through seals, erecting a barrier—while he himself retreated, already forming another jutsu.

"Suiton—!"

CRACK!

Yoru’s blade split the Water Wall like paper.

"What?!"

Isshin’s eyes widened. Even the watching mist-nin gasped.

Cutting through a jutsu with a sword? That was beyond insane.

Facing an enemy like this… it was downright despair-inducing.

"Suiton: Water Gun Jutsu!"

Isshin barely registered Yoru’s hand seals before two high-speed water bullets shot toward him. He barely dodged—

BOOM! BOOM!

The tree behind him exploded into splinters.

"Close call…"

"LOOK OUT!"

The warning came too late.

By the time Isshin turned, Yoru was already in his face.

THUD!

A brutal kick sent him flying.

Before he could even hit the ground, a blade hovered at his throat.

The same words again:

"You lose."

Total domination. Not even a hint of struggle.

The crowd buzzed with murmurs.

"This is what happens when you’ve fought Kakashi… He’s already in a different league."

"No contest. The gap’s just too huge."

"No wonder they call him ‘White Flash.’ He’s suffocatingly strong."

Even the older mist-nin felt the pressure.

Having a monster like this chasing after them? It was terrifying.

"In just a few days, he’s gotten even stronger. What kind of freak is he?" Zabuza thought, watching silently.

"That hand speed… Even we’d struggle to keep up." Kisame mused, arms crossed.

"Facing an enemy like that… It’s unnerving." Fuguki admitted.

One by one, the spectators dispersed.

From that day on, Yoru’s title was set in stone:

The Strongest of the Mist’s New Generation.

Even if he himself couldn’t care less about the label.

Meanwhile, in Prison…

"The strongest of the new generation? Heh… That’s my little Yoru for you."

Mei Terumī smiled warmly as the news reached her.

Life slowly returned to normal.

ANBU duties were endless—even without missions, there were patrols, surveillance, and constant training.

First aid. Survival skills. Tactical analysis.

Every day was packed.

Yoru barely had time to swing his sword for strengthening points, but he didn’t mind.

His current strength was solid. A short break wouldn’t hurt.

One Month Later

The day Mei was released, Yoru was there to greet her.

"So? Feels good to breathe free air again, right?"

"Sky’s blue. Grass is green. Perfect day."

The Hidden Mist was known for its endless rain and fog, but today?

Sunlight.

"Even the heavens are celebrating my freedom~" Mei laughed, stretching luxuriously.

A month in prison—even with decent treatment—had left her a little worn.

No matter how comfortable, a cell was still a cell.

Nothing beat the outside world.