Chapter 2: The First Enhancement—Terumi Mei is Shocked
Added 2025-04-14 23:52:39 +0000 UTCNext, she tested Yoru’s chakra affinity to determine which ninjutsu to teach him.
Yoru’s primary element was Water, with a faint secondary affinity for Lightning.
"Since Water is your dominant element, I’ll teach you the Hiding in Mist Technique and the Water Clone Technique," Mei said.
"They’ll complement your swordsmanship well."
With that, she handed Yoru a blue scroll. "These are my summarized training notes. They should make learning easier."
"Practice on your own for now. If you have questions, I’ll help when I return."
Then, she left.
Yoru knew she was attending a meeting to prepare for the upcoming exams—all of Kirigakure’s jonin were required to go.
"Hiding in Mist and Water Clone? Not bad." He immediately began studying the scroll.
Thanks to his high-tier talent (on par with Uchiha Sasuke), granted by the system, mastering the techniques was effortless.
Ten minutes in, he grasped the basics.
Thirty minutes later, he could execute them flawlessly.
Ding!
"Detected upgradable jutsu: Hiding in Mist Technique, Water Clone Technique! First enhancement cost: 1,000 points each."
"Host may earn enhancement points to strengthen jutsu as needed."
Yoru: "2,000 points? That’s not bad."
He immediately started swinging his sword to earn points.
At a rate of one point per two swings, 2,000 points took just over an hour.
One Hour Later—Enhancement Complete!
Hiding in Mist Technique (C-rank → B-rank)
Enhanced Effect:
Blocks all five senses.
Slightly distorts sound direction.
Remaining Enhancements: 3
Water Clone Technique (C-rank → B-rank)
Enhanced Effect:
Lower chakra cost.
Faster activation.
More lifelike clones.
Remaining Enhancements: 2
Without a reference point, Yoru couldn’t fully gauge the upgrades’ effectiveness. So, he closed the system and resumed sword training—enhancement points were always useful.
Once Mei returned, he’d test the jutsu’s true power.
Kirigakure, Mizukage’s Office
After the meeting, a ninja sitting beside Mei smirked.
"Terumi Mei, I heard your brother’s taking the exam this year. Want me to… help him? Just spend one night with me."
His gaze was full of lust.
Mei replied coldly, "Kanta Sen, are you delusional?" Then she walked away.
In the past, she would’ve worried about Yoru’s chances. Now? Not so much.
"You’re pushing your luck, Mei!" Sen’s face darkened.
As the son of Kirigakure’s Elder Genryū, no one dared refuse him. Yet Mei had just humiliated him publicly.
The other ninjas watched in amusement. "This’ll be interesting."
Sen was notoriously petty—those who crossed him suffered. But Mei was no pushover.
As the former ANBU commander and the strongest kunoichi under the Mizukage, even Elder Genryū treaded carefully around her.
A clash between them would be explosive.
Back at Home
Mei found Yoru still practicing his sword swings and frowned.
"The exam’s tomorrow! Those jutsu I taught you are for survival—why aren’t you training them?" Her voice carried irritation.
Yoru wiped his sweat and grinned. "Sis, wanna test me?"
Mei blinked. "You… already learned them?"
"See for yourself."
Her eyes narrowed. "Fine. Show me."
Yoru stepped back and formed a hand seal.
"Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique!"
Thick fog enveloped the courtyard.
Mei’s senses dulled by half. "What?!"
Whoosh!
A blade flashed toward her—she barely dodged in time.
But another strike followed instantly, forcing her into a frantic retreat.
For the first time, Mei felt genuine pressure.
When the mist cleared, Yoru stood smirking. "So? How’d I do?"
Mei stared, stunned. "You mastered it in one meeting? At this level?!"
"Want to see the Water Clone too?"
She nodded—and was shocked again.
"You’re faster than me?!" Mei looked at him like he was a monster.
Was this really the same 'talentless' Yoru?
His mist-enhanced swordsmanship was now dangerous enough to threaten even her.
"Sis, teach me some genjutsu next. They’d pair well with my sword style."
Mei agreed without hesitation. If it made him stronger, she’d gladly help.
Meanwhile, Elsewhere in Kirigakure…
Kanta Sen gave orders to a scarred teen.
"Don’t worry, Lord Sen. Dealing with a loser like Yoru will be easy."
Other examinees prepared for the brutal exam:
Hōzuki Suigetsu (9 years old, "Second Coming of the Demon")
"Finally… time for some carnage."
Hōzuki Chōjūrō (11 years old, future Kiri Swordsman)
"I-I’m so nervous…"
Ameyuri Ringo (10 years old, future Lightning Blade wielder)
"Don’t disappoint me, weaklings!"
These three stood out among Kirigakure’s elite.
The exam’s rule?
Survive the Forest of Mist.
No restrictions. Kill or be killed.
Only the strongest would emerge.
The Next Day—Exam Begins!
Yoru entered the Forest of Mist, ready to prove his power.
