Chapter 13: The Empty Cicada

"Ninja Art: Mind Body Switch Technique!"

Despite the deep sorrow of losing his comrade, Yamanaka Inoichi managed to seize the perfect moment. His hands formed seals as he unleashed a mental shockwave.

Just as Yoru was about to dodge, his body suddenly froze midair for a single breath.

A breath's time passes in an instant, but for someone like Jiraiya, it’s more than enough to end a fight!

Even though after that brief moment, Yamanaka Inoichi's eyes shot open in disbelief as he coughed up blood, his face turning deathly pale.

Yoru eyes also regained clarity immediately after.

[Ding! Successfully completed A-rank objective 'Yamanaka Inoichi' task (2): Reward: 5000 points.]

As the system notification echoed in his ears, Jiraiya’s Rasengan had already slammed heavily into Yoru chest!

Yoru body was sent flying from the force, and in that moment, countless parasitic insects swarmed from the surrounding bushes, wrapping his body tightly in an instant.

Jiraiya, not hesitating at all, landed and stabilized himself as his cheeks puffed up.

"Fire Style: Big Flame Bullet!"

A roaring fireball exploded from Jiraiya’s mouth, instantly engulfing the figure bound by the parasitic insects.

Enhanced by the chakra-infused oil, the power of the Fire Style was beyond imagination.

In a moment, the swarm of insects and everything within them were reduced to ashes, leaving not even a trace.

"Is it over?"

Akimichi Choza, holding the weakened Yamanaka Inoichi, gazed at the empty clearing devoid of even ash, and spoke in a deep voice.

"No."

Jiraiya shook his head, his expression grave. "That kid escaped."

"The Body Flicker Technique he used is extremely unique. Even though my insects were constantly draining his chakra, it wasn’t enough to stop him from escaping."

Aburame Shibi adjusted his sunglasses. "The moment Lord Jiraiya unleashed his Fire Style, he had already disappeared. What my insect swarm was restraining was just a piece of clothing."

"Disappeared directly from the insect swarm, rather than breaking free?"

Jiraiya fell silent. This technique could only be a space-time ninjutsu!

However, leaving behind clothing during his escape suggests that he hasn't fully mastered it yet...

But still...

Space-time ninjutsu is space-time ninjutsu, even if not fully mastered, it’s still formidable.

A user of space-time ninjutsu can greatly impact the outcome of a war, a fact that Jiraiya knew all too well from his own disciple.

That disciple had single-handedly wiped out dozens of Iwa-nin Jonin in an instant, cut off the enemy's supply lines, and toyed with two of the Cloud Village's top elites!

Just thinking about the threat that his disciple posed in this war made Jiraiya's scalp tingle at the possibility that such a threat might one day turn against Konoha!

Cough cough cough...

A violent cough broke Jiraiya’s train of thought.

Turning to look, he saw Yamanaka Inoichi in a severely weakened state, his face dazed and pale.

This was clearly the result of the ninjutsu backlash!

For that guy to be able to instantly break free from Yamanaka Inoichi’s Mind Body Switch Technique during such an intense battle, and to cause such a terrifying backlash to Inoichi...

Jiraiya’s heart sank. Failing to stop that guy this time would likely spell big trouble for them the next time they face him!

"Choza, Shibi, take Inoichi and Shikaku, and let's head to Double Field Village!"

"Yes!"

Several kilometers away...

Yoru, having narrowly escaped with his life, used the Body Flicker Technique repeatedly, darting through the forest.

His condition was no better.

Although he had managed to avoid the fatal strike using the Empty Cicada technique, Jiraiya’s punch had landed squarely on him.

"Hiss..."

Yoru winced as he touched his side, a sharp pain shooting through his body.

At least two ribs were broken, with one likely piercing into his internal organs.

The excruciating pain emanating from beneath the white bandage over his right eye was a warning that the recently transplanted Sharingan was now overworked.

"I have to hand it to the Sannin and the Konoha ninja."

After confirming that no one was following him and there were no parasitic insects in the area, Yoru gritted his teeth and stopped under a large tree, raising his hand to his chest.

A warm light emitted from his palm, and as the soothing feeling washed over him, it was followed by a tingling pain.

A moment later, Yoru lowered his hand. The pain in his chest had eased considerably.

"With my level of healing arts, treating this kind of injury is still troublesome. This will have to do for now—I need to get back and have Yumi help..."

Yoru hadn’t focused much on healing techniques, as he spent most of his time practicing destructive techniques like Hadō and Bakudō, along with refining his skills in Body Flicker, hand-to-hand combat, and swordsmanship—anything that could be used in a fight.

Healing arts were something he had barely scratched the surface of.

After stabilizing his injuries a bit, Yoru continued heading toward the Mist Village's camp, but before he could take a few steps, a loud rumble came from the forest ahead, followed by an overwhelming surge of chakra!

Yoru immediately froze in his tracks, staring in the direction of the chakra surge, his pupils constricting sharply.

He could sense several familiar presences!

Biwa Jūzō, Fuguki Suikazan, Kuriarare Kushimaru...

The chakra signature wasn’t wrong. The ones engaged in that fierce battle ahead were definitely the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and there was no way he could mistake the chakra of his superior, Kuriarare Kushimaru.

And if the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were fighting like this, and it was happening within the Land of Fire...

"Damn it, it can’t be that unlucky."

Yoru cursed inwardly and without hesitation, turned to leave.

What, help the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?

Are you kidding me? That’s him! That’s the Green Beast who single-handedly kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen like they were a bunch of toys!

His fight with Jiraiya had made Yoru painfully aware of his shortcomings.

His combat skills were on par with top-tier ninjas, and with his superior Body Flicker, strange techniques like ghost magic, and the advantage of information, Yoru could go toe-to-toe with the best. But winning was a different story—it was incredibly hard.

The reason was simple: his body wasn’t strong enough!

This body was only fourteen years old, and no matter how well Yoru had prepared it, ninja like Jiraiya had bodies honed through countless battles and chakra training.

Let alone facing a monster like Might Duy, who dedicated his life to taijutsu.

There’s just no way to fight that.

Without hesitation, Yoru turned and fled.

But just as he was about to leave, the ground in front of him was suddenly blown apart, and a familiar figure came hurtling toward him.

Boom!

The figure crashed into the tree stump beside Yoru, and his beloved sword, the Needle, was now deeply embedded in his abdomen, pinning him to the tree behind him.

(End of Chapter)