Chapter 12: I’ll Hold Them Off

"Shikaku!"

Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza trembled, their bodies shaking as they knelt beside Nara Shikaku, unable to believe the scene before them.

"His heart has been completely shredded."

Jiraiya's face was extremely grim.

The enemy hadn’t held back at all. As soon as Nara Shikaku's heart was pierced, the blade twisted, destroying it completely.

With such an injury, not even Tsunade could save him.

Just a moment ago, they were all laughing and chatting after capturing a decent target.

And now, Nara Shikaku was gone, forever separated from them.

Jiraiya’s expression darkened even further, his eyes filled with more rage and killing intent than even the other two members of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

Nara Shikaku was not an ordinary Jonin.

He was of critical importance to Konoha.

As the current head of the Nara clan, he represented the pinnacle of the Nara family’s secret techniques, his strength far exceeding that of an average elite Jonin.

More than that, Nara Shikaku was the brains of the Ino-Shika-Cho formation, the commander of Konoha’s Jonin squad, and the chief strategist for Konoha's frontline operations. His brilliant intellect and vast knowledge had led Konoha to win several crucial battles on the battlefield.

The quick resolution of the conflicts with both Sunagakure and Iwagakure was largely due to Shikaku’s influence.

But now...

"That guy..."

Jiraiya's icy gaze fell on the figure standing before Hozuki Mangetsu, Shikaku's death a blow to Konoha even greater than the passing of Konoha’s White Fang years ago.

"Lord Yoru, your eye..."

Looking at Yoru before him, Hozuki Mangetsu’s gaze briefly rested on the bandage over Yoru’s right eye before he gave a bitter smile. “Lord Yoru, you should have retreated immediately, informing our forces of Konoha's Jonin group and Jiraiya’s arrival.”

“I’m gravely injured, and while your speed is remarkable, even with your techniques, it’s impossible to escape so many powerful enemies.”

“Please leave, Lord Yoru…”

“When did the Hozuki clan’s genius turn so soft?”

Yoru grinned and helped Mangetsu to his feet.

“I’ll hold them off. You retreat.”

“This…”

Mangetsu hesitated. Hold them off?

Though Shikaku was gone, there were still three top-tier Konoha Jonin and Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, whose strength was comparable to a Kage. Lord Yoru was strong, but how could he hold them all off?

But Yoru had already spoken. Mangetsu said no more, biting his lip as he endured the pain of his completely shattered right arm. He raised his left hand to his injured arm.

In an instant, his left hand turned to water and merged with his right arm. Within moments, his right arm, which had suffered a nearly complete fracture, began to twitch and regain some vitality.

This was the Hozuki clan’s secret technique, the Water Healing Jutsu!

"None of you are leaving today!"

Before Mangetsu could continue his self-treatment, a voice filled with killing intent echoed through the air.

Whoosh!

With the sound of air tearing, Yoru felt the atmosphere explode around him, Jiraiya’s chakra surging as his fist came crashing toward Yoru's face.

Yoru raised his blade, but instead of defending, he aimed a strike directly at Jiraiya’s neck, adopting a strategy of mutual destruction!

But.

Jiraiya was no ordinary opponent.

This level of attack was nothing to him.

With a slight tilt of his head, Jiraiya dodged the blade while shifting his chakra-infused fist into a palm strike, aiming for Yoru’s abdomen.

At the last second, Yoru’s figure vanished, leaving Jiraiya to strike the ground instead.

Boom!

With a burst of chakra, a massive crater appeared.

Yoru frowned; if he had been hit by that attack, his body would have been completely destroyed.

Glancing aside, he saw that Mangetsu had already begun retreating after completing the initial healing of his arm.

But the Konoha Jonin weren’t so easily distracted, and they immediately prepared to pursue him.

"Hado No. 58: Tenran!"

A fierce gust of wind scattered the swarming insects in the air. Yoru’s Shunpo (Flash Step) allowed him to vanish from Jiraiya’s sight, reappearing in front of the giant Akimichi Choza.

With a sharp slash, Yoru’s blade struck Choza.

Shh!

A stream of blood spurted from Choza’s body, forcing the Akimichi clan leader to stop in his tracks.

[Detected A-Rank target: Akimichi Choza. Side quest triggered.]

[Quest (1)...]

[Detected A-Rank target: Aburame Shibi. Side quest triggered.]

[Quest (1)...]

[Detected S-Rank target: Jiraiya. Side quest triggered.]

[Quest (1): Successfully subdue Jiraiya – Reward: 80,000 points.]

[Quest (2): Successfully defeat Jiraiya – Reward: 50,000 points.]

[Quest (3): Successfully kill Jiraiya – Reward: 200,000 points.]

"I told you."

As the system prompts echoed in his mind, Yoru calmly flicked the blood from his blade, his figure slender yet resolute.

“I will hold you all off!”

His strange speed and lethal swordsmanship silenced the battlefield. Even Jiraiya, along with the other Konoha Jonin, focused their attention on Yoru.

“That speed just now…”

Jiraiya’s gaze was heavier than ever.

He stared intently at Yoru. In that brief moment, he had vaguely sensed a technique similar to one used by his student.

Flying Thunder God?

No, it wasn't Flying Thunder God, but a more advanced version of Shunshin (Body Flicker) technique, similar to what that Uchiha prodigy could do.

Jiraiya quickly made his judgment.

Even so, anyone capable of mastering Shunshin to such an extent, combined with ruthless swordsmanship and a unique secret technique, was a foe worth taking seriously.

But still...

When did Kirigakure gain such a person?

Could this be someone the higher-ups had secretly trained to win the war?

Jiraiya scrutinized Yoru, his mind racing with possibilities.

Meanwhile, Yoru, despite his outward confidence, was cursing inside.

Damn it! Weren't we supposed to distract Konoha while the Seven Ninja Swordsmen launched a decapitation strike on Jiraiya?

Why is Jiraiya here?!

Did that fat idiot Fuguki Suikazan gather intel properly or not?

As their thoughts clashed, the two exchanged glances, and both moved simultaneously.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The low sounds of impact echoed continuously.

Jiraiya’s attacks were powerful and relentless, each strike infused with chakra, sometimes throwing in a Rasengan for good measure.

Yoru tried to counter with his own taijutsu.

But after only a few exchanges, his arms began to go numb from the impact.

It wasn’t that their taijutsu skills were that far apart; Yoru’s unarmed combat techniques were top-tier, even among the most skilled in the Bloody Mist.

But no matter how refined his technique was, the difference in their physical strength was too great.

Yoru was only fourteen, his body not fully matured, while Jiraiya was in his prime.

After only a few rounds, Yoru was already falling behind.

Whoosh!

Another Rasengan headed straight for him, the chakra flaring brightly, creating shockwaves that caused sonic booms.

Yoru’s eyes widened, preparing to dodge.

"Don't even think about it!"

"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"

(Chapter End)