86 Chapter 86: Counter Attacking

"Ding~ [Ninjutsu+10], [Spirit+5], Would you like to claim?"

In the early morning hours, Tatsuma looked at the Chakra short knife in his hand, which had been significantly extended by wind attribute Chakra. He listened to the broadcast in his mind, and a tired smile appeared on his face.

Over the course of a few years, Tatsuma felt that he had indeed become a person with a strong desire for victory and defeat. He enjoyed the sense of urgency brought about by the challenges, pushing himself to progress.

"Ring~"

Just as he was immersed in joy, an alarm clock not far away started ringing. With only a few minutes difference, Tatsuma snapped out of it, turned off the alarm clock, and he was about to fail by a hair's breadth.

However, if he were to talk about such a precise success, perhaps no one would believe him, right?

"Clap, clap, clap~"

But at this moment, a slender figure walked out of the woods, it was Orochimaru!.

Orochimaru clapped his hands and said, "I really didn't expect that you could learn it in such a short time."

"Moreover, your way of learning is quite interesting, as if you are not learning Ninjutsu but constructing a building, piece by piece." Tatsuma waved his hand, and the Blade of Wind condensed on the Chakra short knife in his hand dissipated. He smiled and said, "Most Ninjutsu can't escape Chakra Control, Nature Transformation, and Shape Transformation. As long as you master these three, learning becomes not difficult at all. And because of my lack of talent, I can only use some clever tricks to speed up my learning."

Orochimaru, upon hearing Tatsuma mention his lack of talent, chuckled slightly. Soon, he shook his head and said, "I've heard Tsunade mention Chakra Control, and Jiraiya mentioned Nature Transformation. However, your Shape Transformation far exceeds the level of your current Ninjutsu."

Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, Tatsuma stiffened. He hadn't expected that just learning a Ninjutsu would lead Orochimaru to observe so meticulously. Tatsuma could only say, "I am developing a technique that has high requirements for Chakra shape transformation, so I have been practicing."

"Oh~"

Orochimaru drew out the sound as he contemplated, and under the night sky, his golden eyes continuously assessed Tatsuma. In his mind, Orochimaru speculated continuously. He had observed Tatsuma's thirty-six hours of training and understood Tatsuma's proficiency in Shape Transformation.

A normal ninja wouldn't practice Chakra shaping to the level Tatsuma had reached. Even renowned medical ninjas, known for their strict requirements in Chakra Control and Shape Transformation, didn't need such a high level of expertise.

Not only in Medical Ninjutsu but even in Sealing Jutsu, as far as Orochimaru knew, there weren't many techniques that demanded this level of Chakra shaping. Moreover, most elemental Ninjutsu generally had similar requirements for the practitioner's Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation. However, Tatsuma's mastery of Shape Transformation seemed to far surpass his mastery of Nature Transformation.

If Tatsuma wasn't lying, then the technique he was developing wasn't some conventional Ninjutsu. Orochimaru furrowed his brow as he scrutinized Tatsuma.

He had just had a thought in his mind: Could Tatsuma be working on compound Ninjutsu like his sensei, achieving Kekkei Genkai effects through attribute combinations?

Another thought quickly surfaced in Orochimaru's mind: It seemed that the people he knew had all made somewhat excessive progress recently. Tsunade learned the technique personally taught by Mito-sama, Jiraiya found a technique named Sage Mode passed down from the First Hokage, and even the younger generation like Tatsuma were developing extraordinary techniques.

Was it his own negligence? Or were the people around him just exceptional?

Tatsuma looked at Orochimaru, who once again seemed lost in thought. He felt puzzled; this Orochimaru seemed different from the one he had in mind, although his impression had always been somewhat stereotyped.

Orochimaru soon noticed Tatsuma's gaze, waved his hand, and said, "Go back and rest. We'll set off early tomorrow morning."

"Sure."

Tatsuma nodded, about to say something else before he realized Orochimaru had transformed into smoke and disappeared.

Inside a temporary tent, Orochimaru, who was sleeping, suddenly opened his eyes. He sat up on the bed, furrowing his brow, deep in thought.

Tatsuma, on the other hand, had a refreshing sleep. Fatigue was the best remedy for insomnia. He slept until a fellow ninja in the same tent woke him up, and Tatsuma opened his eyes, climbing out of bed.

Though they were in the Land of Rivers with numerous small rivers and streams, the available water in the temporary camp was limited. They couldn't use water freely, especially since the leader of the Hidden Sand Village's team was an expert in poisons.

The water in the tent had to be collected first and approved for use after a series of checks by Tsunade. However, each person had a limited allocation.

After brushing his teeth, Tatsuma didn't even have the luxury of washing his face; he had to use his fingers to get rid of eye crust. Fortunately, it was early spring, and the weather wasn't too hot, or else daily life would be a significant challenge.

Once done with his morning routine, he returned to his tent, streamlined his backpack, leaving most of the ninja tools and medical equipment sealing scrolls in the camp.

In the end, Tatsuma chose only two sets of throwing weapons, two medical kits, along with several Explosive Tags, smoke bombs, and Military Rations Pills. After securing his backpack and strapping on the Chakra short knife, he headed towards the assembly point.

Arriving at the assembly point, Tatsuma checked the mission scroll, found his assigned group and exchanged a few words with the people around him in the queue. Orochimaru also arrived at the assembly point.

One advantage of Orochimaru as a leader was that he didn't waste words. After scanning the nearly thousand ninjas gathered at the assembly point and exchanging a few words with a couple of Jonin, the team began to move forward.

"Tatsuma, when we encounter enemies later, remember to stay towards the rear. We will protect you."

As they set off, a young Jonin riding a large dog suddenly smiled at Tatsuma. Tatsuma smiled somewhat helplessly; he understood that these Senpai around him were trying to look out for him, but he had genuinely made up his mind to step onto the battlefield.

"Inuzuka Makoto-Senpai, there's no need to overly concern yourself about me."

However, Tatsuma couldn't outright refuse others' goodwill and could only politely shift the discussion. Inuzuka Makoto, upon hearing Tatsuma's words, just smiled without responding.

As the team advanced, Inuzuka Makoto and his Nin-Dog suddenly stopped. Tatsuma furrowed his brow, and both of them almost simultaneously said, "There's a ninja ambush 500 meters ahead."

"Huh?!"

Inuzuka Makoto looked at Tatsuma in extreme surprise. Tatsuma smiled and said, "I'm also a Sensory-type ninja."

Inuzuka Makoto suddenly realized, then looked ahead towards the team where Orochimaru was leading. He whispered, "Orochimaru-sama ahead must have noticed already. Don't reveal it."

At this moment, Tatsuma followed Inuzuka Makoto's gaze and looked at Orochimaru. Orochimaru, unlike his usual cautious demeanor, was charging forward as if he were a greenhorn. Tatsuma couldn't help but comment, "Orochimaru-sama's acting skills are quite ordinary."

"Boom, boom~"

Just then, Orochimaru had already entered the formation of ambushing ninjas. After a series of explosions, Orochimaru's voice came from the smoke, "Continue forward!"

Tatsuma and Inuzuka Makoto exchanged a glance, then joined the rest of the team. However, as the team advanced, Tatsuma's brow furrowed tighter and tighter because they had passed several Hidden Sand Village ambush locations.

Although Orochimaru no longer provoked these Sand ninjas the Konoha team gradually found itself surrounded.

"It's about time to start the battle," Inuzuka Makoto leaped down from his Nin-Dog, holding a Kunai in his hand, vigilant of his surroundings.

"Can't resist the urge, huh?" Orochimaru, up ahead, grinned, revealing an "elegant" smile.

"Tsunade, haven't you come yet?" In the jungle, a glimmer of light suddenly flashed, and a somewhat weathered female voice echoed through the woods.

"Be careful! Watch out for poison!" Inuzuka Makoto shouted loudly. Countless Kunai, along with numerous shadows, appeared in the forest, heading towards the Konoha team. Inuzuka Makoto glanced worriedly at Tatsuma, only to find Tatsuma already prepared with a ninja knife in hand.

"It's a well-executed ambush. Although they are enemies, you guys aren't bad!" Inuzuka Makoto looked at Tatsuma with a puzzled expression, and unexpectedly, Tatsuma praised aloud. He deftly knocked away the incoming Kunai and then leaped towards the jungle. Just as Inuzuka Makoto was about to catch up, a scream echoed from the forest.

"Ah!!! Why has your... suddenly grew longer?"

"It's like this in the morning. Is it possible that a grown man like you never experiences this?"

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