Chapter 158

Spitting in anger, I was on my feet in one move and, performing the jutsu with only one seal, stomped my foot, channeling a solid amount of chakra. A thick, three-meter-high wall erupted from the ground just in time to protect us from several huge boulders about my waist height, which were thrown by the users of Doton, but it collapsed afterward, showing that I still had a long way to go before mastering earth techniques properly.

— I'll handle the jonin, and you deal with the rest, — I told my allies, who were ready for a fight, and, channeling chakra into my muscles, dashed straight toward the tall figure in a bandana, who was just starting to rise from a kneeling position and was visible behind the enemy fighters.

Without slowing down, I passed the genin who had been running ahead, tossing aside the broken body of an unlucky kid who had found himself in the way, and with one powerful chakra-enhanced strike, I severed the head of the nearest chunin, who had managed to react to my speed and attempted to delay me.

However, I didn't manage to eliminate the most formidable opponent in this manner — the jonin not only had time to get up but also swallowed a few pills and prepared to defend himself. So, when I closed the distance for a strike and tried to use my accumulated speed for a kicking assault to his torso, he calmly absorbed the blow with his raised arms covered in a thick layer of earth. Although the protective layer cracked and the shinobi was pushed far back, leaving deep furrows in the ground, it didn't seem to trouble him much.

— Not a bad hit, — the opponent smirked, lowering his arms, — for a genin! I didn't expect we'd meet again here.

What!? Frowning, I looked closely at the man who towered over me by almost half a head. But then I considered the shinobi's build and his height, and it dawned on me.

— Goto!

With his memorable shiny bald head covered by a bandana, identifying "The Butcher" was not as easy as it seemed.

— Yes, yes, it's me, and I never thought I'd get to catch you alive and personally settle an old score! — the jonin grinned with a bloodthirsty smile.

I only snorted in amusement — Mito-chan is way tougher.

— I wouldn't be so optimistic if I were you — I'm full of energy, but you've used quite a bit on your recent technique and clearing traps, — I shook my head and, suddenly raising my hands, unleashed a real torrent of metal from the seals.

— Pathetic tricks!

With a show of disdain, Goto didn't even bother to dodge, merely lazily raising his left hand to shield his eyes, while the projectiles simply bounced off the stone-like coating on his body with a clattering sound. Seizing the opportunity, I quickly closed the distance and struck his chest with my open right hand, forming a Rasengan in an instant.

However, the shinobi seemed to have anticipated something like this, as he almost managed to shift to the side and turn his torso, ending up with only a bloody streak across his chest, evidently having underestimated my speed and the danger. Jumping back from the second deadly strike, he regarded me with a wary gaze.

— Damn, you're also good in close combat! — the jonin cursed, becoming completely serious but still not eager to attack.

Ah, so he realizes that I'm far from a specialist in ninjutsu, as one might have thought from our first encounter.

— If you think you can stall until the pills take effect, you're wrong, — I shook my head and, with a theatrical gesture, drew my katana from the seal and leapt forward.

Fortunately, Goto had used up quite a bit of energy, and I wouldn't have to worry about powerful techniques for at least a few more minutes, especially considering his defense… It was in my best interest to slice up "The Butcher" as quickly as possible and rush to aid my comrades.

— What! — The jonin blocked the strike with his right hand, involuntarily wincing as the blade managed to get through his defense and sink into the flesh by a few millimeters, while he used his other hand to block a strike to his stomach.

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