One Month Later

One month later,

BANG!!

A deafening crash shook the forest as Ryuuji's body rocketed through the air, slamming into a tree with a sickening thud.

"Guurgh!" he groaned, the impact forcing the air from his lungs. His limbs felt like lead as he slumped to the ground, pain radiating through every inch of his body.

He coughed, dragging himself up to a seated position, his chest heaving. "Haah... haah..." Sweat poured down his face, soaking the tattered remnants of his training uniform.

"Tired already?" came Jima's teasing voice, his tone so casual it might as well have been a summer stroll for him.

Ryuuji clenched his fists, his teeth grinding audibly. "Grr…" The old man's smugness was infuriating.

"Like hell I am!!" he shouted, forcing himself to his feet with sheer willpower. Every muscle screamed in protest, but Ryuuji ignored them. He climbed back onto the elevated platform, his two-tomoe Sharingan spinning furiously, struggling to keep up with his grandfather's absurd speed.

Jima smirked, his arms crossed. "That's the spirit! Now, come at me with everything you've got!"

"You asked for it! Raijin Steps!" Lightning erupted around Ryuuji's feet as he charged forward in a blur of blue sparks, closing the distance between them in an instant. His Sharingan analyzed Jima's stance, desperately searching for an opening.

His right leg whipped upward in a ferocious arc. "Leaf Rising Wind!" he roared.

But Jima was faster.

Grab.

BANG!

With a casual motion, Jima caught Ryuuji's leg mid-kick and slammed him into the ground like a ragdoll.

Poof!

The body disappeared in a puff of smoke, revealing it to be a clone.

From the shadows, Ryuuji pounced. "Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bomb!" A fire dragon blaze tore through the air, rushing toward Jima with blistering heat.

Jima sidestepped effortlessly, his movements so smooth it was as if he'd seen the attack coming a mile away. Before Ryuuji could react, Jima lunged toward him like a predator.

But Ryuuji was ready.

His hands flew through a flurry of seals. "Fire Release: Blaze!" A roaring inferno erupted at point-blank range.

Jima leaped skyward, avoiding the attack with ease. As he descended, his foot shot out like a missile, connecting with Ryuuji's face.

Poof!

Another clone dissolved into smoke.

"...!?"

Jima's eyes widened, his instincts flaring. Before he could react, a cold, sharp sensation pressed against his back.

A voice whispered behind him. "I win."

Poof!

The Jima in front of Ryuuji dispersed into smoke.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Slow, deliberate applause echoed through the clearing. Ryuuji whirled around to see the real Jima emerging from the shadows, his steps calm and steady, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Well done, Ryuuji," Jima said, pride lacing his voice.

Ryuuji blinked, unsure if he was hearing things.

"Defeating my clone in just three tries is no small feat," Jima continued. "Even though it was set to only have the strength of an ordinary Chunin, your strategy was impressive."

'He's doing well,' Jima thought to himself. 'Even Shisui needed eight tries to accomplish the same.'

Ryuuji couldn't hide his grin. Praise from his grandfather was rare, and it filled him with a sense of accomplishment.

[DING!]

A blue screen materialized in front of him.

[Quest Completed: Clone Sparring]

[Rewards:

1. Mid-level Chunin-stage in Body Cultivation

2. Mid-level Chunin-stage in Energy Cultivation

3. New Technique: Fire Release: Combustion]

[Would you like to accept?]

[Yes / No]

***

'Not now,' Ryuuji thought, dismissing the screen.

"Alright," Jima said, snapping Ryuuji's attention back to him. "Time for the next training."

"WHAT?!" Ryuuji's voice cracked. "Give me a break, old man! I'm dying over here!"

"Back in my day," Jima began with a dramatic sigh, "I trained until I collapsed. My teacher wouldn't let me stop until I passed out—sometimes not even then! If I asked for a break, he'd whoop me in the ass and double the training. You've got it easy."

"C'mon, Grandpa! Just two minutes!" Ryuuji begged, his hands on his knees.

Jima raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Fine. I'll let you rest for the entire day… if you can finish this last exercise. It'll only take a minute."

Ryuuji eyed him suspiciously. Something about Jima's tone set off alarm bells in his head, but he was too exhausted to argue. "Deal!"

Jima grinned, his knuckles cracking ominously. "Good. Let's begin."

[DING!]

[New Quest Alert!]

[Quest: Elephant Hit]

[Rank: B]

[Description: Don't die.]

[Reward: Tough Luck.]

[Penalty: Death.]

'WHAT THE HELL?!' Ryuuji screamed internally as he read the quest description. 'Elephant Hit? Where's the elephant?! Tough Luck as a reward? And Death as the penalty?! This is insane!'

Before he could protest, Jima's fist blurred.

BANG!!

BOOM!!

Ryuuji was launched across the Chrono Domain like a cannonball, crashing into the ground with a bone-rattling impact. Dust and debris billowed into the air, obscuring the aftermath.

"Hohohoho!" Jima's laughter echoed through the clearing. "There you go! Rest all you want now!"

He dusted his hands off, his grin widening. "That was just a Jonin-level punch. Shouldn't be too bad."

Jima strolled over to where Ryuuji had landed, expecting to see him groaning or complaining. Instead, he found Ryuuji sprawled out unconscious, his body battered but still breathing.

Shaking his head, Jima picked him up and carried him back toward their wooden hut nestled in the Hidden Plains, or as he liked to call this place. He gently placed Ryuuji on the bed before stepping outside, his face calm but his movements unsteady.

*Cough! Cough! Cough!*

Jima stumbled, clutching his chest as violent spasms wracked his body. He fell to his knees, vomiting blood as crimson tears trickled from his eyes.

"Damn those two…" he muttered hoarsely. "They really did a number on me…"

With a trembling hand, he deactivated Chrono Domain. The shimmering space around them vanished, leaving only the quiet of the forest.

His breathing grew labored, each inhale more difficult than the last. He collapsed onto his back, staring up at the sky as blood continued to seep from his lips.

***