Chapter 9: Ki Manipulation

"Assassin?" Tsuru immediately noticed the word "kill" on Tao Sura's left chest, and also saw the bloodstain on his left abdomen. Injured? Tsuru wondered.

Tao Sura took a step forward, walking toward Tsuru.

Tsuru, sensing an overwhelming threat, instinctively assumed a fighting stance, his face darkening. His attention was sharply focused, eyes fixed on every subtle movement of this dangerous assassin. His master, Mutaito, had once told them that when facing the most skilled assassins in the world, even a single blink could result in death.

Tsuru dared not let his guard down, not even for a second. The pressure this person gave him was immense.

Hiss... Tsuru shifted his steps, a bead of sweat appearing on his forehead.

His muscles were tightly tensed, his feet digging into the soft earth. Despite putting considerable weight on his steps, there was an underlying sense of relaxation, as though he could spring into action at any moment. He was like a bow pulled taut, ready to shoot the moment there was any disturbance.

While Tsuru was intently focused on Tao Sura, Tao Sura was also observing Tsuru.

The cautious stance Tsuru adopted didn't surprise Tao Sura—this was to be expected. But when Tao Sura reached the sixth step, he suddenly stopped and, as if lost in thought, said:

"Young man... you're a disciple of Mutairi, aren't you?"

He asked a question, but it sounded more like he was telling Tsuru that he had already deduced this fact, spoken in a calm, casual, and confident tone.

Tsuru narrowed his eyes but didn't deny it:

"You recognize my master?"

Tao Sura gave a slight smile and said.

"The number one person in the martial arts world, Master Mutaito... who hasn't heard of him?" He couldn't help but smirk, seemingly full of disdain.

Tsuru's brow twitched as he caught the sarcasm in Tao Sura's tone.

Tao Sura continued.

"Let me tell you, the 3000° I planned to kill in my life... was supposed to be your master…"

"Hmph, arrogant! - Tsuru's face turned pale with rage."

To speak like that about his master in front of his disciple was no different from insulting his ancestors. Tsuru's heart burned with anger, but he forced himself to remain calm.

Tao Sura casually stood there, waving his hand.

"You don't have to be so tense. What's my status? Would I ambush you? Although I'm an assassin, to be worthy of my methods, the person I target has to be on the level of your master, Tai Dou... But after the demon king appeared, I changed the 3000° to him, although I still placed your master at position two thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine..."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Tsuru's face flushed red with anger. This assassin, who had appeared out of nowhere, might be strong, but to shamelessly speak as though the demon king or Tai Dou were insignificant in his eyes was infuriating. Tsuru couldn't take it anymore and shouted.

Tao Sura's mouth slowly curled into a smile.

Tsuru's pupils constricted, and all the hairs on his body stood on end, his scalp tingling—

He rolled to the side with all his might!

A dazzling white light flashed in the corner of his vision, leaving a lingering afterimage on his retina.

Bang! Tsuru heard a sound behind him, but he didn't dare look back. He quickly rolled to his feet and saw Tao Sura slowly lowering his right hand, which he didn't even know when he had raised.

Hiss...

Pain suddenly struck, and Tsuru realized his left forearm had been injured, the wound resembling a burn. His shirt was torn, and blood stained the area.

Ki? Tsuru gritted his teeth.

"Unexpected... you actually managed to avoid my strike?" Tao Sura was genuinely surprised. He had deliberately used words to create an opportunity, but still, Tsuru managed to avoid his strike at the critical moment.

"Do you really think you're worthy to be compared to my master?" Tsuru covered the wound on his left arm and sneered at Tao Sura. "When my master defeated the Demon King with his life, where were all you old fools who had the ability to fight on the battlefield?"

"Master Mutaito is dead? He defeated the Demon King?" Tao Sura frowned, surprised.

"Hmph." Tsuru scoffed and said no more. Suddenly, he darted forward with incredible speed, aiming directly for Tao Sura's throat!

Tao Sura smirked, easily blocking Tsuru's claw aimed at his throat, not even looking, while with his other hand, he reached down and grabbed Tsuru's fist that was attacking his left abdominal wound.

"Even if I'm injured, you're still not worthy to take my life."

With strength, Tao Sura squeezed Tsuru's hands until they cracked. Tsuru's veins on his forehead bulged, and he raised his knee to strike Tao Sura in the groin. Bang! Their knees collided with a loud thud.

Tao Sura's knee exerted a twisting force, causing Tsuru's body to fall uncontrollably. Tao Sura immediately used his lifted knee to kick Tsuru in the chest!

Bang! Tsuru was sent flying through the air.

"Die."

Tao Sura raised his right hand again, pointing his index finger at Tsuru, who was still flying through the air.

A white light glowed from his finger.

Whoosh!

A Ki wave shot out from his finger like a spear, aimed directly at Tsuru.

Time seemed to slow down... Tsuru slowly raised his head in mid-air, his eyes widening as the white "light spot" reflected in his pupils grew larger and brighter...

A shadow flashed by.

Boom!

The Ki wave tore through the air and pierced a large tree behind, leaving a charred hole, with white smoke rising from it.

Taro laid Tsuru on the ground, his expression calm as he looked toward the mysterious assassin, Tao Sura. He thought to himself: "Dondonpa? Isn't this a technique from the Crane School? This person's outfit... It looks somewhat like Tao Paipai. Could Tao Paipau, who was supposed to be the Crane Master's brother, have some connection to this person? Is this Ki wave from him?"

In that moment, Taro's mind was racing.

"Another one? Another disciple of Mutaito?" Tao Sura asked curiously, though he was on high alert. This young-looking person had suddenly appeared in his battle... It made him feel an urge to kill.

"Who are you? Tao Paipai" Taro coldly asked, deliberately using the name Tao Bai Bai.

"Tao Paipai... There's no such person in the Taokuan clan. I am Tao Sura, the one born to kill three thousand... and you two will soon be among those three thousand." Tao Sura squinted, his eyes flashing with cold light.

A killer organization... Is Tao Paipai a descendant of this clan? Taro thought to himself, now having the information he needed. He chose not to engage in further conversation.

At this moment, he still retained the habits from his previous life on the battlefield as a ninja. When entering combat, unless absolutely necessary, he would not say a single word. All his actions were aimed at taking down his opponents and enemies as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The person before him felt... very dangerous.

Therefore, Taro decided to go all out and make sure to land a killing blow with a single strike.

"Be careful! Even though he's injured, he's still... very terrifying." Tsuru had already gotten up from the ground and wiped the blood from his chin.

Taro remained silent. His body sank lower, his eyes cold and emotionless.

The Eight Gates, First Gate, Release Brain Suppression, Gate of Opening...

Open!

In an instant, both Tsuru and Tao Sura lost sight of Taro.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Only a black shadow flashed around them with lightning speed.

Tao Sura's face immediately darkened. This young man's speed... seemed to be beyond the ordinary.

What he didn't know was that Taro had used the "Eight Gates" a forbidden technique from the ninja world, one that could grant a person strength akin to a rebirth.

Indeed, people from the Dragon Ball world had different physiques from those in the ninja world, and didn't have the "chakra lock" like the seven gates. However, the first gate, "Gate of Opening," was universal.

The purpose of the Gate of Opening was to completely unlock the brain's suppression on the body's power. Even if it put a massive strain on the body, even if it led to permanent injury or death... Thus, the first gate, the Gate of Opening, was the very soul of the entire "Eight Gates".

Whoosh—

Tao Sura became completely serious. He began to channel his Ki. Normally, as an assassin, he preferred to hide his Ki and remain undetected. But now, facing an opponent like Taro, who exerted so much pressure on him, he had no choice but to release his full aura.

"Stop darting around... with these petty tricks." Tao Sura's eyes grew sharper as the image of Taro moving at high speed gradually became clearer. With his experience, he began to better predict Taro's movements.

But...

Mangekyō Sharingan!

Complete mastery of Ki:Yuki!

Maximum use of Ki:Kiki!

Whoosh!

Taro once again disappeared from Tao Sura's sight! Like a flash of lightning, he vanished!

A white light reflected in Tao Sura's enlarged pupils...