Chapter 24: The Hungry Young Tiger

Chapter 24: The Hungry Young Tiger

Byakuya remained hidden in his pit, his mind rapidly analyzing the situation:

"This blade-wielding Iwa ninja summoned 12 shadow clones at once. Judging by his composure, his strength is at least that of a special jonin—most likely a jonin. I can't face him head-on as a genin. My best bet is to interfere from the side and buy time."

His strategy was simple: stall. The longer the fight dragged on, the better their odds of victory. After all, Konoha's hunter squads weren't just for show.

Targeting the inherent weakness of the Shadow Clone Technique, Byakuya quickly formulated a plan. He summoned two shadow clones to assist the battle while he stayed put, treating the shallow wound on his back.

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The clones didn't recklessly use Blink to launch an ambush. Instead, they kept their distance, using Throwing Techniques to support their allies.

Majiri couldn't tell which of his shadow clones was the real one amidst the chaos. Besides, Byakuya's trump cards would only be used when absolutely necessary to ensure success. After all, once the enemy grew wary, it would be much harder to land a decisive blow.

As soon as Byakuya's clones appeared, Majiri ordered his remaining shadow clone to intercept. However, before it could take two steps, a barrage of shuriken and kunai rained down, forcing the clone to halt its advance.

Since the tools were "generously donated" by Iwa ninjas, Byakuya had no qualms about using them freely.

Ordinary throwing techniques wouldn't bother Majiri, but Byakuya's inherited skills were anything but ordinary. The kunai and shuriken, launched with a unique method, collided mid-air to change their trajectories, becoming unpredictable and nearly impossible to guard against.

The attacks were relentless, mixed with kunai strapped with explosive tags, further complicating the defense. The sheer volume of projectiles was overwhelming.

Majiri was forced to divert his attention to protect his shadow clones from being dispelled.

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Despite being a brilliant technique, Shadow Clone Jutsu had a critical flaw: clones couldn't take damage. A single hit would dispel them, as the jutsu was originally designed by the Second Hokage for espionage, not combat.

Most of Majiri's skillset revolved around his mastery of blades and shadow clones, leaving him ill-equipped to deal with this relentless barrage.

"Is this brat's family in the ninja tool business? How does he have so many shuriken and kunai?!"

"I refuse to believe he can keep this up!"

Majiri's frustration grew. He swore to himself that he would flay this annoying genin alive.

After about a minute of continuous onslaught, the rain of tools finally stopped.

Majiri exhaled deeply, then grinned savagely. "Brat, I'll tear you apart!"

But before he could revel in his relief, Byakuya's clones pulled out two earth-toned scrolls. Bold black and white characters on the scrolls read Ninja Tools.

Majiri squinted at the scrolls, their design stirring a faint sense of familiarity. His brow furrowed. "Why do these scrolls look so familiar?"

Byakuya's clones wasted no time. They unrolled the scrolls, placed a hand over the seals, and infused a small amount of chakra. In an instant, two mounds of kunai and shuriken appeared, resembling small mountains.

Majiri's grin froze.

"No way... this kid can't keep this up!"

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Majiri sent two of his clones to rush Byakuya. But the moment they moved, another barrage of tools rained down, forcing them to retreat. Meanwhile, Kakashi took advantage of the opening, cutting down several shadow clones and breaking through the encirclement.

Majiri was forced to pull his clones back to patch the gap.

Seeing the clones occupied, Byakuya's shadow clones redirected their attacks to aid Obito and Rin. Without Majiri's expertise, the Iwa ninjas were far more vulnerable. Many were either skewered by the tools or forced to flee.

Obito and Rin seized the opportunity to regroup near Byakuya's clones.

"There's no time to waste," one of Byakuya's clones said bluntly. "Obito, Rin, let's go support Kakashi."

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The three moved to flank Kakashi from a safer position, away from the tool rain's area of effect. With Majiri shielding the front, they had no immediate concern about friendly fire.

As the clones unleashed the final volley of tools, their reserves were completely depleted. Even if they had the strength to continue, they were simply out of ammunition.

Majiri noticed the barrage had ceased and grinned triumphantly. "Finally, it's over!"

But his relief was short-lived. Summoning additional shadow clones, Majiri charged at Byakuya's position. His fury was palpable as he swiftly dispatched Byakuya's clones, reducing them to plumes of smoke.

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In his pit, Byakuya felt the residual pain from his clones' prolonged throwing. His hands twitched uncontrollably, cramped from overexertion. Meanwhile, fragments of his clones' memories, including their demise, flooded his mind.

Though the jutsu spared him the full experience of death, watching himself be cut down was still a harrowing sight. Byakuya's pupils constricted as he processed the memories.

"So this is what it feels like to die..." he muttered, his voice low and gravelly. A fierce light burned in his eyes, a raging fire stoked by the brush with mortality.

Some would retreat when faced with fear, their instincts urging them to flee. But others—those like Byakuya—would suppress their instincts, standing firm to confront the terror head-on.

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Ignoring the pain in his hands, Byakuya climbed out of his pit. His two-tomoe Sharingan spun ominously, his gaze predatory, like a young tiger stalking its prey.

"This blade-wielding Iwa ninja is powerful. A direct confrontation is suicide. But who said I have to fight fair?"

Byakuya had one ace up his sleeve—a trump card powerful enough to kill Majiri.

"All I need is to identify the real one."

As the illumination from the flares faded, darkness blanketed the battlefield once more. For a brief moment, everyone's vision faltered as they adjusted to the sudden shift.

Everyone except Byakuya.

His Sharingan quickly adapted, and he realized this was his chance.

Emerging from his hiding spot, Byakuya dashed toward Majiri like a nimble cat. "Kakashi, Obito, help me identify the real one!"

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