Naruto: I Draw Power Into Reality

"There are always ten Chunin stationed at this base. We've taken down six from both front and back. The remaining four could counterattack any moment. We should withdraw quickly."

Orochimaru's voice was hoarse.

Even though all three of them were undeniably geniuses of their generation, in terms of overall strength and direct combat ability, they couldn't even begin to match a Chunin.

Being able to kill a Chunin and actually facing one head-on were two completely different things.

"Next, follow my instructions."

Akaba wore a heavy expression, running while carefully identifying positions through sound.

The trio quickly retreated, keeping their alertness at maximum. Within the mist, either Jonin or Chunin could strike with deadly force at any second.

"Turn right and attack."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Tsunade instantly struck out, throwing a punch toward the right.

Boom!

[Substitution Jutsu].

However,

The sheer impact sent shockwaves through the enemy's body.

"That power is monstrous!"

The attacked Chunin was filled with terror, disbelieving—was this girl really just a Genin?

"Turn left, Wind Release."

Orochimaru launched a volley of shuriken while rapidly forming hand seals with both hands.

[Wind Release: Gale Palm!]

Although the Gale Palm technique itself wasn't particularly powerful, combined with ninja tools, it became extremely effective.

A swirling gale burst forth from his palm, merging with the shuriken to create a storm of steel blades.

This strike wasn't meant for killing enemies but for forcing them back.

They kept moving while fighting, putting some distance between themselves and their pursuers. At that moment, however, a figure rapidly approached.

A Jonin—Koichi Shimako.

Against a Jonin, giving verbal commands would only leave openings.

Because the enemy had greater strength and faster reaction speed, every order might instead provide an opening for attack. So Akaba didn't plan on leading his comrades—he immediately used—

[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!]

Instantly, flames erupted, countering precisely as the enemy tried to close in using the Hiding in Mist Technique.

"What?!"

Koichi Shimako was horrified, unable to dodge in time as the massive fireball engulfed him.

Though the Great Fireball ranked only C-rank, its power remained formidable. Even a Jonin hit at such proximity faced near-certain doom.

Koichi Shimako couldn't understand.

How could a mere Genin wield two chakra natures at once?

How could a lowly Genin clearly see through both the Hiding in Mist Technique and the Mist Body Flicker?

That was simply impossible!

He nearly lost his mind, but now—more than ever—he had to stay calm, even as he was badly wounded by that fireball.

[Water Release: Waterfall Technique!]

The Great Waterfall Technique.

An advanced ninjutsu requiring vast amounts of chakra, extremely difficult to perform. Yet before completing the final seal, suddenly his chakra flow jammed.

What happened?

Genjutsu?

This brat could use illusions too!

Recalling that shadow clone earlier, Koichi instantly understood everything—the shadow clone must've been created by this brat!

He seriously underestimated his opponent.

Realizing his mistake, he desperately tried channeling chakra to break free from the illusion.

But he failed.

"How is that possible? This genjutsu belongs to the Sakuma clan!"

In disbelief, boundless fear surged within him. Soon after, intense pain spread throughout his body, and the illusion shattered rapidly.

The next second, he saw his own chest pierced clean through by kunai.

"I told you not to come back, yet you insisted on returning. You chased me again? You really think I'm that easy to catch?"

Akaba gasped for breath, his eyes bloodshot from the intense mental strain.

It had only lasted a few seconds back and forth, yet it was the toughest battle since his reincarnation, forcing him to reveal his Fire Release ability.

"How did you..."

Koichi Shimako stared wide-eyed, but Akaba had already distanced himself, avoiding a dying counterattack.

Soon afterward, he truly died.

Along with his life faded away the thick mist covering the mountains.

"You—you actually killed our Leader!"

The remaining four Chunin couldn't believe it, glancing at their leader's heart pierced through. You're telling me *three low-ranks* did this?!

Frankly speaking, even Orochimaru and Tsunade were stunned—if even they couldn't believe it, how could the four Chunin?

Genjutsu, Fire Release, Earth Release—this bastard Akaba had already mastered three Chakra Natures. Just from that perspective, he had surpassed many Jonin!

"Do you want to die too?"

Akaba's eyes were completely red, looking like a frenzied devil.

Even though he had spent 400 points accumulated from the newly acquired system to gain eight additional mental energy points, successfully applying Five Senses Manipulation on Koichi Shimako—who was nearly exhausted—he simply lacked the strength to convert all effects of the illusion into actual damage, let alone advance the illusionary scenario further.

Otherwise, given his personality, he definitely wouldn't have gone in for close combat like that—or finished them off with simple kunai throws.

The four had already been terrified, even though they outnumbered Akaba by one and Akaba himself was nearly depleted. But who knew whether those other two Genin still had many hidden trump cards left?

They dared not take the risk because their status was "Rogue Ninja."

Should rogue ninjas die, their villages would never seek revenge. Even if they had betrayed falsely, their official designation remained as traitors.

For them, survival was paramount.

"Retreat! Quickly!"

Seeing the four flee, Akaba clenched his teeth to avoid fainting, steadily dragging himself forward while supporting Orochimaru and Tsunade along.

Orochimaru turned back briefly, his gaze filled with regret and hatred.

He wasn't angry at anyone else—just himself. Why did Akaba get three chakra natures when he only managed one?

If he had known two, perhaps he wouldn't have seemed so useless during the fight.

A once-in-a-lifetime prodigy?

Tch! A once-in-a-generation genius? Pfft!

Orochimaru gave a silent bitter smile. Although Kekkei Genkai couldn't be compared, everyone could learn chakra nature transformation.

Tsunade felt slightly worried, also somewhat pained.

Against Chunin, her Strength of a Hundred Seal technique combined with Senju physiology made her unstoppable. But facing a Jonin, she realized how helpless she truly was.

Just having the Strength of a Hundred Seal technique wasn't enough!

Her Grandpa Sarutobi's words echoed in her ears, and only now did she fully understand their meaning.

Akaba specialized in genjutsu, but was that really all he was good for?

Previously, Tsunade thought so—but now she realized Akaba had constantly worked to overcome his weaknesses.

The gap between them was huge.

Both simultaneously shared this thought.

"Hurry up, get me out of here!"

Akaba's mental energy was drained beyond limits, his head throbbing as if it might explode. After barely managing to walk some distance, he struggled even to move, let alone escape.

Immediately, Orochimaru and Tsunade each grabbed an arm to support him, activating Shifting Body Technique to flee toward Uzumaki Village.

Unconsciously, Akaba had already slipped into unconsciousness.

"What happened?!"

Not long after returning, they soon encountered Hiruzen Sarutobi rushing toward them.

Because Sarutobi trusted Akaba, Orochimaru, and Tsunade's abilities, he hadn't prepared any contingency plans. But seeing Akaba's Shadow Clone return with the captured Chunin while the others didn't come back, he knew something had gone wrong.

"Sensei, I'm to blame! I was reckless and arrogant!"

Tsunade bitterly blamed herself. Without them, Akaba wouldn't have had to face a Jonin alone.

"Akaba told us not to go... but we didn't listen."

Orochimaru stopped halfway through his sentence.

He knew Hiruzen had already figured it out, so he didn't bother explaining further.

"You're too impulsive! Daring to take action against someone who has a Jonin? Do you want to die young?"

Sarutobi angrily scolded them while quickly stepping forward to examine the injured.

Though he wasn't trained in Medical Ninjutsu, as the Professor among ninja, he had broad knowledge and basic medical understanding.

After checking their condition, he let out a sigh of relief. "Just chakra exhaustion. A good night's rest will fix them up."

"Now tell me exactly what happened!"

Sarutobi picked Akaba onto his back, his face darkening as he barked at them.

"Our plan was for Akaba's Shadow Clone to distract the Jonin. At first everything went perfectly, but later they seemed to figure out our trick, returned to the mountain, and chased us down. Thankfully, even while using my Hiding in Mist Technique, Akaba could clearly track their movements—otherwise, we'd all be dead by now."

Tsunade explained everything from beginning to end.

Halfway through her story, Sarutobi interrupted with a question. "Did you erase all traces of your presence at the scene?"

"Uh..."

Orochimaru wore a stunned expression before helplessly shaking his head.

"To a Jonin, those clues are fatal flaws. If you'd had a Jonin accompanying you, they wouldn't need such elaborate methods. He could easily tell you were outmatched, which is why he dared come back to finish you off."

Sarutobi sneered slightly as he asked, "Tell me, what exactly do you think a Jonin is?"

At the same time, he felt quietly relieved inside.

If Akaba hadn't mastered a third Chakra Nature Transformation, those three young geniuses might have died here today.

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