CHAPTER 25 - The First Ninja Battle

Akimichi Fuu used two ninjutsu techniques to split the four Iwa ninjas into two separate battlefields. The leader of the Iwa ninja team could already tell from the power of the ninjutsu that Fuu was no ordinary opponent. The other three Konoha ninjas, all young teenagers, likely meant that Fuu was a jounin, according to Konoha's task force traditions.

"Long, take care of the enemy in front of you!" the Iwa team leader shouted sharply, quickly forming hand seals as he unleashed an Earth Release technique to counter the incoming Akimichi Fuu. 

"Earth Release: Earth Shattering Palm."

The ground beneath Fuu cracked open with a loud rumble, creating numerous fissures. Fuu had to stop his forward charge and leap to avoid the technique's range. However, just as he jumped, he simultaneously used a Fire Release technique to prevent another Iwa ninja from making a move against him. 

The Iwa team leader, seeing Fuu's adept use of Fire Release, began to feel uneasy. His only hope now was that his other two teammates would quickly deal with the Konoha kids and come to their aid. Otherwise, it wouldn't take long for them to be exhausted and killed by this Konoha Jonin. 

Meanwhile, the other battlefield was progressing more smoothly. Hyuga Mirai, knowing that the Iwa ninjas were much more coordinated than his three-person team, didn't hold back. He threw seven kunai embedded with explosive tags, forcing two Iwa ninjas to split apart. Before closing in, He used his contacts in the Hyuga clan to hide his Byakugan, catching his enemies off guard.

"Kiyo!" Mirai called.

Hyuga Kiyo, understanding the plan, quickly coated her feet with chakra and rushed toward one of the Iwa ninjas. The Byakugan, famous throughout the ninja world, caught the attention of the Iwa ninja. Realizing that Kiyo intended to engage in close combat, he hesitated. Even though she was only a young girl, the veins on her face and the deadly expression she wore made the Iwa ninja feel a chill down his spine. The Hyuga clan specialized in Taijutsu, and they couldn't afford to let them get close. 

Though Kiyo was just a girl, this Iwa ninja didn't dare to underestimate her. He quickly leaped back to create distance, trying to find an opportunity to counter her attack. But he fell into Fuu's team's plan. Kiyo chased after him, dividing the battlefield into three parts and leaving only one Iwa ninja to face Hyuga Mirai and Kurenai Yuhi.

"Heh, two kids," the middle-aged Iwa ninja sneered, thinking that his battle experience far surpassed these two Konoha children.

"You're nearly forty and still a Chunin. What face do you have to mock us?" Hyuga Mirai retorted, rolling his eyes. "Since you split up, your death has been sealed. Our team leader is an elite jonin. Once he deals with your two useless teammates, do you really think you'll escape? No, better start thinking about how you'll survive from us!"

Mirai kept provoking him, hoping to get him riled up and close the distance. This would also create an opportunity for Kurenai Yuhi, whose genjutsu would be far more effective if his opponent lost control of his emotions.

"You little brat, we'll see how long your mouth can keep running!" The Iwa ninja, humiliated by the repeated taunts about his age, could no longer hold back his anger. When he thought about the other battlefields, things seemed dire. The only way to turn this around was to eliminate these two kids quickly and rush to help his teammates.

"Earth Release: Hardened Body Technique!"

After forming hand seals, the Iwa ninja's body became as tough as stone. He then drew his short sword and charged at Hyuga Mirai.

"So, you're a Taijutsu specialist?" Mirai thought, quickly grasping his intent. "Kurenai, you're the medical ninja, support us from afar!"

It was a deceptive move. In the heat of battle, the Iwa ninja wouldn't think too much about the words, but just having a small seed of doubt would be enough.

Kurenai Yuhi understood Hyuga Mirai's intention and quickly jumped back a few steps. She pulled out kunai and shuriken, pretending to be ready to provide support from a distance. The Iwa ninja's speed was impressive, and he quickly closed the distance, standing before Mirai. He raised his short sword high and swung it down fiercely at Mirai's head.

*Clang!*

The short sword was blocked by the kunai in Mirai's hand, and the clash of metal echoed through the air. 'This kid has some strength!' the Iwa ninja thought angrily. The Konoha child in front of him appeared to be no older than eight or nine, yet his strength surpassed that of a typical Genin. 

With a savage gleam in his eyes, the Iwa ninja decided to eliminate this Konoha brat. 

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

The two of them continued to fight fiercely, the Iwa ninja attacking relentlessly with his short sword, aiming for Mirai's vitals. His swordsmanship wasn't particularly sophisticated, but it was heavy and powerful. With his *Hardened Body* technique enhancing his physical strength and the added protection of his Earth Release techniques, he relied on brute force in his attacks.

However, Hyuga Mirai remained calm. While his physical strength was no match for the Iwa ninja's, his Taijutsu skills were far superior. He continuously observed his movements, looking for an opening. 

Kurenai Yuhi, still at a distance, occasionally threw a shuriken to provide support. 

*Clang!*

Mirai's kunai was struck and broken by the Iwa ninja's short sword. But she had already noticed the small crack in his weapon and, as soon as it was severed, she threw the broken kunai directly at the Iwa ninja.

"Hahaha, you brat! Now that you've lost your weapon, let's see how you—"

*Eight Trigrams: Two Palms!*

*Bang!* *Bang!*

Before the Iwa ninja could finish his sentence, his sword-hand was struck twice, and the chakra from Mirai's blows directly seeped into his body, causing his wrist to seize up. He could no longer hold onto his sword.

Mirai suddenly unleashed the *Eight Trigrams Palm*, his veins bulging out on his cheeks. He had previously hidden his Byakugan, making it impossible for the Iwa ninja to recognize his identity. 

The Iwa ninja's face changed in shock. "You brat... You're from the Hyuga clan…"

"Four Palms!"

Without wasting any more time, Mirai unleashed another barrage of *Eight Trigrams Palms* aimed at his vital points.

*Eight Palms!* 

*Sixteen Palms!*

After delivering fifteen palms, Mirai's final blow sent the Iwa ninja flying toward Kurenai Yuhi's position.

"Genjutsu: Tree Binding Death!"

Kurenai, seizing the opportunity, closed in quickly and cast the B-rank Genjutsu she had recently learned, trapping the Iwa ninja in her illusion.

"Kurenai, fall back a bit," Mirai called out, unsure of how long the Genjutsu would last. Without hesitation, he hurled five kunai with explosive tags directly at the trapped Iwa ninja.

"Damned brat!!" 

Sure enough, Kurenai's Genjutsu only lasted for less than five seconds, but that was more than enough for the explosive tags to activate. 

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

The explosions rang out, and through his Byakugan, Mirai could see the Iwa ninja's chakra quickly depleting. His arm and leg were blown off by the blasts.

At that moment, Akimichi Fuu and Hyuga Kiyo arrived from a distance. Seeing the battlefield and the Iwa ninja lying motionless on the ground, Fuu gave a rare smile and praised, "Well done!" 

(End of Chapter)