Chapter 9: the real test

Nightfall: A New Challenge

The forest felt different as the sun dipped below the horizon. The once vibrant greens of the trees faded into shadow, and the sounds of distant battles grew quieter, replaced by the rustling of nocturnal creatures.

Ryūsei and his team moved swiftly, putting distance between themselves and Hideo's group. Even though they had won the fight, staying in one place for too long was a risk.

Tsunade glanced around. "Alright, we've got the scroll. What's the plan now?"

Orochimaru, ever the strategist, responded first. "We secure shelter. We're not the only ones hunting for an advantage. Resting in the open is foolish."

Jiraiya groaned. "Ugh, so we're still hiding?"

Ryūsei shook his head. "Not hiding. Controlling the battlefield."

His Byakugan flared as he scanned the terrain ahead. Most teams were either engaged in battles or setting up temporary camps. He caught sight of one group trying to hunt a small boar for food—not something they'd have time to do themselves.

"There's a hollow tree two kilometers west," Ryūsei reported. "It'll be cramped, but it's a natural shelter."

Tsunade frowned. "If it's a good spot, why hasn't anyone taken it yet?"

Orochimaru's lips curled into a smirk. "Because something else already has."

Jiraiya paled. "W-Wait… what do you mean by 'something'?"

The Beast of the Forest

They reached the tree just as the last traces of sunlight disappeared. The hollow space beneath its roots was large enough to crawl into, but Ryūsei was right—something else had been here first.

A pungent, musky scent filled the air, and claw marks lined the bark. Tufts of dark fur were caught in the roots.

"A bear," Tsunade whispered.

Jiraiya gulped. "Let's find another spot."

Orochimaru knelt, touching the marks. "No. It's not here anymore."

Ryūsei activated his Byakugan, sweeping the area. The creature had left recently, its tracks leading deeper into the forest. It was unlikely to return soon.

"We'll take it," he decided.

Jiraiya groaned. "Oh great, we're moving into some bear's abandoned home."

Tsunade smirked. "Better than sleeping out in the open."

They crawled into the hollow, securing the entrance with fallen branches to make it less visible. It was cramped, but it would keep them safe for the night.

A Silent Attack

The forest remained eerily quiet as they settled in, exhaustion weighing on their limbs. They took turns keeping watch, with Ryūsei taking the first shift.

Hours passed. The others rested while he remained alert, his Byakugan scanning the trees for movement.

Then—something shifted.

A flicker of chakra. Faint, almost imperceptible. Moving fast.

Ryūsei's muscles tensed. He barely had time to react before a kunai came whistling through the air—aimed directly at their shelter.

He lunged forward, catching the blade mid-air.

Jiraiya jolted awake. "What the hell—?!"

Orochimaru was already up, eyes glinting. "We have company."

Tsunade cursed, pushing herself to her feet. "Who is it?"

Ryūsei didn't answer immediately. His Byakugan traced the attacker's movements—two figures, moving through the trees with practiced stealth.

"Two-man squad," he murmured. "One is suppressing their chakra. The other… is fast."

A second kunai flew toward them. Ryūsei dodged, twisting to deflect it with his wrist.

Then, the attackers struck.

The Ambush

A figure dropped from the trees, landing in a crouch. He was fast—almost too fast for an ordinary Academy student. His dark hair was tied back, and his sharp eyes gleamed with intelligence.

"I was hoping you wouldn't notice me," he said, rising. "I should've known better."

Ryūsei recognized him. "Nara Shinji."

The boy smirked. "So you do remember me."

From the shadows, a second figure emerged—a girl with short, auburn hair, kunai in hand. Unlike Shinji, she didn't speak.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "The Akimichi girl. Eri."

Shinji crossed his arms. "I assume you already know why we're here."

Tsunade sighed. "You want the scroll."

Shinji shrugged. "Can you blame us?"

Jiraiya grinned. "Yeah, but the problem is… you're not gonna get it."

Shinji chuckled. "We'll see about that."

Without warning, he flicked his wrist. A handful of flash bombs erupted in a blinding burst of light.

Ryūsei, despite the Byakugan's ability to see chakra, instinctively shielded his eyes from the sudden flare.

When his vision cleared, the real attack had begun.

The Battle in the Dark

Eri moved first, her speed belying her clan's usual bulkier fighting style. She charged Tsunade, her hands glowing with chakra as she aimed a devastating palm strike.

Tsunade blocked, but the sheer force sent her skidding back. "Damn, she's strong."

Shinji, meanwhile, formed a quick hand seal. "Shadow Possession Jutsu."

The shadows slithered toward them.

Ryūsei reacted instantly, leaping into the air to avoid being caught. Mid-air, he spun, flicking a kunai toward Shinji.

But Shinji was already moving, dodging effortlessly. "Too slow."

Jiraiya lunged at him, aiming a punch. Shinji sidestepped, smoothly transitioning into another hand seal.

"Shadow Imitation: Double Bind."

Jiraiya froze mid-punch.

"What the—?!"

Orochimaru cursed. "He's already expanded his range."

Ryūsei landed, eyes narrowing. Shinji was dangerous—not just because of his clan's abilities, but because of how efficiently he used them.

Ryūsei shifted into a stance. "Then I won't hold back."

His golden Byakugan gleamed as he vanished in a blur of motion.

Shinji's eyes barely had time to widen before Ryūsei was on him.

The Decisive Blow

Ryūsei didn't aim for Shinji's tenketsu like a Hyūga would.

Instead, he struck his shadow—disrupting its connection for just a second.

Shinji staggered. "Wha—?"

That second was all Ryūsei needed.

A palm strike to the shoulder—sharp, precise, knocking Shinji off balance.

Then, a second blow to the ribs, forcing him back.

The connection of his jutsu snapped.

Jiraiya, freed, didn't waste time. He leapt forward, delivering a brutal kick to Shinji's chest, sending him flying into a tree.

Eri, seeing her teammate down, hesitated—just long enough for Tsunade to slam her fist into the ground, shaking the terrain.

Eri lost her footing.

Orochimaru capitalized, appearing behind her and striking her pressure point.

She collapsed.

Silence fell.

Shinji coughed from where he had landed. "Damn… we really lost, huh?"

Ryūsei exhaled. "You did well."

Shinji chuckled, rubbing his bruised ribs. "Not well enough."

Tsunade cracked her knuckles. "You're lucky we're not taking your scroll."

Shinji sighed. "Yeah, yeah." He raised his hands in defeat. "Fine. You win."

With the battle over, Ryūsei turned back to his team. "Let's get moving. We won't be this lucky next time."

Jiraiya grinned. "Lucky? That was all skill."

Orochimaru simply smiled. "Yes… but there are stronger opponents ahead."

As they disappeared into the night, Ryūsei knew—this was only the beginning.

The real survival trial had just begun.