Chapter 39: The Test of Strength
After traveling for a while under the soft glow of the setting sun, Gojo felt a surge of anticipation.
His first mission was not only proving to be a challenge but also an opportunity to test the skills he had honed over the past two years.
Sensing that he needed to gain more system points to enhance his abilities, he decided to check his status panel.
Taking a deep breath, he concentrated and activated the familiar blue screen.
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Status Panel:
Name: Senju Gojo
Age: 8
Rank: Student
Chakra Reserve: Jōnin
Bloodlines:
— Pure Senju Bloodline (Complete)
— Uchiha Bloodline (Complete)
— Uzumaki Bloodline (Intermediary)
Bloodline Limit: Sharingan (Mutated), Wood Release
Sharingan: Three Tomoe (Golden)
Physique: Sage Body (Complete)
Talent:
— Ninjutsu Talent: Primary
— Comprehension Talent: Primary
Skills:
(Basic): Three Body Technique, Clone Technique, Transform Technique
🔥 Fire Release Techniques
C-Rank: Fireball Jutsu, Phoenix Fire Jutsu, Flame Bullet
B-Rank: Dragon Flame Jutsu, Fire Dragon Bullet, Great Fireball Jutsu
A-Rank: Great Fire Annihilation, Flame Flower, Fire Dragon Flame Bullet
🌊 Water Release Techniques
C-Rank: Water Bullet Jutsu, Wild Water Wave, Water Prison Jutsu
B-Rank: Water Dragon Jutsu, Water Shark Bullet, Water Wall
A-Rank: Great Waterfall Jutsu, Water Colliding Wave, Exploding Water Shockwave
🌬️ Wind Release Techniques
C-Rank: Wind Bullet, Wind Scythe Jutsu, Gale Palm
B-Rank: Wind Vacuum Blade, Vacuum Wave, Wind Cutter
A-Rank: Vacuum Great Sphere, Vacuum Serial Waves, Great Breakthrough
🪨 Earth Release Techniques
C-Rank: Earth Wall, Mud Wall, Earth Spear
B-Rank: Earth Dragon Bullet, Earth Flow River, Mudslide Wave
A-Rank: Earth Style Rampart, Earth Moving Core, Bedrock Coffin
⚡ Lightning Release Techniques
C-Rank: Lightning Beast Running Technique, Lightning Ball, Lightning Needle
B-Rank: Chidori, Lightning Fang, Lightning Strike Armor
A-Rank: Chidori Sharp Spear, Lightning Transmission, Four Pillar Bind
🌲 Wood Release Techniques
C-Rank: Wood Locking Wall, Wood Clone, Tree Binding Death
B-Rank: Wood Dragon, Wood Spear, Wooden Dome
A-Rank: Deep Forest Emergence, Advent of a World of Trees, Great Forest Technique
System Points: 0
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Gojo's heart sank slightly at the realization that he had no points to spend at that moment.
He needed to earn points urgently, especially if he wanted to continue advancing his skills.
Emboldened by this thought, he vowed to make the most of this mission.
Today might very well be the day to prove himself.
At that moment, Tsunade's voice broke through his contemplations.
"Gojo, stay focused. We're entering a more dangerous part of the forest. Keep your guard up," she instructed, her tone carrying authority and reassurance.
Suddenly, the tranquil atmosphere shifted dramatically.
A series of loud rustles echoed through the trees, followed by the menacing voices of bandits.
The air felt charged with tension as shadows darted between the trees.
The bandit leader emerged from the undergrowth, a cruel smirk plastered across his face.
"Well, well! Look at what we have here! A couple of kids and a merchant?" he sneered, mocking their presence.
"Step back, Gojo. This is a test of your strength," Tsunade said, placing herself in front of the merchant, preparing to protect him.
"Show me what you've got!"
Gojo's heart raced in anticipation; this was precisely the moment he had been waiting for.
He pivoted to face the crowd of bandits with fierce determination.
"You've made a mistake coming after us! I won't let you take anything from this merchant!"
The bandits laughed, brushing off his words.
"What can a little kid do?" one of them scoffed, raising his weapon mockingly.
"This will be easy!"
With a fierce glint in his eye, Gojo activated his Sharingan, the three golden tomoe swirling vividly.
He would prove them wrong.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Gojo shouted, channeling his chakra and forming a massive sphere of flames.
With a swift gesture, he launched it directly at the approaching bandits.
The fireball soared through the air like a meteor, illuminating the forest as it struck a tree near the bandit group, sending shards of bark flying and scorching the area.
The bandits were taken aback, their laughter replaced with panic as they scrambled to avoid the flames.
"Get them! Don't let that kid get away with it!" the leader barked, trying to rally his men.
Seizing the opportunity, Gojo moved quickly forward, fueled by adrenaline.
"Water Release: Water Wall!" he called out, forming a protective barrier between him and the bandits.
The wall of water surged forth, solidifying just in time to block incoming projectiles aimed at him.
"You think that will save you?" another bandit shouted as he lunged at Gojo, wielding a sword.
Gojo's heart raced, but he remained calm.
"Not just save—" He focused intensely.
"Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!" he proclaimed, sending a torrent of water crashing toward the bandit, sweeping him off his feet and sending him tumbling backward.
"Nice one, Gojo!" Tsunade encouraged him from where she stood, her eyes locked on the battle.
With every successful defense and counter, Gojo felt a surge of pride and motivation.
He was determined to prove he could take down these bandits.
As he prepared to strike again, the bandit leader roared in frustration, gesturing his men to surround Gojo.
"Don't let the kid get away with this!" he yelled, rallying his remaining bandits.
They charged at Gojo, weapons raised.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!" Gojo called out, using a swift arm motion to release a blast of wind that knocked back two bandits who had rushed at him.
They slammed into the ground, dazed.
"Impressive, but you're still outnumbered!" taunted the bandit leader, his confidence unwavering.
Gojo could sense the tension mounting; it was crucial to act decisively.
He needed more devastating techniques.
"I'll show you what outnumbered really means!" Gojo shouted, tapping into his remaining techniques.
"Earth Release: Earth Wall!" Gojo created a barrier to separate him from the bandits, causing them to stumble as they collided against it.
Dust and debris filled the air, but Gojo used it to his advantage.
"Now you're stuck!" shouted the leader, still pushing forward, undeterred.
"Charge!"
"Not for long!" Gojo retorted.
He felt the rush of battle fueling his determination.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
He conjured a fierce dragon made of fire, unleashing it toward the bandits.
The fiery beast roared as it dove into their ranks.
The flames engulfed several of the bandits, leaving them scrambling for safety.
The intensity of the attack propelled fear into their hearts.
Gojo felt an exhilarating rush as he watched the chaos unfold, proving he was no ordinary child.
"Get that brat!" screamed the bandit leader, his bravado waning as he pulled a kunai.
Gojo wasted no time.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Beast Running Technique!" he shouted, channeling his power into a swift bolt of lightning that struck near the bandit leader.
The blast was enough to cause him to stagger backward, fear washing over his face.
Tsunade seized the moment.
"Gojo! Now!" she shouted, charging into the fray.
Motivated by her words, Gojo prepared a decisive maneuver.
"Earth Release: Mudslide Wave!"
He slammed his hand onto the ground, summoning a wave of mud that spread out to trip the remaining bandits.
They fell, struggling in the muck, giving Gojo the perfect opportunity to attack.
"Now for the finishing touch!" he shouted, feeling the adrenaline pumping through his veins.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Jutsu!"
An immense surge of water cascaded down, engulfing the mud-covered bandits and pinning them down.
They struggled against the overwhelming force, their cries faltering under the power of nature.
"Kid's not holding back! What the hell is this?" one bandit gasped, using all his strength to stay afloat.
"Stop! We can negotiate!" whimpered another, fear etched across his face as he realized they were outmatched.
Gojo stood tall, confident as he surveyed the chaos around him.
"You chose the wrong people to attack. My strength is more than you could handle!"
The bandit leader, now grasping for any hope of escape, shouted in disbelief, "You can't do this! You're just a kid! We outnumber you!"
"Numbers mean nothing when you're facing a qualified ninja!" Gojo replied, recalling all of his training and the lessons shared by Tsunade.
With the rest of the bandits trapped and unable to fight back, the leader's bravado finally crumbled.
His eyes darted around, grasping the reality of their defeat.
"We'll get you for this! Just wait!"
"Ensure you're not too broken to try!" Gojo snapped back.
"You've tormented the innocent long enough!"
With a final burst of focus, he extended his arm.
"Lightning Release: Chidori!"
The lightning crackled around his hand, bright and menacing.
He charged toward the leader, embodying the full strength of his resolve.
The bandit leader stumbled back in fear, realizing the consequence of his actions.
Just as Gojo was about to close the distance, a sudden voice broke through the tension.
"Stop!" Tsunade called out, rushing forward.
"No need to finish him off. We'll take them back for judgment."
Gojo halted, lowering his technique.
"Tsunade, I—"
"It's alright. You showcased your strength and intelligence. Consider it a warning to them."
Tsunade walked toward the trapped bandits, her presence commanding respect.
"Round them up," Tsunade instructed, turning to Gojo with pride.
"You've done well. I knew you had it in you."
Breathing heavily, Gojo felt a rush of triumph wash over him.
He had proven himself in battle, showcasing the techniques he had been honing.
With the bandits apprehended and captured, Gojo realized he didn't just gain points in battle but also confidence in himself.
"Let's secure them and continue to the Grass Village," Tsunade declared, ushering the merchant to safety.
Gojo nodded, energized by the promise of what lay ahead.
This mission had tested him, challenging his skills and resolve.
Even though he held back some techniques, especially Wood Release, he knew he had more opportunities to prove himself.
As they moved onward, Gojo felt a warmth in his heart—a mixture of accomplishment and anticipation for future battles yet to come.
The path to growth was lined with tests, and he had taken another solid step along his journey.
With this victory in his arsenal, Gojo was ready for whatever awaited him on the horizon.
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Chapter 39 Ends.