Chapter 44: Scorch Release

The Wind Release: Wind Reversal Technique—this jutsu uses chakra to return an enemy's Wind Release attack back at them, forcing them to taste their own jutsu.

This move has its pros and cons. If your strength is lower than your opponent's, it can easily backfire—fail to counter their jutsu properly, and you'll end up dead instead. On the other hand, if you're significantly stronger, there's usually no need to use a move like this in the first place. It becomes redundant when you can just end the fight quickly.

In short, kind of a niche technique.

But when two shinobi are evenly matched, Wind Reversal can yield surprising results.

Kiyosuke's wind blades were bounced right back at him. He quickly dodged and glanced at the marks left on the wall where the blades struck.

"That was close. I nearly got shredded... Scary, scary."

A vein twitched on Pakura's forehead.

This guy is so annoying!

She sneered. "Is dodging all you know how to do? If you're trying to ask me out, you'll need more than that."

"Is that so? Then I guess it's time to get serious—Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

With a wave of his arm, four large snakes burst from his sleeve and lunged toward Pakura.

"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"

Pakura knew that one too. She moved faster than Kiyosuke and completed her hand seals in an instant. Her slicing wind jutsu cut the snakes into multiple pieces, killing them instantly.

"Yikes, so violent."

Kiyosuke muttered to himself, realizing it was time to stop playing around. He pushed off with his legs and shot forward like a bullet. A kunai spun once on his finger before he gripped it tightly and struck toward Pakura.

Clang!

She blocked the blow but immediately felt the pressure—this strike was at least twice as strong as his previous ones. Which meant… he'd been holding back this entire time.

That realization lit a fire in her. She responded with a powerful counterattack.

Seeing her aggressive moves, Kiyosuke didn't back down either. People had different physical limits, and Pakura, being a girl, simply didn't have the same stamina he did. If this continued, she would be the one to fall behind.

The two clashed fiercely, exchanging blows. Pakura, aware that she was losing in sheer strength, tried to outmaneuver him with finesse. But in the very next moment, Kiyosuke smacked the kunai from her hand.

Then—

A kick slammed into her stomach, sending her flying through the air.

"Many Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

This time, even more snakes—larger than before—shot from his sleeve and chased after the airborne Pakura, fangs bared.

As the serpents closed in, Pakura's eyes turned fierce. A fireball appeared beside her.

The instant the snakes made contact with the fireball, their massive bodies shriveled up like dried husks in the desert—their moisture instantly evaporated.

The moment that jutsu was unleashed, the entire room went silent.

"That's the Kekkei Genkai of Sunagakure… Scorch Release!"

"What a terrifying bloodline limit…"

"So, how's the kid from Konoha going to handle this?"

From the stands, Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe and murmured,

"Orochimaru, what do you think Kiyosuke's chances are?"

"If he doesn't use his special constitution, he won't win. But if he does... the victory is his," Orochimaru answered coolly.

"Well then, let's watch and see."

...

"Dad… do you think Kiyosuke can win?" Kurenai asked, voice full of concern. Asuma turned his head to look as well.

Yūhi Shinku nodded. "Believe in Kiyosuke. Among your peers, his strength is one of the best. Besides, killing isn't allowed in this exam. Even if he loses, his life won't be in danger. Don't worry."

After comforting his daughter, Shinku fixed his gaze on Kiyosuke, who had suddenly grown serious.

"Scorch Release, huh…"

Kiyosuke eyed the fireball floating near Pakura.

This girl would grow into a real 'Hero' someday, and her talents were already showing. He grinned.

"This Kekkei Genkai really is dangerous."

Staring at the withered snake corpses on the ground, he raised his guard.

"Give up," Pakura warned coldly. "In front of Scorch Release, there's only one outcome—you'll be vaporized. If I let loose, I might not be able to stop myself."

"Is that so? So scary, so scary. All the Kekkei Genkai users from Sunagakure are monsters, huh?"

That smirk on his face—so irritating!

But then Kiyosuke dropped the smile and said seriously,

"Just a Kekkei Genkai user. It's not like Konoha doesn't have them too. And Scorch Release... it won't work on me."

He charged straight at her, making no attempt to dodge.

Pakura blinked in disbelief.

He's just running straight in?

"Don't blame me if something happens!" she growled.

"Scorch Release: Overheat Murder!"

The fireball flew forward and struck Kiyosuke dead-on—but instead of collapsing into a mummy like her past victims, he kept coming. Unscathed. Even faster.

Pakura was stunned.

Why?! That was a direct hit! Why is he completely fine?

She had clearly formed the seals correctly.

By the time she snapped out of her shock, Kiyosuke was already upon her. It was too late to react.

The kunai pressed to her throat, the sharp edge making her skin prickle.

"You lost," he said.

"Why… why didn't it hurt you?" she asked.

"A guy's gotta have a secret or two. If you're still alive ten years from now, come find me. Let's go on a date."

The real reason he survived was because he had fully transformed his body into elemental form. If he hadn't, all the moisture in his body would've been boiled away—he would've turned into a desiccated corpse. But in his elemental state, his body was pure flame—no water to evaporate.

"Hmph. Try beating your next opponent first."

She snorted and raised her hand toward the referee.

The proctor gave a nod and announced, "Winner: Asakawa Kiyosuke!"

...

Kiyosuke leapt back to the spectator stands and shot a grin at Asuma.

"Take notes, my man. That's how you chase a girl."

Asuma sighed. "I've never heard of anyone chasing a girl by beating her up. Right, Kurenai?"

He had seen Kiyosuke's attacks—they definitely weren't gentle. The guy clearly had no concept of holding back. If he followed that example, he'd end up single for life.

"Hmph. Simp," he muttered. Kurenai clicked her tongue at his words—what an idiot.

"They were opponents. It's normal to go all out," Kurenai said. "But Kiyosuke, why did you ask her out for a date in ten years?"

The honest answer? He wanted her body.

But of course, he wasn't about to say that out loud.

"It was just a joke," he replied. "In ten years, she might die on a mission. It's not like she'll definitely come to Konoha. And besides, it's not that easy for just any shinobi to waltz into the village."

Yūhi Shinku warned, "Don't make jokes like that again. Not every kunoichi is like Pakura."

If it had been someone else, she might've retaliated already.

Pakura's personality was surprisingly okay. Shame she died so young.

Shaking his head, Kiyosuke said, "Got it, Shinku-sensei. Just a joke this time. Besides, she's kinda cute."

He wasn't into lolis. He liked mature women.

But Pakura, ten years later?

She'd hit all his buttons perfectly.

That's all there was to it!

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I recommend that you check out my new fanfic "The Shimura Actually Has Ice Release". It's really good. In short, the protagonist is Danzo's son, so Danzo supports him, he has good mentors, bloodline limit and so on, I won't say much about his background, the fanfic will explain it in the first chapters. I would recommend to check it out, quite a nice fanfic, no system, no harem, no excessive power, I like his backstory, especially that he has support, so his power has backup, and the relationship with Danzo without much emotion, more like Danzo's dream of becoming a Hokage, transforming to make his son a Hokage.

Pls Drop some Power Stones

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