Chapter 37: Silent Killing  

Generally, within a three-kilometer radius, he could use Ultrasonic Radar Jutsu to accurately identify targets, achieving perception comparable to the Byakugan. 

At two hundred meters, it became his absolute domain of insight—complete 360-degree awareness and total battlefield control. The tactical advantage this provided was evident in his recent interception of two Suna pursuit squads. 

In conventional shinobi combat, battles often hinge on intelligence, fighting spirit, and the quality of weaponry—especially intelligence. 

Shinobi are typically high-offense, low-defense glass cannons. If they're at a complete intel disadvantage, unless the power gap is overwhelming, they're as good as dead. 

This is why Kumo and Kiri would go to great lengths to obtain a Byakugan—proof of just how crucial sensory abilities are. 

"This combat style is effective, but it's way too expensive. It's not sustainable. I need to master the Hidden Mist Jutsu as soon as possible." 

** Yoru** shook his head, dismissing the idea of making this combat method his standard approach. 

By detecting enemies early and using traps and mechanized tools, his combat effectiveness rivaled that of a puppetry-specialized jonin. However, this method had one fatal flaw: 

It drained resources like crazy. 

A single major battle could cost anywhere from tens of thousands to millions of ryo. 

He wasn't some rich kid like Tenten—he couldn't afford to burn money like this. 

Compared to the meager earnings from missions, these battles were basically subsidizing Konoha out of his own pocket. 

Over the past six months of patrol missions, he'd only clashed with Suna nin a few times. If not for Shukudō's support, he'd already be drowning in debt. And if Water Bat No. 7 got countered by Suna's antidote research, cutting off his cash flow, his finances would collapse entirely. 

Relying on this combat style long-term was too costly. Constantly borrowing Shukudō's tools wasn't a solution either. 

In emergencies? Sure. But as a standard tactic? Even if Shukudō didn't mind, his family might start complaining. 

The Shukudō clan was large, and many of its members had given up cushy lives to fight on the frontlines as shinobi. 

"The problem isn't scarcity—it's unfair distribution." 

The clan had already invested heavily in Shukudō—sending him Iron Prison Gates, specialized Fūma shuriken from the Land of Artisans, and stacks of explosive tags. Just two Iron Prison Gates alone cost millions of ryo—equivalent to several S-rank mission rewards. 

The Shukudō clan was wealthy, but Shukudō wasn't their only shinobi. Favoritism had its limits. 

Sure, the clan had declared that the Multi-Layer Iron Prison technique he taught them was worth an A-rank jutsu, claiming they "owed him nearly ten million ryo" and that he could freely use their tools. 

But Shukudō was his subordinate—almost a disciple. Teaching a disciple a technique and then charging for it? That just wasn't right. 

Then again, pride was worthless compared to survival. In a life-or-death situation, he'd use Shukudō's resources without hesitation. 

The real reason he wanted to move away from this combat style was simple: 

He didn't want to be confined to puppetry. 

Mechanized tools had a low ceiling—unless he could get his hands on Orochimaru's core tech or Pain's Asura Path puppets. 

"Use mechanized tools in emergencies. For regular combat, Silent Killing is the way." 

Combining Hidden Mist Jutsu with Ultrasonic Radar Jutsu created a tactical style eerily similar to Zabuza's Silent Killing. 

Add ** (Mist Teleportation)** into the mix, and it became even deadlier. 

Best of all? Silent Killing was dirt cheap—almost zero cost. 

Before, he'd been forced to pay out of pocket while risking his life for Konoha. 

"Who ever heard of paying to work for someone else?" 

So, the more cost-effective approach shifted to mastering: 

Hidden Mist Jutsu Mist Teleportation 

Luckily, his newly developed Infrasound Radar Jutsu now had a five-kilometer range, eliminating the threat of Suna ambushes and securing his patrol zone. That meant he could finally focus on training. 

Since both jutsu were D-rank, mastering them was easy—especially with his prior experience in C-rank Water Prison Jutsu. 

"A thirty-meter radius is too small. A single Body Flicker can escape the mist's range." 

Yoru frowned. While thirty meters was impressive—beyond what most Kiri elite chunin could manage—a hundred meters was the practical minimum for real combat. 

After all, his Ultrasonic Radar's absolute domain was two hundred meters. Matching that with the mist's range would maximize his advantage. 

"Hidden Mist Jutsu can be improved with time and chakra. But Mist Teleportation… that's trickier." 

The mist's limits were just a matter of skill and chakra reserves. But Mist Teleportation demanded not only water affinity but also high-level taijutsu. 

His taijutsu was solid—stronger than the average chunin, especially with his chakra control, allowing him to overpower even elite Konoha chunin. 

But this body came from a commoner family and was already fully matured. Its physical potential had been largely exhausted by excessive soldier pill use. 

That didn't mean it was hopeless—the human body was a treasure trove of untapped potential. With enough training, recovery, and time, he could still improve. 

For now, his Mist Teleportation was only 80% faster than a standard Body Flicker. 

Fast enough to slit a chunin's throat without resistance, and even pressure special jonin. 

But against a full-fledged jonin? 

It just wasn't enough.