Hayashi charged straight out into the open. There was no cover here, so stealth and assassination were out of the question. In a situation like this, the only option left was direct confrontation.
With a heavy stomp that sent gravel scattering, he formed hand signs while sprinting forward.
"Fire Style, Fire Ball Jutsu."
Chakra surged through his chest, and a massive sphere of roaring flames burst from his mouth, rushing straight toward the Sand Ninja squad ahead. This C rank technique was further amplified by the dry climate of the Land of Rivers, making its destructive power far more intimidating than usual.
Right behind him, Taki Yu completed his own hand signs.
"Wind Style, Great Breakthrough."
The cutting gusts of wind slammed into the fireball, instantly boosting its speed and intensity. By itself, this Wind Style jutsu lacked killing power, but when used to enhance Fire Style, its value became undeniable. It was one of the most widely used support techniques among Konoha shinobi.
In the face of the incoming combined attack, the Sand Ninjas did not panic. As a reconnaissance team operating on the battlefield outskirts, they had already prepared for sudden encounters.
The Sand Jonin captain flicked his middle finger, and a summoning scroll shot from his waist into his palm. With a sharp crack, the scroll unfurled, and three humanoid puppets appeared on the ground in formation.
At the same time, the two Chunin beside him formed hand signs in perfect sync.
"Earth Style, Earth Wall."
A solid earthen barrier rose from the ground. Although its height was limited, it was more than enough to block the reinforced flames. The exploding fire crashed into the wall and scattered into burning fragments across the sand.
As the smoke and heat began to dissipate, the Sand Jonin burst forward from behind the wall, charging straight toward Himeji San and the others.
The first exchange ended in an instant. What followed was a head on clash.
Hayashi flicked his wrist lightly, and a kunai slid into his right hand. Lightning natured chakra surged through his legs, and in a single burst of speed, he shot several body lengths ahead of his teammates.
Just as the two Jonin were about to engage, the Sand Jonin suddenly shifted his angle and bypassed Hayashi entirely, heading directly for Himeji San and the others instead.
He was clearly placing his trust in his subordinates to stall Hayashi, choosing instead to eliminate the Konoha Chunin first.
Being underestimated like this was rare. Hayashi smiled faintly, but he did not turn back. Instead, he continued charging toward the three Sand Chunin.
In the same way, his own confidence lay with Himeji San.
As Hayashi closed the distance, the Sand Ninjas did not panic. His youthful appearance still gave them a sense of reassurance. All they had to do was stall him until their captain finished off the others.
Two of them immediately formed hand signs again. A second Earth Wall, taller and thicker than the first, erupted from the ground just as Hayashi swung his kunai. At the same moment, the third Sand Ninja began forming Wind Style hand signs.
Then, in the very next second, the impossible happened.
Under their stunned gazes, Hayashi smashed straight through the reinforced Earth Wall with a single punch. The hardened earth exploded outward in a shower of debris.
His physical strength was nothing short of monstrous.
His speed did not drop in the slightest after breaking through. With a swift flick of his kunai, he cleanly sliced through the neck of the closest Sand Chunin. Blood burst into the air as the man collapsed.
Before the body even hit the ground, Hayashi bent his knees, surged forward again, and lunged toward the remaining two.
The instant kill shattered their composure. If their captain had not personally guaranteed their safety, they would never have dared to leave the Sand Village base in the first place.
Why could they not just take on easy support duties and survive the war in peace?
That thought vanished in an instant.
Hayashi's kunai was already inches from one man's throat. Another fraction of a second, and death would have claimed him as well.
But the strike never landed.
A sharp clang rang out. Hayashi's kunai had not cut his target. Instead, it deflected a poisoned kunai fired from behind.
One of the Sand Jonin's puppets had been lurking underground. It surfaced at the critical moment and fired the concealed weapon, interrupting the killing blow.
Saved from certain death, the surviving Sand Chunin clenched his teeth and regained his resolve. Together with the other remaining Chunin, he moved to coordinate with the puppet and surround Hayashi.
At the same time, the Sand Jonin was drenched in cold sweat. He had never expected such overwhelming strength. In such a short time, one subordinate was already dead. This battle was sliding out of control.
Forced to retreat from his engagement with Himeji San, he rapidly manipulated his puppets, directing them toward Hayashi in a desperate attempt to stabilize the fight.
"Himeji San, Yuu, I will leave those two to you," Hayashi said calmly.
Poisoned kunai and explosive tags flew toward him in a chaotic barrage. He dodged with precise footwork, deflecting the rest with clean, efficient movements. His calm voice carried clearly across the battlefield as he issued the command.
This was not the first time he had fought puppet users. He had already destroyed more puppets than he cared to count.
Swift taijutsu empowered by chakra was the natural nemesis of puppet masters. Combined with his keen perception, he could easily track every movement of the chakra threads linked to the puppets' limbs.
After several exchanges, he had already judged the enemy's strength. If he used his full power now, the Sand Jonin would fall instantly.
But he did not.
Opportunities like this to temper coordination between teammates were rare. Killing the opponent too quickly would waste an excellent training chance.
While maintaining control of the battle's rhythm, Hayashi scanned the rest of the field.
Himeji San was living up to her reputation as a genius. She fought with absolute composure, fully suppressing her Sand Chunin opponent. From Hayashi's perspective, her current strength was already brushing the level between Special Jonin and full Jonin.
The most astonishing part was her age. At only thirteen, she already possessed such combat ability. It made him wonder why her name had never appeared in any known records, just like Nawaki.
He felt as if he had overlooked something, but the battlefield allowed no time for deep thought.
His gaze shifted to Taki Yuu and Taki Toru. There, the situation was far less favorable. Taki Yuu was being steadily pressed back, and Taki Toru was struggling to support him with her limited combat ability.
Two against one, yet they were still falling behind.
Their difference in talent was painfully clear.
Hayashi exhaled softly and decided it was time to end this.
He retreated half a body length, evading another puppet strike. With a casual wave of his left hand, four condensed wind blades shot outward in perfect arcs.
Each blade sliced cleanly through the invisible chakra threads controlling the puppets.
The connection was severed instantly.
Before the Sand Jonin could react, Hayashi surged forward and drove a chakra infused punch straight into the chest of one puppet.
The puppet exploded on impact, its wooden body shattering into fragments that scattered across the battlefield like lifeless remains.
The Sand Jonin's expression finally broke into open shock. Just moments ago, he had been suppressing his opponent. Now, the situation had completely reversed.
Hayashi did not pause. He shifted his footing and ran straight toward the Taki siblings.
…