"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Within the forest—
A graceful figure formed hand seals at high speed.
Her lips parted—
As she exhaled fiercely toward Anko ahead.
"Whoosh—!"
A massive fireball—
Shot forward like lightning.
The scorching heat—
Made Anko's expression change.
Her hands quickly formed seals:
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
A fierce stream of flames burst out—
Colliding head-on with the giant fireball.
The two attacks—
Exploded with a thunderous roar.
The surrounding ground—
Was scorched black and collapsed.
Smoke billowed everywhere.
But both figures—
Had already vanished.
Each hiding within the forest—
Waiting for an opportunity.
Meanwhile—
Akira stood atop a tree—
Watching the spar between the two women with some helplessness.
It was supposed to be a simple match—
But because of what happened earlier—
Both had clearly become competitive.
However—
The gap between them—
Was obvious at a glance.
Even though Anko, as a Special Jonin—
Had learned many secret and forbidden techniques from Orochimaru—
She was still no match for Kurenai—
Whose strength had skyrocketed—
Now practically an all-round Jonin.
"Hah… Kurenai, that girl…"
Behind a large tree—
Anko wiped away nonexistent cold sweat—
Clearly shocked:
"Since when did her Fire Release become this strong?"
As close friends—
She knew Kurenai's strength very well.
Her genjutsu—
Was indeed far superior.
But in ninjutsu—
She used to be slightly inferior.
Yet that fire attack just now—
Was extremely skilled and powerful.
Could it be—
That in just a few days—
With Akira's guidance—
She had improved that much?
"Your understanding of my strength is outdated, Anko!"
Suddenly—
A crisp, smiling voice rang out.
Anko's hairs stood on end—
Her expression changing instantly.
Without hesitation—
She thrust her right hand toward the source of the voice:
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
"Whoosh—whoosh—!"
Two thick snakes shot out from her sleeves—
Opening their bloody jaws—
Fangs gleaming—
Charging straight at Kurenai.
But in the next moment—
The figure that should've been bound—
Dissolved into smoke before their eyes.
Anko's attack hit nothing.
"A genjutsu!?"
Her expression shifted.
She hurriedly formed seals.
"Swish—!"
Silently—
A graceful figure emerged from a tree behind her—
Holding a kunai—
Striking straight toward her.
"Release!"
In that instant—
Anko forcibly broke the genjutsu—
Jumping back.
But she was still a step too slow.
Her right arm—
Was slashed open—
Blood splattering.
Because Akira—
The "little medical master"—
Was present—
Both Anko and Kurenai fought without holding back.
Though they avoided fatal strikes—
Injuries didn't matter.
Victory would be decided—
When one side admitted defeat—
Or lost the ability to fight.
"Anko, just admit defeat…"
In the next moment—
Kurenai formed seals again—
Opening her mouth—
Unleashing another attack:
Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!
"Whoosh—!"
A fierce blaze surged forward—
Engulfing Anko—
Who was retreating while bleeding.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
In a flash—
Anko completed her seals—
Slamming her hand onto the ground.
Smoke spread—
A gigantic snake—
Over a meter thick—
Appeared.
It coiled its massive body—
Crushing nearby trees—
Blocking the fire attack—
And lunging forward at incredible speed.
"Looks like Orochimaru really cared about this disciple…"
From afar—
Akira, standing on a tree—
Smiled faintly:
"She even signed the Ryūchi Cave summoning contract."
A series of signature Orochimaru-style techniques—
Made it clear—
He had indeed treated Anko as a true disciple.
Even if—
Her talent wasn't exceptional—
And she had never fully followed his teachings.
"Though summoning a snake this large is already her limit…"
Akira chuckled:
"But at this level, it's no threat to Kurenai anymore."
After his relentless "training"—
Kurenai's strength—
Had long since transformed.
Strictly speaking—
Her overall ability had already reached the threshold of an elite jonin.
Only her chakra reserves and taijutsu—
Were slightly lacking—
Along with some combat experience.
But with the unpredictable ninjutsu and genjutsu he taught—
She had almost no obvious weaknesses.
Her genjutsu—
Was nearly impossible to guard against.
Her ninjutsu—
Balanced offense and defense.
In a one-on-one fight—
Even against battle-hardened elite jonin—
Unless they possessed dojutsu like the Sharingan or Byakugan—
To counter her genjutsu—
The outcome would still be uncertain.
"Crash! Crash!"
Trees were smashed apart—
As the giant snake rampaged—
Locking onto Kurenai—
Who kept leaping and dodging.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
The ground rumbled—
A massive earthen wall rose—
Blocking the snake.
But—
The hastily formed wall—
Was shattered instantly—
By the charging snake.
Still—
It bought her time—
Widening the distance again.
"Anko, you've really exceeded my expectations…"
Standing atop the snake's head—
Sweat forming on her forehead—
Anko bandaged her injured arm—
Smiling as she watched Kurenai evade:
"But like this… what can you do?"
"Your genjutsu is useless against a snake that tracks prey by heat!"
"Anko, you're celebrating too early."
Kurenai suddenly stopped.
Ignoring the incoming snake—
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Her hands—
Had already completed their seals.
Demonic Illusion: Thunder Sound Technique!
"Buzz… crackle…"
Several dazzling lightning spheres—
Appeared out of thin air before her—
Floating in the air.
Blinding flashes—
Made it hard to keep one's eyes open.
At the same time—
The sharp crackling sounds—
Pierced the ears—
Causing intense discomfort.
"What!?"
Anko squinted—
Raising her hand to shield her eyes:
"Lightning Release? Since when did she learn lightning nature transformation!?"
"Boom—boom—!"
The lightning spheres—
Shot forward like streaks of light.
"Dodge!"
She commanded the snake beneath her—
Evading the incoming attack.
At the same time—
She threw several shuriken toward Kurenai—
But they were easily dodged.
"Boom! Boom!"
The lightning spheres struck the ground—
Leaving behind massive scorched craters.
Trees were blasted apart—
A shocking sight.
"Crash—!"
Wood splintered—
A towering tree collapsed.
The giant snake—
Moved at incredible speed—
Slamming straight into Kurenai.
But—
The figure that should have been crushed—
Turned into smoke again.
Anko's expression changed.
"When did that happen!?"
"Release!"
Her face turned cold—
Trying to disrupt her chakra—
To break the illusion.
But—
Without warning—
The snake beneath her—
Let out a painful wail.
Sharp earthen spikes—
Had already erupted from the ground—
Piercing through its massive body.
"Hiss—!"
The giant snake cried out—
Turning into smoke—
Disappearing.
And Anko—
Who had just broken the genjutsu—
Suddenly felt her vision blur.
Before her—
A smiling figure had already appeared.
A chilling sensation—
Touched her neck.
A sharp kunai—
Pressed lightly against it.
Her eyes widened in shock…
You can read extra chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
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