Chapter 46 - Ambush! Attacked!

In the trees, two figures were silently watching.

One of them let out a soft, silent laugh.

The other had his cheek muscles twitching, and his expression looked quite twisted, causing the blonde ninja who had been holding back his laughter to nearly burst out.

An extreme training competition...

It's impressive that this "junior" came up with it.

If such a competition really develops, Konoha will surely be a spectacle in the future!

Below, Kyōen heard the faint sound of laughter, and his senses immediately sharpened.

Someone is here?

He couldn't sense it directly, but the sound allowed him to discern their position.

This was another ability he gained after improving his Instantaneous Body Technique.

After the Kiri ninja team left Konoha shortly after their negotiations, it was clear that the ninjas tailing them were from Konoha, so there was no need to worry too much.

After the training ended, the original three members of the team gathered.

"Kyōen, Red, the sensei still hasn't returned. Have you decided who you'll be going with to the Hot Springs Village?"

"No worries. Sensei will definitely have an arrangement. We just need to keep training and getting stronger."

Kyōen replied.

Even though Jiraiya could be unreliable at times, he wouldn't forget something like this.

Kyōen looked up at the trees.

Still not moving? Or perhaps they've already left?

He didn’t hear any sound, so they should still be there.

"Senior in the tree, don't you want to come down and reminisce?"

In the trees?

Kakashi and Red looked around.

They didn’t sense anything!

After a moment, a red-haired woman jumped down from one of the trees. "How did you find me? I should’ve been well hidden without leaving any flaws."

"Your laugh."

Kyōen answered.

He looked up—

Hmm, her hair was long, almost to her waist.

Kushina Uzumaki's eyes widened in disbelief, then she couldn’t help but laugh lightly before bursting into full laughter.

"Hahaha, Minato, you gave yourself away and still didn't come down?"

"…"

Minato Namikaze jumped down from the tree, a bit embarrassed.

It was him who had laughed earlier.

For a junior to detect his hiding spot wasn't exactly something to brag about.

However, although he couldn’t hold back his laugh, it had been incredibly faint. He had been talking with the others at the time, yet Kyōen was still able to hear it so clearly?

Minato Namikaze was shocked.

"Is your hearing something you were born with?"

"No, it’s from training," Kyōen replied.

He explained the purpose, process, and experience of his blindfold training, and even extended the time of his auditory training for over a year, making it difficult for anyone to disbelieve.

As for Kakashi?

Don’t ask.

It’s just his exceptional talent.

Minato Namikaze was astonished.

He had never thought...

That one could improve their abilities like this, overcoming the limitations of high-speed movement and vision.

Minato had nothing but amazement on his face.

"Kyōen, did you come up with all of this in the past year or two? Truly impressive!"

He was from a civilian background himself.

Minato knew well that without access to many ninja techniques or books, civilians could only work on basic techniques like the Shadow Clone Jutsu and basic Body Flicker. For someone his age to improve the Body Flicker to such a level...

He was far behind!

"You guys," Minato said with a smile, "if you have any insights, we can discuss them on the way back. Let them rest. They’re all tired today."

"On the way back?"

"Sensei is still in the Land of Hot Water. Tomorrow, I will escort you to the Hot Springs Village."

...

The next day, at the village entrance, the four of them gathered.

After waiting for a while, Kakashi appeared with a Body Flicker. "Phew, good thing you haven’t left."

Minato scanned his surroundings and noticed Kakashi carrying a sword and a knife. He thought for a moment.

"I’ll go check in, you guys talk quickly."

Minato walked to the entrance.

Kakashi handed over the knife. "Kyōen, this knife is similar to a training blade, but it's been sharpened and is tougher. It will be useful to you."

"Thanks."

Kyōen didn’t refuse and took the knife, testing it out.

Although he wasn't skilled with a knife, it felt very comfortable in his hand—perfect for him.

Clearly, Kakashi had put a lot of thought into selecting it.

"It’s nothing. Maintaining a knife takes some effort, so I figured it would be better to give it to someone who needs it."

Kakashi smiled.

Guy was practicing his handstands nearby, while Red was reading a book.

Everyone was busy.

"Let’s go."

Minato finished the registration and led them out of the village.

As they were about to leave, a group ran past the village gates, with none other than Nara Shikamaru, Hibari, and a few younger kids trailing behind.

They were shouting their lap counts as they ran through the gates.

Kakashi’s gaze flickered, and after a moment, he gritted his teeth and joined the running group.

...

[Under your guidance, the concept and spirit of "Extreme Training" have gained small-scale recognition and spread.]

[Reward: Eight Gates (Beginner Level)]

"Shikamaru really brought a group of people to train together!"

Kyōen chuckled.

"Hahaha, this is what youth is all about!"

Guy was bursting with excitement.

He felt as though his spirit was being passed down through the village.

Immediately, Guy ran ahead for quite a distance before flipping back to where he started, filled with energy.

Minato smiled awkwardly.

"Has he always been like this?"

"Pretty much," Kyōen nodded, secretly observing the system.

The Eight Gates.

It certainly corresponded to "Extreme Training."

And—

Does this mean that Guy has already started training the Eight Gates?

Kyōen watched Guy ahead, reflecting on the additional memories in his mind.

The Eight Gates.

The beginner level only contained the principles of the Eight Gates, along with the techniques for opening and resting the First and Second Gates. But the conditions and costs for opening the gates still required a physical foundation.

It was similar to the beginner level of the Strong Fist.

Kyōen remembered...

The first time he used the Strong Fist technique, his hands bled from the exertion.

However, with his current abilities, opening the First and Second Gates shouldn’t be too difficult, and they could be used as trump cards.

The four of them continued forward.

Along the way, Minato kept observing.

He noticed that...

Whether it was Guy, Kyōen, or even Red, they were training relentlessly, always finding time to exercise and learn, never taking breaks on their own.

Many times, it was him telling the three to rest and not get too absorbed in training.

"We’ll be arriving at the Land of Hot Water soon."

Minato smiled.

The scenery ahead drastically changed, from forests and wilderness to misty mountains with spring water flowing gently.

This was the Land of Hot Water.

A country filled with hot springs and the sounds of birds chirping.

Kyōen took in the sight and couldn’t help but think—

Such a beautiful country; no wonder it’s considered a "land of peace."

But alas.

The so-called peaceful land...

As he was contemplating, a sharp noise suddenly rang from the shadows.

Kyōen, now highly attuned to sound, immediately recognized it as a thrown weapon. He shouted, "Ambush!"

In the next instant—

Swoosh!

Minato disappeared in a Body Flicker.

With the enemy’s identity still unclear, Kyōen didn’t immediately attack. Instead, he quickly threw two kunai, deflecting the ones with explosive tags.

Then...

"Water Style: Water Wall!"

Boom!

Explosions rang out, and water splashed everywhere.

Kyōen instantly gathered a large amount of chakra, using the swirling water to dampen the impact and protect everyone in the center.

At that moment, Guy and Red finally realized what was happening—

They were under attack!

Outside, the sound of screams echoed.

Minato had made his move!

Kyōen blocked the first wave, but just then, he heard faint sounds from the ground.

"Watch out below!"

Crack!

The ground collapsed.

A hand shot out from beneath Kyōen’s feet, grabbing him.

But—

In the next moment, his original body disappeared.

It was a Shadow Clone!

Then—

Boom!

A punch struck, causing the ground to crack and blood to spray out.

"Be careful!" Kyōen quickly popped a soldier pill into his mouth.

Earth Style.

Could it be Rock Ninja?