Asakawa Kiyosuke stared at Asuma, making him squirm with discomfort.
"Let me go already!" Asuma snapped.
Without a word, Kiyosuke dispelled the venomous snake wrapped around him and tucked it back into his sleeve. As long as I’m not embarrassed, someone else will be.
"How’d you even manage to catch me?"
"Ask it." Kiyosuke pointed to the small white snake. "Sensei Shinku moved behind you. I just saved your life."
"Thanks... I guess."
Hiss—
The little white snake turned its head toward a certain direction, clearly indicating someone was nearby. Given what had just happened to Asuma, it was most likely Yuhi Kurenai.
Suddenly, they heard a cry of pain—Kurenai had fallen from a tree. Asuma rushed to catch her.
Yuhi Shinku emerged from the trees. Even though she was his daughter, he didn’t hold back his scolding.
"You underestimated me, Kurenai. Just because I’m your father doesn’t mean you can trap me with a cheap trick like that. If this continues, none of you are eating today."
Kurenai lowered her head, too ashamed to speak. Kiyosuke cut in.
"We have to limit Sensei’s movement range. Otherwise, he can just run around all he likes and we’ll never get that bell."
"What’s the plan?" Asuma asked.
"You and Kurenai block his retreat. I’ll go on the offensive!"
He charged forward.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Two clones appeared at his sides, immediately coordinating their attacks on Yuhi Shinku.
"Flame Burst!"
"Fire Gun!"
"Solar Blaze!"
The battlefield was instantly engulfed in flames. Shinku dodged left and right, clearly tempted to draw his sword but holding back.
Then he saw an opening—he lashed out with a kick and struck Kiyosuke.
With a bang, the boy vanished. A shadow clone.
Shinku retreated quickly, only to be met by Asuma and Kurenai waiting in ambush.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
The wind fed the flames, making the fireball even more intense. The escape route was sealed.
Shinku nodded silently. He allowed the fireball to hit him.
Boom!
Another shadow clone.
"Tch! A clone again. Whitey, help us track him."
The little white snake flicked its tongue, sampling the air and picking up traces of Shinku’s scent. After a moment, it locked on to a direction.
"There! Watch this—Flame Vortex!"
Kiyosuke opened his mouth and unleashed a spiraling vortex of flame. It roared through the air like a blazing tornado, igniting the forest as it went and scorching everything in its path.
Trees were reduced to cinders, leaving behind nothing but charred stumps. The destructive force was overwhelming.
Suddenly, a figure leapt from the flames.
Asuma hurled a shuriken and rapidly formed hand signs.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The single shuriken multiplied into two, then four, then eight—soon becoming a dense swarm that pelted Shinku.
But in the next moment, the target transformed into a wooden log.
"He had a substitution ready?"
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"
A hand burst from the ground at Asuma’s feet and dragged him under, leaving only his head above the surface.
Kiyosuke grabbed Kurenai’s arm and leapt backward just in time—another hand had reached out, trying to grab them.
Shinku emerged from the ground.
"Not bad," he said with a nod.
Kurenai, hiding behind Kiyosuke, began forming hand seals.
"Kiyosuke, buy me some time."
"Got it."
Kiyosuke drew a kunai and rushed in again, launching a fierce attack.
A large hand clamped down on his wrist and squeezed hard.
The kunai dropped.
But just before it hit the ground, another hand snatched it mid-air and slashed toward the bell on Shinku’s waist.
With lightning reflexes, Shinku twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the swipe. He then saw Kiyosuke twist his arm, clearly trying to break free from the grip.
Is he trying to rip his arm out of its socket?
The kid’s ruthlessness startled him. He relaxed his grip slightly, allowing Kiyosuke to slip free.
But just as Shinku was about to counterattack, his mind suddenly went blank.
His whole body froze.
Genjutsu!
He immediately realized it—it had to be Kurenai. Among the three, only his daughter could cast illusions.
But breaking out of genjutsu took time. And it was already too late.
A small hand grabbed the bell at his waist and yanked it off.
"We win, Sensei."
The bell jingled cheerfully in Kiyosuke’s hand.
He tossed one to Kurenai and grinned smugly.
"Not bad. I thought you three would go hungry today," Shinku admitted. "You coordinated well. Kurenai’s genjutsu hit at just the right moment. If it had been even a little earlier or later, Kiyosuke would’ve missed his chance."
After all, it was Shinku himself who taught her illusion techniques. Breaking them wasn’t hard for him. But that tiny opening had been enough to lose the bell.
These kids were promising. Given time, they could definitely surpass him. That Asakawa Kiyosuke kid might even be the first to catch up.
"Alright, Asuma, looks like you’re skipping lunch. You two come with me—I’ll treat you to a feast."
"No thanks," Kiyosuke replied, plopping down next to Asuma. "We’re a team. We share joy and hardship together. I’ll stay here with him."
He was mostly worried Shinku would pull some trap like Kakashi did later on. Better to show some team spirit.
"M-Me too. Dad—no, Sensei—I’m staying too," Kurenai added.
Asuma was touched. "You guys really are my teammates. Kiyosuke, we are
"Uh..."
Shinku nodded approvingly.
"You’ve got great team spirit. I’m proud of you. As a reward—forget the feast. None of you are eating. Also, be at the Hokage Tower tomorrow morning to receive your first mission. That’s all."
And with that, he vanished.
The three of them: "..."
Kiyosuke glanced at Kurenai, deadpan.
"Didn’t expect your dad to be the kind of guy to make jokes."
"I didn’t either," she muttered.
He’s always so serious... wait till I tell Mom he starved me today.
"Mind letting me out now?" Asuma groaned. "I’ll treat you guys to a real feast. Let’s go get some barbecue!"
"But your dad said—"
Kiyosuke started digging him out.
"You actually believed that? Kurenai, don’t be so gullible. Let me give you some advice—never trust a man’s words. They lie for a living."
"Totally! My dad’s always tricking my mom at home," Asuma chimed in. "But I’m a good guy. I’d never lie to a girl."
"Pfft—Kiyosuke, stop throwing dirt in my mouth! It’s gross!"
"Oh, sorry. Did that without thinking."
Tch, you’re totally just jealous of her. What are you even staring at? You’re a kid! You think you can do anything at your age?
As expected of the Third Hokage’s son—some things really are inherited straight through the DNA.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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