MM Racing Chapter 403 Hozuki Suigetsu Wants to Pick on the Soft Persimmon
Chapter 403 Hozuki Suigetsu Wants to Pick on the Soft Persimmon
Chapter 403 Hozuki Suigetsu Wants to Pick on the Soft Persimmon
In the northern part of the Death Forest, the trees are denser.
Three figures darted swiftly through the canopy, their movements as light as birds in flight.
Leading the charge was Kaori Uzumaki, who wore oval-framed glasses.
Her bright red hair flew backward as she moved at high speed, like a burning flame.
A purple crop top peeked through the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, while black hot pants hugged her long, slender legs, revealing a glimpse of her fair thighs between her stockings and shorts.
At this moment, her face did not have her usual lively or even slightly infatuated expression; instead, it was unusually serious.
Her right hand was forming a simple mudra, with her index and middle fingers held together in front of her chest. Her eyes were slightly closed, as if she were sensing something.
"Having a scout position is really helpful."
Heitu followed behind her on the left, jumping and sighing as he went, a relaxed smile on his face, his bright eyes scanning the surroundings, ready to deal with any possible attack.
"Kagura's Mind's Eye is far more effective at detecting things than the Hyuga clan's Byakugan. How many groups have we avoided along the way?"
At the Star Country Ninja Academy, children from the Hyuga branch family are not uncommon, and Kurotsuchi has met quite a few of them.
The Byakugan of the Hyuga clan possesses the ability to see through and perceive chakra pathways, making it exceptional in reconnaissance. Its effective detection range can typically reach about one kilometer, which is already at the level of a top-tier reconnaissance ninja in the Land of Stars' ninja army.
"Three teams," Ranmaru, who was positioned to the right rear, answered Kurotsuchi's question.
This little boy, who looked only eight or nine years old, was rather thin, but his steps were steady. His eyes gleamed faintly with a red light in the dim light of the forest, a sign that his bloodline limit "Red Eyes" was in a semi-activated state.
"I do know a little about the Hyuga clan's Byakugan." Ranmaru's voice was somewhat childish, but his tone was very serious: "I've heard that excellent Hyuga ninjas can detect chakra from a kilometer away with their Byakugan, which is already considered top-notch among reconnaissance ninjas."
He paused, looking curiously at Kaori ahead: "But the Uzumaki clan's sensory techniques—this is the first time I've seen Kaori-nee use them at their full power. Just how far is the maximum range of Kagura's Mind's Eye?"
Heitu tilted his head and thought for a moment.
She was in the same class as Kaori at the Ninja Academy in the Land of Stars, and they were even teamed up for their graduation exam. She knew Kaori's abilities better than Ranmaru did.
"I remember the test data for the graduation assessment—" Kurotsuchi recalled, "It was about ten kilometers, I think? I can't remember the exact number, but it was definitely more than eight kilometers."
"Ten kilometers?!" Ranmaru was startled and almost slipped off the tree branch, but luckily he adjusted his center of gravity in time.
"Can you even see that far?!"
The difference between one kilometer and ten kilometers is not tenfold, but a hundredfold!
Because the detection range is calculated based on a sphere, increasing the radius tenfold results in a coverage area that is a thousandfold greater.
This means that, within the 20-kilometer radius of the Death Forest examination site, Xiang, standing at the center, can perceive the movements of almost all the examinees.
This is no longer reconnaissance.
This is a X-ray vision cheat!
"To be precise, it's not seeing," Kurotsuchi corrected. "Kagura's Mind's Eye senses chakra characteristics, not visual images. But in this exam hall full of ninjas, sensing chakra and seeing are practically the same."
As the two were talking, Xiang suddenly opened her red eyes.
"Someone's coming."
Four simple words instantly put Kurotsuchi and Ranmaru into battle mode.
Kurotsuchi reached for her ninja tool pouch at her waist with her right hand.
Ranmaru lowered his body slightly, and the red in his eyes became even more obvious, like two small red lamps.
"Which ninja village are you from?" Kurotsuchi asked quickly. "Can we go around that?"
According to the original plan, they should avoid fighting as much as possible, reach the central tower as quickly as possible, and then lie in wait near the tower to choose a suitable opponent to seize the scroll, thus conserving their stamina and chakra to the greatest extent.
With Kagura's keen insight, avoiding strong teams and seeking out weak ones shouldn't be too difficult in theory.
But Xiang's expression was unusually solemn.
"They're approaching us." She shook her head and said softly, a hint of confusion in her voice, "They're moving very fast—and they're coming straight at us."
"A straight line?" Kurotsuchi frowned. "Does the opponent also have a sensory-type ninja?"
"It's a team from Kirigakure," Kaori added, while quickening her pace.
Ranmaru immediately remembered.
In the classroom for the first exam, he did notice the trio from Kirigakure: a white-haired boy with sharp teeth carrying a long sword; a bespectacled boy carrying a strange weapon; and a red-haired girl with black eyes who resembled Xiang-jie somewhat.
"Hinoka Uzumaki—" Ranmaru murmured.
"It seems the other side also has reconnaissance or sensory capabilities," Kurotsuchi analyzed. "And they're specifically targeting us—are they after Xiang? Because we're both from the Uzumaki clan?"
"I don't know." Xiang bit her lower lip. "But they've already locked onto us, there's no way around it."
She suddenly stopped, squatted on a thick horizontal branch, placed her right hand on the trunk, and closed her eyes to sense the tree for a few seconds.
Then he opened his eyes, his face looking even worse.
"They've reached the riverbank and are waiting for us."
"Wait for us?" Kurotsuchi raised an eyebrow. "So confident?"
"Then let's go take a look," Ranmaru said softly, his red eyes brightening even more. "Perfect timing, I also want to see just how strong this generation of 'Ninja Swordsmen' from Kirigakure really are."
Xiang glanced at the two of them and nodded.
"Be careful, the opponent—is not weak."
The three of them rushed straight towards the river.
There is a north-south flowing river in the Death Forest, about twenty meters wide, with a relatively gentle current, but its depth is unknown.
The river water is so clear that you can see the smooth pebbles and swimming fish at the bottom.
Both sides of the river are covered with dense primeval forests.
But at that moment, three people were standing on a branch of a giant tree on the opposite bank of the river.
Hozuki Suigetsu slung his long sword, Sewing Needle, over his shoulder, tilted his head, and grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth.
His eyes scanned the river surface, as if searching for some prey.
Chojuro stood to his left, holding a blunt sword, a katana, and a hammer in his hands. He looked somewhat tense, and his eyes behind his glasses kept glancing around, clearly maintaining a high level of vigilance about his surroundings.
On the far right is Hinoka Uzumaki.
She wore a purple sleeveless kimono top, her long red hair cascading down, revealing her fair neck.
Her dark eyes were fixed on the river, her brows furrowed slightly, as if she were sensing something.
"They're here."
Hinoka suddenly spoke up.
Although she didn't awaken a secret technique like Kagura's Mind's Eye, perhaps because of the Uzumaki bloodline, her perception was stronger than that of ordinary ninjas. The red-haired Uzumaki ninja also caught Hinoka's attention, and she remembered her chakra characteristics.
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, three figures darted out of the forest on this side of the river and landed on the exposed rocks by the river.
Kaori, Kurotsuchi, and Ranmaru stand across the river from Hozuki Suigetsu, Chojuro, and Hinokaka.
The air seemed to freeze in that instant.
The only sounds were the rushing of the river, the rustling of the wind through the treetops, and the faint chirping of birds in the distance.
Hozuki Suigetsu whistled, breaking the silence.
"Yo." He grinned, his gaze sweeping over the Star Country headbands on the foreheads of Xiang and the other two. "I was originally going to find those brats from Konoha, but since you're the closest, I'll use you as a warm-up first!"
His tone was relaxed, but the meaning behind his words was shockingly arrogant.
Upon hearing this, Xiang raised an eyebrow and retorted without backing down, "Such arrogance."
""
"Aren't you afraid the wind will make you bite your tongue?"
Hozuki Suigetsu grinned, revealing even whiter teeth: "Then let's see who's the better fighter!"
He jumped down from the tree trunk and landed on the shallow beach by the river. His boots rippled as they touched the water.
Chojuro and Hinokami also landed, standing on either side of him.
"Then let me see," Hozuki Suigetsu said, taking the long sword Sewing Needle from his shoulder and pointing the tip at Karin on the opposite bank. "Just how good are the ninjas of the Land of Stars?"
The moment he finished speaking, he moved.
He shot out like an arrow, his feet creating ripples on the water's surface. At the same time, the muscles in his arms suddenly swelled, as if water was surging beneath his skin, his muscles bulging!
Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique!
Power boost!
"Take this!" Then, he suddenly hurled the long, slender knife, Sewing Needle, in his hand like a javelin, fiercely throwing it towards Xiang on the opposite bank!
The long sword tore through the air, emitting a piercing shriek, and shot straight at Xiangmianmen, who was standing at the very front!
The needle slit the air, making a sharp, piercing sound.
The blade is also connected to an almost invisible steel wire at the end, with the other end held in Hozuki Suigetsu's hand.
This attack, seemingly a long-range strike, was actually intended to close the distance.
If Xiang blocks or dodges, Hozuki Suigetsu can instantly retract the sewing needle through the steel wire to launch an unexpected attack, while simultaneously thrusting his main body at close range.
This is the tactic of using a long sword and sewing needles.
But Xiang's reaction was beyond his expectations.
She did not dodge.
They didn't even retreat.
He simply raised his right hand and used the kunai in his hand to block.
clang-!
A crisp metallic clang rang out!
The kunai positioned itself perfectly to block the side of the sewing needle, skillfully deflecting it.
The scalpel grazed Xiang's hair and flew past before embedding itself deeply into the tree trunk behind her.
However, the attack did not end!
Hozuki Suigetsu had already rushed in front of Kaoru, and suddenly pulled her right hand back!
The steel wire connected to the end of the sewing needle knife, almost invisible to the naked eye, suddenly tightened. The sewing needle knife, which was driven into the tree trunk, was pulled back by a tremendous force, tracing a strange arc, and the handle fell precisely back into Hozuki Suigetsu's hand!
"Die!" Hozuki Suigetsu flipped his wrist and caught the hilt of the knife. The tip of the sewing needle knife was already like a viper's tongue, stabbing towards Kaoru's throat again!
This change of tactics was as fast as lightning, and the transition was seamless!
But the fragrance reacts even faster!
She bent her waist backward as if boneless, avoiding the fatal stab, and at the same time, her left leg lashed out like a whip, sweeping straight at Hozuki Suigetsu's lower body!
Hozuki Suigetsu was surprised by Kaori's agile and powerful martial arts skills and was forced to take a half step back. He changed his stabbing technique with the scalpel in his hand to sweeping, and instantly engaged Kaori in battle!
Sparks flew as the kunai clashed with the longsword, the two exchanging blows with incredible speed and fierce physical combat.
Hozuki Suigetsu became increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed; the red-haired woman's strength, speed, and reflexes far exceeded his expectations!
Are these the low-ranking ninjas of the Land of Stars?!
While Xiang was fighting Hozuki Suigetsu, Chojuro was also busy on the other side.
He temporarily placed the blunt sword, the axe, and the hammer at his feet, and quickly formed hand seals.
"Hidden Mist Technique!"
As he activated his ninjutsu, the dense water vapor on the river surface was quickly stirred up, turning into a thick fog that made it impossible to see one's own hand in front of one's face. It spread in all directions at an astonishing speed, and in the blink of an eye, it completely covered an area of nearly a hundred meters in radius!
Visibility dropped sharply, and even the figures of teammates who were right next to us became blurry.
Rivers, riverbanks, and forests were all swallowed up by thick fog.
This is the signature ninjutsu of Kirigakure. In the mist, Kirigakure ninjas can hide their figures, while their enemies become blind.
"Hinoka, be careful." Chojuro warned Hinoka beside him, "You're not good at fighting in the fog, so don't leave my sense range."
"Yes, I understand." Hinaka nodded.
She bit her thumb, quickly drew blood from her palm, then formed a hand seal and slapped it on the ground.
"Spiritual communication!"
White smoke exploded.
A colossal creature emerged from the smoke.
It was a creature that was difficult to describe.
It stands about five meters tall, its body covered in dark green scales like a lizard, with thick limbs and sharp claws.
But its head resembles that of some kind of insect, with compound eyes and mouthparts, and two long antennae on the top of its head.
Himeka flipped over and climbed onto its back.
Chojuro picked up his blunt sword, Kabuto-giri, again, and cautiously looked around, sensing the movement within the mist.
The sounds of Xiang and Hozuki Suigetsu's battle became indistinct in the mist.
His targets were another girl and that purple-haired brat.
The moment this thought arose, Chojuro felt a whooshing sound coming from above his head!
He suddenly looked up and raised his axe to block in front of him.
clang!!!
A kunai struck the axe precisely, and the immense impact caused Chojuro's arm to sink, while his feet carved two shallow furrows in the riverbed.
The attackers have already landed.
Kurotsuchi stood in front of Chojuro, one hand supporting her on the water's surface, her long, white right leg slanted out, her short black hair swaying slightly in the mist, and a dashing smile on her face.
"You reacted very quickly," she said.
Chojuro frowned slightly, his expression grave.
That attack just now—
Did it fall from the sky?
This girl can fly?
"Hinoka, watch out!" Chojuro warned, "She might—"
'
Before he could finish speaking, the black soil had already moved.
Her speed was astonishing. With a push of her legs on the water's surface, before the ripples could even spread, she was already in front of Chojuro. Her right leg lashed out like a whip, kicking Chojuro in the side waist!
Chojuro hastily parried, his left-hand hammer clashing head-on with Kurotsuchi's leg strike!
boom!
A dull thud.
Chojuro felt a sharp pain in his left arm. He was kicked and slid three meters to the right, his shoes leaving deep marks on the riverbank.
"Such heavy force!" Chojuro exclaimed in surprise.
This girl's taijutsu skills are definitely at the level of a Special Jonin!
At that moment, Hinaka also sensed the danger.
The spirit beast beneath her suddenly raised its forelimbs, its sharp claws crossed to protect its body.
Dangdang Dangdang!
Three kunai shot out from the mist, but were precisely blocked by the front claws.
But the attack wasn't a one-off event.
More kunai and shuriken came from all directions, as if an entire squad was besieging them.
"Shadow Clone?" Hinoka frowned, forming hand seals: "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A strong gust of wind blew out of her mouth, dispersing the fog in the area ahead.
Then, she saw it.
In the thick fog in the distance, five figures stood in five directions, surrounding them.
The figures in the mist were blurry and their faces were indistinct, but their outlines were clearly those of ninjas, and each of them had chakra fluctuations.
"Five of them—are they all physical entities?" Hinaka's pupils contracted.
Chojuro also saw those figures. He remembered that the purple-haired brat he had just glimpsed seemed to have a pair of bewitching red eyes.
"It's not a shadow clone—" He gripped his blunt sword tighter and whispered, "It's a special bloodline limit!"
At the same time, Chojuro was somewhat annoyed.
Do all the ninjas in the Land of Stars have bloodline limits?!
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