Chapter 21: Not a Single Move is Proper!
After a few more brief exchanges, Rasa and Pakura completely understood the fact that they stood no chance against Hiiro Rinko in Taijutsu alone.
That was only natural.
Fighting techniques are only effective when the power gap between two opponents is no more than threefold. The saying "a tiny force can deflect a thousand pounds" is, in the end, just an exaggeration.
Although Rinko's strength wasn't several times greater than Rasa's and Pakura's, their Taijutsu skill was nowhere near his level.
The high-precision body control from his soul-body fusion, the Uzumaki Clan's naturally superior physique, and Rinko's years of accumulated combat experience as a Special Grade Cursed User—all these factors added up to his current, absolute dominance in the field of Taijutsu.
Of course, this was currently limited to his peers, and perhaps those up to five years older. But as Rinko grew, his advantage in this area would only become more and more pronounced.
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!—
The sound of fists and feet connecting, of bone striking flesh, washed over the training field in continuous, overlapping waves.
The sandstorm kicked up by the Wind Release had long since settled, allowing the spectacle of this chaotic battle to be seen clearly by all.
No, it could no longer be called a chaotic battle. At this moment, Rasa and Pakura were flanking Rinko, launching a fierce, coordinated pincer attack.
However, even in a two-on-one fight, Rinko showed no signs of being overwhelmed. On the contrary, the smile on his face was becoming easier to see.
"Ora! Ora! Ora!—"
Parry, dodge, redirect, dissolve… It was as if their every attack was within Rinko's calculations. He even occasionally found opportunities to disengage a hand and launch a counter-attack.
This unexpected scene caused the spectating students to cry out in alarm. Even their Sensei, Misawa, was quite astonished.
*Although I've seen Rinko's Taijutsu... to be able to do this**is a bit too much, isn't it?
His basic duty as a teacher kept him from saying such things out loud, but the sentiment lingered in his mind.
For Rasa and Pakura, who were currently bearing the full brunt of Rinko's pressure, the suffering was even greater.
How could they not know they were no match for Rinko in Taijutsu? To break the stalemate, they had to use ninjutsu, but they had no opening!
This guy was like a prophet, predicting their every move. No matter which of them tried to disengage, he would be one step ahead, intercepting them, let alone giving them the one or two seconds needed to form hand seals.
They hadn't mastered one-handed or no-seal jutsu yet. In this situation, it was less "they were attacking Rinko" and more "they were trapped by him!"
Even though they were the ones attacking, Rasa and Pakura felt like Rinko was the tornado surrounding them. If they dared to step out of line, they would be torn to shreds in the next instant.
Just like right now.
"So naive! So sweet you're giving me a toothache!"
Seeing Rasa tie up Rinko on the opposite side, Pakura suddenly twisted and raised her leg, aiming a high roundhouse kick at his temple. However, Rasa, in whom she had placed her hopes, failed to buy her enough time.
Rinko spun, stomped on Rasa's foot, and simultaneously swept an elbow across his chin. Twisting his body to evade Pakura's kick, Rinko's free hand clamped down on her ankle like a vise. With a sudden burst of strength, he lifted her clean off the ground.
"Eh?! Wha—"
Her center of gravity was suddenly inverted, and Pakura couldn't react in time. A short sound of confusion was immediately cut off by a cry of pain.
WHOOSH!
The girl, held upside down by Rinko, was swung around like a weapon and smashed directly into Rasa.
Rasa, already dizzy from the heavy blow to his chin, couldn't react at all. He didn't even have time to assume a defensive stance before he and the 'released' Pakura were sent flying.
"Your stance is off, your follow-through is weak, your footwork is sloppy, and your reactions are dull! Not a single one of your movements is proper! You want to share the same stage with me? In your dreams!"
"Guh!"
Even though he felt like he was about to vomit his breakfast, Rasa forced down the dizziness in his head. Using Pakura, who had crashed in front of him, as a shield, he rapidly formed hand seals.
"Fūton... (Wind Release...)"
Rasa's already small pupils contracted further. He puffed his cheeks and exhaled a violent, focused blast of wind. "Resenpū! (Gale Fan!)"
Pakura, having taken less damage than Rasa—and having taken the impact on her more durable back—was naturally in better shape.
The moment she felt the person behind her forming seals, she raised her own hands with almost no delay.
Serpent, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger… "Katon... (Fire Release...)"
The Chakra gathered in Pakura's throat ignited. The next moment, a massive fireball erupted from her mouth.
"Gōkakyū no Jutsu! (Great Fireball Technique!)"
Although it was seen as the signature jutsu of the Uchiha Clan, it was actually widespread throughout the Shinobi World. The number of users was as vast as the stars.
It was safe to say that for any shinobi with a Fire Chakra nature, the Great Fireball was likely the first elemental jutsu they learned.
The reason was simple: the jutsu created by the Uchiha was just too damn useful.
It was flashy, powerful, and at the same time, extremely easy to learn. For shinobi without a family tradition, it was an incredibly convenient jutsu.
As for the risk?
Besides, what were the Uchiha going to do? Hunt down everyone who learned it? As if.
Thus, the Uchiha Clan never bothered to stop the jutsu from spreading. From a certain perspective, it was just another way of spreading their clan's name.
At this moment, this world-famous ninjutsu bared its savage, flaming fangs at Hiiro Rinko for the first time.
Wind fuels fire, and fire rides the wind.
The massive fireball, arriving after the wind, rode the fan-shaped gale and transformed into an even more ferocious wave of flame, howling as it threatened to engulf Rinko.
Wind Release is normally weak to Fire Release, but in combination jutsu, they are a frequent pairing. The scene before them was the most direct reason why.
'So this is Wind and Fire Release. Looking at it this way, Chakra really is much more convenient than Cursed Energy—'
The firelight illuminated Rinko's face, mixing indistinguishably with the shine in his eyes.
"Then this is... Round Two!"
As his thoughts flowed, Rinko didn't retreat. Instead, he advanced, charging straight toward the roaring wave of flame. He wore the brightest smile he had shown since arriving in this world.
A sincere and pure smile, no different from that of a child staring at a coveted toy through a shop window.