Chapter 6: A Desperate Battle (1)
Slowly turning around, Jack tilted her head slightly. The smile at the corner of her lips remained bright and sunny as ever—but now, it carried a faint chill.
"Since Master has spoken… then I'll be taking your heart~"
The Mist-nin captain narrowed his eyes slightly. A battle-hardened veteran, he immediately sensed the danger. His gaze swept around briefly before hardening with resolve. Stepping forward, he shouted angrily:
"You two little brats from Konoha, don't get so arrogant! I'm a jōnin from Kirigakure! If you think you can kill me, it won't be that easy. Even if I have to fight to the death, I'll take you down with me. I won't run—don't underestimate me!"
After delivering this passionate declaration, the Mist-nin captain's face turned grim. His eyes locked onto Jack in the distance as a thought flashed through his mind:
I need to find a chance to escape…
Hearing this, Jack's slender brows dipped slightly. She toyed with the scalpel in her hand, smiling faintly.
"Sorry, but Master told me to end this quickly, so… I don't plan on playing with you any longer."
The moment her voice fell, Jack flashed a wide smile—and vanished from where she stood.
In the blink of an eye, she had already darted past the massive tree ahead. Her steps were light and graceful as she twisted her body midair in an eerie motion. The scalpel in her hand spun into a beautiful flourish before slashing down viciously.
Behind—
Sensing the killing intent from behind, the Mist-nin captain couldn't keep up with her speed visually, but his jōnin-level instincts allowed him to predict the incoming danger. He quickly drew his tachi, his eyes gleaming sharply as he turned to meet Jack's incoming strike.
Clang!
With a sharp metallic collision, the Mist-nin captain and Jack clashed midair. The moment their blades met, a powerful force collided between them, producing a crisp, ringing sound.
Feeling the overwhelming force transmitted through their weapons, both of their expressions shifted slightly. Sparks burst between the blades, accompanied by a harsh scraping noise. As if by mutual agreement, both were blasted backward almost simultaneously.
The Mist-nin captain's expression remained steady as he stabilized himself midair. Seeing the massive tree behind him drawing closer, chakra surged into his feet, creating a strong adhesive force. With a step, he stood horizontally against the tree.
With a backflip, Jack smoothly dispersed the impact force. Her red dancing shoes lightly tapped against the tree trunk. She looked at the Mist-nin captain with a hint of amusement, lifting her delicate chin as she let out a soft, coquettish laugh.
"Midnight Murder~"
The surrounding white mist seemed to respond to her call, surging rapidly from all directions. In an instant, dense fog enveloped the area once more. Everything within sight turned dim and obscured—even the moonlight above was swallowed by the mist.
"Damn it!"
The Mist-nin captain inwardly cursed. As his vision was stolen again, he quickly began forming hand seals, preparing to dispel the fog.
"Too late."
Although his reaction was swift, Jack was faster.
Before his jutsu could be completed, her figure had already appeared behind him. The scalpel in her hand shot straight toward his back—aimed at his heart.
Startled, the Mist-nin captain abruptly halted his hand seals and drew his blade to block.
Clang.
The two weapons collided once again with a metallic ring.
But this time, caught in a hurried defense, his tachi only managed to slightly alter the scalpel's trajectory. A cold flash streaked across his body—
Pain exploded in his shoulder.
Blood sprayed violently from the wound.
This is bad. This white-haired brat is too fast. From start to finish, she's been controlling the pace of the fight. She seems to have some kind of ability that constantly locks onto my position—I can't even use a Water Clone. This strange mist is blocking both my vision and chakra perception. I can't even use the Substitution Technique. Her speed is faster than my Body Flicker… under her pressure, I don't even have the chance to form hand seals and cast ninjutsu.
Looking at the deep wound on his left shoulder—so severe that bone was visible—the Mist-nin captain frowned. Beneath the hatred on his face, a trace of fear surfaced. He swallowed hard.
This won't work. If this continues, I'll definitely die. Kenjutsu and taijutsu aren't my strengths. Assassination? This is entirely her domain. I can't use ninjutsu either. And in this situation, calling for help is impossible. Even if we don't return tonight, the patrol team won't come until dawn at the earliest…
That means… I only have one chance.
At that thought, the Mist-nin captain suddenly bared his teeth in a grin. His eyes filled with ruthless killing intent.
Step!
With a stomp, he used the Body Flicker Technique to instantly distance himself from Jack, darting toward where he remembered Chizuki's position to be. Although the mist interfered with his chakra sensing, at close range, he could still roughly pinpoint his target.
My only chance… is you, Konoha brat.
According to Konoha's way of fighting—that damned sense of camaraderie—this is my way to survive. As long as I grab you, that white-haired brat won't dare attack me again!
As if convinced of his plan, the viciousness on his face deepened, and his speed increased even further.
The moment Jack realized his intention, her expression changed. She immediately gave chase, her figure shooting forward and crossing over ten meters in an instant.
Meanwhile, Chizuki had already been on high alert.
He understood clearly—his own safety was the most critical factor. Within this mist, it was nearly impossible for the Mist-nin to defeat Jack. So unless the enemy was a complete fool, they would definitely try to capture him as leverage… or even kill him outright in a desperate gamble.
Thus, he maintained constant readiness. At the slightest disturbance, he would retaliate—he would not allow himself to be captured so easily.
Sure enough, sensing the Mist-nin captain rapidly approaching with Body Flicker, and realizing that his position had already been exposed, a fierce glint flashed across Chizuki's obsidian-like eyes. The corner of his lips curled slightly upward.
As expected, he's coming. No one here is a fool… but I'm not some easy target either. Even if you're a jōnin, don't think you can take me down so easily. I've been wanting to see the strength of a jōnin for myself.
Standing firmly in place, his feet rooted to the ground as if gripping it tightly, Chizuki locked both his gaze and perception onto the incoming Mist-nin captain. Only the slight tremble of the hand gripping his kunai betrayed the unrest in his heart.
As long as I can block this one strike, Jack will finish the battle.
As long as this strike lands, I can end this fight.
The distance between the two rapidly closed. The instant their gazes met—
Both silently affirmed their resolve.