SHUKH — the grass on the nearby branch scattered in thin strips. I managed to bring the tanto up in front of me. The blade glimmered in the moonlight, reflecting the flickering shadows of the trees.
The opponent took a step forward — and it finally became obvious: this guy lived for close combat. He rushed in again with a kunai, trying to strike and block at the same time.
But now I could already see the pattern of his movements.
Lightning chakra flashed across his body like a web of cracks on stone — and he vanished.
"Electrostep," I realized.
BAM!
He appeared right in front of me. I barely managed to raise the tanto.
The blade rang, as if in complaint. The strike was so strong that the vibration shot through the handle.
"So lightning boosts not only speed… the body too," flashed through my mind.
He made another dash, trying to overpower me with sheer force.
But I acted faster.
My leg snapped forward.
The strike hit him square in the torso.
BASH!
He flew off to the side, breaking branches and leaving black streaks of lightning across the bark. But the chakra still flickered around him — the protective layer trembled but held.
"Why hesitate if there's a chance to strike…" the thought flickered, almost like an instinct.
But the battle was far from over.
The guy rose without a flinch, readjusting his kunai.
"You're strong…" he hissed. "But you won't withstand lightning."
"We'll see," I spun the tanto, feeling the wind begin to gather at the blade.
He lunged again — a short flash, a barely perceptible shadow. I almost didn't see him, only sensed the direction.
Block.
Sparks scattered as his kunai met my blade.
He tried to push through again, but now his movements were slower, less precise.
"Chakra…" the thought passed. "He's already burning through too much energy."
He stepped back, gathering strength.
I didn't waste time, watching him. Every motion — a clue, every swing of the kunai — a chance to predict his next step.
"Try again," he growled, and instantly darted forward, his kunai whistling through the air.
I stepped aside, barely managing to raise the tanto.
"Perfect," I thought. "He's vulnerable after the previous dash."
He followed with a low strike toward my leg. I jumped, sliding along the branch, then leapt left.
His kunai passed just a few centimeters from my shin, leaving behind the smell of ozone.
"Good thing you slowed down…" I whispered, using the chance to prepare a counterattack.
I dashed forward, the tanto slicing toward his arm. He barely managed to block.
Metal against metal — sharp, deafening. Sparks burst outward, scattering across the bark.
"He's strong for a regular genin…" the thought ran. "But I see weak spots."
He burst left, I reacted instantly, twisting the blade, blocking the kunai aimed at my chest.
He tried again, but now my movements were exact: I guessed the speed and angle, compensating for the force of his attacks.
"Good," I murmured to myself. "Now I can add a bit of aggression."
I stepped forward, channeling chakra into the blade. The tanto lit up with a faint wind-glow.
"Wind cuts lightning," I reminded myself.
He swung, lightning flashing along his body, but this time I used a combination: block + dash.
The blade met the kunai, and a burst of light ran across the tree, slicing the air.
"Focus!" I ordered myself. "Each attack demands precision."
He retreated, breathing heavily. I saw the muscles in his arms trembling, the chakra at his fingertips weakening.
"Excellent," I thought. "Time to speed up the final exchange."
He rushed again, the kunai aiming for my heart. I stepped aside and slashed the tanto toward his shoulder.
BAM!
He recoiled but managed to raise his arm — sparks shot upward.
"Almost…" the thought ran. "Almost ready."
He made another dash, but now I was prepared.
Channeling chakra into my movements, I launched a series of short strikes with kunai and blade, applying pressure from three directions.
He blocked one, deflected the second — but the third landed on his exposed shoulder.
"Damn," he exhaled, retreating even farther.
I leapt down at him, the wind strengthening the tanto's force.
"Now!" I shouted, making the final maneuver.
He tried to dodge, but his feet slipped on the wet bark. I delivered a fast gliding strike, and his kunai flew from his hands, disappearing into the leaves.
He collapsed onto the branch, breathing heavily, eyes wide in shock.
"I yield…" the opponent exhaled, lowering his hands.
For a moment everything froze — the fight seemed over. But then I felt a sharp, sudden pain: my finger bent in a direction it never should.
"You little bastard…" I hissed, gripping the tanto as pain shot through my hand. A moment of weakness washed through me, but I crushed it quickly.
My leg was already moving on inertia, smashing into the opponent's face.
He flew back a couple of meters, gasping, eyes wide.
Meanwhile, I struggled to catch my breath, focusing on the hand that barely responded.