The wind carried flute notes. Sharp. Mocking. Deadly.
Kaelen stepped into the clearing, his grip tightening on his wooden sword. The trees around him were broken and split, as if something monstrous had clawed through the earth.
Tayuya stood on a fallen trunk, one foot raised like she was bored.
Her red hair swayed. Her smirk sharpened.
"So you're the brat who beat Jirobo," she said, twirling her flute. "Weak-looking. Whatever. I'll crush you quick."
Kaelen exhaled slowly.
Stay calm. Don't rush. Watch her movements… and listen.
He didn't draw his chakra yet — he didn't want to waste Sage Mode or burn out Observation Haki attempts.
"I don't need to defeat you fast," he replied. "Just enough to stop you from taking Sasuke."
Tayuya yawned.
"Then come try, kid."
---
The Flute Began to Play.
The melody hit Kaelen like a knife. He staggered—
Genjutsu—!
His vision twisted. The world darkened. The ground beneath him shifted like mud.
He bit his tongue — pain snapped him back.
But the notes sharpened.
"You've got good resistance," Tayuya said, "but let's raise the difficulty."
She blew a harsher tune — and the ground erupted.
Three massive monstrous figures crashed down beside her:
Horned
Muscular
Chains rattling
Eyes hollow and violent
The Doki.
Kaelen's eyes narrowed.
They react to the flute. I have to dodge the sound, not the attack.
The first Doki swung its massive arm — Kaelen leapt back as the ground cratered.
The second charged with a roar — Kaelen rolled beneath the strike, dirt spraying across his face.
The third opened its mouth, releasing invisible spiritual creatures.
Kaelen felt pressure slam his chest — he coughed.
She's aiming to disable me. If this keeps up—
---
Tayuya smirked, crossing her legs.
"You won't win. You're too slow, and I'm too annoyed to drag this out."
Kaelen steady his breath.
I need speed. Precision. Ten seconds… I can't waste them.
His fist tightened.
But I have to risk it.
---
Sage Mode.
Golden markings flashed across his eyes.
Energy stormed through him like electricity.
Wind whipped around his feet.
Tayuya blinked. "Huh—?"
Kaelen vanished.
Second 1
He appeared behind the first Doki.
"Sword Technique: Gale Cut."
A blast of compressed wind sliced the summon's leg clean off.
Second 3
He spun, kicking off broken ground and bursting toward the second Doki—
Fist forward.
Wind chakra ignited.
"Wind Palm Break!"
The creature hit a tree and shattered into smoke.
Second 5
The third Doki swung, but Kaelen ducked under, sliding forward.
"Sword Technique… Swift Mount Slash!"
The creature collapsed.
Tayuya's eyes widened.
"What—WHAT is this speed?!"
---
Second 7 — He was already behind her.
Her flute froze mid-air.
Kaelen raised his sword — wind swirling around it.
"Your flute… won't work if you can't play it."
He tapped her wrist with the wooden blade — controlled, precise.
A shockwave of wind knocked the flute from her hand, shattering it against a rock.
Tayuya gasped.
"You little—!"
---
Second 9 — He held the blade at her neck.
His breath steady.
Eyes calm.
"Surrender."
Tayuya glared but didn't move.
"If I had one more second…" she hissed.
Kaelen let Sage Mode fade.
His body weakened. Knees trembling.
Ten seconds… still too short. I need more.
He breathed out.
"Next time… I'll last longer."
Tayuya clenched her teeth but smirked slightly.
"You're strong, brat. Stronger than most genin. Next time, we'll see if you can survive a real fight."
She vanished in a puff of smoke — retreating, wounded but alive.
---
Kaelen stood alone in the clearing.
Sweat dripped down his jaw.
Wind settled.
Ten seconds. If I fought her without Sage Mode… I would've lost.
He tightened his grip on his sword.
I can't stay this weak. Not if I want to change anything.
Behind him, distant sounds of battle continued — meaning the others were still fighting.
Kaelen straightened.
Time to help them.
---