Escaping the enemy's Doton ninjutsu, I quickly emerged from the soil, heading towards Tsuenai, and continued running towards the trap.
During battle, going underground is extremely risky. If the enemy has mastery of Doton, they could use an earth-crushing technique that would easily crush one's body to dust.
Both hands formed seals!
[Earth Release Jutsu]
While running, I used the [Shadow Clone Jutsu], creating three clones to run towards the enemy in different directions, hoping this would delay the Jōnin pursuing me.
"You brats think you can fool me with a Shadow Clone Jutsu!" the Sunagakure shinobi laughed fiercely, charging directly at my true body.
Boom!
I raised my right hand, barely blocking his attack, but the power of an adult shinobi kicked me into the air with ease.
I twisted in midair, struggling to avoid a rough landing, and managed not to crash embarrassingly.
Blood continued to trickle from the wound on my left shoulder, but I had no time to worry about such minor injuries. The unrelenting storm of attacks from the Jōnin was already overwhelming. I had no time to form seals for another technique.
I glanced at the four Konoha ninjas supporting me but saw they were held up by other enemies and couldn't assist me.
Damn it! In the manga, low-level shinobi like Genin always manage to defeat these powerful ninja. When they unleash their latent power, they even take down Kage-level enemies.
But here I was, a Chūnin, getting beaten down by some nameless Jōnin. Why is the gap in power so unfair?
I have to admit, though, the technique Tsunade taught me to increase cell regeneration is incredible. Even though my strength is far below this Sunagakure Jōnin, and I'm getting beaten like a ragdoll, my body feels less pain with each hit.
Still, the wounds kept piling up. My limbs grew heavier, my vision blurred, and with the loss of blood, I felt my strength depleting rapidly. I was reaching my limit.
In the nearby forest...
"No! If this continues, Chao YanQian will be killed! I'm going to help him!" Hoshinohara said anxiously, seeing my dire situation.
"You can't!" Keita Hyuga grabbed Hoshinohara's arm, speaking firmly. "That guy's a Jōnin. If you rush out now, it's suicide."
"So what? Are we just going to let Chao YanQian die?" Hoshinohara shouted back.
"Wait!" Keita Hyuga said seriously. "If Chao YanQian can lead that Jōnin into the trap, we'll have a chance to take him out. If not, then we'll intervene."
"Fine, we'll wait."
...
"Am I really going to die?" I thought to myself.
"No!"
"I refuse!"
"I haven't become the strongest yet, I haven't faced Uchiha Madara or Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. I haven't even fought them yet. There's no way I came to this world of Naruto just to die at the hands of some nameless Jōnin!"
"Aaaaahhh!"
With a roar, I summoned my remaining chakra to my legs and rushed at the Sunagakure Jōnin, abandoning all defense. Kunai in hand, I aimed for his neck, fully prepared to take him down with me.
For a split second, I saw hesitation flash in his eyes, as if surprised by my reckless charge.
But a Jōnin is still a Jōnin. My desperate assault wasn't enough. Even as my kunai was just ten centimeters from his throat, his own kunai was already at my neck.
"Am I really going to die?"
Boom!
[Eight Trigrams Palm - Rotation]
In an instant, the Sunagakure Jōnin was sent flying. I turned to see Keita Hyuga with his Byakugan activated.
Keita, you came...
I had been so focused on surviving that I forgot my teammates were lying in ambush. Seeing Keita and Hoshinohara, a wave of relief washed over me.
" Chao YanQian, are you okay?" Keita Hyuga asked as he lifted me up.
"I'll live. Let's move!" I whispered.
"Right," Keita replied, supporting me as we moved towards the trap.
"Soft Fist? Byakugan? A member of the Hyuga clan, huh?" The Sunagakure Jōnin eyed Keita with interest. "Didn't expect to catch such a big fish while chasing a Konoha kid."
"The fish took the bait."
I noticed the Jōnin had stepped into the ambush zone we'd set up earlier. The moment was perfect.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Kunai and shuriken rained down, detonating explosives all around the Sunagakure Jōnin. He couldn't escape the barrage and was soon engulfed in a series of explosions.
Huff... Huff...
With my hands on my knees, I struggled to catch my breath. The fight had taken everything out of me. If Keita hadn't shown up, I would've been dead for sure.
"Did we get him?" Keita asked, frowning.
"Not sure," I replied, still wary. "He's a Jōnin, after all."
As the dust settled, the Sunagakure Jōnin stood inside a damaged earth wall, bloodied but still standing. He glared at us with cold, murderous eyes.
"Not bad for kids," he said, his voice laced with malice.
"And you're not bad either, surviving that," I shot back.
"You should feel honored," he sneered. "Forcing me to this extent means you're worthy opponents. But your luck ends here."
"You're still missing one, aren't you? Tell him to come out, so all three of you can die together."
"Tch, don't fall for that obvious taunt," Keita Hyuga said, warning Hoshinohara to stay hidden.
"Hmph, then prepare to die!" The Jōnin charged once more.
Keita took his stance, ready to counter with his Gentle Fist.