Naruto: The Medical Ninja

Chapter 221: Chapter 218: Brat to Catch

Mukai offered no further verbal response about the bounty, only a small, almost invisible smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

”I’m free of worry now,” he thought, ”Ryu-kun promised to take care of my son, and I know that kid is someone who would keep his promise.”

As he prepared to fight, Mukai looked at the enemies and said, ”Let’s get this over with.”

”Are you stupid, Leaf ninja?” Kaminari asked. ”You are attempting to sacrifice yourself and restrain us to allow the brat to escape, but I am not naive enough to fall for it.”

Kohinata said, ”Sacrifice is part of ninja life; sometimes to gain something you lose something, and sometimes you lose yourself.”

But Kohinata was okay with it now that Ryu has assured him that Kohinata’s son will be taken care of.

Kaminari scoffed at Kohinata’s words and looked over at his three subordinates, who stood ready.

”You three,” Kaminari commanded. ”You keep him busy. Don’t let him escape their encirclement. Kill him if you get the chance.”

”Be careful, though,” Kaminari added, a flicker of respect in his eyes despite his words. ”Even if he’s just a new elite Jonin.”

Kaminari added, ”If Onnen had known there would be an elite Jonin here on top of the ANBU squads, he would have sent more men. I believe you three can hold him back long enough for us to capture the boy.”

The three nodded silently and disappeared, reappearing moments later, circling Kohinata and cutting off any potential escape route.

Kaminari looked at the trio he had assigned to the task. ”If you can kill him,” he said, the promise of a substantial monetary reward clear, ”his bounty is all yours.”

Kaminari looked at Kohinata and then waved his hand, saying, ”Sorry, I would have loved to watch you die, but I have a genius brat to catch.”

Kohinata tried to escape their encirclement, but they wouldn’t let him. And Kaminari and a dozen or so ninjas escaped.

The three ninjas introduced themselves to Kohinata. ”Nice to make your acquaintance. We are the Torture Trio; you may have heard of us.”

They smirked confidently as they blocked Kohinata, ready to take on the challenge of killing Kohinata and claiming the bounty on his head.

”Shit”, Mukai Kohinata thought, his gaze sweeping over them. ”I didn’t buy enough time. Now the secretary has to do it for me.”

The three ninjas dispersed, their movements unsettlingly synchronised. Those three were a team that were trained to fight together and use combined tactics that include all three.

One approached Mukai Kohinata with a sword drawn, and another from a distance launched a quick stream of [Lightning Bolts], making Kohinata immediately aware of what was happening. The first one was just a distraction to lock him in a place, followed by the real attacks.

Kohinata performed hand seals, and the lightning jutsu that was approaching was blocked by a jutsu described as [Wind Style: Swift Wind Wall] in his own words.

The electrical onslaught was deflected with the help of the swirling wind barrier. The third ninja, seeing the failed attack, quickly changed tactics and attempted to strike Kohinata from behind. Sensing the danger, Kohinata swiftly turned around and countered with a kunai strike, surprising the ninja who tried to attack him from a blind spot.

”You are good,” one of the enemies conceded, his voice rough. ”Wind affinity counters lightning.” Another stepped forward, blade poised. ”But if you think you can best us just because you have wind affinity, then you are mistaken.”

All three then moved in for a coordinated sword attack. One would feint from the front, drawing Kohinata’s guard, while another would dart in from the side or behind with a swift, unexpected cut. The third remained slightly further back, ready to cover or launch another ranged attack if needed.

”Kenjutsu experts... I see,” Kohinata said, recognising their style. ”I’ve heard of you three. The Kenjutsu Trio of the Clouds.”

The enemies exchanged glances, a hint of pride in their eyes. ”We feel somewhat proud”, one replied, a cruel smile touching his lips, ”that our name is famous enough to reach even you, Leaf ninja.”

Kohinata’s stance remained firm. ”You like to gang up on your target from all sides and launch mid-range and close-range attacks at the same time,” he commented, his voice sharp with disdain. He continued, ”One draws attention from the front while another attacks from behind or uses ninjutsu from a distance. Like cowards.”

The comment clearly offended the trio. Cold rage took the place of their smiles. ”That comment is going to cost you,” one snarled.

”They’re experts at both long-range and mid-range ninjutsu,” Kohinata thought, analysing their earlier attack and their current swordsmanship. ”And now they show they’re also experts at kenjutsu. Their style is designed to overwhelm from multiple angles.”

He considered the seal Ryu had given him. ”Using the barrier Ryu gave me will only hold me back if I start the battle with it now. They’ll keep me occupied from long range if I use the barrier too much. He needed them all in close. Luring all of them together at the same time... it’s easier said than done.They never attack all at once; one always keeps behind for cover or rescue.I need to create an opening, maybe show a moment of vulnerability, to draw them all in.”

A strategy formed in his mind. ”I need to lure them into close range and draw out that third member.”

”Come on then, I’m always prepared to pay the price. Are you?” Kohinata declared, assuming a combat-ready stance, his defiance resounding through the forest.

Back to Ryu and Kaori. They were running, leaping through the trees away from the sounds of the impending clash where Kohinata was making his stand. They had only been running for a short time when they realised that their enemies were still following them.

Kaori’s body tensed, her chakra sensing fully unleashed now that she was no longer concerned with maintaining a facade. ”Boss,” she said, her voice tight. ”There are still many left. Kohinata-san stopped three strong ones, all Jonin level.” She relayed the updated count. ”Now there are only four or five Jonin left on our tail. The rest are all Chunin and Genin.”

”Okay,” Ryu said, assessing the numbers. ”Three Jonin wouldn’t be able to handle Mr. Kohinata for long, not completely.”

Kaori was not convinced. ”Boss,” she said, her tone serious. ”Those are not ’no-name’ Jonin. I have sensed their chakra before, and so I remember them.” She paused, choosing her words. ”They are infamous for their barbarism. Those three gang up on their enemies together and make them slowly bleed out. Once the enemy is tired, they attack in close range. They always took their time while they slowly tortured their enemies.”

”No more fillets,” I guess, Ryu thought, a grim understanding dawning. ”She isn’t even hiding her ninja status now.And even telling me information that only high-level ninjas should possess.”

”And what about the other Jonin that is tailing us?” Ryu asked, focusing on the remaining threats.

”They are formidable,” the secretary replied. ”The leader, the one with the big body, attempted to replicate the lightning-style body flicker of the Fourth Raikage unsuccessfully but succeeded in creating his unique lightning-style armour, which enhances durability and strength significantly.”

”So he is not as fast as the Raikage,” Ryu clarified. ”He is just strong and durable.”

”Yes,” Kaori confirmed, ”but not as much as the Raikage.”

”Good,” Ryu thought, a plan already forming. ”Then I think I can take him on. I should use Senju-style taijutsu only on the big guns. And for the secret [Chakra Fusion seal], Grandpa warned me, so I should only use it in a life-and-death situation. But I could use that new trump card. Even if it is leaked, they won’t know the workings and secrets behind it.”

Ryu smiled as plans formed in his mind. The secretary saw him smile and was disturbed. This was no situation to smile.

Kaori thought, ”Just what is going on in his head in such a situation? This brat is too weird. Normal kids will be scared in such a situation. Is he not afraid to die?”

”No, I am not afraid to die. I have died before.” Ryu said, startling Kaori. Kaori’s eyes widened in shock as she processed Ryu’s words.

Kaori thought, ”Did he just try to read my mind or something?”

Ryu continued and said, ”I can almost guess what you are thinking.”

Kaori said, ”Don’t jinx it. You may have almost died before and aren’t concerned about a second time, but I very much like to live a long life.”

Ryu smilingly said, ”Sorry.”

”We need to hurry,” Kaori said, looking back at the direction they were coming from. ”They are catching up.”

With that, both Ryu and Kaori sped up their pace, determined to reach their destination before their pursuers could catch them.

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