Chapter 32: Chapter 32: What a tricky Ninjato!
With one strike, Hoshigaki Kisame swiftly creates distance.
Asuma felt an inexplicable attraction exerted on him, a portion of his Chakra suddenly vanishing as if being absorbed by something.
"Chakra Absorption Technique?"
Asuma gazed at Hoshigaki Kisame, his eyes now tinged with wariness.
Previously, Asuma hadn't encountered ninjas with the Chakra Absorption Technique much. But he was well aware of the trouble such ninjas could cause. Once a stalemate sets in and an immediate victory isn't achieved, winning becomes much harder.
Furthermore, in battle, it's crucial to avoid being hit by the opponent's Chakra Absorption Technique.
"I didn't expect Hoshigaki Kisame to possess not only remarkable Water Release but also a decent Chakra Absorption Technique."
"That last strike took away a significant portion of my Chakra."
"Close combat is not an option."
"I must maintain distance."
Hoshigaki Kisame stared at Asuma, his gaze focusing on the wounds on Asuma's body. The blood there shows no sign of clotting and continues to flow outward. Asuma seemed not to have noticed this detail because most of his attention is fixed on his fear of Hoshigaki Kisame's Chakra Absorption Technique.
"Sarutobi Asuma, you should feel honored."
"Honored?"
"That's right, you're Kiriichimonji's first official opponent. When Kiriichimonji's reputation spreads throughout the ninja world, your name will also be mentioned."
Asuma's gaze fell on the sword in Hoshigaki Kisame's hand.
"Kiriichimonji, is that a Ninjato? One of your Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords? No, I know the names of the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, and Kiriichimonji isn't among them."
"Kiriichimonji isn't one of the Hidden Mist Seven Ninja Swords, but it's not below them either."
Hoshigaki Kisame explains, "Any wound inflicted by Kiriichimonji cannot be healed, not even with Medical Ninjutsu."
"What?"
Asuma's pupils contracted, and he instinctively looked down at his own wound, momentarily stunned.
A slight smile curved on Hoshigaki Kisame's lips as he revealed information about Kiriichimonji. Creating this opportunity was his intention all along. Before the official battle, even before arriving in the Land of Fire, Hoshigaki Kisame had rehearsed scenarios in his mind numerous times, including situations involving Kakashi and Asuma.
Regarding Water Release, Hoshigaki Kisame doesn't give it much thought; normal usage will suffice. This is information known to all Konoha ninjas. What Konoha ninjas don't know are his own Chakra Absorption Technique and Kiriichimonji.
Hoshigaki Kisame considered starting the match by using only one of them, then revealing the other once the opponent had prepared for the first, catching them off guard twice. However, after careful consideration, he abandoned this option. Both the Chakra Absorption Technique and Kiriichimonji have a common limitation: they require close proximity to be effective.
At present, Hoshigaki Kisame cannot absorb an opponent's Chakra from a distance using Water Release.
Regardless of whether in the first round he uses the Chakra Absorption Technique or Kiriichimonji, once the opponent becomes wary, they'll avoid close combat. If he can't get close, he won't be able to use the other method either. If he can't even use it, catching the opponent off guard becomes impossible.
So, using both the Chakra Absorption Technique and Kiriichimonji in the first round becomes the best choice. It can cause the maximum damage to the enemy. In this scenario, if Hoshigaki Kisame doesn't mention Kiriichimonji, Asuma will soon realize it anyway. But by voluntarily disclosing this information, Hoshigaki Kisame might create an opportunity for Asuma to be distracted due to surprise.
Hoshigaki Kisame remarked that Asuma is far inferior to Kakashi. However, as an opponent, Hoshigaki Kisame doesn't underestimate Asuma. After all, Asuma is one of Konoha's young talents and the son of the Third Hokage. Furthermore, in this battle, Hoshigaki Kisame only wanted victory and absolutely rejected the possibility of losing for himself.
If he could kill Asuma, that would be best.
Hoshigaki Kisame's figure swiftly flashed.
Asuma heard the movement and quickly looked up.
But Hoshigaki Kisame is too fast.
Asuma's momentary distraction gave Hoshigaki Kisame enough time to approach, reducing his own reaction time.
A flash of a blade.
"Spurt!"
Asuma gripped the short blade in his hand and thrusts it toward Hoshigaki Kisame.
However, with a successful strike, Hoshigaki Kisame promptly retreated.
Asuma's attack missed.
"Drip!"
The sound of blood dripping onto the ground echoed.
This time, the wound Hoshigaki Kisame inflicted on Asuma is deeper than the last.
As a result, the blood flowed out faster.
Asuma looked at his wound, his expression turning grim.
Because Asuma realized that what Hoshigaki Kisame said is true.
Even concentrating his Chakra at the wound and controlling muscle contractions cannot show any sign of healing.
This is not normal. Very abnormal.
"What Hoshigaki Kisame said is true."
"This is the ability of that Ninjato, Kiriichimonji?"
"Makes wounds unable to heal?"
"A new Ninjato crafted by the Hidden Mist Village?"
"What a treacherous ability!"
"What should I do next?"
Asuma is starting to panic. Just one Chakra Absorption Technique made Asuma feel troublesome enough, and now Kiriichimonji's ability makes Asuma feel even more overwhelmed, completely unable to deal with it.
Previously, Asuma tried to avoid getting close to Hoshigaki Kisame as much as possible.
Now, Asuma absolutely avoided getting close to Hoshigaki Kisame.
But the problem lies in the fact that there are already two such wounds on Asuma's body.
His blood is continuously draining.
The more blood he loses, the worse his condition becomes.
This is more terrifying than having Chakra absorbed.
Time is on Hoshigaki Kisame's side. He doesn't even need to resort to any intense attacks; merely harassing from a distance is sufficient.
How can Asuma win against Hoshigaki Kisame? No, Asuma no longer hopes to win against Hoshigaki Kisame. Now, Asuma's only concern is how to survive and leave Hoshigaki Kisame's grasp alive.
"I absolutely cannot die like this."
"I haven't proven myself to my father yet."
"If I die now, does that mean everything they said is true?"
"No, absolutely not."
Hoshigaki Kisame formed hand seals from a distance.
"Water Release, Great Shark Bullet Jutsu!"
A shark made of condensed water materialized, vivid and lifelike, like a projectile, hurled towards Asuma.
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