Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 77: Fighting to the Death

Tonari's right hand was pierced clean through by Yoruichi's blade, but he didn't stop there. Using his injured hand, he firmly gripped the enemy's weapon arm.

With his left hand now holding the chakra-conducting short blade, Tonari reversed his grip and thrust it directly toward Yoruichi's heart.

The sudden turn of events left Yoruichi stunned. He instinctively tried to dodge, but the momentary hesitation left him vulnerable.

At that instant, Yoruichi faced a choice: press forward and stab through Tonari's chest or retreat and risk the blade coming for his heart.

Without much thought, Yoruichi twisted his body to avoid the lethal blow to his heart, but Tonari's blade still pierced through his lower ribcage.

The searing pain was instantaneous, amplified by the chakra-infused blade that burned through his flesh.

A sharp, acrid smell filled the air.

Yoruichi gritted his teeth and delivered a vicious kick to Tonari's abdomen, sending him flying backward.

Both combatants disengaged at the same moment. Tonari tumbled across the ground, rolling several times before slamming into a tree and coming to a halt.

"Cough... ha... damn it..." Tonari spat out a mouthful of blood, his face twisted in pain. Yet, amidst the agony, a crazed smile appeared on his lips.

"Not bad, huh? Too bad… it wasn't enough…" Tonari muttered, his voice tinged with a maniacal undertone.

Yoruichi clutched his side, his hand pressing against the deep wound beneath his ribs. His face darkened as he struggled to remain upright.

"You crazy brat!" Yoruichi snarled. He couldn't believe the audacity of this kid—willing to injure himself just to land a critical blow.

Tonari's body trembled as he stood. Blood dripped from his wounds, but a faint green light began to emanate from his hands.

Medical ninjutsu combined with the Two-Tails' chakra accelerated his healing, sealing his wounds faster than Yoruichi expected.

"What…? Medical ninjutsu?" Yoruichi's eyes narrowed in disbelief.

If this brat could keep healing himself, the odds would shift drastically. Prolonging the fight was no longer an option.

Determined to end it quickly, Yoruichi enveloped himself in crackling lightning chakra. The air around him buzzed with energy, and his muscles tightened, suppressing the pain from his injuries.

In a flash, he closed the distance between them, reappearing in front of Tonari.

Still holding his short blade, Tonari barely managed to react. Using his left hand to parry Yoruichi's strikes, he focused entirely on defense.

Dozens of clashes rang out in rapid succession, sparks flying with every exchange. Tonari's blade deflected blow after blow, but each strike left him closer to breaking.

The relentless onslaught forced him to retreat step by step, blood trickling down his arms from countless cuts.

"I need an opening… a chance…" Tonari thought, scanning Yoruichi's movements desperately.

Yoruichi's attacks became sharper, his killing intent more palpable with every strike.

Then, Tonari saw it. A fleeting moment—a mistake.

"There!"

Feigning an opening on his left side, Tonari intentionally exposed his defense. The lure was too tempting for Yoruichi to resist.

As Yoruichi thrust his blade toward Tonari's exposed side, Tonari made his move.

"Got you!"

Switching his short blade back to his dominant right hand, Tonari gritted his teeth and summoned every ounce of chakra he had left.

The Two-Tails' energy erupted within him, shrouding his body in a translucent blue aura. His movements became a blur.

In that instant, Yoruichi realized he had been baited.

Tonari's speed had increased exponentially, leaving Yoruichi no room to retreat. He had no choice but to commit to his strike, even as he felt Tonari's blade pierce his chest.

"Argh…!"

The chakra-conducting blade stabbed through Yoruichi's heart. A burst of fire-infused chakra erupted from the weapon, charring his insides beyond repair.

There was no blood, only the sickening smell of burning flesh.

Yoruichi's face froze in shock and disbelief. His body collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Tonari staggered back, his breathing ragged. The blue aura surrounding him faded, retreating back into his body as the Two-Tails' chakra healed his wounds.

The forest fell silent once more, the only sound remaining was Tonari's heavy breathing.

After several minutes, he finally spoke, a bitter smile on his lips.

"That… was too close."

He slumped against a tree, his body still trembling from the ordeal.

"Special jōnin are no joke…" Tonari muttered.

He thought back to the fight, analyzing his opponent's strength. Yoruichi had likely been a taijutsu specialist, making him incredibly dangerous in close quarters.

Without the Two-Tails' power, Tonari knew he wouldn't have stood a chance.

Even now, he could feel the toll the battle had taken on his body. His injuries had mostly healed, but the exhaustion remained.

"I need to get stronger… faster… better at everything," Tonari sighed, clutching his still-aching chest.

Resting for a moment, he glanced down at Yoruichi's lifeless body.

"Watergate… can you handle someone like this?" he murmured.

With that thought, Tonari pushed himself to his feet. There was no time to rest.

He had to find Kushina.

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