Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

Ding~ Clang clang clang~

The long blade and kunai collided repeatedly, producing a crisp series of metallic clashes.

Uchiha Haruki's true body had directly targeted Yamada Shinichi.

Of the three enemy Mist Jonin, he had engaged with Yamada Shinichi the most. He was also the most familiar with his movements. More importantly, Shinichi's chest wound had only been roughly treated—it hadn't healed properly, and his combat effectiveness was reduced. He was the most suitable as a breakthrough point.

Yes, Haruki had deliberately spent a large amount of chakra to create two shadow clones. The goal was to force one-on-one fights and then defeat each enemy individually.

However, his intention was obvious. The three Mist Jonin immediately understood his plan.

Therefore, none of them made reckless moves. Until they could identify Haruki's real body, they remained extremely cautious.

Aside from necessary counterattacks, they refrained from excessive movement. Most of their focus—around seventy to eighty percent—was dedicated to defense.

On top of that, they kept a close distance from one another.

This way, no matter who Haruki targeted, the other two could react quickly and support him.

"As expected of Jonin. Their combat experience really is top-notch," Haruki thought, observing their actions. He immediately saw through their strategy and couldn't help but admire their discipline.

Originally, he had hoped to conserve some energy.

Now, that was impossible.

With that realization, Haruki no longer hesitated. He went all out and launched a fierce attack on Yamada Shinichi.

Within moments, his sudden aggression drew the attention of the other two.

Before they could decide whether this was a trap or a genuine attack, Haruki's shadow clones had already understood his intent.

In the next instant, both clones attacked with full force—one engaged Hozuki Zangetsu, the other Takeshima Ichiro—with equally fierce strikes.

Their objective was simple: stall the two Jonin as long as possible and give Haruki time to eliminate Yamada Shinichi.

By now, Zangetsu and Ichiro knew that the one attacking Shinichi was very likely Haruki's real body.

Unfortunately, even if they wanted to help—they no longer had the time.

At this point, Haruki's chakra reserves had exceeded one hundred thousand points. Even split among three bodies, each one held thirty-five thousand.

With that much chakra, the shadow clones could compensate for their natural fragility.

It wasn't that their endurance increased—it was that the massive chakra allowed a tactical shift that reduced the risk of direct confrontation.

For instance, the "Ninjutsu Gatling Gun."

By continuously unleashing jutsu in rapid succession, using their vast chakra to bombard enemies from a distance, they could avoid direct hits—and thus sidestep their defensive limitations.

Haruki had several jutsu that were mastered to perfection. His casting speed was incredibly fast. Against typical Jonin-level opponents, it was more than enough to restrict their movements.

At least for a short period.

Right now, that was exactly what his shadow clones were doing—overwhelming Zangetsu and Ichiro with wave after wave of ninjutsu. The two Mist Jonin were forced into a pitiful retreat, unable to even think about aiding Yamada Shinichi.

In this situation, Haruki had a clean and uninterrupted space to operate.

Which meant he could fight with no restraints.

Using the experience he'd gained during earlier exchanges, Haruki activated his Sharingan to the limit—three tomoe spinning rapidly. He launched an all-out offensive without bothering to defend, pressing Shinichi back step by step.

Finally, after one more slash from Haruki's long blade, Shinichi was a fraction too slow to react. Though he barely managed to block the strike, the force behind it sent him stumbling half a step backward.

Haruki immediately seized the opening. Chakra surged through his body as he strengthened the muscles in his sword arm and core with precise control.

"Yaaah!"

With a low shout, he brought his blade down again—this time aiming straight for Shinichi's neck and torso.

A strong sense of imminent death gripped Shinichi. His pupils dilated as he desperately swung his kunai in defense.

But the force of Haruki's strike was overwhelming.

Worse, the previous blow had already thrown Shinichi off balance.

This time, there was no way he could withstand it.

Clang!

The jarring sound of metal rang out.

The kunai clashed with the long blade, but the impact made Shinichi's arm go numb. His entire body was sent staggering backward uncontrollably.

On top of that, because he had exerted himself too much, his not-yet-healed chest wound tore open again. Blood gushed out, staining the bandages wrapped around his torso.

Seeing this, Haruki didn't let up. He stepped forward again, swiftly closing the distance.

Whoosh!

His blade flashed with killing intent.

Haruki slashed again.

Shinichi raised his kunai to block.

Clang!

The violent shock forced Shinichi back even further.

Haruki chased after him relentlessly, pressing the attack.

Shinichi continued to block as best he could.

The battlefield rang with an endless series of clashing blades.

Clang clang clang—

Finally, Shinichi was backed up against a massive boulder, his retreat cut off.

In that instant, Haruki delivered a strike with all the power he had built up.

A shadow of death loomed over Shinichi. He stared at the incoming blade, bloodshot eyes wide with desperation.

"AAAHHH!"

Suddenly, he let out a roar.

A dense layer of lightning surged across the surface of his body.

In a flash, his speed exploded.

In the blink of an eye—he vanished.

Haruki's strike landed—but instead of hitting Shinichi, it split the massive boulder behind him clean in half. The concentrated Wind Release chakra within his blade had sliced it effortlessly.

Haruki calmly retracted his sword and turned to look to his right.

Not far away, a figure was hunched over, gasping for breath.

The man's skin was charred black as if scorched. There was even a faint scent of cooked flesh in the air.

It was none other than Yamada Shinichi—the man who had narrowly escaped Haruki's killing blow.

From his appearance, it was clear he had used some forbidden technique.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a wretched state.

From Haruki's experience, such techniques were usually impossible to use repeatedly in a short time.

In other words—Shinichi was out of tricks.

With that thought, Haruki's body shimmered with a pale blue light as he activated Instant Blade Technique.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Shinichi.

Then—he slashed.