Naruto rebirth! Born again with a system.

Chapter 52: Holding their own!

The forest battlefield had become a scene of controlled chaos, with Team 15 struggling desperately against opponents whose power levels far exceeded their own. The sound of clashing steel, explosive jutsu, and desperate shouts filled the air as the young shinobi fought for their lives against the overwhelming force that had ambushed them.

Kōzaru's muscles screamed in protest as he barely twisted away from another bone-crushing strike, his ribs still hurting from the previous devastating blow. The level 12 opponent moved with the grace of a seasoned killer, each step deliberate and confident, the casual swagger of someone who had already written his opponent's obituary. Despite Yuki and Riku's valiant efforts to support him, their coordinated attacks were being deflected with insulting ease, as if swatting away bothersome flies.

"You're fast, kid," the enemy ninja drawled, his voice carrying the cold satisfaction of a hunter cornering wounded prey. His lips curved into a cold smile that never reached his eyes. "But not fast enough."

Without warning, he exploded into motion, denying Kōzaru any precious seconds to gather his chakra or execute his jutsu. The young ninja's heart hammered against his ribs as desperation clawed at his throat.

"No time to think—I need to overwhelm him with numbers or I'm dead!"

Kōzaru was forced into a desperate dance of survival, dodging and blocking a relentless barrage of taijutsu strikes that came at him like a hurricane of violence. Even with his all-fours jutsu activated, enhancing his bestial agility, he was barely managing to hold his ground.

"This bastard's taijutsu level must be through the roof..." The thought flickered through his mind just as a vicious punch crashed into his face, the impact exploding stars across his vision. His guard dropped for a split second—all the opening his opponent needed. A devastating roundhouse kick slammed into the same tender spot on his ribs, the bone-deep crack audible even over the sounds of battle.

Kōzaru's body became a ragdoll hurled through the air, his limbs flailing helplessly before he crashed into the unforgiving earth. He bounced once, twice, before his survival instincts kicked in. Rolling into a crouch, he dug his claws deep into the mud, using every ounce of his remaining strength to arrest his momentum.

[Health: 140/168 → 100/168]

"Fuck... that hurt like hell..."

Riku and Yuki materialized at his sides like guardian spirits, their hackles raised and lips pulled back in feral snarls directed at the enemy ninja. Yuki's rough tongue rasped across his bloodied knuckles, a gesture of comfort and concern that sent a surge of determination through his battered body.

"What are those runts going to do!" The shinobi said, laughing as he insulted Kōzaru's ninken, not intimidated by the pups.

"Quickly, you guys—man beast clones, now!" Kōzaru roared, creating the hand sign with desperate precision. Both ninken barked in perfect synchronization, their voices harmonizing before they vanished in twin clouds of billowing smoke, the transformation jutsu taking hold.

"Parlour tricks won't save you, brat!" Another enemy ninja's voice cut through the chaos as he materialized behind Kōzaru, kunai gleaming with lethal intent as it sliced through the air toward his exposed spine.

But Kōzaru had already caught the assassin's scent, sweat and killing intent. His body flickered like a mirage, the body flicker technique carrying him away from death's embrace. He ricocheted off a nearby tree trunk, using the momentum to execute another body flicker, combined with his all fours jutsu that positioned him directly behind his would-be killer. As Riku and Yuki struck from the flanks, Kōzaru completed the triangle of destruction.

"Now! Fang over fang!" His battle cry echoed across the battlefield as all three launched into the signature Inuzuka taijutsu technique, their bodies becoming spinning vortexes of claws and fangs.

[Chakra: 130/160 → 90/160]

"What in the hell—!" The enemy ninja's shocked outcry was cut short as the three-pronged assault tore into him from every angle. He had fatally underestimated Kōzaru's speed, and now his arrogance was being paid for in blood and shredded flesh as the coordinated attack overwhelmed his defences.

[Enemy Stone ninja level 14 defeated. You have earned 300 EXP:]

"That's one down!" Kōzaru shouted triumphantly as he and his clones landed in perfect formation, their breathing synchronized despite their exhaustion. But his moment of victory was short-lived as the gravity of their situation crashed down on him like a avalanche. Three more Stone ninja had emerged from the shadows, their eyes burning with murderous intent and their weapons already drawn. The real fight was only just beginning.

Nearby, Tatsuma was down to his last shadow clone, both of them breathing heavily as they struggled to maintain defensive positions against their level 16 opponent. Sweat dripped from his brow as the enemy's superior skill became increasingly evident—each calculated attack pushed them further back, their movements growing more sluggish as their stamina drained like water through a sieve.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Tatsuma called out desperately, his voice cracking with exhaustion.

[Chakra: 170/220 - 145/220]

Only one clone materialized this time, its form flickering and translucent, noticeably less stable than his previous attempts. The enemy ninja's cruel laughter echoed through the forest at this obvious sign of weakness.

"Running out of chakra already? That's no good, is it!" he taunted, his blade gleaming menacingly in the dappled moonlight.

"Shit, this guy is gonna kill me if I don't do something fast!" Tatsuma thought, his heart hammering against his ribs as panic threatened to overwhelm him.

"Stay away!" Tatsuma yelled, his voice raw with desperation as he hurled a handful of shuriken along with his shadow clone at the level 16 stone ninja—a last-ditch effort born of pure survival instinct.

The enemy shinobi scoffed dismissively, his movements fluid and practiced as he deflected all the projectiles with his kunai in a series of sharp metallic rings. Without missing a beat, he charged forward like a predator closing in for the kill, thrusting his blade deep into the shadow clone's chest. The clone burst into smoke with a soft poof, leaving only wisps of chakra in the air.

"And then there was one," he said with sadistic pleasure, relishing the pure horror that washed over Tatsuma's face.

Tatsuma stood frozen for a heartbeat, his body trembling as he fought to summon the courage to act. His mind raced, flashing back to his previous missions, to watching Aotaka and Kōzaru spar, remembering the bell test with Minato sensei, remembering the other missions he had been on, having faced death again and again. The memories ignited something deep within him—a burning determination that refused to be extinguished.

"No... I won't let it end like this!" he roared, his voice carrying newfound resolve as he formed the familiar seal for the shadow clone jutsu.

"Again with the shadow clones? Is that the only trick you know!" the stone shinobi bellowed, his patience wearing thin as he charged forward in an attempt to disrupt the jutsu.

[Chakra: 145/220 - 70/220]

Three shadow clones burst to life in a dramatic poof of smoke, each wearing the same fierce determination that blazed in the original's eyes. The forest seemed to hold its breath as the copies materialized, ready for battle, this time full clones and not half arsed ones.

The real Tatsuma in the middle leaped backward with newfound agility while his two clones rushed forward like twin missiles, each drawing a kunai with deadly precision. They moved in perfect synchronization, one going high while the other swept low, their coordinated attack designed to overwhelm and confuse.

"You brat! Like that will work on me!" the enemy snarled, his superior training showing as he effortlessly jumped over the low attack. His boot connected with the high-attacking clone's face in a vicious kick, causing it to burst into smoke with a muffled impact.

But this was exactly what Tatsuma had been counting on. While his opponent was distracted, he unclipped one of the demon shuriken from his back, the massive weapon spinning in his grip like a deadly pinwheel before he hurled it with everything he had.

"You won't touch me with that!" the stone ninja yelled confidently, landing heavily on the remaining shadow clone and driving his kunai deep into its back. The clone popped with a burst of smoke, and a sadistic smile spread across his face as he watched the giant shuriken spinning through the air toward him.

The massive weapon hummed through the air with lethal intent, its razor-sharp edges cutting through the wind as it threatened to cleave anything in its path.

"You amateur! Like that would work!" he sneered, casually stepping aside to let the giant shuriken sail harmlessly past him, his smirk growing wider with each passing second.

But then the impossible happened. The giant shuriken exploded in a ball of smoke, transforming into another Tatsuma who was already gripping a second demon shuriken, his muscles coiled as he launched it with desperate fury.

"Wait—a shadow clone!" the stone shinobi's eyes widened in shock as understanding dawned too late.

The second giant shuriken cut through the air with deadly precision, spinning toward him with unstoppable force. He prepared to dodge, confident in his superior reflexes, but—

"I don't think so!"

The Tatsuma that had thrown the first shuriken tackled him from the side with the full weight of his body, his arms wrapping around the enemy's torso in a desperate bear hug. The stone ninja had completely forgotten about the this Tatsuma, his focus entirely consumed by the second projectile.

"W-What?! Get the fuck off of me!" he screamed, thrashing wildly as he tried to break free. But it was too late—the real demon shuriken was already upon them, its spinning blade catching the moonlight one final time.

The massive weapon cut through his torso with a sickening sound, cleaving him cleanly in half. His expression froze in pure shock, eyes wide with disbelief as his body crumpled to the forest floor.

The Tatsuma holding him also took the brunt of the attack, bursting into smoke to reveal it had been yet another shadow clone—a masterful deception that had sealed his opponent's fate.

"I... I did it..." Tatsuma whispered, his voice barely audible as he dropped down onto a tree branch below, landing in a exhausted crouch. His whole body shook with adrenaline and relief.

[Level 16 stone shinobi defeated. You have earned 500 EXP.]

But his moment of triumph was short-lived. A sharp, burning pain erupted across his arm and back as a volley of shuriken found their mark, their points biting deep into his flesh. He screamed in agony, his voice echoing through the forest as blood began to seep through his clothing.

"You'll pay for that, you little bastard! No one kills our comrades and gets away with it!" another stone ninja roared with murderous rage, backed up by a second enemy as they landed before him with deadly intent. Their eyes burned with vengeance, and their weapons gleamed with the promise of retribution.

Tatsuma's brief victory had only bought him a moment's respite—now he faced an even deadlier threat, wounded and with his chakra nearly depleted.

Aotaka's situation had deteriorated into a desperate struggle for survival. His lightning-wreathed blade sang through the air in a deadly dance with his level 12 opponent's sword, but the enemy's masterful technique was methodically dismantling his defences. Each violent parry sent bone-jarring vibrations racing up his arms, and rivulets of sweat carved paths through the grime on his face as he fought to maintain his crumbling guard.

"Lightning Style: Static Force!" Aotaka roared, azure electricity erupting across his entire frame like a living storm as he desperately sought to create breathing room.

[Chakra: 120/140 - 100/140]

The technique drove his opponent back several precious steps, but the chunin's lips curved into a smile as his hands began weaving through a sequence of hand seals with practiced precision.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

The massive sphere of superheated flames howled toward Aotaka like a miniature sun, forcing him to hurl himself behind the thick trunk of an ancient oak. The scorching heat singed his hair and left blistered patches on his exposed skin, while the thunderous explosion that followed left his ears ringing with a high-pitched whine, illuminating the dark forest for a brief moment.

Damn it... Not only is he a skilled swordsman, but he's got long-range jutsu to back it up!

There was no time for strategic thinking—the hair on the back of his neck stood on end as killing intent washed over him. The enemy shinobi materialized beside him like a vengeful spirit, his blade descending in a vicious overhead strike aimed at splitting Aotaka's skull.

Aotaka's sword rose to meet the attack, his entire body straining against the impact as he shifted his stance, allowing the deadly edge to slide past his guard. He deflected a lightning-quick thrust that would have punched through his ribcage, then desperately parried a horizontal slash that whistled mere inches from his throat.

"If all you can do is cower behind that pathetic defence, then you're already dead!" The level 12 Stone ninja snarled between his relentless strikes, each word punctuated by another attempt to breach Aotaka's guard.

Aotaka's world narrowed to the deadly rhythm of steel against steel. He leaped backward, trying to create distance, but his opponent shadowed his every movement with grace. The Stone ninja's blade work was poetry in motion—fluid, deadly, and absolutely unforgiving as he sought to overwhelm Aotaka with sheer technical superiority.

Despite his best efforts, Aotaka's defence began to crumble. A razor-sharp edge found its mark, carving a shallow but painful gash across his left arm. Another strike sliced through his shirt and drew a line of fire across his chest as he threw himself backward, narrowly avoiding a thrust that would have pierced his heart.

That one nearly finished me... I need to counterattack, but how do I get past his guard?

Suddenly, his uncle's voice echoed through his memory like a lifeline thrown to a drowning man—words spoken during countless brutal training sessions under the unforgiving sun.

"Aotaka, when faced with an opponent whose speed exceeds your own, when you find yourself trapped in a purely defensive battle, you must find a way to seize the initiative. There is a technique I can teach you—the Dancing Leaf. This technique allows you to mirror your enemy's attack at the critical moment, redirecting their own momentum back at them for a devastating counter. But be warned—if you fail in its execution, it will mean certain death."

His uncle's wisdom burned bright in his mind as he blocked another crushing blow, his legs coiling like springs before launching him high onto the trunk of a towering tree. His feet found purchase on a sturdy branch as he fought to catch his breath and reassess the battlefield.

"Where do you think you're running, coward!" The Stone ninja's voice cracked like a whip as he appeared before Aotaka in a blur of motion, his blade seeking the vulnerable flesh of his throat.

Aotaka's eyes widened in shock as he barely managed to interpose his lightning-enhanced blade between himself and certain death. The tremendous force of the impact would have decapitated him instantly if not for his chakra-enhanced weapon, though it still sent him skidding backward along the rough bark of the branch, splinters flying in his wake.

I don't have a choice anymore. It's now or never.

With deliberate precision, Aotaka moved his blade to his side, raising it until the keen edge ran parallel to the forest floor. He brought his face so close to the polished steel that his ragged breathing would have formed delicate clouds of condensation on its surface if not for the lightning style that flowed through the blade.

"Oh, so the little wolf finally shows his fangs?" The Stone ninja's laugh was harsh and mocking as he launched himself forward, his blade thirsting for blood. "Let's see what you're made of, brat!"

"Here it comes..." Aotaka whispered, then his voice rose to a battle cry that echoed through the trees. "Senju Style: Dancing Leaf!"

Time seemed to slow as both warriors thrust their blades forward with everything they possessed. The Stone shinobi's attack came with the force of an avalanche, his superior technique and raw power focused into a single, devastating point. Aotaka mirrored the motion perfectly, his lightning-enhanced blade crackling with deadly energy as steel met steel in a shower of sparks.

For a heartbeat, they were locked in perfect balance—two forces of nature colliding in a test of will and skill. Then Aotaka's chakra-enhanced blade proved superior, shattering his opponent's weapon like glass before continuing its deadly arc. The lightning-wreathed steel punched through flesh and bone, finding the Stone ninja's heart with lethal precision.

Both men stood frozen in that moment of victory and defeat, their shattered weapons scattered around their feet like fallen leaves. Aotaka's chest heaved as he fought to catch his breath, warm blood from his fallen enemy painting his face in crimson streaks.

"W-Why, you little bastard..." The Stone ninja's words came out as a whispered gasp, his life already ebbing away around the blade lodged in his chest.

[Level 12 Stone shinobi defeated. You have earned 350 EXP. You have levelled up!]

Aotaka wrenched his blade free with a wet sound, watching as his opponent's body tumbled from the tree toward the forest floor below. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to savour the taste of victory.

That moment of triumph was shattered as another Stone ninja exploded from the shadows, seeking to capitalize on his comrade's death and end the battle with a single, treacherous strike.

"You're mine brat!"

Thats the end of this chapter I hope you enjoyed it! If you want more check out my P.atreon page. We just hit chapter 68! Get faster releases and access to more contact! Link in the story bio or just search Lavalord115 for the page.