Wok Shadow Ninja

Chapter 95: Steam Danger Explosion

The mustached man tried to salvage the situation. "Actually, the other techniques are pretty good too. Maybe you didn't hear me clearly? Let me say it again?"

Ino waved her hand weakly. "Second Mizukage-sama, I've already suffered serious injuries defeating the three outstanding ninja from Kirigakure. Please just teach me Steam Danger Explosion so I can go out and get treated."

The mustached man had no choice but to agree.

Steam Danger Explosion wasn't just an extremely difficult S-rank secret technique; it was also a composite ninjutsu that combined the Second Mizukage's mastery of Water Release, secret techniques, and genjutsu. It incorporated elements of techniques like Water Ball Jutsu, Oil Transformation, and various clan secrets and illusions. If she could only choose one, this was the obvious pick.

Why hadn't Asuma reached Kage-level? Because he lacked a decisive, powerful technique—or rather, he couldn't learn one. Kakashi, even without the Sharingan, was Kage-level because he had the S-rank Chidori. And then there was Might Guy, who didn't even need to be mentioned.

Ino's abilities were relatively well-rounded, but she still lacked a trump card. Steam Danger Explosion was perfect for her.

The mustached man, after all, was just a remnant of the original's chakra. He didn't have a scroll to give Ino, so he could only explain it verbally.

He taught her for half an hour. During that time, he detailed the hand seals for Steam Danger Explosion, the chakra flow paths, and the many precautions to take while practicing the technique. His remaining chakra was extremely limited, so he couldn't demonstrate it. How much she could learn was up to her.

Even with Ino's 9 in "Ninjutsu" and 8 in "Chakra Control," as well as her level 3 Water Release, the complexity of this technique left her dizzy. It wasn't something that could be mastered in a day or two. It involved the Water Transformation Secret Technique, Water Release: Oil Transformation, and a vast amount of knowledge about chakra nature and shape transformation. She wanted to take notes, but she was too exhausted. She could only memorize every word the mustached man said and figure it out later.

Half an hour later, Ino passed through a smoke-filled gate and returned to reality.

She appeared alongside Haku and Chojuro, both covered in blood. The maze then "spit out" Chojuro's Hiramekarei and Haku's katana.

Ino gained a new appreciation for the mustached man and the Mirage's genjutsu. The genjutsu had even manipulated time inside the maze? Impressive! But in a world with the Sharingan, genjutsu was just too weak.

Gempachi put away the activation gem, which had dimmed significantly and now bore fine cracks. The Kirigakure higher-up looked pained.

The group that emerged had varied expressions.

Ino, Chojuro, and Haku looked like they'd been through a bloodbath, clearly having fought a tough battle. Chojuro and Haku leaned on their weapons to stay upright, while Ino leaned against a rock wall, trying to catch her breath. She felt like she was about to pass out.

Sasuke's face was dark, clearly not having enjoyed his time in the genjutsu.

Shikamaru, on the other hand, looked unusually energetic, with sleep marks still on his face. He'd obviously been napping.

Naruto and Choji were patting their stomachs, burping up the smell of ramen.

Sakura? Ino glanced over and saw Sakura looking dazed, as if she'd been holding something that vanished when she left the maze.

Ino's expression turned strange. Wow, did you go shopping in there?

So I'm the only one who fought for Konoha's honor and got covered in wounds, while you guys were just on vacation?

Sakura felt a purple figure standing to her right and frowned, instinctively turning her head. "Ino-pig, are you... Ah! How did you get so badly hurt?! Who did this to you?"

She was shocked by Ino's injuries and nervously grabbed her hand, only then noticing the massive wound in Ino's palm from Haku's katana.

The wound was bandaged, but it was still bleeding. Just the act of grabbing her hand stained Sakura's hands with blood.

Sakura panicked, unsure of what to do, and instinctively called for Kakashi.

Sasuke, having suppressed his dark expression after leaving the genjutsu, examined Ino's injuries and asked, "Did you run into Kirigakure ninja in the maze?"

Ino rolled her eyes. "That's a stupid question. It's not like you were the one who hurt them, right?"

"You took on three of them by yourself?"

"It was three of them against me! I'm the victim here."

Kakashi and Asuma, who had been reading their respective books in the distance, rushed over at Sakura's call. Kakashi quickly assessed Ino's wounds. "Don't worry, one of Elder Koharu's guards is a medical ninja. I'll call him over to treat you."

Soon, the Jonin from Koharu's guard arrived. He was skilled in medical ninjutsu and immediately began treating Ino. Her injuries were severe, and the only reason she hadn't collapsed yet was because her focus had been on Steam Danger Explosion. Now, she was on the verge of passing out.

Kirigakure's medical ninja also rushed to treat Chojuro and Haku.

The two warriors were clearly at their limit. Ranmaru tried to help Haku but failed, and they nearly fell together.

Medical ninjutsu could stimulate cell growth in wounds, but it still consumed the body's energy. The two of them lay down on stretchers, their eyelids heavy, their bodies exhausted from blood loss.

Ino also lay down on a stretcher, being treated by the Konoha Jonin.

Just before losing consciousness, Ino grabbed Kakashi's hand and said with sincerity, "Kakashi-sensei, thank you for your guidance. It's thanks to your advice that I was able to defeat the three of them in the maze."

My guidance? What guidance? Kakashi was baffled.

He assumed Ino was too injured and confused, mistakenly attributing Asuma's usual advice to him. Now wasn't the time to explain, nor was it necessary.

He scratched his head and mumbled, accepting the blame.

In her final moments before passing out, Ino glanced at the Kirigakure ninja and then at her status panel.

Heh, just that one sentence earned me two blame points. How petty are these Kirigakure people? Good thing I shifted the blame in time, or all that resentment would've been directed at me.

She could've blamed Asuma, but she was worried his frail body couldn't handle it. Kakashi was the perfect scapegoat.

As her vision darkened, Sakura, for some reason, kept calling out to her, telling her not to sleep and to keep talking. Ino waved her hand, signaling that she was fine, before everything went black and she completely lost consciousness.

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