Naruto: Evolution

On the other side, where Momo was, the situation she faced was more or less the same.

Although she managed to intercept an enemy using her clan's secret technique, most simply dodged it and headed toward the caravan.

At that moment, the second defensive circle set up by Hayato came into action.

When the enemies managed to break through the first line of defense, the shadow clones intervened one after another, intercepting them.

Hayato was a Jōnin, and although he had created ten shadow clones, each one had considerable strength, blocking the enemies attacking from both sides and keeping them away from the caravan.

…

Returning to the front of the caravan.

Compared to Azora and Momo, the enemies attacking from the front were undoubtedly the main force.

When the Rashōmon disappeared after blocking the attack, Gen immediately noticed a dozen shadows emerging from both sides.

Although these individuals seemed surprised by the appearance of the Rashōmon, they were not completely intimidated. After a brief hesitation, they charged directly at Gen.

More precisely, they were trying to break through the front to infiltrate the caravan.

The attackers' clothing varied, and none wore a ninja headband characteristic of the villages.

At a glance, only wandering ninjas could dress that way.

Swish

With a sharp gaze, he scanned the approaching enemies, and with a slight tilt of his body, Gen disappeared.

By the time anyone noticed, he was already in front of the first of them.

Boom

His fist crashed into the man's face with such speed that it left a residual image.

A dull sound echoed as the enemy was sent flying backward as if hit by a train.

His body soared through the air, leaving a trail in the wind before landing right in the middle of where the initial explosion had occurred.

!

The rest of the group was paralyzed by what had just happened.

Gen barely paused after launching his first opponent before disappearing again in the blink of an eye.

Boom

The blows landed before anyone could react.

A solid punch to the stomach, an elbow that caved in a chest, a kick that made a jaw crack. Each hit echoed with a hollow sound, one after another, in rapid succession.

The men barely had time to see shadows moving between them before their bodies were shaken by the force of the attacks. Some were sent flying backward as if struck by a truck, while others doubled over before being launched into the air.

The sound of branches snapping mixed with muffled cries as several were thrown into the forest, breaking through trunks in their trajectory before crashing down.

And all in an instant.

A few seconds ago, the caravan was surrounded by a crowd. Now, half of them lay motionless on the ground or deep in the forest.

"Is that the Strength Jutsu?!"

From inside the caravan, Hayato kept his attention on the battle, ready to intervene if things got out of control. Although his priority was to support the second line of defense, he couldn't help but watch Gen and the others fight.

That's when he saw it.

Gen had just taken down several enemies with speed and strength that seemed superhuman. Their bodies were sent flying like ragdolls, falling lifeless before they could even react.

Hayato was not only impressed by the brutality of the attack but also by the fact that he recognized that technique.

Thanks to his position within the Sarutobi family, he knew well that the Uchiha Clan possessed a Taijutsu style known as the Strength Jutsu.

But he never would have imagined that Gen had mastered it. Until now, he had never shown it in combat.

Hayato knew how difficult it was to learn that technique. While its chakra control wasn't particularly demanding, it required extreme precision and years of training to execute properly. It was a B-Rank Jutsu, and few could perfect it.

Even he, with all his resources and experience, wasn't sure he could master it if he tried.

He knew Gen was a prodigy, someone on par with Kakashi in terms of talent. But seeing him execute the Strength Jutsu with such mastery was something he simply couldn't believe.

"S-split up! Don't let him get close!"

"What the hell is this brat from Konoha?! He's not human! How can he move like that?!"

"Watch out!" The warning shout had barely left a man's throat before it was all over.

The group, gripped by panic, finally reacted. Their faces were filled with fear, desperation reflected in every clumsy movement as they tried to flee in all directions.

But their decision came too late.

Gen was already upon his next prey.

The man caught in his gaze felt a chill run down his spine. He turned sharply, his instincts screaming at him to run, to do something—but he had no time.

Crack

The dry sound of a skull breaking echoed. The man's head exploded under Gen's palm as if it were made of porcelain.

His body remained standing for an instant, as if it hadn't yet realized it was dead. Then, it collapsed heavily to the ground.

Gen stood in the midst of them, his gaze cold and lethal.

"Watch out!"

Hayato's desperate shout rang out from inside the caravan. His face turned pale in an instant as he realized what was about to happen.

Behind him, a silhouette appeared out of nowhere, like a flash. At the same time, a silver light gleamed in the darkness.

It was a sword slash—swift and deadly.

!

A chill ran down Gen's spine.

Every hair on his body stood on end in an instant, his instincts screaming at him to move. The ground beneath his feet cracked with a snap as his body reacted explosively, leaping to the side at the last second.

The blade whistled as it cut through the air. The edge passed at a minimal distance, just enough for Gen to feel the cold wind brushing against his skin.

Gen landed several meters away and immediately turned toward his previous position. The first thing he saw was a stern-looking man, his hair tied in a high samurai topknot.

He appeared to be in his thirties or forties, and his attire belonged to an era before the age of ninja villages.

He wore black armor, giving him an implacable and lethal presence.

And in his hands, he firmly gripped a long katana, its blade still vibrating with the force of the slash he had just unleashed.

________

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