In the performance just now, Kuroto was actually a little proud, but he would not let it go to his head.
The reason for that is very simple.
No matter how strong Zabuza is, after a hard fight with Guy both his stamina and physical strength were consumed a lot, and the most important thing is that he had broken a few ribs. Although a small injury from a shinobi's standard that wasn't very visible from the outside, but it still had a great impact on his combat capacity, especially limited his physical skills.
This is one of the main reasons why Zabuza intended to make Kuroto fall back and rely on the long-range ninjutsu tactics because engaging in taijutsu combat would have undoubtedly given Kuroto an advantage because of his rib's injury.
Therefore, it won't be wrong to say that Kuroto not only took advantage of the opponent's injury but also exploited it pretty effectively, and coupled with the advantage provided by the incomparable insight of the Tenseigan, his win was pretty much guaranteed.
Various factors piled together to create this quick victory for Kuroto.
Of course, it also shows that Kuroto is changing. His original mediocre self is disappearing and is now being replaced by a powerful person with great determination and keen insight who is good at grasping the right opportunities.
Guy who was running on the side asked with some curiosity at this moment, "Kuroto, you didn't seem to be afraid of those mist shinobi's, what do you think was their shinobi rank?"
Kuroto replied: "He should only be a Tokubetsu Jonin at best."
In particular, although Tokubetsu Jonin also falls in the category of a Jonin, they are actually quite different from the real Jonin level, because the term Jonin is a very broad ranking concept with many monsters hidden in it, and in some cases, various Kage-level power-houses also falls in this rank.
On the other hand, Tokubetsu Jonin is a very special class, because the truly strong ninjas easily get promoted to a Jonin quickly, therefore, most of the ninjas who stay at Tokubetsu Jonin rank are inferior to real Jonin ninjas, and the probability of encountering a Kage-level shinobi in this ranking is much less.
Secondly, Kuroto's attitude towards the Mist Village Shinobi wasn't entirely because of his confidence in his strength, but also partly an act.
In fact, Kuroto already began his performance as soon as he was aware of the Konoha Anbu's confronting Mist Village assassination Unit.
Kuroto wants to change the image of his previous mediocre self, but he doesn't want to be seen as an aggressive or ardent person either, therefore who to use as his stepping stone to achieving this objective is very important for him, in terms of strength he has already reached the level of a Tokubetsu Jonin, only the lack of combat experience is a problem for him, therefore suitable opponents are important for both aspects, and luckily enough these Mist Shinobi's just so happens to fill both the category.
His arrogant attitude against the enemy was also a planned tactic, belonging to the Hyuga Clan, one of the major Clan of Konoha Village makes his status to be classified as a noble, even if he is of the branch part, so being a rich and powerful with slight arrogance makes for a perfect image for a shinobi with noble lineage.
And, being a little arrogant makes it difficult for others to mess around with him. When facing an arrogant person, truly smart individuals will definitely think twice before having any unhealthy idea or provoking him for their own good, and this will eventually reduce many troubles for him.
But there is one more reason that prompted Kuroto to build a strong image for himself as soon as possible.
A few days back he learned from Yue a piece of information that is very useful for him. In view of the shortage of manpower in the village, the senior management has decided to select a group of individuals to be promoted to the rank of Tokubetsu Jonin.
And Kuroto definitely wants to seize this opportunity, to get rid of his status as a Chunin promoted during war-time. Currently, his Shinobi status is much inferior to that of a normal Chunin.
Therefore, if he becomes a Tokubetsu Jonin it would be equivalent to stepping up two ranks in one small leap, and he would have surpassed all the Chunin and free from the status of being classified as 'Cannon Fodder' class, by being viewed as a member of high-level combat power in the village.
By becoming a Tokubetsu Jonin be can also submit requests to the village to learn some advanced ninjutsu and even some secret skills if shows his appropriate worth by accumulating the trust of village authorities.
In the beginning, Yondaime-sama also gained the opportunity to learn Hiraishin no Jutsu by accumulating merit points on the battlefield of the second shinobi world war and completing various missions, and obtaining Hiraishin no Jutsu allowed him to lay out a solid foundation for him to eventually reach the combat class of a Kage level Shinobi in due time.
And Kuroto isn't going to waste this opportunity either, therefore becoming a Tokubetsu Jonin is much important for him to obtain some resources, who don't have any inheritance left to him.
While all this was going on within Kuroto's head, both of them finally found the group of wandering shinobi.
There was a total of five of them, all dressed in Mist Shinobi uniform, the leader had white hair tied in a bun with two scarlet dots on his forehead which indicated that he is a member of the Kaguya Clan belonging to the Mist Village.
As soon as Kuroto realized the enemy he spoke in a low voice, "Be careful he seems to be a member of the Kaguya Clan with Shikotsumyako kekkei genkai."
Guy nodded cautiously.
The well-known Kaguya Clan isn't something to be taken so lightly, Guy, who has experienced the war on the Mist front knows this better than Kuroto, the Kaguya Clan is both notoriously powerful and psychologically crazy beyond recovery, therefore they are really feared on the battlefield.
While Kuroto and Guy were analyzing the enemy while still being hidden, one of the rebellious shinobi standing opposite to the ninja of Kaguya Clan among them spoke out loud, "Did Konoha get so weak to have sent two brats to chase us?"
The other companions also laughed, and teased, "Ha ha ha ha… I heard that Konoha's Yondaime Hokage died in his own village not long ago. It seems that the days when Konoha was hailed as the strongest of the five-ninja village is coming to an end...… ha ha ha ha"
Not being provoked because of the mockery, Kuroto looked around and confirmed that there was no other presence nearby, and he decided to try out something that he thought of just now.
Shikotsumyako kekkei genkai of the Kaguya Clan combined with their superb physique almost integrates attack and defense. The general method of combat and weapons won't be of much use against them. Even the Gentle Fist may not be much effective in penetrating the skeletal carcass of Shikotsumyako kekkai genkai, therefore Kaguya Clan is said to have unmatchable taijutsu skills, and unfortunately for the two chunin, both of them are taijutsu specialists.
Therefore, Kuroto decided to use Rein Wheel assault, to attract the leader of this wandering ninja unit and try to seal his chakra with a gentle fist strike before the opponent could activate his kekkai genkai.
After making up his mind, Kuroto deliberately showed a weak front to make the enemy less cautious of him, "This is the territory of the Fire Nation, please leave immediately!"
When the enemy ninjas heard Kuroto's plea, they laughed unscrupulously, some even became so carefree to even take out wine flask from their waist pocket and started drinking wine, not at all being watchful of Kuroto and Guy.
'Nice!' Kuroto thought inwardly.
Taking a few steps forward, Kuroto pretended to present a little weak stubborn attitude, and shouted, "If you don't leave at this very instant, then don't blame Konoha for being rude!"
Now, this attracted the attention of all the others, Kuroto was using the backing provided by the Konoha Village, therefore the ninja of the Kaguya Clan also walked forward a few steps towards Kuroto, and said with a mocking smile: "Boy, you know who I a..."
Just halfway through his sentence, then suddenly he felt a strong force acting on him and drawing him in the direction of Kuroto.
As soon as the target flew up, Kuroto intercepted him instantly!
Originally, there was only a gap of about 10 meters between the two parties, and as the enemy walked closer to reduce that distance, he reached towards Kuroto in the blink of an eye under the acting force of Rein Wheel, as soon as the two sides intercepted.
Bang... bang… bang…
With the muffled sound of palm strikes, the ninja of the Kaguya Clan didn't even get the opportunity to active his Kekkai Genkai ability, due to chakra points being sealed by Gentle palm strikes.
Sealing all the Chakra points wasn't the end, Kuroto went further and used Gossip Palm strikes against him, aiming at the vital points and due to the enemy being unable to protect himself, it destroyed his brain.
As a result of which the whole person fell to the ground like a sandbag without being able to do anything.
These rebellious shinobi are different from the Mist assassination unit they faced not long ago, the task requirement is to dispose of these ninjas, therefore Kuroto went for the killing strikes from the very beginning.
At the same time, Kuroto initiated the attack he also signaled Guy; therefore, Guy also went ahead to start his series of close quarter combat with the other shinobi.
Except for the ninja of the Kaguya Clan, the other four were only high-level genin therefore even before Kuroto could come to support Guy, they were already lying in a pool of blood.
Kuroto and Guy didn't waste any time, after rechecking of anyone's presence around and repeatedly confirming that no one else was left to be disposed of, they sealed the corpses of ninjas in the sealing scroll and returned to the village without any more delay.
On the way, Guy couldn't help but ask in wonder, "Kuroto, what was that attack just now? How come the leader of these wandering shinobi flew towards you?"
Kuroto smiled and spoke with an arrogant snort, "Don't think that you are the only one with a secret technique at his disposal. The trick I just used is a secret technique too."
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