Sharingan Evolution: Proficiency's Path

Bzzzz~ Bzzzz~

With 'Red Bee's' death, the surrounding swarms of bees lost control, their formation suddenly breaking apart and scattering as they instinctively flew away. Seeing this, Qingming didn't bother wasting energy to chase after them. Without 'Red Bee' to command, these bees no longer posed a significant threat.

Meanwhile, the situation around the Iwagakure ninja had shifted in their favor. Although the Iwa forces were fewer in number and had just undergone a forced march, leaving them far from peak condition, Qingming's group was in even worse shape. Many of them were injured, and the rest were exhausted from their previous battle.

As soon as they engaged, the Iwa shinobi sensed their weakness and pressed their advantage. They were in a hurry to support the front lines, so their attacks were swift and merciless. The results were predictable: in just a short amount of time, over twenty members of Qingming's group were dead, and they found themselves on the defensive.

If reinforcements hadn't been trickling in from the river valley, their situation might have already collapsed entirely.

Qingming quickly assessed the battlefield, his gaze flickering as he searched for Mizutani Shizuko. Before the swarm of bees had surrounded him, he remembered her engaged in a fight with an Iwagakure chunin. Time had passed since then, and he wasn't sure how things had developed.

"There she is!"

Qingming's eyes focused on Mizutani Shizuko not far away. Her situation didn't look good. Her steps were unsteady, and she was covered in several wounds, most notably a gash on her side where blood was still pouring out uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Qingming didn't hesitate. He immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to close the distance between them, throwing three shuriken mid-movement aimed at the Iwagakure chunin's back.

Unfortunately, like the others on this battlefield, the Iwa chunin was highly vigilant. Even while attacking, he had kept some of his focus on defense.

Sensing danger, he immediately halted his attack and sidestepped, narrowly avoiding Qingming's sneak attack.

Qingming took the opportunity to step in front of Mizutani Shizuko, shielding her.

"Qingming..."

Seeing him appear, Shizuko's eyes reddened with emotion. She hadn't felt such a sense of security in a long time. She was also overjoyed to see that he had survived.

She had seen Qingming surrounded by the swarm of bees earlier and had been extremely worried. Now, seeing him safe and sound, she felt a weight lifted off her chest.

Qingming heard her soft murmur, but he didn't say much. Instead, he spoke calmly, "Take this time to recover. Leave that guy to me."

With that, he didn't wait for her reaction and immediately charged toward the Iwagakure chunin.

Even though Qingming was only a genin, the Iwagakure shinobi—named Ishimatsu—didn't dare to underestimate him. He realized that this was the same person 'Red Bee' had targeted earlier.

Now, seeing Qingming here meant that 'Red Bee' had likely perished.

No matter how Qingming had managed it, the fact was undeniable. Ishimatsu instantly raised his guard to its highest level.

Clang!

A flash of steel, and Qingming's short sword clashed with the Iwagakure shinobi's kunai. The two pushed against each other, the sound of grinding metal filling the air as sparks flew.

After a brief stalemate, Qingming realized that brute force wouldn't overwhelm his opponent. So, he switched tactics, skillfully employing the techniques of the Leaf-style Swordsmanship.

But Ishimatsu, who had followed Kitsuchi on this mission, wasn't a weak opponent. Despite being forced on the defensive, he held his ground.

The clashing of blades continued unabated, the metallic sound echoing through the battlefield. Qingming's sword strikes were relentless, fast, and precise, leaving Ishimatsu no choice but to defend desperately.

Any attempt to use ninjutsu was immediately thwarted by Qingming's rapid strikes. He knew that if the Iwa shinobi tried to form hand seals, he could end the fight in an instant.

As the minutes ticked by, Qingming's sword moved like rain, a continuous onslaught that gave Ishimatsu no respite. In less than three minutes, Ishimatsu's defenses wavered, and Qingming seized the opportunity.

His sword slashed across Ishimatsu's shoulder, carving off a chunk of flesh.

Pain erupted across the Iwa shinobi's face as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. But Qingming didn't give him a moment to recover, pressing his attack.

Two minutes later, Qingming's sword pierced through Ishimatsu's heart. The Iwagakure shinobi's face twisted with unwillingness, but there was nothing he could do.

Qingming pulled his sword free, flicking the blood from its blade before walking back toward Mizutani Shizuko without a backward glance.

"Qingming," Shizuko called out, her voice laced with concern as he approached. "Are you alright?"

Qingming shook his head. "I'm fine."

He then shifted his gaze to her side, where the blood was still flowing from her wound. It was clear that the injury was severe.

After quickly scanning their surroundings and confirming that the immediate danger had passed, Qingming said, "Shizuko, come over here. Let me treat you first."

He led her to a large tree, where she leaned against the trunk.

Qingming's hands moved rapidly, forming a series of hand seals before he activated the Healing Jutsu. A soft green light emerged from his hands, and he placed them gently over her wound.

A warm sensation spread through Mizutani Shizuko's body, causing her to involuntarily let out a soft sigh of relief. Her face reddened slightly, and she avoided looking at Qingming.

For his part, Qingming's expression didn't change. He was focused on the healing process, paying close attention to how the jutsu was taking effect.

It was his first time using the Healing Jutsu on a person. Before this, he had only practiced on small animals, where the results didn't matter as long as his proficiency improved.

But this time was different. Success or failure here could be a matter of life and death.

Healing jutsu was unlike other techniques; it required constant observation of the patient's condition, guiding the cells to regenerate and promoting rapid recovery.

It was a delicate process.

And because of his intense concentration, Qingming didn't notice the figure silently approaching behind him. It wasn't until Mizutani Shizuko's face twisted in terror, and she pulled him aside with all her strength, that Qingming sensed something was wrong.

A searing pain burned across his cheek. He caught sight of a kunai slicing through the air, grazing his face before sinking deep into Shizuko's throat.

In that instant, Qingming's mind went blank. Everything happened too quickly.

He never expected Mizutani Shizuko to die like this—so suddenly, so senselessly. For a moment, his mind froze.

Then came the overwhelming fury.

When Ryo and Furukawa had fallen, Qingming hadn't been present, so when he heard about their deaths later, he had only felt a pang of regret.

But Mizutani Shizuko died right in front of him. In a way, she had died to save him. How could he possibly remain calm?

Judging by the speed of the assailant's attack, if she hadn't pulled him out of the way, it would have been him lying dead instead.

Though it was partly his fault for letting his guard down while healing her, one thing was certain: he owed her his life.

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