In a remote section of the forest.
A team had completed their mission and was slowly returning to Konoha Village.
They consisted of three youths and one young man—clearly a Konoha squad.
Konoha squads were typically a Jonin leading three Genin or Chunin on external missions.
When Tian Yuan graduates from the Ninja Academy, he too will have a mentor—usually a Konoha Jonin—guiding him through missions and ninja protocols.
"Wait." The blond youth suddenly halted and leapt onto a large tree, peering ahead with hesitation.
"Minato-sensei, what is it?" the goggled boy asked curiously.
"It sounds like fighting not far off." the blond youth replied.
"Minato-sensei, shall we go see?" the brown-haired girl suggested with a smile.
"All right—Obito, Rin, Kakashi, let's investigate." The blond Jonin was Minato Namikaze, renowned among Konoha's Jonin and close to Ino–Shika–Chō.
"Kakashi, hurry." Uchiha Obito urged his white-haired teammate.
"Troublesome." Kakashi muttered, trailing after them.
…
"You dared kill my subordinate to distract me." The Sand Ninja sneered. "What good does that accomplish? It only deepens my resolve to kill you."
"It might help—who knows?" Tian Yuan shrugged. The second Sand Ninja now stood alert, and the third watched with predatory eyes. A sneak attack would no longer succeed.
Worse, if he failed to kill that Chunin outright, this powerful Sand Ninja would seize the advantage.
"All right, then." The Sand Ninja's anger warped into a grim laugh.
"Go to your death." He summoned a massive iron Shuriken.
The Windmill Shuriken spun at tremendous speed and flew straight toward Tian Yuan, who had no choice but to leap.
Tian Yuan eyed the Sand Ninja's hands beginning new seals—different from before.
"Very well." Invisible armor of Armament Haki enveloped Tian Yuan's body—unseen by the ninja.
"Final strike." Tian Yuan flipped midair, landed, and charged the Sand Ninja.
"You think your body can withstand ninjutsu, child? You are no Raikage." The Sand Ninja sneered, completing his seals.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere."
His mouth opened, unleashing countless wind-chakra waves that encased Tian Yuan in a suffocating barrier. Escape was impossible now.
Yet Tian Yuan did not flee; he surged forward through the Vacuum Sphere.
"Foolish child—you really believed your body could resist ninjutsu." The Sand Ninja smirked, certain of victory.
"Armament Haki."
The black coating of Haki flared across Tian Yuan's fists. He had mastered this power in no time. Armament Haki could even block standard ninjutsu.
Thud, thud. The Wind Release waves struck the Haki armor and dissipated harmlessly.
"Indeed." Tian Yuan pushed through and emerged beyond the jutsu's range in a flash, appearing before the Sand Ninja.
"What?" The ninja gasped—how had Tian Yuan resisted and closed the distance?
He readied for taijutsu victory, mocking, "You expected your strength to defeat me?"
"Yes—with taijutsu." Tian Yuan's eyes gleamed. "Armament Haki hardening."
In an instant, his right hand turned pitch black, like iron gleaming with ominous light—a sign of immense latent power.
"What?" The Sand Ninja's body trembled—he had never encountered such force.
"Too late—Armament Haki bind."
Tian Yuan's fist crackled as Haki coiled around it, a force capable of annihilation.
"No…" The Sand Ninja's face went pale.
Crash. Tian Yuan's punch shattered the ninja's defenses and struck him squarely in the chest.
Spurt. A torrent of blood sprayed from a gaping hole, as though a glass bowl-sized cavity had been blown through his torso.
Tian Yuan's arm returned to normal, and he glanced at the stunned Sand Ninja.
"I've died at the hands of a Konoha child." the Sand Ninja whispered, collapsing heavily.
Thud. His body hit the ground with a final thud, blood pooling from the wound.
He died unwillingly—his arrogance had led him to underestimate Tian Yuan's taijutsu. That punch was more devastating than any ninjutsu, a concentrated strike at point-blank range. Had he fought at distance, the Sand Ninja might have survived—and thus he perished in resentment.
The second Sand Ninja witnessed their lord's death and froze. When Tian Yuan's gaze turned to him, he finally snapped out of shock.
"No—I must escape." He bolted, sprinting desperately.
"I can't pursue—victory." he thought with relief.
But he hadn't truly fled—he had been ensnared by Genjutsu and remained rooted to the spot.
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