*Chapter 8: Testing the Waters*

It’s just optical camouflage.

Not the kind that works from every angle, though.

The movements create air currents, stir up subtle noises—just these two clues are more than enough!

Kouga clashed with Scarface again and again, predicting the elite warrior’s position each time. Based on his movement trajectory, Kouga would preemptively block his attack routes!

With just a simple kunai infused with non-elemental chakra to enhance its durability, Kouga easily achieved full suppression from all angles.

In the span of just a few breaths, the two engaged in dozens of furious exchanges, fighting from their original spot all the way to the end of a narrow passageway.

Zing!

Suddenly, the air seemed to crack as if something had exploded. Scarface jerked his head to the side, feeling something spreading from his left cheek. Soon, his entire face went numb.

But he clearly remembered that the mysterious human’s short weapon had only grazed past his cheek. Based on its trajectory, it shouldn’t have caused any damage…

Let’s rewind a moment.

It was Kouga’s first time using Uchiha’s fluid movement techniques in battle, and his first time fully controlling this new body in close combat. He decided to try channeling lightning chakra into his kunai.

In an instant, a violent blue light flickered, extending the kunai’s edge, which inflicted real damage on Scarface.

In truth, this warrior should count himself lucky—Kouga had intentionally held back the chakra output. Otherwise, both Scarface and the kunai would have been obliterated together. After all, ordinary ninja tools aren’t good conductors. In the world of Naruto, only legendary weapons like the Grasscutter Sword, Executioner’s Blade, and Lightning Blades could withstand the chakra of a Kage-level warrior.

Drip… drip…

From the charred wound, neon green blood began to drip onto the ground, and the advanced mask Scarface wore cracked open with a vicious tear.

Having experienced pure hand-to-hand combat against a top-tier hunter, Kouga twirled his kunai with a casual flick and decisively leaped out of the battle zone.

It was clear—his actions spoke for themselves. This battle was over. The gap between them was too wide to waste time debating who the victor was.

“Roar!” Scarface, now back to his senses, let out an enraged roar.

This predator, who had once slain multiple mutant hornets with cold weapons and successfully completed the ritual, was not ready to accept defeat. He raised his weapon high and charged again.

Boom!

The attack was forceful, with overwhelming strength behind it.

With a heavy thrust, Scarface’s spear pierced through the wall, continuing with such momentum that it shattered tiles in the adjacent corridor, sending dust and debris flying.

But the result? Smoke but no injury.

No surprise—he missed entirely.

In fact, deep down, Scarface knew this mysterious human hadn’t gone all out. Not to mention the terrifying energy source inside him, even his physical strength alone was enough to make Scarface despair…

Meanwhile, the previously stunning battle scene caused Catface, the observer who had no intention of intervening, to recall his own childhood, when he was trained to exhaustion by his clan’s ancient elders.

Boom!!

A tremendous force suddenly struck from behind, sending Scarface hurtling forward. His tough body smashed hard into a wall, embedding his head into it!

If not for his external armor, he might have been seriously injured…

This time, Scarface was fully awakened.

He finally accepted the gap between them.

Tap, tap, tap.

But before he could act, a dense clattering sound, like hard objects tapping on the floor, echoed from the ventilation shafts above.

Both Kouga and the Yautja known as Catface looked up—one focusing on the left, the other on the right.

Ignoring the pain, Scarface, whose body was still lodged in the shattered wall, quickly pulled himself free. Gripping his spear tightly, he and Catface braced themselves, focusing on the left side.

Instinctively, they believed there was no danger to the right, as Kouga had already taken control of that area.

“Big bro, I’m on your side! Please don’t forget me when the fight starts…”

At this moment, the new Reincarnator, who had been largely unnoticed, hurried over. He kept his distance—not too close, but not too far either—maintaining about ten steps of separation.

As they looked up, they saw three Xenomorph drones in the right corridor, followed by a mass of Facehuggers crawling from behind. They were all birthed by the Queen at the start of this trial.

“Roar!” The Yautja warrior roared first. In their eyes, Xenomorphs were the highest-priority targets for hunting. Without hesitation, he charged towards the left corridor.

Even though they lacked plasma cannons, with the two of them working together, there shouldn’t be a problem—unless the plot had some unavoidable twists.

After silently assessing the situation, Kouga followed suit. He formed hand seals, “Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall.”

The earth chakra in his body connected with the stone, and a thick wall immediately rose behind him.

It’s worth mentioning that since this trial pyramid was buried deep underground, Earth-Style jutsu had a slightly enhanced effect, while chakra consumption was marginally reduced.

“...” The buzz-cut newbie Reincarnator stood speechless. The right-side corridor, once filled with Xenomorphs and Facehuggers, was now blocked by an earth wall.

But that wasn’t the main issue!

The real surprise was that the outward-facing side of the wall had a cat’s head carved into it… complete with a special headgear.

Of course, this wasn’t intentional on Kouga’s part; it was a residual habit from a memory fragment.

Since it didn’t use much chakra and primarily tested chakra control, Kouga figured he might as well keep it as a personal touch, like how Kakashi enjoyed carving dog heads on his Earth-Style walls.

Meanwhile…

Inside the dark, enclosed ventilation shaft, the Xenomorph drones were charging.

Though it was called a “shaft,” it was still four or five meters tall, leaving plenty of room for battle!

The first Xenomorph lunged, whipping its black tail and using its advanced senses to precisely strike at Kouga.

However, Kouga’s skirmish with the Yautja had given him a clearer understanding of his own hand-to-hand combat skills. He was becoming more confident in his moves.

His Sharingan spun lightly, and with a backward lean, he easily dodged the lethal strike. The other two Xenomorphs didn’t remain idle, and the nearby Facehuggers continued to approach.

Whip! Whip! Two long tails lashed out like whips, aiming from both sides, targeting Kouga’s head.

Xenomorphs in front, Xenomorphs behind.

It seemed like there was nowhere to escape!

But, the expected gruesome scene of flesh and blood didn’t happen. As the Xenomorphs struck, Kouga vanished into a puff of smoke.

“You’re all gathered in one place again, huh?”

His voice came from the far corner of the ceiling.

Serpent, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger—the hand signs were completed. Ever since he decided to charge into the corridor and cast the Earth-Style Wall, the battle plan had already formed in his mind:

“Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.”

A scorching ball of flame roared forth, the terrifying shockwave tearing through the Xenomorphs and Facehuggers, even evaporating the acidic blood that Kouga had been cautious about.

As he observed this scene, Kouga glanced at his Reincarnator watch, counting his earnings while contemplating in silence—In the world of Naruto, when Jiraiya teamed up with Gamabunta to release the Toad Oil Flame Bullet, the hand seals were the same as the Great Fireball Technique.

So, could the Flame Bullet be an improved Fire Release formed by combining the Great Fireball with chakra-infused oil?

Once there’s time for more research, he might consider unlocking another advanced Fire Release technique.

(End of Chapter)