It was like a supercar equipped with a top-tier engine and transmission system. If the driver's neural reaction, dynamic vision, and hand-eye coordination could not keep up, driving at low speeds would be fine, and even moderate speed could be handled. But once the accelerator was pressed to the floor and the speed was pushed to the limit, the steering would become unstable, and the brakes would feel delayed.
Those tiny, fleeting reaction delays are magnified infinitely at extreme speeds.
Shinichi's current situation is exactly like that.
He now possesses blue talents such as [Master of Swordsmanship], [Splitting Rocks and Cleaving Gold], [Bronze Skin and Iron Bones], and [Light As The Wind], which enhance his physical attributes and specifically boost his speed. He also has powerful auxiliary talents such as [Sensory] and [Clear Comprehension], which improve his perception and the speed of his brain's thinking.
In regular combat, these abilities complement each other, allowing him to handle situations with ease.
However, once he enters the ultra-high-speed domain where both sides are pushing their speed to the limit and life and death hang by a thread, problems arise, because his neural reflex speed, dynamic visual tracking limit, and other fundamental abilities that constitute instant reaction have not been significantly enhanced by specific talents like physical strength.
These improvements only occur with the overall improvement in physical fitness, but the magnitude of the improvement is far less dramatic than that of strength, speed, and endurance.
He realized this problem early on and consciously trained in related areas during his daily practice; otherwise, this weakness would have been further amplified.
Shinichi had also considered whether he could create a specific character design to generate a talent that enhances reaction speed, but reaction speed itself seemed to be a rather abstract ability.
Reaction speed-related perceptions seem difficult to accurately capture and solidify by the outside world, and are easily categorized into the broad category of agility.
Especially since Shinichi doesn't have any Kekkei Genkai like the Sharingan, even if he demonstrates talent in his reactions, it cannot be accurately perceived by the outside world.
Therefore, although Shinichi had been consciously trying to enhance this ability and generate related talents, he still didn't have a specific talent that enhanced reaction speed.
"Let's see if there's a chance to draw a special talent that enhances the reaction speed in the future."
Shinichi thought to himself. If not, then at that time, perhaps he could…
Whoosh!
A sharp, tearing sound suddenly rang out!
At the very instant Shinichi's thoughts drifted, a solid wind blade, as sharp as a knife, grazed past his shoulder, tearing his clothing. However, that strike, enough to cut through refined steel, left only a shallow mark on his shoulder.
Upon seeing this, Pakura's eyes widened in shock.
What was this kid's body made of?!
She then sneered, "Good lad! You dare to daydream at a time like this!?"
Shinichi did not turn back. He simply fixed on a direction, lightning flaring violently around his body once more. His speed increased beyond its limit by another margin as he continued to dash forward.
That's the direction of the main camp?
Pakura was taken aback, then a glint of light flashed in her eyes.
When they reached the vicinity of the main camp, although the main force had been dispatched, there were still troops left behind. Together with their pursuing force, they attacked from both sides.
That kid has no chance of escaping!
...
The stronghold of the Village Hidden in the Sand.
Compared to the deafening shouts and chaos at the front lines, this place was relatively quiet.
The vast majority of combat ninjas have already joined the army in the decisive attack against Kikyo Pass. Those remaining at the camp are mostly wounded, a small number of guard troops, logistics personnel, and some clerical and communications ninjas from the command post.
Two Sunagakure Chunin were on guard duty, their eyes frequently glancing worriedly towards Kikyo Pass.
"Senior, do you think the village can take down Kikyo Pass this time?"
The slightly younger Chunin on the left asked in a low voice.
"We have 10,000 ninjas, and Konoha only has 8,000. There shouldn't be any problem, right?"
The older Chunin on the right replied, but his tone wasn't entirely certain.
Before he could finish speaking...
A sharp, piercing cry, like the simultaneous screeching of countless birds, tore through the air from far to near at a terrifying speed, rapidly approaching the camp!
"What was that sound?!"
The two looked up in horror. At the edge of their vision, a blue-white bolt of lightning was hurtling toward them at an alarming speed. Upon closer inspection, they could see a figure holding a long staff within the lightning.
"What… what is that?!"
"Enemy attack!!"
The exclamation had barely left his lips when the blue-white bolt of lightning had already reached the edge of the camp!
"Stop him!!!"
Pakura's furious voice came from behind.
The two Sunagakure Chunin trembled, instinctively trying to form hand seals, but it was too late.
Boom!!!
The violent shockwave knocked two Sunagakure ninjas at the camp gate to the ground!
Immediately afterward, the figure did not pause in the slightest. The ground beneath his feet exploded as his entire body shot into the air!
Shinichi gripped the staff with both hands, his body using the momentum of the leap to arc through the air.
His gaze was like lightning, fixed on the largest and most conspicuous tent below, the one that symbolized the command center of the Village Hidden in the Sand, the Kazekage's command post!
In the next instant, his waist twisted violently, the muscles in his arms bulging like dragons as he raised the Adamantine Nyoi high, then smashed it down heavily!
As he slammed down, the Adamantine Nyoi in his hand swelled in the wind, its length instantly expanding from its normal size to tens of meters, like a colossal pillar supporting the sky!
Rumble!!
An indescribably terrifying explosion erupted!
Centered on the command post, the ground within a radius of 100 meters collapsed and tore apart as if it had been struck head-on by a meteorite!
A violent shockwave spread outward in a ring. Wherever it passed, tents were torn apart and flung away like paper. The Sunagakure personnel who failed to escape in time were hurled violently into the air, their screams drowned in the deafening roar.
Gravel, dust, wood chips, and debris were all swept up by this destructive force and shot into the sky, forming a small mushroom cloud of smoke and dust!
Above the command post, the flag that had flown high, symbolizing the dignity of the Village Hidden in the Sand and its command center, suddenly snapped, flying high into the air before being firmly grasped by a steady and powerful hand.
Dust and smoke billowed, obscuring vision, presenting a scene like the end of the world.
"Damn it!"
Pakura finally reached the edge of the explosion at the last moment, but was stopped by the violent shockwave.
Just then, a clear, calm, and even slightly teasing young voice pierced through the roaring echoes and howling wind, clearly reaching her ears and seemingly spreading throughout the suddenly silent Village Hidden in the Sand camp.
"Senior Pakura, thank you for seeing me off all the way. I will accept the banner of the Village Hidden in the Sand!"