Book One: The Rise of the Blue-Haired Devil.

      At the exit of the Uzumaki village, there were two people standing at the exit, chatting sweetly about various things. One of them was a girl with bright yellow hair that reached down to her shoulder blades. Her facial features could attract any bachelor, and her emerald eyes had even busy men drooling on the ground. The girl was wearing a comfortable blue yukata that she could move around in comfortably. On her belt she had two pouches, storing everything she needed for her upcoming journey.       The second was a boy of her age, who had a very attractive appearance of aristocratic origin - he had pure white hair to match and eyes the colour of the sea. The young man was dressed in a mesh t-shirt, over which a rather thin waistcoat was thrown, and black trousers. Another interesting feature was the bluish rhombus located on his forehead. It was unlikely that anyone could have guessed that this little diamond held almost all of this man's power.       - Please, Mi-kun! Teach me this technique! - The girl begged with a pleading look.       - Yumi-chan, you're not ready yet. You still lack the chakra control to do this. - Muttered the boy, trying to keep his composure.       You know, that bitch is really wearing me out mentally. I don't know how long we stood there arguing about whether she was ready or not, but the fact that my patience was wearing thin was becoming more and more obvious, but I wasn't the only one on edge.       - Okay, what do you want for this technique? - Rico's daughter gave in. She wanted to get everything for free, but I'm a tricky one, so I'll take some of it.       - You know what I want, Yumi-chan..." I said with such playfulness in my voice, smiling slyly.       - What are you doing?! It's too early for us! - The girl said, blushing at my words. Her embarrassment began to float in the air. She even took an unsure step back.       I reacted quickly, making a quick dash, ending up at her back.       - What are you so shy about, huh, Yumi-chan? You were much braver yesterday, and all I want is a massage after a hard workout. - I whispered quietly in her ear, causing her to jump up in surprise and blush more and more, but when she realised the meaning of my words, her embarrassment was gone, replaced by bloodlust.       - Yuki..." she hissed like a snake, turning towards me. Damn, she must have realised that I was mocking her... But how could I leave her alone after yesterday's harassment. I'm a very vindictive person, but I think I should run away, because she's really pissed off. Even the veins in my forehead were starting to pop up from the realisation.       Just as I was about to attempt a tactical retreat, we saw a caravan of several carts loaded with various goods.       In front of all this line of merchants was a girl in a beautiful white kimono, waving a fan in front of her. Her red hair and the whirlpool mark on her clothes said that she belonged to the Uzumaki clan. A cold and arrogant gaze quickly ran first over Yumiko and then over me. Her gait showed royal blood and pride. I immediately felt uncomfortable around this girl.       - You're from your father, I understand. I want to make it clear that I don't need your protection, and I can protect this caravan myself, so just stay out of my way. - she said in a pathetic manner and then continued on her way.       - Yeah," I said, realising that it wasn't going to be that easy. My friend was already starting to resent me, and I understood her very well.       Now it was clear what Ashina-sensei meant. His daughter is a prideful bitch, and that's putting it weakly. I'll have to restrain Yumi these days, or she might inadvertently nail that lady. Of course, Mito's four years older than us, but it's not acceptable to behave that way with anyone. I don't want to have to rehabilitate her. It's none of my business. If I do, it'll only make things worse. However, no matter how I conveyed my thoughts to my friend, she ignored it all and was eager to teach the Uzukage's daughter a lesson. For the safety of both of them, I had to go with Yumiko to the back of the caravan so the two girls wouldn't meet on the road.       My plan worked well for several days, during which time we had already crossed the border between the territories of the Water and Fire Lands, beginning to move through a vast area of forests. Several times we were attacked by brigands who did not know how to use chakra. This didn't cause us any problems, but it caused me to unknowingly increase my alertness, and I also made the decision to walk in the middle of the caravan so that I could react quickly to an attack from either side. Of course, if Yumi was in danger, I would quickly move towards her, however I believe that she is already a strong enough ninja to stand up for herself on her own. Her level of strength I knew, but I couldn't estimate Mito's level even roughly, because even though she was a master of seals, which was a commendable achievement for her age, her temper could play tricks on her in battle.       Underestimating an opponent could decisively affect the outcome of a battle. This is no joke. When your life is on the line: you need to forget your temper and objectively assess the situation and your strengths.       Towards lunchtime, we set up camp to rest and have a bite to eat. I was about to go to Yumi, but she came to me first. The problem came out of the blue when a red-haired person decided to approach me with some ridiculous orders.       - Hey, you. - Spoke in a rather rude manner to Uzumaki, addressing me. I lazily turned my head towards her, pretending not to pay attention to her words. Yumiko repeated the actions after me. - Go hunting, get a couple of rabbits. And you, gather some brushwood and build a fire. - Mito commanded, raising her chin higher than usual.       - Why don't you go get the brushwood yourself? - Riko's daughter replied with a grin on her face.       - What did you say, girl?! - The red-haired girl literally howled with anger. She really didn't like that tone of communication.       A serious fight was about to break out between the girls, so I wanted to intervene, but my intuition sounded the alarm. Acting only on reflexes, I pushed the ladies in opposite directions, using at the same time to replace myself on the nearest stump, previously marked by me, good this action has become my habit. All that I did was not in vain. Some sort of swirling vortex hit the spot where we had been just a second ago.       - Nice reaction. - A gruff man's voice came from the dust raised by the attack. When the veil settled to the ground, we saw a man in his thirties with black hair and rather beastly facial features, accentuated by his battle colouring in the form of red fangs on both cheeks. He grinned at all of us, baring his fangs, and his dark eyes with an elongated pupil brought to mind only one clan...       I was about to start having a dialogue with the ninja as Ashina's daughter suddenly spoke up.       - Dirty Inuzuka, how dare you attack me and my clan?! Do you even know who I am!!! - Mito shrieked with hatred and anger. She was already ready to attack this dog clan member, but I stopped her by grabbing her arm with a dead grip.       - Take stock of the situation. - I said coldly, realising that if this person rushed into battle in such a state, she would cause trouble.       The red-haired girl unconsciously looked around - the whole camp, which was located in the clearing, was surrounded by huge dogs, the size of which exceeded the size of wolves. In between those dogs were several people with markings like the man who had attacked us. Uzumaki bit her lip, trying to realise the situation we were in. Her hands trembled slightly, and I realised she was scared for her life.       - Inuzuka don't walk alone. We walk in packs. It's easier to survive. - The ninja who attacked us said, grinning bloodthirstily.       One, two, three... six... nine... Nine chakra-wielding opponents. That wouldn't be critical, but eighteen dogs already changes things. I'm not sure if Mito is capable of fighting right now. Apparently Inuzuka is pressurising her with her blood aura. Yumiko isn't feeling well under the influence of his aura either. I'm the only one who doesn't care about her completely. I don't know why, but at times like this, my emotions just shut down, letting logic and deduction take centre stage. It's probably Morgana's fault. I'll have to ask her later.       - We are mere traders. We're travelling to the Senju clan to sell our goods. - I said, stepping forward to show that I would be the one to negotiate. The man who had attacked us grimaced at the mention of the great clan, but then a sly grin surfaced on his face that did not bode well.       - In order to travel through the territory of the Fire Country, you must have a personal letter from the daimyo of the Fire Country stating that you are merchants. - stated this ninja, squinting his eyes.       Damn, he knows the laws of the territory he lives in. That's not good. We may have to resort to force.       - And we would have passed by if our nincompoops hadn't detected the scent of blood coming from you. - The chief among the Inuzuk picked up on another detail, making it clear that we could not avoid a battle.       I had already thought out a battle plan during our conversation, fully aware of the fact that Yumiko and Mito were now in a kind of daze because of the situation. This was forcing me to act on my own.       With a sudden jerk, I found myself standing next to Yumiko, who was closer to me, after which I pushed her towards the merchants hiding behind the shopping carts. My sixth sense shrieked danger, causing me to quickly turn on the spot, taking the impact of the spinning vortex to block in the form of a cross on my chest. The attack was very strong. Several bones in my arms broke, but Morgana had already started treating my injuries so I could ignore my arms. It didn't take long for the next two dogs to attack. They attacked from different directions, preparing to bite off half my arm. I was lucky that there was a stump next to Mito, marked in advance with my chakra, so using the replacement technique, I ended up next to her. I didn't feel like it, of course, but I used my foot to send her over to the others. Still, my hands aren't really capable of fighting yet. Jumping away from another attack of the dogman clan's technique, I found myself in the middle of the field: between the main enemy unit and the members of the caravan.       - Boy, you better give up. Soberly assess your chances of victory. Your arms are broken and your assistants are in shock. We'll take the goods and that red-haired girl for her long tongue, and you'll be free to go. - made his suggestion in a more demanding tone.       -You've only made one mistake. - I said in a breathless voice.       - And what was that? - With incomprehension in his voice asked the opponent, demonstratively standing in front of me in a relaxed pose, thus showing that he was not afraid of me.       - You gave me the opportunity to restore my hands! Ice Technique, Assault of a Thousand Needles! Assault of a Thousand Needles is an ice technique based on creating a thousand senbons of ice, which are sent at a decent speed towards the enemy.       - What?" shouted Inuzuka in amazement, but he had no time to think. He spun around his axis again in a whirlwind, fending off most of the ice needles. Many of the clan members followed suit, but three, apparently newcomers, did not react in time to my attack, making them look like hedgehogs.       The enemy's problem turned out to be inexperience. The attack was so sudden and fast that the members of the dog clan had time to protect only themselves, forgetting about their lesser brothers.       - Ice technique, ice dome! - I said, folding three more seals. I managed to use the new technique while my opponent was defending himself from the previous attack. A protective dome consisting entirely of the element of ice appeared around all of my allies.       - Kill them all! Spare no one! - roared the leader Inuzuk, seeing the effects of my attack. Five opponents came at me from different directions. Their attacks were coordinated. No matter what I said, their teamwork was commendable. It was a pity that I was their opponent today. Perhaps if I had fought off all of them at the same time in pure melee combat, they could have overpowered me, but I decided to act for sure. My next technique didn't require seals.       - Ice technique, ice! - I said out loud without folding any seals at the same time. One of the Inuzuka even faltered in surprise, causing me to manage to seal him into the ground with one accurate punch to the jaw. It was unlikely that he would get up after that. The other members of the dog clan pounced on me in an attempt to avenge their comrade. But the ice that appeared under their feet did its devious work.       They began to slip. It was obvious that the warriors were standing on ice for the first time in their lives. They tried to continue their attack, but it was already pointless. I was able to move easily with my technique, and the opponents clumsily tried to run towards me. The rest of the fight lasted less than a minute.       The first one I sent senbons at his feet from close range. He immediately collapsed, no longer feeling his lower limbs, a boon I hit the acupuncture points accurately, thus temporarily depriving him of his legs. The next opponent tried to give me a right hook, but I ducked at the last moment and avoided his fist. A quick turn on the spot with the help of chakra and six senbon already flew into the back of the opponent, who can't do anything, because he just can't stop his sliding. Another one was easily disarmed. Here my intuition began to sound the alarm, which caused me to raise my hands up, protecting my head from the attack. At the same moment, two opponents attacked me from different sides, trying to hit me with their long claws. They really are like beasts, aren't they? I don't know why, but they continue to crush me with force, keeping me in one place. The realisation didn't come immediately. Another Inuzuka had already used one of his clan's techniques, flying at me in a spinning vortex. I didn't think I'd have to use it, but I have no choice.       - Ice Submission! - I spoke the name of the technique in my head, channelling a decent amount of chakra into the ground. As the Inuzuka-like vortex was about to damage me, two sharp ice stakes emerged from the ground, piercing the legs of the two ninjas holding me in one place. A cry of pain went round, but enough inertia was put into the attack to send two members of the dogman clan flying, who successfully swooped down on a third of their fellows. After such a collision, it was unlikely that they would be able to get up so easily. I cast a glance at the last opponent.       - What's wrong with him? - My thoughts raced through my mind, and a look of alarm appeared on my face. The opponent had become even more animal-like. His jaw grew wider and his teeth extended, gaining a surprising sharpness. He got down on all fours, looking at me with a frantic stare. I was ready to attack when...