Konoha’s Five-Element Ninja

Chapter 41: The Mist's Offensive

After a long while, Hayama felt his damaged cells fully replaced by fresh ones, prompting him to marvel at the miraculous medical techniques of the ninja world.

Strictly speaking, the greatest innovation in nearly a thousand years of ninja history wasn't in pushing the limits of ninjutsu—it was in the widespread application of medical ninjutsu.

Ninjutsu served to eliminate enemies, a feat even skilled ordinary warriors of the old days could achieve, albeit less efficiently. Chakra merely boosted that efficiency without fundamentally altering the purpose. However, medical ninjutsu expanded the practical uses of chakra by employing water-nature chakra as a medium to rapidly repair damaged cells, effectively restarting a person's internal processes and saving lives. Such achievements were unimaginable in Hayama's prior world, where even the most advanced technology couldn't offer such results. Yet in the relatively primitive world of Naruto, they were commonplace.

At its core, chakra, as a non-human energy source, was truly boundless in potential. Rumor had it that the First Hokage could heal his own wounds during combat, effectively wearing down even the toughest opponents.

However, while cell regeneration allowed ninjas to survive severe injuries, it came with irreversible consequences. The number of times human cells could divide was finite; once that limit was reached, death was inevitable. Hayama speculated that this might have been a key factor in the early demise of the First Hokage.

The short careers and lifespans of most ninjas could largely be attributed to the constant, unnatural stimulation of their cellular regeneration. Though it was a practice akin to drinking poison to quench thirst, many still embraced it. After all, most ninjas preferred to live a few extra years rather than face immediate death.

In his previous world, injuries as severe as Hayama's would have spelled certain death. But here, thanks to one miraculous injection, his recovery was rapid and complete. Within the span of a single meal, the charred skin that had covered his body sloughed off, replaced by smooth, fresh skin. Even his internal organs had healed, leaving him brimming with vitality.

Once the tingling sensation subsided, Hayama rose to his feet, examining his pale, unblemished hands. The rapid recovery felt surreal—so much so that he pinched Minato to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Caught off guard by Hayama's pinch, Minato winced. "What was that for?"

"I just wanted to make sure this isn't a dream," Hayama replied.

Minato couldn't help but feel exasperated. "If that's the case, pinch yourself, not me!" Still, he understood Hayama's relief at having survived such a close call and couldn't help but share in his teammate's joy.

Through their time fighting alongside each other, Hayama had proven his strength and cunning, earning Minato's trust and respect. In turn, Minato now genuinely considered Hayama a comrade and wished to avoid losing another teammate.

However, as Hayama ran his hand over his bald head, a wave of regret set in. Losing his eyebrows had been unsettling enough; now, being completely bald left him looking like a petty thug. His appearance had taken a serious hit.

Noticing Hayama's discomfort, Minato offered a word of encouragement. "Don't worry—bald people have a certain charm."

Hayama shot him a sharp look. His memories of working long hours back in his old world had already left him dreading baldness. This wasn't the polished, authoritative baldness of a tech mogul; it was a "struck by lightning while showing off" kind of baldness.

Reflecting on his fight against the Mist ninja, Hayama realized he'd become too reckless since mastering Lightning Release. Overconfidence had replaced his usual caution, and he vowed to return to his measured approach. The ninja world was full of hidden dangers, and even the strongest could fall if they let their guard down.

Caution was paramount. Hayama resolved to keep his distance and rely on ranged ninjutsu whenever possible. With plenty of chakra at his disposal, he saw no need to take unnecessary risks. As for completing missions, that wasn't his primary concern. If he could accomplish a mission, he would; if not, he'd let others take the risk. After all, the minor pay they received wasn't worth his life. He'd rather play it safe and let someone else take the glory—or the fall.

Deep down, Hayama had always been a regular guy, despite his vivid daydreams of being a superhero. His practical mindset meant he cared more about his own well-being than making selfless sacrifices for the greater good. To him, that just made sense.

Though his approach might seem selfish, it was a natural human response. After all, as the old saying goes: "Heaven punishes those who don't look out for themselves."

After resting for a while, Hayama and Minato prepared to rejoin their allies. Thanks to Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique, they could return in an instant. Just before departing, Hayama activated his Hardening Technique as a precaution.

On another battlefield, a Mist ninja smirked as he lunged at a member of the Leaf's ANBU, his kunai aimed at the target's heart. But just as the blade was about to land, the Mist ninja felt a sudden jolt. His kunai struck something unyielding, making a sharp clang. Without hesitation, he pushed off the ground and retreated.

Seething with frustration, Hayama launched himself at the Mist ninja, his blackened fist striking with incredible force.

The kunai shattered against Hayama's hardened skin, and in an instant, his fist connected with the Mist ninja's face. With a sickening crunch, the man's head exploded like an overripe watermelon. Blood and brain matter splattered across Hayama's bald head, adding to his already intimidating appearance. The sight caused the surrounding Mist ninja to instinctively step back, wary of becoming his next victim.

It wasn't that Hayama enjoyed such brutality, but the series of recent events—being struck by lightning, being attacked out of nowhere—had pushed him to the brink. His anger boiled over, and the Mist ninja bore the brunt of it.

While the Mist ninja reeled in shock, Hayama retreated back to Minato's side, his gaze fixed on the ANBU mask. For a moment, the ANBU member felt self-conscious under Hayama's scrutiny. "Thank you..." she murmured.

Hayama paused, caught off guard by the voice. Realizing he had just saved a female comrade, his initial annoyance faded. Perhaps this wasn't such a bad outcome after all.

"No need to thank me!" Hayama replied with a wave of his hand. From the ANBU's perspective, however, his gesture—combined with his bald head—gave him the look of a street thug.

The battlefield was still chaotic, with Mist ninja holding the upper hand. If not for Jiraiya's efforts, the fight might have already ended.

Glancing at the Daimyo, who remained protected by a barrier, Hayama felt a sense of relief. The next step was straightforward: eliminate the remaining Mist ninja.

With that, Hayama and Minato began weaving hand signs.

"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bomb!"

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

The Leaf's go-to combination jutsu was unleashed, with flames fanned by the wind for greater intensity and speed. This enhanced fire technique not only boosted destructive power but also made it harder for the enemy to dodge.

But no jutsu was without its weaknesses, and combination jutsu were no exception. The primary issue was that even a powerful attack could be evaded by vigilant foes. Hayama, however, had already prepared a countermeasure.

"Earth Style: Antlion Sinkhole!"

The Mist ninja, fixated on the oncoming firestorm, failed to notice the ground beneath them growing softer. By the time they realized, it was too late. The rotating earth had already ensnared their legs, pulling them down rapidly.

"It's Iwagakure's Earth Release technique! Everyone, use Water Style!" the Mist leader barked. His quick thinking was correct—using a group water technique could neutralize both the sinking ground and the approaching flames. But Hayama had no intention of giving them the chance.

As the ground continued to shift, streaks of blue lightning crackled through the swirling soil. The paralyzing effects of Lightning Release stalled the Mist ninja's hand signs, leaving them vulnerable to the oncoming firestorm.

"Lightning Style: Ground Flash!"

The name of Hayama's jutsu sounded like a death sentence to the Mist ninja.

A brief moment of agonized screams gave way to silence. From his experience, Hayama knew it wasn't because they weren't in pain—it was because the searing flames had destroyed their vocal cords, leaving them unable to cry out as their organs cooked inside their bodies.

Expending three types of chakra in quick succession left Hayama winded. His internal pathways throbbed with pain, causing him to grimace. This sequence of techniques demanded not only swift hand signs but also precise chakra control—challenging, but undeniably effective.

When the flames subsided, the once-vibrant Mist ninja were now little more than charred husks. Their burnt remains were so thoroughly cooked that even their own mothers wouldn't recognize them.

An ANBU member standing behind Hayama stared at his bald head for a long moment, as if committing it to memory. Though she recognized Minato—a prodigious talent in the village—she couldn't place the bald figure crouched before her.

"What's your name?" she asked, her tone professional but slightly blunt.

Hayama patted his shiny head and replied, "Hayama. Byakumo Hayama."

"You're Byakumo Hayama? I thought you had hair..." she said, clearly surprised.

Hayama stood up, casting a cold glare at the ANBU. Even though she was a fellow ninja, her tactless remark grated on him.

Flustered, the ANBU member tried to smooth things over, but she struggled to find the right words, leaving the conversation at an awkward impasse.

Fortunately, Minato stepped in to defuse the tension. "Alright, let's save the introductions for later. We've still got plenty of Mist ninja to deal with. Let's finish this mission."

Sure, Mist ninja couldn't be taken out with a single push, but with a concerted effort, they could definitely be defeated. And with that, Hayama's team prepared to continue their fight against the advancing Mist ninja.

The Mist's offensive had encountered a newly bald Hayama, and they were about to face his full wrath.