(First of all, I want to make it clear that I am not a fan of the Boruto series. Still, using some well-written characters would allow me to showcase Hayama's Strength. There are some good antagonists within the early episodes of Boruto. I am gonna make use of it, so enjoy the story with an open mind.)
...
Enso moved silently, his footsteps light as he crossed the room. He approached Hayama's bed, pausing only for a moment before gently shaking him awake.
"Sensei, wake up," Enso said, his voice a low murmur yet laced with urgency. "We've got a situation. There's an intruder in the warehouse." Without hesitation, Hayama wiped away the sleepiness from his eyes, his calm demeanour returning almost immediately.
"Lead the way," he said, his tone clear and unwavering. This wasn't just any situation; There was no room for mistakes.
Enso didn't need to be told twice. He turned and dashed toward the door, Hayama's steady presence following close behind. Their pace was swift and light as they headed toward the warehouse.
If the intruders were as skilled as he suspected, the burden of the mission would fall squarely on their shoulders. Tokuma and Inari, though promising in their own right, simply weren't ready for a battle of this scale.
In direct combat, they would likely be more of a liability than an asset. Their potential was clear, but they still had too much to learn — too many gaps in their experience that couldn't be ignored when real lives were on the line.
The mission had taken an unexpected turn, and Enso knew this wouldn't be an easy fight.
When they arrived at the warehouse, Enso and Hayama quickly crouched behind the building. From their vantage point, they peered through the small cracks in the door.
Two figures—one broad and heavyset, the other thin and wiry—were scouring the shelves, their hands moving quickly as they pulled items from the shelves and sealed them away in scrolls.
The sound of scrolls snapping open and closed echoed through the warehouse, but it wasn't the noise that held Enso's attention—it was the unmistakable familiarity of the two thieves. He recognised them instantly, though it had taken him a moment to place their identities.
"Boss, there's not a lot of weapons left," Tsukiyo said, his voice gruff, as he placed a heavy box beside the larger man. "Looks like the Leafs already packed up most of the good stuff."
"Don't worry about it," Shojoji responded, his tone smooth and confident. "Take what we can. We'll empty this warehouse, and no one will know."
Enso's eyes narrowed. It all clicked into place now. The two men weren't just ordinary thieves—they were part of the Mujina Bandit Gang, a notorious group that had recently been causing trouble on the outskirts of Konoha. Enso had heard rumours of their recent activities, but seeing them in person, here in Konoha's facility, brought a new level of seriousness to the situation.
Stepping out from the shadows, Enso called out with a calm, icy tone. "You're not taking anything today, fatty. I doubt you can even get your fat ass out of here."
The moment he spoke, Shojoji froze, his gaze turning toward the door. His expression remained neutral at first, but then his lips curled into a smirk as he surveyed the two Shinobi.
"You think you can stop us with just the two of you?" Shojoji sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. His smirk widened, and his confidence was almost palpable as he waved a dismissive hand.
"You've got guts, kid," he added. "But that's not going to be enough to stop us. We're taking everything. And you won't be able to do a damn thing about it." His eyes shifted between Enso and Hayama.
Hayama and Enso exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them.
Without a single word, Hayama began to move. His sword slid from its sheath with a sharp, metallic sound. Unlike Enso, who thrived in the heat of battle, Hayama preferred a more calculated approach. He studied his opponent carefully, and as soon as he moved, it was with the precise intent to end the fight swiftly.
In a blur, Hayama charged, his blade aimed directly at Shojoji. The bandit leader, despite his weight, was quicker than Enso had anticipated. With a series of quick hand signs, Shojoji summoned a gust of wind that formed into a barrier, intercepting Hayama's strike. The force of the wind sent a shudder through the air, but Hayama didn't hesitate. He pressed forward, his blade gliding through the air once more.
Enso, meanwhile, had his sights set on Tsukiyo. The skinny thief didn't appear to be worried—if anything, he looked amused. He pulled a blade from the shadows at his feet, readying himself for a fight. Enso was cautious; Tsukiyo's Ninjutsu was just as dangerous as his swordplay. He couldn't afford to let his guard down.
The clash of steel rang through the warehouse as Enso's twin blades met Tsukiyo's with a resounding crash. Tsukiyo parried with ease, a mocking smile curling on his lips, his confidence evident with every movement.
Enso remained vigilant, as he quickly realised something—Tsukiyo wasn't just aiming to exchange blows with the swords. The bandit's movements were deliberate, precise, as though he were probing for something beyond a simple fight.
Enso's mind raced as he analysed the situation. Tsukiyo's technique was far from ordinary. The sneer on Tsukiyo's face, the subtle shifts in his posture, all hinted at something deeper. It was clear that the fight wasn't just about their blades anymore. Tsukiyo was playing a different game—he wasn't aiming for Enso's body. No, Tsukiyo was targeting his shadows.
A chill ran down Enso's spine as he realised the true danger he was in. Tsukiyo's mastery of Ninjutsu was far more than a simple sword style. He was a master of Moon Shadow Techniques, an art of manipulating shadow that was not inferior to the Hidden Jutsu of the Nara Clan.
Enso gritted his teeth and took a step back, shifting his stance to ensure that his shadow stayed out of Tsukiyo's reach. With a quick flick of his wrist, Enso unleashed another strike, not just to break the sword lock, but to feint, forcing Tsukiyo to adjust his position. The bandit grinned, but Enso could see the momentary hesitation in his eyes.
Enso's next move was a calculated gamble—he feigned another strike aimed at Tsukiyo's head, only to pivot at the last second, directing the blades downward in a deceptive low slash. The distraction worked, just enough for Enso to regain control over the situation. Tsukiyo's blade deflected his own with a ringing sound, but the shift was enough to throw off his rhythm.
Across the room, the sound of wind howling and metal clashing signalled Hayama's relentless pursuit of Shojoji. Enso didn't have the luxury of checking on him just yet, but the tension in the air was palpable. The realisation hit him—he had to end this fight quickly. If Tsukiyo wasn't dealt with soon, it could all spiral out of control.
"Is that all you've got?" Tsukiyo sneered, his voice laced with arrogance.
But Enso wasn't intimidated. His speed increased, and the movements of his blades became faster, sharper, and more calculated. Tsukiyo tried to keep up, but it was clear that Enso was one step ahead. The two were locked in a deadly dance, blades flashing in the dim light.
"Hayama Sensei," Enso called out, his voice cutting through the sound of clashing steel. "That wind barrier won't break with a B-rank technique. We will need something stronger."
Shojoji laughed, a deep, hearty sound that filled the warehouse. "That's right," he taunted. "Come on, Jonin. Hit me with your A-rank Ninjutsu."
Enso's jaw tightened. The truth was, he didn't have the heart to tell Hayama that even an A-rank Rasengan wouldn't be enough to damage this fatty.
The chaos in the warehouse seemed to intensify with each passing second. Tsukiyo, now struggling to keep his footing after Enso's relentless assault. He takes the chance that Enso warn Hayama to create the distance between them.
With a sudden flare of pink lightning crackling at his fingertips, Tsukiyo unleashed a barrage of lightning strikes, each bolt flashing with rapid precision toward Enso.
But Enso, with his newly honed kenjutsu, didn't even flinch. He stood unwavering, parrying each bolt with calm, measured strikes. His twin blades moved like an extension of his will, cutting down the incoming lightning strike with precision.
With every swing of his blade, Enso closed the gap between them, inch by inch, a predator stalking his prey. Tsukiyo's face contorted with frustration as he realised he couldn't overwhelm Enso with Ninjutsu. Enso was far stronger than he anticipated.
The situation on Hayama's side wasn't much better. Shojoji, the giant bandit, matching Hayama's Vacuum Sword with nothing more than a wave of his hand, kept Hayama on the defensive. The sheer force of Shojoji's power was a constant threat, and Hayama wasn't sure how long he could keep up. With the odds stacking against them, it was clear that defeating both Tsukiyo and Shojoji was not an easy task.
He could feel his chakra reserves draining with each strike, his body growing heavier under the constant strain of fighting such a powerful foe. The weight of the situation began to settle on him—he couldn't continue this fight indefinitely. He needed a solution, and he needed it fast. With a grunt, Hayama retreated a few steps, his eyes darting across the battlefield.
He quickly assessed the layout of the warehouse, calculating the distance between himself, Enso, and their enemies. The dim lighting cast long shadows, giving him a clearer view of Tsukiyo and Shojoji's positions.
His mind raced quickly, and Hayama took a step back. He lifted his sword above his head, both hands gripping the hilt tightly, and positioned the blade in front of him. A strange energy began to ripple across his body—lines of white tattoo-like markings spread across his skin, creeping over his arms and face.
The intricate patterns on Hayama's skin pulsed with a cold, ominous energy, reminiscent of a curse seal. His voice, laced with an icy edge, broke the silence. "Before the Third Shinobi War, I once served as an Anbu captain in the assassination squad," he said, the chill in his tone undeniable. "Now, it's time to die, fatty." The words hung in the air, a foreboding promise that sent a shiver down the room.
Hayama's strength surged—his speed increased, and his presence grew even more formidable. It was as if a new layer of power had been unlocked within him, one that not even Enso had anticipated. Enso couldn't help but smile as he watched his former mentor's transformation.
"It seems like you still hold back on me, Hayama Sensei," Enso mused with a grin, his eyes gleaming with respect. He narrowly dodged Tsukiyo's blade, the edge slicing through the air just inches from him. Without missing a beat, Enso pivoted, unleashing a powerful side kick that sent Tsukiyo stumbling back several meters.
Enso's twin blades moved with precision, his eyes now fixed on Tsukiyo's every move. The battle had reached its peak, and Tsukiyo, exhausted from his earlier attacks, seemed to be growing desperate. With a swift flick, Enso parried Tsukiyo's final strike, disarming him in one smooth motion. Tsukiyo staggered, eyes wide with disbelief, as his blade clattered to the ground.
"You thought you could defeat me?" Enso's voice was cold, almost mocking. Tsukiyo, panting heavily, attempted to back away, but the fear in his eyes was unmistakable. Enso's expression remained impassive as he stepped forward.
Before Tsukiyo could react, Enso's blades darted forward in a blur. The first blade cut clean through Tsukiyo's guard, and the second slid effortlessly across his throat. Blood sprayed in a crimson arc as Tsukiyo's life drained from him. He collapsed to the ground with a soft thud, his body lifeless in an instant.
It all happened so fast that Shojoji wasn't sure how to react. His partner was cut down by a kid who had just entered the Shinobi world. Enso silently absorbed Tsukiyo's soul as he focused his attention on the battle between Hayama and Shojoji.
Enso had thought he would be able to surpass Hayama soon enough. During their previous sparring sessions, Hayama had only made use of B-Rank ninjutsu. But Hayama's newfound power, the white markings—this strange, mysterious seal—proved that Enso still had much to learn.
The depth of Hayama's hidden power was far more profound than Enso had ever imagined, leaving him stunned and humbled by the realisation.
With a speed and power that easily matched Enso's Chakra Enhancement, Hayama launched himself back into the fray. His sword now rippled with a new, terrifying intensity. "Curse of Killing—White Death," he muttered under his breath, the words laced with deadly intent.
Hayama sent a series of White Vacuum Blades flying toward Shojoji, each one more forceful than the last, cutting through the air like a storm of razor-sharp winds. The attacks hit with such precision and ferocity that even Shojoji, with his immense size and defensive strength, had no choice but to desperately brace himself, his Wind Shield bending under the force of each strike.
While Shojoji's Wind Shield bent and strained under the pressure, it couldn't completely hold up. The Vacuum Blades slammed into the shield with a shockwave of power, causing the massive bandit to fly backwards.
Hayama's jutsu had grown so strong that it could dispel any A-Rank techniques with a single slash. Enso could feel the sense of death and decay emanating from Hayama's sword as he focused his gaze on it.
Shojoji, already worn out from pouring too much chakra into his defences, started to falter. He knew he couldn't keep up this pace. His Wind Shield had absorbed too much chakra corresponding to the incoming attack, and now it was starting to fail him. The Vacuum Blades continued their relentless assault, and Shojoji's attempts to maintain his defence became weaker with each passing second.
Hayama didn't hold back with his attacks — or rather, he couldn't, even if he wanted to. The newfound power seemed extremely difficult to control, unlike normal chakra.
With one final, desperate effort, Shojoji tried to summon the last remnants of his chakra to protect himself, but it was no use. The next Vacuum Blade flew toward him with unmatched speed and power. Shojoji's shield shattered, and in an instant, the massive bandit's head was sent flying through the air, his body crumpling to the ground in a heap.
The head landed with a sickening thud next to Enso's feet, blood spraying from the neck like a fountain. Shojoji's enormous frame fell lifeless to the ground, his reign of terror finally coming to an end. The tattoo markings on Hayama's body slowly receded, and his face returned to normal, though he was now extremely exhausted, gasping for air before collapsing unconscious.
Meanwhile, Enso calmly picked up Shojoji's severed head and placed it beside the headless corpse. As Shojoji's soul began to drift free from his body, Enso silently absorbed it without anyone noticing.
Human souls couldn't be seen with normal eyes; even Hayama, despite his skill, seemed unaware of what had just occurred. It appeared that only specific jutsu, like the Reanimation Technique, could make a soul tangible enough for ordinary human senses to perceive.
Enso had once been a soul himself, so his ability to see souls came as no surprise. He had figured it out long ago when his father died.
The skills of these two enemies would be put to good use. By devouring their souls, Enso had gained a significant amount of power. As he read through their memories, he uncovered all the disgusting deeds they had committed.
Especially the skinny one, Tsukiyo — a creepy pedophile. Just reading his soul made Enso wish he could kill him all over again and make him suffer true, inhumane torment. Afterwards, Enso carried the unconscious Hayama back to the room before continuing to patrol the area.
For someone with a powerful soul like Enso, staying awake for several days wasn't an issue. The only real benefit he gained from sleeping was the rejuvenation of his mind upon waking. When morning came, Enso gathered the ingredients he needed from the kitchen and decided to make some pancakes for breakfast.