96 FIGHT IN THE FOREST 1/2

Idate started telling his past.

\"I failed the first chunin exam and didn't know what to do. Aoi approached me and told that there are other ways to become a chunin other than the chunin exam. I listened to his words and stole the sword of Lightning sword and the sealed scroll and gave it to them.\"

All of them felt shocked when they heard his words. Scarlet remembered about Naruto's situation when he was tricked by Mizuki and felt glad that Iruka found Naruto. She was also puzzled why Sword of Lightning was kept in village treasury, it should have been given to Tsunade as the sole successor to Senju clan. Perhaps the village took too much advantage of Senju clan.

Idate continued \"Aoi then told me that he deceived me and I was an exiled ninja if I returned to Konoha I would be imprisoned for life. I haven't returned to Konoha since then. I am just a half willed guy who can't do anything but Boss Jurochou trusted me. I still haven't done anything for him. He believed in a guy like me who hasn't been any use to him. So I have to win the race for him\"

Scarlet suddenly felt some moments in the forest, as she did not want it to interrupt the race she turned to others and said \"there is a small disturbance in the forest, I will clear it while you guys keep running\" Without waiting for their response Scarlet went towards the forest.

Scarlet rushed towards the forest and slowly went towards the direction of the Chakra. The sensed that the jonin level chakra seemed to be moving towards her while the three chunin level were hiding far away and spying on him.

Scarlet sighs in relief as it was not going to be a one vs. four battle.

Suddenly she heard a sound \"Earth release: Earth collapse technique\" suddenly the Earth seemed to collapse Scarlet instantly climbed a tree to escape from the attack. Scarlet who was on the tree saw an ugly man having black hair and brown skin wearing a crossed headband of Village Hidden in the stone. She then thought 'The Wagarashi family would not be able to invite a rouge ninja right?'

Suddenly that man performed series of hand signs and said \"Earth Release: Rising Fang\" and released some chakra into the ground, suddenly the ground near Scarlet began to rise as a sharp piecing Fang sprang towards Scarlet and penetrated her. The man laughed as he said, \"I didn't expect to get 15million so easily\".

The man suddenly sensed danger and immediately became alert, he noticed a kick coming towards him and immediately dodged. He saw Scarlet before him and got shocked as he looked at the tree. He noticed the Scarlet he shot has become smoke and shouted: \"Shadow clone, when did you use Shadow clone\". Scarlet smiled as she replied, \"When you were busy doing hand seals\".

Scarlet then asked with a serious tone \"As long you tell me who told you my location, I will spare your life\"

The man laughed as he said \"Girl, I admit that you have some skill but doesn't mean that you can defeat me. I, Ichisaki Mantou, am an A-rank rouge ninja who is feared by many people do you think that you a mere genin can defeat me\"

Scarlet rushed towards him and launched a kick towards his head, he successfully blocked the attack with his hand. Scarlet then launched a series of punch towards him which he successfully blocked. Scarlet inwardly thought 'He has a good amount of combat experience'. Scarlet then retreated back.

Both of them started performing hand seals, Mantou said \"Earth Release: Earth Shockwave Technique\" and then run along the ground, moving outwards in a circular wave motion. Scarlet used 'Ice Dragon jutsu' which she learned from the scroll found in the snow village.

Suddenly the ground started to crack because of Mantou's jutsu and the cracks were headed towards Scarlet. A huge Ice dragon was formed in the air and started heading towards Mantou. Mantou inwardly thought 'Now I understand why this little had a bounty of 15 million. She can use such high-rank jutsu but is still a genin! Has the Konoha's upper management gone senile?'

Scarlet then used 'Chakra Armour' and jumped onto a tree. Mantou used 'Earth Release: Earth Sliding Doors', two pillars of stones emerged from the ground as the Ice dragon was rushing towards him. Seeing the Ice dragon coming he brought the pillars closer.

Scarlet who was on the tree used 'Multiple Shadow Clone jutsu' and disappeared from the tree along with her clones. The Ice Dragon got stuck between the Ice pillars and dissipated but it some damage to Mantou before it dissipated.

Mantou got relieved that the Ice dragon did not hit him when suddenly he felt danger. Scarlet immediately kicked Mantou, Mantou managed to block the kick. Suddenly he saw another Scarlet hitting him large swirling chakra in her hand. All he heard before he got knocked down was \"Rasengan\".

Mantou flew back crashing and breaking many trees. Mantou finally stopped after he collided with a big tree. Mantou's body was aching as blood leaked from his body. Mantou was filled with anger and resentment towards Scarlet.

He made a decision that he will kill Scarlet even at the cost of his own life.