The effects of the Magic Cards were completely random; anything could happen. Because of this, Haruto Saito couldn't be certain what would happen after using one. However, since he was currently in a **lucky state**, at the very least, the Magic Card wouldn't bring him any trouble.
"Ding! Reminder to the host: While in a lucky state, the Magic Card can **partially** fulfill the host's desires," the Card Emperor Spirit responded.
"If I wish for the Magic Card to help me kill Tsuchi more easily, would that be possible?"
"Statistically speaking, the probability is very high."
"Good!" Haruto Saito took out his last remaining Magic Card, placed it in his mouth, and bit down hard!
"Ding! The host has used a Magic Card and obtained the ability **'Enhanced Physique'**!" The Card Emperor Spirit's voice rang out continuously. "Enhancement has begun. Please remain still. Commencing enhancement…"
Standing atop a tree, Haruto Saito followed the instructions and remained motionless. A searing heat began in his chest and rapidly spread throughout his entire body. The pain was so intense that he nearly screamed out, but it only lasted for a second. Almost immediately, the burning pain was replaced by a warm sensation as his bones, muscles, veins, and skin were all strengthened.
After five seconds, all the strange sensations vanished.
"Is that it?"
"Enhancement complete."
"What's changed?" Haruto muttered to himself as he twisted his body and leaped down from the tree. The moment he landed, his feet struck the ground with force, and his body shot forward like an arrow!
His speed had **at least** doubled!
Haruto was shocked. His increased speed wasn't due to using more chakra or better chakra control—it was purely due to the **immense enhancement** of his physical body!
It was as if he had been training as a **taijutsu specialist** since birth and had just reached the pinnacle of a **twelve-year-old elite warrior**! And not just any warrior—his physical enhancements were comparable to the **brutal physique of a Cloud Village ninja from the Land of Lightning**!
His speed had doubled, but as for his overall physical abilities, they had increased **by several times**—the exact amount was still uncertain.
One thing was certain: his physical upgrades were **far beyond** just an increase in speed!
The Magic Card had given him an **all-encompassing boost**, strengthening his body in a way that enhanced his speed, strength, reflexes, and muscle response in an explosive manner.
**Hand seals!**
"Secret Technique—**Marking Seal Jutsu!**"
Haruto clasped his hands together again and immediately pinpointed Tsuchi's location. That guy had used this brief window of time to escape nearly a kilometer away, still traveling underground.
He probably hadn't expected Haruto to possess such **an advanced sensory technique**, so he had bet on **continuous underground movement** to shake him off.
Then again, **S-rank sensory forbidden techniques** were extremely rare!
**Chase!**
Haruto unleashed his full power, turning into a blur as he dashed toward Tsuchi's position.
Meanwhile, throughout the **Konoha village backwoods**, battles had already erupted everywhere. The number of Iwagakure spies sent this time was significant. After being discovered by **the Konoha Anbu**, they split up and fled, forcing the Anbu to conduct a **widespread search operation**.
Since the Anbu's numbers weren't large—only around a hundred ninjas were stationed on standby—their forces had to spread out significantly across the **vast forest behind Konoha**. The only area that had a heavy concentration of Anbu was near **Uzumaki Mito's residence**, where multiple ambush squads had been deployed.
Under the dark night sky, the wind howled.
Haruto and Tsuchi engaged in a high-speed chase, their distance rapidly closing.
Tsuchi, whose **underground sensory perception was weak**, didn't realize he was being pursued until Haruto was nearly upon him. No matter how much he tried to speed up, Haruto's presence was closing in at an alarming rate.
"Damn it!" Tsuchi cursed internally.
Haruto was already within **ten meters** of him. With a powerful leap, he drew his **Heavy Mountain Blade**, the blade flashing like lightning!
**BOOM!**
The ground **exploded in waves**, but this time, Tsuchi had anticipated the attack and dodged it underground. Emerging **ten meters behind Haruto**, he dashed forward in a zig-zag pattern, closing in **instantly** with his katana unsheathed!
Haruto was at peak alertness. The moment he sensed danger, he **instinctively** turned to counter. Although his **strength had increased**, his **reaction speed and battle instincts** had not been enhanced.
Even so, he still **blocked Tsuchi's attack!**
**Taijutsu strength boost!**
**Samurai technique boost!**
**Heavy Mountain Blade—Double Impact Strike!**
Haruto unleashed a terrifyingly **fierce** slash!
**BOOM!**
When their blades clashed, the **shockwave** that followed **obliterated** the surrounding trees, tore up the earth, and sent **dust clouds** rising into the air.
Neither of them moved an inch!
Tsuchi was stunned. He hadn't expected Haruto to deliver **such a powerful strike!**
Haruto was equally shocked—**he had used his full strength**, yet he still **couldn't overpower Tsuchi's swordplay**. More concerningly, Tsuchi had **only used raw swordsmanship** without any chakra enhancement.
The gap in their combat levels was **too vast** to bridge. Even though Haruto's **physical body had strengthened**, his **overall power** was still limited. His swordplay's true strength relied **heavily** on chakra infusion.
Right now, **Haruto's full strength** made him the equivalent of an **elite Jōnin**.
But Tsuchi was a **peak Jōnin**!
Luckily, **Iwagakure ninjas specialized in ninjutsu combat**. While they knew swordplay, they weren't swordmasters. Otherwise, Haruto wouldn't have been able to **clash blades** with Tsuchi at all!
"Damn it!" Tsuchi **miscalculated** Haruto's abilities. Shocked, he turned and fled.
Haruto **pursued with all his might!**
This time, Tsuchi **realized** Haruto had **extraordinary sensory abilities** and stopped using underground movement. Instead, he **ran at full speed through the dense forest**, where he was **several times faster** than when traveling underground!
Haruto **gave chase with everything he had!**
He **couldn't** let Tsuchi escape—he was a **boss-level opponent**!
However, even with his enhancements, Haruto was **slightly slower** than Tsuchi at full speed. The distance between them gradually increased.
"Why the hell is this guy **so terrified**? He's running like his life depends on it…" Haruto gritted his teeth, contemplating whether to **send a tracking signal** so the Anbu could intercept him.
In reality, Tsuchi wasn't afraid of **Haruto alone**—he feared being **surrounded by Konoha's Anbu!**
Several minutes later—
Tsuchi had widened the gap by **over a hundred meters**. The dense forest made it difficult to keep him in sight.
Suddenly—
**BOOM!!!**
A massive **explosion erupted** ahead! The flare of **paper bombs** ignited, sending flames surging into the sky.
The explosion occurred **directly beneath Tsuchi's feet**. Reacting quickly, he **leaped onto a tree**, narrowly avoiding the blast—though the edges of his clothing were singed.
"What… what the hell?" Haruto was momentarily stunned before realization hit him.
Tsuchi had **unknowingly stepped into a booby-trapped zone**—a "**minefield**" within Konoha's forest.
"Could this be the **luck effect** in action?" Haruto mused.
Luck for him meant **misfortune for Tsuchi.**
Tsuchi continued running—but more **explosions erupted ahead!**
"Damn… this guy is **unbelievably unlucky**…" Haruto muttered in awe.