[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grind-is-my-ninja-way":3,"chapter-grind-is-my-ninja-way-grind-is-my-ninja-way-chapter-449":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Grind is My Ninja Way",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1481170,1929,"Chapter 449: Ambush and Upgrade","grind-is-my-ninja-way-chapter-449",449,"\u003Cp>After flying several kilometers south, Seimei finally spotted the Mist Ninja.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, they had just emerged from a forest and were preparing to head toward the woods where Hyuga Maple and the others were hiding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After crossing a valley, they would reach the outskirts of the Black Stone stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A valley?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seimei muttered to himself, thinking it was a good spot, perfect for an ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the prerequisite was that Sanosuke and his team could arrive ahead of time. Otherwise, no plan would be effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing the thought for now, Seimei flapped his chakra wings gently and approached the Mist Ninja team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, some of the Mist Ninja spotted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the help of his Sharingan, Seimei could clearly see some of the Mist Ninja looking his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Seimei wasn't too concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was broad daylight, and without the ability to conceal himself, getting spotted was almost inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he often undertook reconnaissance missions alone, so even if the Mist Ninja noticed him, they wouldn't immediately suspect there was an ambush ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they did, it wouldn't make them retreat easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the Mist Ninja had mobilized a large number of people, clearly without any intent to hide their actions. Or perhaps they simply couldn't hide them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This also indicated that they didn't fear their movements being exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In essence, both sides were playing openly, and it was a matter of who would outsmart the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the Mist Ninja still conducted reconnaissance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scanning around the Mist Ninja formation, Seimei spotted several scouting teams circling outward from the main force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After observing for a while, Seimei suddenly changed direction and flew toward the forest ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Landing on a tree branch, he deactivated the 'Wind Release: Wind Wings,' then formed hand seals and used the 'Shadow Clone Technique.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a puff of chakra smoke, six shadow clones appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seimei had one of the clones take over his reconnaissance duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he wasn't planning on harassing the Mist Ninja this time, and as long as he flew high enough, they couldn't do anything to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single shadow clone was sufficient; there was no need to waste all his energy here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the remaining time, Seimei planned to use the other five shadow clones to grind his 'Earth Release: Hardening Technique' to level 4.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't impossible—just 300 proficiency points. With five times the training speed, it would be easy to accumulate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the level 4 'Earth Release: Hardening Technique' wouldn't be a game-changer, it would be practical enough for most situations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if he succeeded, he'd have an extra layer of protection in future battles, even though he didn't believe the Mist Ninja could actually harm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in preparation, he was serious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that in mind, Seimei left the area with his five shadow clones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mist Ninja had initially been relieved when they saw Seimei fly away, but before long, he returned, making them uneasy again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew that in the battle two days ago, Seimei had harassed the support units.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though they had more people and were better prepared this time, they didn't want to waste time dealing with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Seimei just hovered high above them and didn't approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, following the orders of the lead Mist Ninja, the group maintained formation and continued moving forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes ticked by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About twenty minutes later, they reached the forest ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, it was hard for 'Seimei' to keep a clear view of them, and he didn't dare lower his altitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the cover of the trees, lowering his altitude would make him vulnerable to surprise attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he also couldn't let them stay out of sight for too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, 'Seimei' used the 'Mind Transmission Technique' to contact Hyuga Maple and the others, relaying the Mist Ninja's general movements to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From that point on, the primary scouting task fell to them, while Seimei provided support and oversight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving 'Seimei's' instructions, Hyuga Maple and his team immediately took action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each used their unique skills—whether it was the Byakugan's vision or insects' stealth—to monitor the Mist Ninja's every move, reporting information back to 'Seimei.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this intel, 'Seimei' would then lock onto the Mist Ninja's position and continue tracking them from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, a perfect coordination was formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An hour passed in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side of the forest, Seimei suddenly received a message from a shadow clone, informing him that the Mist Ninja were nearing the valley and that he should head there immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, after coordinating with Sanosuke, they had chosen the valley as the site for their ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanosuke and his team had managed to reach the valley ahead of the Mist Ninja.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the Mist Ninja were about to enter the valley, the battle was imminent, and Seimei needed to be there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that in mind, Seimei deactivated the 'Shadow Clone Technique.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next moment, the five remaining shadow clones dissolved into chakra, bringing back over an hour's worth of training experience and memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seimei closed his eyes, absorbing the experiences and converting them into proficiency points on his status panel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Seimei opened his eyes again, a hint of joy flickered in them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to the past hour's training, he had accumulated the 300 points needed to upgrade the 'Earth Release: Hardening Technique' to level 4.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without rushing to leave, Seimei formed a seal and activated the technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, his pale skin darkened, turning a rock-like gray-black color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped his arm, feeling its newfound toughness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking for a moment, he pulled out a kunai from his pouch and slashed it against his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp screeching sound echoed, but his arm only had a white mark, with no actual damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the force he had applied, Seimei felt that ordinary weapons would no longer harm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thought, he deactivated the 'Earth Release: Hardening Technique.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his body regained its flexibility, Seimei frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the level 4 'Hardening Technique' had greatly enhanced his defense, it inevitably reduced his agility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, with his current proficiency, it still took him 2–3 seconds to cast the technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, unless he anticipated an attack, it would be difficult to use in the heat of battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left Seimei feeling a bit disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he quickly shrugged it off, telling himself, \"An upgrade is better than none,\" before activating the 'Wind Release: Wind Wings' and flying toward the valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1095,"2026-06-06T03:30:41.619Z",1,"novelbin.me","5d4aa125c31bde6da4b878232b807838e0e59100f6be535208d87e7573d4338a","grind-is-my-ninja-way-chapter-450","grind-is-my-ninja-way-chapter-448",1097,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrind-is-my-ninja-way-cover.jpg"]