The intense battle between two Kage-level shinobi created an unspoken agreement among the surrounding ninja—they instinctively distanced themselves from the battlefield.
Hundreds of meters in every direction, the aftermath of their fight was evident: scorched trees from blazing flames and lingering patches of frost from icy techniques.
The clash grew fiercer, with Uchiha Kade launching relentless attacks while the Yuki Clan leader focused on defense.
Forced back once again in close combat, Uchiha Kade took a deep breath, his expression grim. Inwardly, he cursed, 'Damn that Danzo! Is he just going to watch me struggle?!'
"You're already near the end of your lifespan—no need to fight so recklessly... Hold back a little, and maybe you'll live a few years longer."
Uchiha Kade, however, fought with the desperation of a madman, while the Yuki Clan leader was beginning to feel the strain.
Though he held a slight advantage in stamina and chakra, both were seasoned warriors. With Uchiha Kade's three-tomoe Sharingan enhancing his abilities, their overall capabilities were nearly evenly matched.
Neither could easily gain the upper hand.
...
Hidden in the shadows,
Danzo observed the battle intently, his gaze sharp and wary.
Ever since he earned Orochimaru's recognition and received his system rewards, his instincts for detecting danger had sharpened significantly.
Every time an opportunity to strike appeared, an inexplicable sense of unease crept into his mind, preventing him from acting rashly.
He chose to trust his intuition and continued to wait.
The high-intensity battle was rapidly draining the stamina of both combatants, aligning perfectly with the original plan: to exhaust them and create an opening for Danzo to land a fatal blow—just as Uchiha Fugaku had planned.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Technique!"
Watching Uchiha Kade perform his jutsu below, Danzo's unease intensified. Something about this place felt increasingly dangerous.
He decided it was time to leave.
Just as he prepared to retreat silently, his expression suddenly stiffened. His hands clapped together in urgency.
"This is bad... Wind Release!"
A powerful surge of wind erupted, expanding outward in all directions. The sheer force uprooted trees around Danzo, leaving the battlefield in complete disarray.
"ARGHHH—!"
A piercing scream rang out.
As the swirling dust began to settle, a taunting voice echoed through the battlefield.
...
"What a pity..."
"That old fox in the shadows is certainly cautious... But this time, it wasn't me who spooked him."
"If it weren't for you earlier, we wouldn't have had to drag this out for so long."
"Kukuku... Two more Kage-level heads for my collection..."
When the dust finally cleared, Uchiha Kade's face was twisted in agony. His right hand clutched the mangled remains of his forearm—his hand and lower arm had been reduced to a bloody pulp.
Had it not been for Danzo's unexpected interference, that attack would have struck him straight in the chest.
Danzo, meanwhile, stood on high alert, his gaze locked onto the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist who had just arrived.
If it were just them, he wouldn't have been this wary.
But his focus remained fixed on the young man at the forefront—
A boy wielding a weapon far too large for his stature, its blade still glistening with fresh blood.
It was clear who had inflicted such grievous wounds on the Uchiha elder.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
"Elder!"
Two Uchiha Jōnin emerged from hiding, immediately positioning themselves in front of Uchiha Kade. Their expressions turned grim as they scanned the Seven Swordsmen.
But when their gazes landed on one particular swordsman—
A man wielding a massive, grotesque blade, casually lifting a severed head with stark white hair—
Their faces drained of color.
That head—
"The Fourth Elder…?" one of the Uchiha guards murmured in disbelief, instinctively taking a step back.
The Fourth Elder, who had been battling the Kaguya Clan's leader, had been beheaded.
His lifeless eyes, now hollow sockets, had already been robbed of their Sharingan.
Though his face had paled in death, there was no mistaking his identity—
It was undeniably Uchiha's Fourth Elder.
Uchiha Kade, still clutching his ruined arm, stared at the severed head, his pained expression fading into one of sheer horror.
While the Uchiha were reeling from the shocking sight, Danzo felt a crushing weight settle on his chest.
He had been marked.
With the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, the Fourth Mizukage, and the Yuki Clan leader all present, he was backed into a corner.
Forcing himself to suppress his unease, he faced the grim reality before him.
"I never expected the Fourth Mizukage himself to appear on the battlefield."
Danzo's words sent a fresh wave of fear through the three Uchiha beside him.
The boy who had just launched a deadly ambush—
Was the Mizukage?!
Kirigakure had always been shrouded in secrecy, and little intelligence about them was available. Even among the Uchiha, few knew much about their leadership.
The Yuki Clan leader stepped forward, bowing respectfully toward the young warrior.
"Mizukage-sama."
"Oh? So, this old man actually knows the Mizukage?" Kushimaru Kuriarare sneered, his tone filled with schadenfreude. "Fuguki, looks like you haven't been doing your job properly."
"Yeah, maybe you should resign and come along with us. Bloodshed is the only real joy in life, after all," Munashi Jinpachi chimed in, though his eyes gleamed with undisguised mockery.
"Shut up, you two!" Fuguki Suikazan bellowed, glaring at them. "This old man, like me, is in charge of intelligence. Knowing the Mizukage-sama's identity is no surprise."
Then, turning back to the Fourth Mizukage, he respectfully added, "This man is an elder of Konoha, possessing Kage-level strength. He specializes in Wind Release and once fought the Fourth Kazekage to a standstill. His mind holds a wealth of intelligence. If we claim his head…"
His voice trailed off, his gaze drifting back to Danzo.
The other swordsmen's eyes gleamed with malice as they once again focused on their cornered prey.
Danzo's heart sank.
Kirigakure had always been notorious for its brutal, survival-of-the-fittest mentality. They didn't care about status or reputation—only strength. And now…
He had no choice but to gamble.
"Elder, retreat immediately! The Sharingan must not fall into enemy hands!"
"Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere! Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!"
Pouring his remaining chakra into his jutsu, Danzo unleashed a devastating onslaught—far surpassing his earlier jutsu.
Razor-sharp wind blades tore through everything before him.
He was ready to die if it meant ensuring their escape.
Uchiha Kade didn't know what had changed, but he didn't hesitate.
Under the protection of two Uchiha Jōnin, three figures vanished into the distance, retreating at full speed.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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