Kiriike was a Quasi-Kage—and not just some barely-qualified novice. Among Quasi-Kage, he was mid-tier. He was weaker than the likes of Tsunade and her peers, but not by much!
However, what made Kiriike truly terrifying was the fact that he was an assassin.
Not just any assassin—he was the Number One Assassin in the Leaf's Anbu Black Ops!
This was excluding the Anbu Captain, White Fang, of course. White Fang was in a league of his own, a bug-tier existence. Besides, White Fang wasn't purely an assassin these days—he handled all kinds of missions, not just assassinations.
So calling Kiriike the Number One Assassin in the Anbu was no exaggeration.
He clearly possessed extraordinary concealment abilities.
Otherwise, Haruto Saito's Hyper-Sensory Perception wouldn't have failed to detect him.
This man was terrifying. If he had launched a sneak attack on Haruto just now... Haruto wasn't sure what would have happened. He couldn't even guarantee his own survival, because he had no idea how strong Kiriike's ambush skills were.
"You're actually alive." Kiriike stared at Haruto, his voice deliberately hoarse and disguised.
"Why would Captain Kiriike think I was dead?" Haruto countered. Though he had lowered his blade, his grip on it tightened.
"You were hunted by the Seven Mist Swordsmen. The Anbu, the Infiltration Unit, and even the Leaf's higher-ups have all received the report." Kiriike spoke rapidly. "Everyone thought you were dead. No one expected you to survive."
"Oh..." Haruto blinked, then quickly understood.
It must have been Ōshima Kōji, that bastard.
Because at the time, aside from Ōshima, no one knew who the Seven Mist Swordsmen were chasing.
Haruto guessed that Ōshima hadn't actually fled the scene. He must have stayed hidden until after the battle, realized Haruto was gone, assumed he was dead, and then sent out the report.
Wait...
What did Kiriike mean by that?
"Everyone thought you were dead. No one expected you to survive."
That statement would have been completely normal... if Kiriike wasn't radiating killing intent.
But if Kiriike killed Haruto here and now, no one would suspect him.
Everyone would blame the Seven Mist Swordsmen.
Even if the Mist Swordsmen denied it, it wouldn't matter.
Seeing Haruto lost in thought, Kiriike added, "Why didn't you contact the Infiltration Unit? Your situation has caused quite a stir. Even the Captain received direct orders from the Hokage and came to the Land of Whirlpools."
The "Captain" Kiriike referred to was, of course, White Fang.
White Fang's movements couldn't be hidden from the Anbu. If he was in the Land of Whirlpools on a mission, he'd need intel support—and as Anbu Captain, he'd naturally prioritize contacting Anbu outposts.
"Ah... I didn't realize everyone thought I was dead," Haruto replied casually, feigning relaxation while remaining on maximum alert.
"Come with me. The outpost is nearby. We need to report that you're alive." Kiriike's body flickered as he leapt into the trees. "Follow me!"
He dashed northeast, leaving afterimages in his wake.
Haruto hesitated for only a second before pursuing.
He had no choice.
Kiriike was the Assassination Squad Leader.
In terms of chain of command, Haruto had to obey him.
Besides, Kiriike had never shown hostility toward him before.
If Haruto turned and ran now, it would only raise suspicions and cause more trouble.
If they were heading to an outpost, there would be others there. Kiriike wouldn't dare try anything reckless.
The two shinobi raced through the treetops, one after the other. Haruto began probing for information.
"Captain Kiriike, you've completed your mission?" Haruto asked.
"Mhm." A noncommittal grunt.
As expected of the Anbu's top assassin.
Kiriike's target had been Haitoga, the Second-in-Command of the Mist's Vanguard Forces. Assassinating him was an S-rank mission—the highest priority among all the Anbu's current assassination assignments.
"Truly worthy of Captain Kiriike," Haruto said, feigning admiration.
"You're not bad yourself. Killing Hyōga Rōba, Fujita Asa, and Kurojo—your achievements now rival mine." Kiriike's voice remained rough.
"You even know about Kurojo?" Haruto was startled.
Before killing the ninja hound, Haruto hadn't even known its name. He only found out after looting its card drop.
"According to intel, we cross-referenced the details. Kurojo was the Mist's top scout hound, treated as an elite jōnin. He belonged to the Hōzuki Clan and had already retired. No one knows why he was working with the Seven Mist Swordsmen..."
Kiriike's tone turned strange. He glanced back at Haruto.
"Killing Kurojo first, then escaping the Seven Swordsmen... impressive. You haven't disgraced the Hokage's reputation."
"You flatter me, Captain." Haruto brushed off the praise before shifting the topic. "When do you plan to return to the Leaf?"
"Not yet. I'm going after Suikazan Dari next. I'm waiting for the right opportunity."
"Suikazan Dari?" Haruto's eyes narrowed. "Wasn't that... Blood River's target?"
Blood River was the Vice-Captain of the Assassination Squad, second only to Kiriike. He might have become Captain himself if Kiriike hadn't been transferred from Root to the Anbu, taking the position by direct assignment.
Suikazan Dari was the Commander of the Mist's Scout Battalion, a figure no less formidable than Haitoga. Blood River had chosen him as a target to compete with Kiriike.
"Blood River failed." Kiriike's voice was flat.
"Failed? He's dead?" Haruto stiffened.
"Mhm." Another grunt.
Blood River was dead.
Haruto had known some Anbu would die on this mission—the Mist wasn't weak. But he hadn't expected someone as strong as Blood River, nearly Kiriike's equal, to fall.
Yamaryū Village.
Located twenty kilometers north of the Poison Forest, it was the only settlement in the northern region.
Kiriike led Haruto to the outskirts.
"Change clothes. We're going in." Kiriike formed hand seals.
Poof!
White smoke enveloped him. When it cleared, Kiriike's appearance had completely changed—now dressed as a hunter-warrior, with a longbow on his back, a hand crossbow at his waist, and a curved blade.
But Haruto sensed something off.
Kiriike hadn't actually changed clothes. He'd used a specialized transformation jutsu, meaning his current appearance was an illusion. Only those with powerful perception or ocular abilities could see through it.
"I don't need to change, right?" Haruto gestured at his own outfit.
Kiriike studied him.
True, it wasn't necessary. Haruto had been switching disguises frequently to throw off pursuers. Right now, he was dressed as a wandering swordsman.
"Fine. Move." Kiriike nodded.
The two entered the bustling village.
Yamaryū was large, its streets crowded. They headed deeper in, passing through a busy marketplace.
Haruto instinctively scanned the crowd, checking identities with his Observing Eye.
Then—his body locked up.
At a restaurant window sat several cloaked, shadowy figures—ninjas wearing wide-brimmed hats, silently eating.
Haruto's gaze swept over them.
All hostile.
All shinobi.
And they were...
Members of the Hyūga Clan.