A Clumsy Method

At a branch of an ancient giant tree in the north-central part of the primeval forest.

Tap!

The sound of a foot landing on hard wood rang out in the tranquil primeval forest, accompanied by the shrill tearing of electricity ripping through the air.

Sizzle... Sizzle...

Wrapped in a radiating Lightning Release Chakra Cloak, the Third Raikage's eyes flashed sharply as he swept his gaze over the surroundings, his expression darkening slightly.

No traces left behind? The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

No! Impossible. From the moment the explosion began until the smoke cleared, at most a minute had passed. Even if he started fleeing the instant the explosion went off, he couldn't possibly have reached this place.

And if he fled at full speed, it would be impossible not to leave traces.

No matter how skilled a ninja was, high-speed movement would always leave traces behind, whether consciously or not.

With that thought, the Third Raikage glanced back. Along the branches he had traveled, there would always be a footprint or two every so often. Even he could not avoid leaving traces while moving at full speed.

Then the only possibility now is...

I went the wrong way. He didn't flee in this direction.

After a series of thoughts flashed through his mind, the Third Raikage quickly understood. At that Uchiha Clan brat's speed, even moving at full speed, he could not have reached this place within a minute—much less done so without leaving any trace. Since there was still no sign of him, there could only be one reason: he had searched in the wrong direction.

Realizing this, the Third Raikage did not hesitate. His figure flashed, vanishing from the spot, followed by a flickering streak of lightning darting back the way he had