By Necessity

"This is not good!"

With her eyebrows raised and her forehead creased with deep wrinkles, Katsuki muttered to herself, her heart pounding with anxiety.

The Sand Village had a large force, but the only one that made Katsuki wary and forced him to flee like a fish slipping through a net was Kumasaburo. His strength was so great that he could easily suppress Fugaku, a rising star of the Uchiha Clan. This left Katsuki with no confidence that he could win the battle. Even if he used all his trump cards, according to his calculations, he would only be able to prolong his life.

Fortunately, even if I can't beat them, I can outrun them.

He was confident in his ability to escape, but confidence is one thing, but it doesn't mean he was absolutely certain. A master like Kumasaburo had too many tricks up his sleeve to be understood by common sense.

Therefore, during his spare time while fleeing, he kept an eye on Kumasaburo's every move.

Now that Kumasaburo has made a move, the flow of Chakra has suddenly become more intense; this is a sign that he is about to make a move!

Suddenly, her heartbeat quickened again, and the thumping sound in her ears was like the beating of drums. Katsuki suddenly stopped, halting her forward momentum. She turned around, having already completed the last hand seal, and then slammed her palms together.

Earth Release, Earth Style Wall.

The instant Katsuki turned around, Kumasaburo launched his attack. The huge Iron Fan fell like the sky collapsing, creating a violent hurricane.

Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel.

When it makes a move, it's astonishing; its imposing aura seems to swallow mountains and rivers. The howling hurricane in mid-air even strips away a layer of the dark clouds in the sky. The rock walls that rise from the ground are as fragile as paper, collapsing with the slightest touch. The whistling wind blades shred the rock walls to dust in less than a breath.

However, the figure of Katsuki could no longer be seen behind the rock wall. The wind was ravaging the mountains and rivers, leaving behind a scene of devastation on the bluish-gray rocks.

Not seeing any sign of Katsuki, Kumasaburo didn't seem to mind. Dragging his Iron Fan, he asked, "Where are you?"

"Seventy-nine meters ahead, sixteen meters underground, it is moving in a northwest direction."

The sensory ninja quickly provided the answer. The Sand Ninja team had four sensory ninjas who had been monitoring Katsuki's every move. It was thanks to these shrewd individuals that Katsuki had repeatedly failed to escape. Mind's Eye of the Kagura's Eye concealment technique had very strict conditions for execution. It was impossible for someone moving at such high speed to conceal their own existence. If they could, the Uzumaki Clan would truly be defying the heavens.

After releasing the Earth Style Wall, Katsuki didn't even look at his work. He formed hand Hand Seals again and used the Earth Travel Technique to dive deep underground, trying to escape into the distance like a ground rat. Even though he ran fast enough, the howling wind blades tore through the rocks, and the sharp wind rays penetrated into the ground, leaving a deep wound on his back.

This is why he is so powerful. Try it on someone else; without the Hardening Technique, even the weakened remnants of the Wind Blade would be enough to disembowel them.

Despite the tearing pain in her back, Katsuki's face showed no joy at escaping death; instead, her expression was as gloomy as if she had lost her parents.

"Boom!"

The earth suddenly began to shake, and Katsuki, who was underground, felt it most clearly. His momentum was suddenly halted, and the underground rock layers and soil twisted like pretzel. Even the Earth Travel Technique could not control these Chakra- filled rocks. The powerful Sand Ninja who were skilled in Earth Release made their move.

In Sunagakure, Wind Release ninjas are the most numerous, followed by those skilled in Earth Release. This time, the team chasing Katsuki had five members who were proficient in Earth Release: two Special Jonin and three Elite Chunin. They did not seek to kill, but were ordered to block Katsuki's underground escape route. Sensory ninjas acted as eyes and ears, skillfully blocking Katsuki's escape path.

Gazing at the twisted rock formations before him, Katsuki unleashed a burst of lightning, tearing through the top layer of rock and charging upwards.

Continuing to sneak under these circumstances is like drinking poison to quench thirst; it might buy some time, but once Kumasaburo breaks through the rock layer, the consequences are obvious.

"They're out! They're out!"

Four sensory ninjas shouted loudly.

Kumasaburo raised an eyebrow, slung the Iron Fan over his back, and darted out like a lithe leopard. Since he wanted to capture the person alive, he needed to fight in close combat. Otherwise, with the power of his Wind Release Technique, he could easily tear the person to pieces like a rag doll.

"Snap!"

"Phew, damn it..."

Katsuki emerged from underground, caught her breath, drew the short sword from her back, and charged straight at Kumasaburo, her eyebrows raised high, her dark eyes burning with what seemed like flames. There was no turning back, no escape; she had no choice but to fight to the death. Her expression was like that of an enraged young tiger.

A distance of seven or eight meters is but a blink of an eye for a master; the blade flashes past like lightning...

"Team leader!!"

An angry shout shattered the deathly silence of the rain.

Nawaki flushed red as he glared at Uchiha Fugaku with eyes full of indignation.

"Is there something you need?"

Fugaku asked coldly.

"Are we really going to just abandon Katsuki like this? He single-handedly drew away all the Sand Ninja!" Fugaku's cold attitude stung Nawaki, and the young man's passionate heart began to pound. He couldn't help but argue with Fugaku.

The Otome lowered her straw hat, obscuring her face, so her expression was unreadable.

Kamiya, oblivious to the danger, muttered to Nawaki, "Yeah, it feels so cold-blooded to just stand by and do nothing!"

Standing next to Kamiya was Hoshio. Hearing this guy's mutterings, Kamiya rolled his eyes. Kamiya really didn't know the meaning of death. The rules of ninjas are extremely strict. Insubordination is a major taboo. Not everyone has the confidence to talk back to Captain Uchiha Fugaku like Nawaki.

"Katsuki has done a good job. As long as we can complete the mission smoothly, I will naturally report his actions." Fugaku ignored Kamiya's mutterings and slowly answered Nawaki's question. However, his unhurried attitude completely ignited Nawaki's anger.

"You... you... Captain, you just abandon your comrades like this? Don't you feel anything at all?" Nawaki was practically spitting fire, but being well-mannered, he was really bad at arguing. Even though he was so angry he was practically fuming, he still addressed Fugaku as Captain.

Fugaku stared coldly at Nawaki, then his icy gaze swept over everyone before returning to Nawaki.

"Remember, we are on a mission. To complete it, we must spare no effort. Whether it's Katsuki or myself, if it's necessary, what does death matter? Don't forget we are ninjas. Completing the mission is our responsibility, not letting personal feelings ruin it."

Fugaku's words were like knives, sharp and incisive, leaving everyone speechless. Nawaki was breathing out hot white air, and bloodshot veins were visible in the whites of his eyes. He was clearly furious, but unfortunately, he didn't know how to refute Fugaku. For a moment, he was so anxious that his heart was burning like fire.