Two Tigers Fighting Over Prey

"Oh no! It's fake!"

Upon discovering that the remaining Shin'nosuke Sarutobi was an imposter, the Cloud Ninja were immediately enraged and countless Cloud Ninja began chasing after the fleeing figure.

Elsewhere, a gentle breeze swept by, and on a bridge connecting the cliffs, ninja figures appeared at both ends.

The masked Uchiha Yoru, wearing sunglasses, carefully counted the ransom. On the other side of the vermilion bridge, five Sarutobi Clan ninjas were filled with anger and apprehension. If Shinnosuke weren't so important, they would have risked everything to rescue him.

A Sharingan flashed in the Mangekyou Mangekyo behind the sunglasses, and the pupils of the Shinnosuke, who was examining the unconscious man, trembled. The Sarutobi Clan ninja was instantly under the Genjutsu. After carefully examining the man and confirming that there was nothing wrong with him, Shinnosuke nodded solemnly.

"It's Shinnosuke- sama, I'm sure of it."

The Sarutobi Clan spoke Jōnin to his companions in the distance. At that moment, everyone in the distance secretly breathed a sigh of relief, because the return of Shinnosuke- sama was more important than anything else.

"Can we exchange them now?"

The masked Uchiha Yoru spoke in a hoarse voice, while the Sarutobi Clan ninja who came to inspect him nodded warily. Under the other party's gaze, he slowly put all the valuables into the sealing scroll.

Just as he was collecting the valuables, the other party grabbed Shin'nosuke Sarutobi and hurriedly dodged behind him. At the same time, the other Sarutobi Clan ninjas who had been waiting for a long time rushed to cover him.

"Cover Shinnosuke!"

In a flash, one side took the valuables, while the other side immediately protected the hostages and retreated. At the same time, the remaining elite members of the Sarutobi Clan instantly flashed forward to be on guard against the other side.

Having obtained the valuables, Uchiha Yoru made his escape, a single word slowly curving his lips as he left.

"Burst!"

A rustling sound came from the body of Shinnosuke, the Shinnosuke being protected by the Sarutobi Clan. At that moment, the ninja protecting him narrowed his eyes and looked down to see the Explosive Tags stuck inside his clothes.

"Get out of the way! This Shinnosuke- sama is fake!"

One of the Sarutobi Clan who came this time sensed something instantly. However, amidst the huge roar and flashes of Kakkō, the Konoha ninja who came this time was filled with anger.

"Chase them! We must not let them get away!"

As the Signal Flare resounded across the sky, the elite members of the Sarutobi clan, along with the elites of the Anbu and Root, who had been hiding for a long time, quickly headed towards the direction of the Signal Flare, even though they were more than ten kilometers away from the safe range of the Sarutobi Clan.

Rumble~

At the same time, the hidden Explosive Tags on the sturdy bridge on the cliff exploded in the Kakkō, and the bridge collapsed in an instant.

This only delays the ninjas' progress; it cannot stop powerful ninjas.

In the dense forest, a dark figure darted swiftly through the air, followed far behind by a group of elite Konoha soldiers chasing in a fan shape.

What's rather strange is that on the other side in the distance, ninjas from the same Kumogakure are chasing a figure.

Within the dense jungle, only the sounds of ninjas moving at high speed could be heard. With each rapid leap, gusts of wind were stirred up, and afterimages flashed by, with leaves falling to prove their passage.

In the rapid chase, Uchiha Yoru's figure was extremely fast; if neither side hadn't given it their all, they probably would have lost him long ago.

The Konoha ninjas were filled with rage. "Damn it, chase after them! Shinnosuke must still be in their hands!"

"We cannot let them get away with this."

Just as a group of elite Konoha ninjas were frantically giving chase, one of the Anbu sensory ninjas suddenly changed his expression and issued a warning. "Not good! There's a large amount of Chakra reaction in the distance. There are fifteen people, and their Chakra reserves are enormous. In particular, one of them has monstrous Chakra levels, far exceeding those of ordinary Jōnin."

"Be on guard! The enemy has laid an ambush."

Faced with the report from the sensory ninja, Konoha's elite did not lose their composure. Instead, they calmly began to choose a tactical strategy. Although the enemy had laid an ambush, they also had reasons to give up. Moreover, their goal was not to kill but to rescue their target.

Similarly, the Kumogakure chasing team also had sensory ninjas, who immediately became serious upon sensing the presence of the other party and reported to their captain, Killer B.

He used the same method to deceive the Kumogakure. After all, neither side had considered the terrifying Genjutsu abilities of the Mangekyo. When they discovered that Shinnosuke was an imposter, they immediately began the chase.

"Captain, we've spotted two ninja squads ahead, forming a fan shape and closing in. There are thirty-eight of them, and their Chakra levels all exceed those of ordinary Chunin..."

As the report was given, Killer B unreliable face turned serious, and he frowned.

Ninja squads typically consist of four members: one captain and three members. However, there are also so-called "battalions" that carry out missions, with each battalion consisting of seventeen members. These battalions are operated by Konoha's Anbu and other major ninja villages.

Therefore, the opposing force of thirty-eight men can be considered two large battalions, all of which are elite troops.

In the original story, when Orochimaru defected, one of the orders issued by Konoha was that two Anbu battalions were needed to capture the S-rank Rogue Ninja Orochimaru.

This lineup is quite formidable, but Killer B's side is also of high quality, only slightly fewer in number.

"The sensory ninjas continue their reconnaissance while simultaneously sending a signal to the surrounding personnel to prepare for backup."

"Yes."

Ultimately, Killer B decided to confront them head-on first, since they had not only lost such a large sum of money, but their target had also been taken away, which was a huge loss.

"Prepare for battle!"

After a loud shout, Killer B instantly transformed into a red Tailed Beast Cloak, draping his entire body and increasing his speed dramatically. Under the determined gazes of the crowd, Killer B decided to try and catch up at the last moment.

Both sides believe this is a tactic employed by the other.

Uchiha Yoru, who was moving rapidly ahead, suddenly felt a sense of crisis and instinctively glanced to the side, his pupils shrinking instantly.

Behind them, in the distance, Killer B had already entered Tailed Beast Transformation, or rather, Partial Tailed Beast Transformation.

Enveloped in dark red Chakra, several blood-red tails twitched, and a Chakra sphere filled with the aura of death was gathering in its mouth.

Tailed Beast Ball!

When I first faced the Tailed Beast Ball, my body instinctively felt the fear of death, and every hair on my body stood on end. I'm going to die! I can't stop it, I'm going to die!

In an instant, Uchiha Yoru hurriedly stopped, and the Mangekyo under his sunglasses began to spin rapidly. He was ready to unleash his Mangekyo ability if necessary.

Boom!

In an instant, a bright light flashed, so dazzling that it turned everything in sight white, followed by a huge roar from behind.

A massive shockwave from the explosion swept in, like a vast tornado.

Wearing sunglasses, Uchiha Yoru glanced discreetly behind him with a wary and calm demeanor. The Tailed Beast Ball had just grazed past him; its target wasn't him, but rather to obstruct him.

At the same time, the terrifying attack of the Tailed Beast Ball brought immense pressure to the Konoha ninjas in the distance. Instantly, the expressions of the Konoha elite ninjas changed drastically, but remembering their mission, they still gritted their teeth and followed.

The shockwave from the explosion swept over them, making their clothes flutter wildly. Taking advantage of the Tailed Beast Ball's burst of power, Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer B, had already arrived in front of them.

Enveloped in dark red Tailed Beast Chakra, it bore no resemblance to a human at all, appearing entirely like a small Tailed Beast. Especially with the ominous aura emanating from it and the immense pressure of its chakra, a bead of cold sweat appeared on Uchiha Yoru's forehead.

At this moment, he seemed to finally understand the pressure Orochimaru faced when confronting the Nine-Tails at the Tenchi Bridge in the original story. It was a terrifying being that could threaten his life.

The terrifying pressure exerted by the Tailed Beast's chakra was especially vividly displayed.

"You're the next target!"

Killer B in his Tailed Beast Transformation Mode demonstrated the power of Perfect Jinchuriki, managing to maintain his sanity even under such intense pressure.

Killer B stared at his opponent with apprehension, while the Eight-Tails Gyūki within him also wore a look of fear. "Killer B, be careful, this opponent is no ordinary foe."

At this moment, the masked Uchiha Yoru swiftly tossed aside a figure, and under the suspicious gaze of the person, he kicked them directly.

"I've given you Shin'nosuke Sarutobi."

At that moment, Killer B lowered his head to check, but did not let his guard down. However, just as he confirmed that there was nothing wrong, the black-clad man Uchiha Yoru, slowly curled up the corner of his mouth, revealing a mocking look in his eyes.

"Little octopuses, my mission is complete. Now it's your turn."

Within Killer B's sight, the man in black vanished with a bang; it was Shadow Clone.

"Hachi, is what you just said true?"

After the enemy disappeared Killer B did not lower his guard. Instead, he began to talk to the Eight-Tails inside him. At this moment, the Eight-Tails Gyūki sealed inside him was filled with fear and solemnity.

"My intuition is correct. Although the feeling I had just experienced was only fleeting, there was indeed a power about the other person that I was wary of and fearful of."

Killer B, who was hearing about the power that could make even the Tailed Beasts feel apprehensive for the first time, was also filled with solemnity, and this time things were very unusual.

"Retreat!"

He tucked Shin'nosuke Sarutobi under his arm, immediately reverted to his Tailed Beast Transformation, and began a rapid retreat.

Rumble~

On a distant treetop, a masked figure calmly watched the roaring forest rumble in the distance. Trees were falling from time to time, and flocks of birds were flying away in panic. Clearly, the ninjas of Konoha and Killer B Kumogakure had encountered each other, and a great battle had broken out.

"He seems to be quite restrained."

Watching the aftershocks of the battle Uchiha Yoru's lips curled into a smile. The Kumogakure may seem domineering, but they are actually quite cunning.

Upon seeing a group of Konoha ninjas, knowing he couldn't silence them, he restrained the power of the Tailed Beasts, since this was already a clash between two nations.

One is the son of the Hokage, and the other is the Jinchuriki of Kumogakure. If Tailed Beast Transformation Tailed Beasts, Konoha will definitely not be lenient with them.

After all, to the outside world, Konoha possesses the strongest Nine-Tails.

Konoha Base

"Lord Yoru."

"Lord Yoru."

When Uchiha Yoru returned to his long-lost base, some ninjas he knew greeted him with excited and admiring smiles.

Uchiha Yoru nodded and smiled in response, and news of his return spread Camp.

"Night."

When Hatake Kakashi came out to greet Uchiha Yoru, their eyes met. Uchiha Yoru, without regard for the presence of countless people, smiled and nodded, and began to speak.

"The mission is complete. Lady Tsunade has retrieved the First Hokage's Weapon that was passed down in the Land of Whirlpools."

This was originally an honor mission, so there was no intention of hiding it after it was completed. With Uchiha Yoru's voice, the Konoha Ninjas around him cheered excitedly.

For them, the First Hokage's weapon was merely a symbolic object; they had heard news of the legendary Sannin Tsunade.

Congratulations, Night!

Hatake Kakashi, trying to suppress his nervousness, said that when Uchiha Yoru appeared in the light, he knew that Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's matter had probably been resolved properly, but for him, this seemed to bring a strange sense of guilt.

"Konoha Jonin Uchiha Yoru has completed his mission and has come to report to Commander Shin'nosuke Sarutobi."

At this moment, Uchiha Yoru feigned an righteous demeanor and shouted in front of everyone, as if explaining the situation of his mission.

It gives the impression that although the mission was completed, it was done by Sannin Tsunade, and that Uchiha Yoru was not lacking in strength.

The clever person thought that Uchiha Yoru wanted to use the greater Shin'nosuke Sarutobi to pressure Sarutobi Shinnosuke, and by bringing up Princess Tsunade's existence, the other party would be unable to pursue the matter.

However, no one thought of the deeper implications, except for Kakashi, who was secretly nervous, for he knew everything.

"Shin'nosuke Sarutobi is on a secret mission for the village; I'm now in charge of the front lines."

Kakashi feigned composure, but at that moment, some among the crowd showed expressions of amusement, while others looked worried.

After all, Uchiha Yoru was the commander before, and Kakashi was his second-in-command, but now their positions are reversed.

The Uchiha Clan's proud nature might lead to trouble.

Sure enough, the smile on Uchiha Yoru's face stiffened when he heard the news, but when he saw the expressions of the ninjas on Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's side, he put on a forced, strong, and composed smile.

"Oh, I see. My mission is complete. It seems I need to wait for orders from the village before I can return to rest. Kakashi, you'd better keep up the good work."

In everyone's eyes, this was Uchiha Yoru's counterattack. It seemed that it was enough to say that he had made a great contribution by turning the tide and stabilizing the front line. Now he could return to the village, but he was delayed by the mission.

Kakashi became a commander simply because he was transferred back to the village, not because you, Kakashi, are stronger than him.

Some people secretly breathed a sigh of relief, at least they hadn't completely broken off relations. Uchiha Yoru also put on a fake smile, reported the mission process to Kakashi, and then headed towards the Uchiha Earth Flow.

When the two looked at each other, it seemed to outsiders that there was a rift between them, but the two of them secretly nodded to each other in unison.

When Hatake Kakashi saw Uchiha Yoru nod, he knew, though he didn't know what had happened, that Shin'nosuke Sarutobi probably wouldn't be coming back.

Sorry, I only finished my homework at 4 pm today. I stayed up until 3 am last night, and I was so sleepy this afternoon that I wanted to take a nap. But when I woke up it was already evening, and I just finished typing this.

[We plan to resume normal updates on May 4th, with two updates per day.]