Thud!
Only then did the several Stone Ninja who had launched sneak attacks from the surroundings collapse dead.
"Th-That was too damn cool!"
"When will I ever have that kind of strength? I-I'm so jealous!"
A Konoha ninja nearby, having witnessed the scene, trembled with excitement.
"D-Don't mess around.
"We're in the middle of a war."
Mikoto's face swiftly flushed crimson. Her jade-like slender hand helplessly pinched the soft flesh at Uchiha Cheng's waist, though it was no stronger than a tickle.
Just as Uchiha Cheng was about to respond, he suddenly sensed several intense killing intents.
He immediately understood that he had been targeted, and that the enemies were quite strong—not the mass-produced cannon-fodder genin nearby...
Of course, how could he be so reckless during a war? He quickly created a Shadow Clone and had it use the Body Flicker Technique to take Mikoto away.
His main body remained where he was, fully focused and alert for anything unusual.
Although he could sense killing intent, he could not see a single figure. They were clearly ninjas skilled in assassination, hiding with techniques such as the Stone Concealment Technique and Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique.
"Come out! If you won't come out, then I'll go slaughter your cannon-fodder troops!"
Uchiha Cheng tried to provoke them with his words, but unfortunately, there was no response. Even their killing intent had become faint and elusive, difficult to detect.
Just as expected—they specialized in assassination.
Cold-blooded and ruthless enough.
"If you won't come out, then I'll force you out."
"Eight Inner Gates: Third Gate, Gate of Life, open!"
Boom!!! The ground beneath Uchiha Cheng instantly shattered, forming an enormous crater.
His figure streaked forward in a series of afterimages, plunging directly into the opposing Stone Ninja ranks.
Buzz! Eclipse Shadow Slash!