Tracker

The setting sun cast golden threads across streets and alleys, like a romantic poem.

The shadow of the boy with his hands in his pockets stretched infinitely, adding a touch of inexplicable desolation as he walked alone.

Around him, pedestrians were all deterred by the "pool cue" on his back, as if approaching him would bring misfortune.

Sora Uchiha's expression was calm; he paid no mind to the pedestrians' gazes, which treated him like an anomaly. His peripheral vision flickered towards his back...

He only regretted not having the Byakugan, otherwise, he could have seen at least 360 degrees.

His footsteps were neither slow nor fast, just a bit quicker than an ordinary person's. After crossing this street, he turned into an empty alley.

The warm, glowing light did not make the alley feel cozy; instead, it added an indescribable eeriness.

Sora Uchiha chuckled softly, thinking this was probably the "blind spot." If viewed from afar, a dark figure standing in the light would look terrifying no matter what.

Deep into the alley, the light grew dim, and the falling shadows seemed to swallow Sora Uchiha.

"Come out."

He stopped, turned, hands in his pockets, and looked down at the empty alley before him.

The only response was the whistling wind, squeezing into the alley, blowing his hair against his cheeks, tickling him.

He felt a bit troubled, wondering if he should get a haircut sometime.

The alley remained silent. Sora Uchiha chuckled softly.

"You've been following me since this morning. What? Not planning to come out and meet me? I specifically chose a secluded spot for you."

After a long pause, there was still no answer. He sighed softly. "Since I said that, it means I've found you."

As he spoke, a shuriken suddenly appeared in his hand and shot towards the darkness like a cold glint!

This time, there was finally a reaction. The yellowish-brown wall in the darkness suddenly moved. The next moment, a figure flashed out, leaving behind only a tattered piece of cloth that blended perfectly with the wall's color.

Seeing the piece of cloth, Sora Uchiha's mouth twitched.

E-rank Ninjutsu, Hiding Technique. It uses a cloth to blend with the surroundings and a secret method to lower one's presence.

He had to admit, the Hiding Technique was used quite skillfully. If he hadn't sensed something was off earlier, he might not have noticed.

The follower appeared under a streetlamp. Due to the "blind spot" effect, Sora Uchiha squinted, unable to see the details clearly.

What he could make out was that this person was wearing a cat face mask.

But the mask was enough. After all, only one organization in Konoha wore such cat face masks.

Anbu? Root? It didn't matter.

"What do you want with me?" he asked calmly, one hand still in his pocket.

"As expected of an Uchiha prodigy, your perception is indeed sharp." A hoarse voice came from beneath the mask, making it impossible to tell the speaker's gender.

Sora Uchiha knew this was a special vocal technique, using a small amount of Chakra in the throat to avoid revealing one's voice.

"If that's all you have to say, then this is boring," Sora Uchiha said indifferently.

The follower choked slightly and said in a deep voice, "I originally intended to test your strength with a surprise attack. Since you've discovered me, there's no other way—"

His words were cut short.

A kunai, using the shadow cast by the eaves, drew a sharp arc towards him.

The follower's pupils contracted. He deflected the kunai with a short blade.

"Secret Scroll: Lightning Strike."

A lightning bolt, incredibly fast, appeared before him the moment he deflected the kunai.

He couldn't dodge it. This brat didn't even need hand seals!!!

This was his last thought. The speed of Lightning Strike was too fast; he felt that below Jonin level, no one could possibly dodge this attack.

A lightning bolt, as bright as daylight, struck right in front of him. However, his endurance was excellent. Even while paralyzed by the electricity, he quickly formed hand seals.

"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall."

Instantly, the follower spat out a mass of mud, which covered him directly, shielding him from the electricity.

Woof! Woof woof!!

Just as he caught his breath, fierce barks came from not far away!

Looking up, he saw several Ninja Dogs tackling him to the ground, growling ferociously.

Summoning: Ninja Dogs.

Summoning scrolls pressed together, my rank is high.

Sora Uchiha thought this, inexplicably feeling an urge to laugh.

The fight ended very quickly. The fundamental reason was that Sora Uchiha used his secret technique without hand seals, and the follower had no time to react.

He was directly paralyzed by Lightning Strike; otherwise, the latter might have had a chance to dodge the Ninja Dogs.

In short, the secret scroll initiated a stun, followed by the next move.

He walked up to the unconscious stalker, removed his mask, revealing a face in his late twenties or early thirties, completely unfamiliar.

After noting the man's appearance, he stood up and said calmly, "Whether you're from Anbu or Root, I don't care. If you need something, please contact me through the Uchiha."

With that, he turned and left, regardless of whether the man could hear him.

For him, this incident was merely a warm-up after a meal.

Moreover, he could roughly guess the purpose of testing his strength – it was nothing more than wanting to "inspect the goods" before recruiting him.

Tomorrow? Or the day after, someone would likely come to his home looking for him.

Night, Root Headquarters, Sui Yamanaka knelt on one knee, head bowed, one hand clenched into a fist against the ground, trembling, his heart filled with unease.

Before him stood Shimura Danzō, his expressionless.

Sui Yamanaka was the one who had tracked Sora Uchiha today, ordered to follow him and test his strength.

"You were instantly defeated?" Danzō repeated coldly.

"Yes, yes," Sui Yamanaka felt the displeasure in his superior's tone and couldn't help but feel helpless.

Testing Sora Uchiha's strength?

He was instantly defeated by a secret scroll and a summoning, unable to test anything. He was defeated by a boy who had just passed the Chunin Exams, and he was too ashamed to even call himself a member of Root.

Danzō stared at him for a long time, and Sui Yamanaka felt immense pressure, no less than training against a current under a waterfall.

"You don't even know what Ninjutsu he used?"

"It was..." Instantaneous Ninjutsu, no hand seals required. He didn't recognize Lightning Strike at all. "I only know it was a type of Lightning Style Ninjutsu, and he summoned a few dogs."

Even Danzō was somewhat taken aback. Sui Yamanaka's strength was considered second-tier among Chunin, yet he was instantly defeated by a boy.

Sora Uchiha was more complex than he had imagined.

"You may go," Danzō said calmly after a long period of staring.

"Yes!" Sui Yamanaka felt a wave of relief.

"Also, remember to accept your punishment."

Sui Yamanaka's face turned pale, and he lowered his head, silently acknowledging.

After Sui Yamanaka retreated, Ryoma Aburame pushed up his glasses and slowly said, "It seems Sora Uchiha is more terrifying than we thought. Instantaneous Lightning Style Ninjutsu, resembling lightning... I do know of one."

"Which one?" Danzō asked in a deep voice.

A glint flashed in Ryoma Aburame's glasses.

"One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen knows Lightning Style: Lightning Strike. It seems to be very similar to what Sui Yamanaka described."