Sora Uchiha

Sora Uchiha knew that many small Katsuyu were formed by a single large Katsuyu splitting apart. In other words, Katsuyu could share their senses with one another.

So even if Tsunade was hiding in the cave, she could learn what was happening outside through Katsuyu. That was why no one had found her, despite her serious injuries and the full day and night that had passed.

Now that Tsunade said someone was approaching, Sora didn't doubt her. He lowered his voice. "How many?"

"One. He's very strong. Katsuyu can only observe him from a distance; she can't get close."

After a moment, Tsunade added, "He came in along exactly the same route you did."

Sora's expression darkened. If the man had taken the exact same route as him, he might have been following him—and Sora hadn't noticed at all.

This is bad. If someone can follow me without my noticing, then he's stronger than I am, he thought grimly.

He suddenly remembered that the system had said Tsunade would be in danger this time. But when he arrived, she was fine, and the poison in her system didn't seem to be causing her any serious trouble.

Could this unexpected visitor be the source of the danger the system had mentioned?

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

After a moment's thought, he took the Sword Box off his shoulder and drew the Kusanagi Sword. He also grabbed some Shuriken, Kunai, and Explosive Tags, tucking them into convenient places like his sleeves, the inner layers of his clothes, and his pant legs.

"I'll go take a look," Sora said to Tsunade.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes and flatly refused. "No. It's too dangerous. He's stronger than you."

Sora smiled faintly. "My mission is to rescue you. I can't let danger get close to you."

"This is an order," Tsunade said sternly.

Little girl, you'll have to wait until you become the Fifth Hokage before you can order me around.

Sora suddenly leaned toward Tsunade. From so close, he could clearly see her amber eyes.

There was no denying that Tsunade was beautiful. The war had done nothing to mar her loveliness, and her voluptuous figure only made her all the more alluring. Apart from her fiery temper, she was every man's dream woman.

No wonder Jiraiya, that old lecher who had been with countless women, had always cared most about Tsunade.

"I'm an Anbu member. I only take orders from the Hokage and my captain. Big Sister Tsunade, you don't have the authority to order me around." His words were a little suggestive, but the sharp eyes behind his fox mask made his refusal unmistakable.

Tsunade stared blankly at the kid in front of her. For a brief moment, he seemed to have become incredibly mature. She opened her mouth, then sighed. Reaching into the deep valley of her cleavage, she took out a Katsuyu.

"Take her with you." Before Sora could refuse, she placed Katsuyu on his shoulder.

Sora froze for a moment and glanced at the little Katsuyu. The little one seemed quite fond of him and stuck right to his face. Up close, it seemed to give off a faint milky scent.

Smacking his lips, Sora decided Tsunade was truly blessed by nature. A certain "Other Cherry Blossom" could never compare, even in a lifetime.

"Relax, I'm not an idiot. If I'm going alone, it's because I'm sure I can escape. If I can't hold him off, I'll leave you behind and run for my life. You, on the other hand, are the famous Konoha Sannin. Don't go dying in this little village."

Sora chuckled. The Chakra in his hand quietly vanished, and darkness swallowed him in an instant...

Tsunade lowered her eyes. For some reason, she had taken a liking to this kid who had appeared out of nowhere, and she felt something for him.

Of course, it wasn't romantic. She wasn't so desperate that she'd be interested in a little boy. She just... suddenly wanted a younger brother.

After a long silence, a faint green glow lit up the darkness. The Soldier Pills had replenished some of her Chakra, and she used the Mystical Palm Technique with Katsuyu's help to quietly treat her injuries.

Sora moved quietly toward the way he'd come. He was worried because the cave was so deep and completely devoid of light. If he used Chakra to illuminate his surroundings, the other person might notice him, so he was stumbling along in total darkness.

He wished more than anything that he had a pair of Byakugan so he could see in the dark. Unfortunately, he wasn't part of the Hyuga Clan. He didn't even have his own clan's Sharingan yet.

My life's been going too smoothly. At this rate, when will I ever awaken the Sharingan?

Little did he know that the day the awakening he longed for truly came would leave him utterly grief-stricken.

Of course, Sora was living a good life right now. The brutality of war hadn't affected him much.

After groping his way through the dark for a long while, he could feel the bats on the walls staring fixedly at him.

What a horrible feeling. It's making my skin crawl.

Drip, drip, drip...

Cold drops of water sent tiny ripples across the Mud Swamp.

Sora had some ideas about the enemy he was about to encounter.

Drip, drip, drip...

It could be pursuers from Iwagakure.

Drip, drip, drip...

It could also be that he'd been careless and a ninja from Takigakure had spotted him.

Drip, drip, drip...

He hoped it was the latter. Takigakure's ninja were weaker than Iwagakure's, so they'd be easier to handle.

Drip, drip, drip...

There was another problem: if they fought, the noise would be considerable. Then, whether or not his opponent was from Takigakure, a large number of their ninja would come running.

Footsteps echoed.

Sora's breathing caught. The sound of dripping water had turned into footsteps—footsteps the person made no effort to conceal.

Sora immediately reached a conclusion: this person was confident!

Footsteps echoed.

Honestly, with every step drawing closer, it felt as if a bell were inside his head, ringing each time the person walked. The ringing grew louder and louder, and the pressure mounted.

The instant the footsteps began, Sora had clung to the wall like a bat, silently watching in the direction they came from. Sticking to the steep wall was basic training, effortless for him.

He silently tightened his grip on the Kusanagi Sword, held his breath, and blended completely into the darkness.

Soon, a light appeared in the distance, and Sora could make out the newcomer.

He stood six feet tall, wore a headscarf and a black robe, and had eerie green eyes...

Sora's pupils suddenly contracted.

Kakuzu?!

The formidable man who had survived after attempting to assassinate Hashirama?! Hadn't he defected from Takigakure? Why was he here?!

Wait! He was wearing a mask. Could Kakuzu be the one who had ambushed Tsunade?!

There was no time to think further. Kakuzu had already reached the spot beneath him.

Crack—

A faint sound of something slicing through the air rang out, almost too quiet to notice.

Kakuzu's heart jolted. Years as a mercenary had given him extraordinary instincts. He snapped his head up and saw a flash of cold light shooting down from above, aimed straight at his throat!

Sora Uchiha had struck.