Three Sneaky Bastards

People tended to dislike those who were just like them. Uchiha Kei, Hyuga Aya, and Imai Kenta were no exception.

They barely spoke during the journey. Uchiha Kei could even tell that the other two probably wanted to tear him apart.

But Uchiha Kei wasn't easily intimidated. If those two actually dared to make a move, he might even be glad.

It would save him a lot of trouble. He might not be good at much else, but when it came to running away, Uchiha Kei had some experience.

Uchiha Kei might have been mediocre at other things, but there was one technique he'd mastered exceptionally well: the Body Flicker Technique.

If a fight broke out, Uchiha Kei could activate his Sharingan, use the Body Flicker Technique to take one of them out, then turn and run.

Then he wouldn't have to worry about this damn mission, and he could even report them for betraying the village.

He could have the Yamanaka Clan investigate what had happened, and Uchiha Kei was sure he'd come out of it just fine.

Unfortunately, the other two seemed to understand that, too. They had no intention of doing anything like that.

The three continued on their way. Suddenly, Imai Kenta stopped and made a hand signal: Trouble.

Imai Kenta had good senses. As a Taijutsu Ninja—especially one skilled in swordsmanship—his nose was particularly sharp.

Hyuga Aya immediately activated her Byakugan and began scanning the area. Veins bulged around her eyes, making her look less ethereal and more ferocious than in the manga.

"Six," Hyuga Aya mouthed to Kei and the others.

Six meant at least two squads. In wartime, it was perfectly normal for a squad to be understrength for one reason or another.

Still, that was good news. At least they wouldn't have to face two full squads. The only thing they didn't know yet was whether there was a Jonin among them.

Uchiha Kei, Hyuga Aya, and Imai Kenta were no Jonin. They weren't like Kakashi, who had become a Jonin at the age of twelve.

Of course, they weren't Genin who were the "strongest fighting force in Konoha," either. They were just three Chunin.

Uchiha Kei considered the situation. Six opponents weren't a bad target; at the very least, their Forehead Protectors would make decent trophies.

With that thought, Uchiha Kei signaled to the two beside him. The three of them darted away in different directions and hid among the treetops.

Uchiha Kei hid in a patch of low bushes. At the same time, he activated his Sharingan. Three Black Tomoe slowly revolved in his crimson eyes.

Hyuga Aya and Imai Kenta had no time to worry about anyone else, which let Uchiha Kei use his abilities without restraint. Before long, he saw several Chakra Flowing Figures.

They'd stumbled upon each other too suddenly for anyone to set up traps. Otherwise, they might have had an easier time of it.

Taking a deep breath, Kei finished assessing the situation.

The enemy had only one Jonin, which was good news. But they also had two Chunin and three Genin—not a force to be taken lightly.

The world of Naruto was bizarre. Even someone as powerful as Uchiha Madara could still be killed by a sneak attack.

Just look at Black Zetsu, who'd stabbed Uchiha Madara in the back while talking heart-to-heart with him, or Naruto, who'd used Sexy Jutsu to leave Kaguya completely lovestruck.

Taking another deep breath, Uchiha Kei drew a Kunai, but he didn't dare attack recklessly.

Who knew if his two teammates would turn and run the moment he made a move? Most amusingly, it seemed they were wary of that possibility, too.

They stayed perfectly still where they were, watching as the six Iwa Ninja walked right past them.

"Damn it."

Uchiha Kei cursed under his breath. Without Fukuhisa Kouhei, their Guiding Jonin, they'd taken distrust to a whole new level.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

With that thought, Uchiha Kei stopped holding back. He immediately formed Hand Seals and unleashed a Ninjutsu at the six Iwa Ninja. As luck would have it, the attack covered the spot where Imai Kenta was hiding!

As soon as he'd done that, Uchiha Kei created a Shadow Clone, then used the Substitution Technique with his real body. He stood safely atop a tree, watching what happened below and deciding what to do next.

Imai Kenta couldn't stay hidden any longer. He cursed Uchiha Kei with the vilest words he could think of, then leapt out.

He drew his sword, swung it, then turned to dodge—all in one fluid motion. One of the slower-reacting Iwa Ninja Genin was killed on the spot.

Most importantly, Uchiha Kei, watching from the side, realized the kid wasn't exactly an honest sort, either.

The spot he'd dodged toward was right where Hyuga Aya was hiding. Though the Iwa Ninja were startled by the ambush, they quickly recovered.

A barrage of Kunai flew at them, and Imai Kenta turned and ran. Hyuga Aya had no choice but to grit her teeth and leap out of hiding.

"Two brats?" The Iwa Ninja Jonin sneered when he saw them. "You've got some nerve. Take them out!"

The Iwa Ninja Chunin and Genin didn't need the Jonin to give the order. They'd already drawn their weapons and charged at the two.

The Iwa Ninja Jonin didn't let his guard down, either. A squad had four people, and only two had appeared so far. Considering the possibility of casualties, there had to be at least one more who hadn't shown himself.

He couldn't act recklessly now. He should at least wait until he'd caught the last one.

Just then, he suddenly felt an intense, ominous sense of danger. The icy sensation made his hair stand on end!

Fast—unbelievably fast!

His sense of touch told him his clothes had been sliced open. Even his back had been cut by a Kunai!

In the blink of an eye, the Iwa Ninja Jonin formed Hand Seals and instantly used the Substitution Technique.

At the most dangerous moment, the simplest Ninjutsu was often the most effective. As a Jonin, he knew that better than anyone!

As he substituted, the Jonin glanced at the spot where he'd been standing. A boy stood there—a boy with crimson eyes!

The Sharingan!

The Uchiha Clan? The Jonin wasn't stupid. He immediately realized who he was facing.

But he was in a bind. When facing an Uchiha—even a kid—it was best not to fight alone. Two people made for better odds.

The others were already caught up in their own fights. He was a Jonin, but only a few days ago, he'd been a Special Jonin!

Suddenly, the Iwa Ninja Jonin's eyes widened again. The crimson-eyed Uchiha brat had disappeared once more, and this time, he felt a cool touch at his throat.

"So fast."