The Final Battle (3)

Imai Kenta's journey was relatively smooth. With Uchiha Kei and Namikaze Minato keeping the enemy occupied, his advance was comparatively easy.

Aside from encountering numerous traps that had been set up along the way, everything else was fine.

After spending some time disarming these traps, Imai Kenta continued his advance. Although dealing with the traps wasted some of his time, it was far better than being inexplicably blown to death.

Listening to the vibrations around him, Imai Kenta knew that Captains Uchiha Kei and Namikaze Minato were already engaged in battle with the enemy. He could only rely on himself now.

"Even if they weren't fighting, that Uchiha Kei guy probably wouldn't help me, would he?"

Imai Kenta thought to himself, the harmless, innocent smile that usually graced his face now gone.

That smile was a disguise. He had long grown accustomed to wearing it constantly, but now, he truly couldn't force a smile.

He knew the danger of this mission, but he couldn't avoid it. He was acutely aware that Namikaze Minato had likely already placed the Flying Thunder God's cursed seal on him.

However, comparatively speaking, Imai Kenta preferred Namikaze Minato. Although Namikaze Minato was terrifyingly powerful, he was still a trustworthy individual.

His teammate and current captain, Uchiha Kei, was a cold-blooded individual who made even Imai Kenta frown.

Imai Kenta felt an intense chill emanating from Uchiha Kei. Although Uchiha Kei hadn't done anything outrageous so far, Imai Kenta could sense the other side hidden beneath his calm exterior.

It was an emotion similar to his own, perhaps even more terrifying and persistent. Furthermore, Uchiha Kei's intelligence left Imai Kenta astounded.

Having such a person as a teammate could only be considered unfortunate. Every plan and action of his was highly purposeful. Regardless of whether he appeared to be doing good deeds or considering the team, his ultimate goal was always himself!

A ruthless, intelligent, and calm individual like that was hard to feel at ease with, especially now that he had activated his Sharingan, making him even more powerful.

"Uchiha Kei, a terrifying guy," Imai Kenta thought to himself. "Hyuga Aya isn't simple either, a woman full of schemes and ambition. Why are these two my teammates this time?"

Complaining was useless. Imai Kenta felt the vibrations growing stronger and knew he had to speed up.

While he didn't care whether Konoha won or lost, he did care about whether he could return safely. If this mission was successful, they could return to Konoha peacefully. Otherwise, he might truly have to leave Konohagakure.

Imai Kenta carried many heavy burdens, too many things he couldn't speak of, even things he didn't want to bear.

Continuing his advance, Imai Kenta soon reached the Kannabi Bridge. After carefully inspecting the surroundings, he disarmed a few traps and then leaped down.

However, Imai Kenta dared not relax. Namikaze Minato had been very clear: he had detected two enemies on the surface, but who knew if other enemies were waiting for them beneath the bridge.

Therefore, Imai Kenta remained vigilant. Even as the vibrations in the vicinity grew weaker, he still didn't dare to let his guard down.

"Is there really no one?" After descending, Imai Kenta didn't immediately set up the Explosive Tags. Instead, he frowned and observed his surroundings for a while.

After spending nearly one minute checking, his brow slowly relaxed, seemingly confirming the absence of enemies.

Imai Kenta quickly reached into his ninja pouch and took out Explosive Tags. Every ninja carried some of these common tools.

However, Imai Kenta didn't have many Explosive Tags. Even though Uchiha Kei had given him his own, unfortunately, Uchiha Kei didn't have many either.

Imai Kenta had to plan exactly where to place these explosive tags to ensure the bridge would collapse normally.

After some calculation and thought, Imai Kenta chose the locations for the explosive tags and began to place them normally.

But just then, the sound of wind breaking suddenly rang out behind Imai Kenta. Without any warning, Imai Kenta's eyes suddenly widened. Although he slowly fell to the ground.

"A brat is just a brat." A voice sounded from behind Imai Kenta, his voice filled with disdain: "Is Konoha out of people, to send a guy like you?"

A figure slowly emerged. It was an Iwa Ninja in a red ninja combat suit, appearing to be in his late twenties or early thirties. Clearly, this guy had also mastered the Secret Technique: Camouflage.

However, as a member of the defense ninja, he took a brief look at Imai Kenta's corpse and immediately sensed something was wrong. Especially when he suddenly heard the familiar sound of wind breaking from behind him, he knew he had likely been ambushed!

"Clang!"

The Iwa Ninja reacted extremely quickly. With a turn, his kunai precisely blocked Imai Kenta's sword. Furthermore, he used his immense strength to push Imai Kenta away!

Imai Kenta landed on the ground, holding his sword with both hands, and coldly stared at the Iwa Ninja before him. At the Iwa Ninja's feet, the 'corpse' of Imai Kenta was revealed – it was an Earth Clone, now completely turned into a puddle of mud.

"Not bad." The Iwa Ninja grinned sinisterly: "How did you discover me?"

"I've already encountered someone like you once on the way," Imai Kenta said calmly. "I noticed you as soon as I came down. It's a shame the sneak attack didn't succeed. It looks like I'll have to put in some effort."

Who was the hunter and who was the prey was hard to say. At least in the eyes of Imai Kenta and this damned Iwa Ninja, they were both hunters, and the other was the true prey.

For a moment, both fell silent. Verbal attacks could indeed stir a ninja's heart, but facing a ninja with an incredibly cold and resilient heart, verbal attacks were just a waste of saliva.

Not everyone had the ability to provoke someone into a frenzy with sarcastic remarks. Imai Kenta couldn't, and Uchiha Kei wasn't particularly skilled at it either.

"Die."

The silence was, after all, brief. The Iwa Ninja had always seen himself as the hunter. He didn't believe he would lose to a brat who looked only fourteen or fifteen years old!

Gripping his kunai, the Iwa Ninja unleashed a terrifying burst of speed, slashing towards Imai Kenta. It was incredibly sharp.

Imai Kenta snorted in disdain. A layer of azure Chakra surfaced on his ninja sword.

Imai Kenta displayed incredible speed. Just as they were about to clash, he suddenly lowered his head, narrowly dodging the attack. Only a few strands of messy hair were cut off, scattering in the air.

But his ninja sword didn't stop. With a swing, he forced the Iwa Ninja to take evasive action.

As they crossed paths, they also separated. Imai Kenta felt his right hand go numb. He knew that this guy's strength was probably not something he could clash with directly.

"It seems I can't hold back anymore."