Shiranui Genma

The kunai in Uchiha Sou's hand sliced across the last Genin's throat, and only then did he let out a quiet breath of relief.

The battle hadn't taken long. Although Might Guy had been spotted, they'd essentially launched a surprise attack, giving them an overwhelming advantage.

Uchiha Sou in particular was perfectly suited to ambushes.

Having been carefully trained by Inu-chichi from a young age in this world, and influenced by memories from before he'd crossed over, he'd always understood one principle.

'In the martial arts, speed is the ultimate defense!'

He admitted that his Taijutsu was a little weak, but he could change lanes and fight in a different way.

He'd noticed long ago that once he activated his Sharingan, his reaction speed became ridiculously fast.

And since he could improve his abilities through hard training, he'd chosen a path better suited to him.

When someone attacked him, he could naturally use the Substitution Technique to get out of trouble and avoid being beaten by his enemies.

When launching an attack, he could rely on the Body Flicker Technique and the Sharingan's genjutsu to take out his enemies in an instant.

And if he couldn't win, or found himself surrounded, he could use the Body Flicker Technique to run away!

The Hidden Mist Jōnin had been killed instantly when Sou's Body Flicker Technique, which he'd trained to A-rank, suddenly burst into action in combination with his Sharingan's genjutsu.

Uchiha Sou hadn't dared to drag the fight out. He wasn't sure he could handle that man's Hidden Mist Jutsu.

When the battle was finally over, a corresponding notification appeared in Uchiha Sou's field of vision.

[Dojutsu Sharingan gained 2 experience]

[Taijutsu Uchiha Style gained 1 experience]

[Dojutsu Sharingan (A): Level 3 (202/300)]

[Taijutsu Uchiha Style (C) Level 9 (101/900)]

"I killed a Jōnin, and my proficiency only went up by two points. That's painfully slow."

Looking at the panel, Uchiha Sou couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Now that his Sharingan had reached A-rank—the Three Tomoe—his experience gain had slowed to a crawl, especially with his level already so high.

That was also why Uchiha Sou was so worried about his future, and afraid Uchiha Itachi would reach enlightenment and cut him down with one stroke.

And getting two experience points at once was probably because he'd fought a Jōnin. He likely wouldn't get nearly as much from fighting anyone else.

"Captain, I'm sorry. I..." Just as he was thinking, Might Guy came over looking somewhat battered, his face full of remorse.

"It's not your fault. There was nothing anyone could do in that situation." Uchiha Sou came back to himself and shook his head indifferently. "Besides, they had a Jōnin too, didn't they?"

"Captain, you're amazing." Shiranui Genma had just finished binding the two Chunin who were still alive. He spoke with heartfelt admiration. "If you hadn't taken out their Jōnin so quickly, we wouldn't have had such an easy time."

As he spoke, Might Guy and Shiranui Genma turned to look at the Jōnin lying in a pool of blood.

A deep gash marked the man's throat, and blood kept pouring from it. The sight was chilling.

Uchiha Sou glanced at the man, but quickly looked away.

He'd been on the battlefield for almost three years and had developed the calmness to match it. He could kill an enemy without hesitation, his mind at peace.

Still, he couldn't quite stomach the sight of the dead. There was no telling whether he might one day end up like the person lying there.

But Shiranui Genma was right. If Uchiha Sou hadn't taken out the Jōnin in an instant, they wouldn't have finished the fight so easily.

The Jōnin's death dealt a devastating blow to the morale of the Kirigakure squad.

As they faced Might Guy and Shiranui Genma's attacks, they also had to watch out for Uchiha Sou's ambushes. His terrifying speed had already left them deeply shaken.

Under those circumstances, they kept making mistakes until they were defeated one by one and taken prisoner.

"All right, enough of that. Take them with us. We should get out of here quickly." Uchiha Sou shook his head. "There's too much blood in this cave. I'm worried it'll attract more enemies."

"Yes, Captain." Might Guy and Shiranui Genma nodded together. Each of them carried a Chunin on his back and quickly ran out of the cave.

Once they were outside, Uchiha Sou immediately formed Hand Seals. In an instant, the chakra inside him surged.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu."

He spewed out a massive fireball, which landed on the corpses in the cave.

The sound of crackling flames rang out. Uchiha Sou didn't want to look back, so he turned and left.

He was fairly familiar with disposing of corpses. He'd done it plenty of times before.

After taking care of everything, he quickly caught up with Shiranui Genma and Might Guy.

"Captain, what do we do next?"

Shiranui Genma was still stunned by Uchiha Sou's strength, but he knew that bloodline-limit users couldn't be judged by ordinary standards.

Besides, they had a more important mission to carry out, so he didn't dwell on it.

"We'll find another base so I have time to interrogate those two."

Uchiha Sou thought it over, then spoke with utmost seriousness.

"You both heard earlier that a squad of Konoha Ninja was being hunted. If we hadn't known about it, that would've been one thing. But now that we do, I think we should do something."

"Exactly, Captain." At that, Might Guy immediately nodded.

Shiranui Genma, however, furrowed his brow slightly. After thinking for a while, he suddenly said to Might Guy, "Guy, go scout ahead. Your Taijutsu is the best out of the three of us, so if there's trouble, you can get back here in time."

"No problem!" Though he was carrying a man on his back, Might Guy was still full of energy. He didn't hesitate when he heard Shiranui Genma's words and immediately sprinted ahead.

His short stature made him look comical carrying a grown man, but it didn't slow him down at all.

"Captain, are you really going to do this?" Once Might Guy had left, Shiranui Genma spoke with some resignation. "This may sound cold, but I think we should focus more on the mission."

He paused, then carefully added a reminder. "Captain, do you remember Kakashi's father?"

Shiranui Genma's words surprised Uchiha Sou. He hadn't expected this seemingly lazy guy from the original story, who went around with a Senbon in his mouth all day, to be so perceptive.

But after thinking about it, Uchiha Sou realized it made perfect sense.

Although he'd only been a Special Jōnin in the original story, he'd still survived until the end.

He also had a very unusual position: he was a member of both the Fourth Hokage's and Fifth Hokage's escort units, and their captain at that!

Just think: if he weren't clever and perceptive, how could he have gotten that far? Namikaze Minato had even taught him the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Perhaps the Flying Thunder God Technique had been too difficult, or his talent had been a little lacking. Either way, he hadn't completely mastered it.

After thinking it over for a moment, Uchiha Sou replied seriously, "I know what you mean, Genma, but I have a plan too."

"A plan?" Shiranui Genma asked curiously.

"That's right. A plan."

Uchiha Sou nodded and gazed into the distance before speaking slowly.

"A plan that will help us complete the mission more effectively—and stay alive behind enemy lines."