By the next morning, Roy had ordered them to take turns resting.
With the Sharingan and their powerful sensory abilities, the two of them could cover their respective patrol areas.
"System, status panel!"
Roy summoned his status panel with a thought.
Host: Uchiha Roy Ninjutsu: Fire Style: Fireball Explosion [42%], Fire Style: Blue Flame [29%]; Lightning Style: Lightning Snake Frenzy [52%], Lightning Style: White Worm [42%] Taijutsu: Konoha Style Taijutsu [70%], Uchiha Style Taijutsu [82%] Genjutsu: Thorn Bind Kekkei Genkai: Sharingan [11%] [3 Magatama], Mera Mera no Mi [61%] Fixed Chakra: 8500 Items: Improved Explosive Tags *50, Improved Kunai *50, Explosive Tags *1200, Kusanagi Sword: Turin... Buff: Double Chakra Extraction Ability: Portable Space [1000m³] Main Quest: Save the Uchiha [20%] [Requirement: After the Night of the Massacre, preserve as many Uchiha clan members as possible. The more survivors, the higher the rank and the better the rewards.] Side Quest: Investigate the Satori Organization Random Quest: Eliminate the enemies preparing to invade Konoha [12/20]
Looking at the panel, Roy's face lit up with delight.
Just as he'd suspected.
The best way to improve his abilities and ninjutsu was through combat.
Training alone was far too slow.
After a few more battles, Roy was sure he could master the Mera Mera no Mi completely.
Then he'd gain some new abilities.
The thought filled him with anticipation.
Putting those thoughts aside, Roy began refining his chakra.
Several days passed. Aside from the occasional encounter with an invading ninja, nothing happened.
"Captain Roy, we'll be changing shifts in three days."
"Could you ask the clan head to let us stay here longer?"
Under the moonlight, Jo-ni looked at Roy expectantly as they patrolled the outskirts of the village.
"I doubt the clan head will agree."
"It's not just that we need a rest. Two weeks is about the ideal limit."
"Besides, the other clan members want a chance to come out here and test themselves, too."
Roy spread his hands, showing he couldn't do anything about it.
"Fine. I hope a few more punks show up tonight. Then..."
"Hm?"
Before Jo-ni could finish, all three of them drew their kunai and stood back-to-back.
They had all sensed the large amount of chakra approaching.
"There are more than thirty of them!"
"Who are these guys? Why would they gather so many forces here?"
Jo-ni looked puzzled.
Ninja trying to sneak into Konoha usually acted alone.
Even when they worked in teams, there were never more than three of them.
"Whoever they are, we'll take them out first."
"Notify the others and tell them to be careful."
"If they're not in trouble, they should get here right away."
Roy's Sharingan spun rapidly as he carefully assessed the situation.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Technique!"
Jo-ni swiftly formed Hand Seals, and a massive fire dragon shot into the sky, rising high above them and illuminating the whole area.
"Captain Roy, who do you think these ninja are...?"
Aoshi looked confused.
If they were from Root, then even the three of them would struggle against such a large group.
If they weren't, then who could have gathered so many powerful ninja in such a short time?
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
Before Roy could answer, a barrage of shuriken flew at them.
"Clang, clang, clang..."
Against the Sharingan, their shuriken throws were nothing. Roy and the others easily blocked the first probing attack.
"Water Style: Rain of Senbon!"
At a voice's command, a dark cloud gathered in the sky.
Then a dense barrage of water senbon rained down on them.
"Fire Style: Great Fire Dragon Technique!"
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet!"
"Fire Style: Fire Fist!"
All three immediately unleashed Fire Style techniques, breaking through the Water Style attack.
The resulting explosions filled the surrounding air with mist.
"Are they from Kirigakure?"
"These attacks were one of their specialties during the Third Shinobi World War."
"Kirigakure hasn't even sorted out its own internal affairs, and it dares to come looking for trouble in Konoha!"
As Jo-ni spoke, his Sharingan spun rapidly.
He scanned their surroundings, ready to strike the moment anything changed.
"Kirigakure?"
Roy murmured, a strand of white lightning appearing at his fingertips.
Soon, strands of white lightning gathered in his hand.
"They're not from Kirigakure."
"That was only a probing attack, and I think we're the only ones who were targeted."
Roy spoke, then whispered a few words into Jo-ni and Aoshi's ears.
In the next instant, he vanished.
"Are they those things?"
"Be careful. Cover Roy while he moves."
Jo-ni nodded and immediately created Shadow Clones.
Six figures plunged into the thick mist.
"Lightning Style: Azure Blue!"
"Lightning Style: Scattered Lightning!"
As one Lightning Style technique after another struck the mist, it soon began to clear.
When it had dispersed, a crowd of puppets appeared before the two of them.
"There are more than thirty... These toy-like things dare to use themselves against the Uchiha?!"
Aoshi finished speaking and channeled chakra into his kunai, hurling it toward the distance.
"Ready. Fall back!"
Roy's voice carried over just then.
"Go!"
At the sound of his voice, Jo-ni leaped away.
Aoshi immediately used the Body Flicker Technique.
The next moment, Roy appeared in the center of the encirclement.
"How interesting. You actually dare to face my army of puppets alone?"
"Then you'll be my first target!"
"Uchiha... Your eyes are worth a fortune."
A short figure appeared beneath a distant tree.
He raised both hands. The puppets were clearly under his control.
"Rustle, rustle, rustle..."
With a wave of his hands, the puppets surged toward Roy.
There were too many to destroy all at once.
"Lightning Style: Little White Worm!"
Roy raised a finger. A tiny white lightning bug wriggled outward, spreading in every direction.
Soon, countless Little White Worms surrounded him.
Like a spreading virus, they covered every Chakra Thread.
"Ha!"
Roy gave a sharp shout, and all the little white bugs exploded.
The puppets that had been rushing toward him dropped to the ground at once, unable to move.
Before you continue