Body Flicker Shisui

At this moment, Suzuki Taku's mind was a complete blank, and a thin layer of cold sweat had already begun to bead on his forehead.

He did not doubt the boy's threat in the slightest.

It was not just because the sharp blade was pressed right against his pupil, but more importantly, the other party's reputation was simply too formidable!

If he dared to lay a heavy hand on the clan leader's son, what would he do to someone like himself who could only hide in the shadows?

"Who sent you to follow me?"

The boy's interrogation continued to ring in his ears.

That cold, indifferent tone, paired with those scarlet pupils, felt just like a demon from hell out of legend.

Besides, had this guy discovered him that long ago?

How could that be possible!

Although his direct combat ability was not strong, his skills in concealment and stealth were absolutely among the best within the organization!

The opponent was only an eight-year-old child; how could he have possibly detected him?

However, just as Suzuki Taku hesitated, a sharp blade had already plunged into his side.

As he let out a low growl of pain, that voice, sounding like a devil's, relentlessly forced its way into his ears.

"I don't recall giving you so much time to think."

Arata Uchiha's gaze grew increasingly icy.

The white mask was clearly a characteristic of the Anbu, but one could not rule out the possibility that it was Root, another organization within Konoha.

According to Uncle Yashiro, the moment he was admitted to Konoha Hospital, Shimura Danzō had arrived with his own personal medical team, wanting to participate in the treatment.

That ambitious old fox was someone he had to guard against.

Not far away.

The gate-keeping Chūnin, dressed in green ninja armor, was completely dumbfounded. He had wanted to step forward to stop something, but after seeing the situation, he could not bring himself to move his body.

What on earth was happening?

The Anbu, who was supposed to be interrogating others, was actually being pinned to the ground and threatened by an eight-year-old boy!

The roles of both parties had been completely reversed!

What use would it be to go up there with his own strength?

It would likely just end in him being taken down as well; at this moment, the wisest choice was to notify the strong figures in the village.

After all, that person was the "ruthless" Arata Uchiha!

He did not know when it started, but in this Chūnin's eyes, the label on Arata had been elevated a notch, even though he was merely using a Kunai to give his opponent a taste of his own medicine.

"Heh, if you have the guts, then kill me."

Mad, bloodshot veins spread through Suzuki Taku's eyes; the previous shock and panic were suppressed by an even greater fear.

The consequences of betraying that lord were absolutely unimaginable!

"Oh?"

"Then let me take a good look at your face, so I can cut the weeds and pull up the roots."

Arata did not show any surprise at this display of toughness, and at the same time, he began to confirm the mastermind behind the scenes.

The boy's palm gradually moved closer, and Suzuki Taku's breathing became increasingly rapid. It wasn't that he didn't want to struggle, but the blade resting against his pupil crushed any thought of resistance.

What's more, the opponent was an Uchiha!

Those scarlet pupils were staring fixedly at him; how could he possibly struggle?

"Arata Uchiha has violated Konoha regulations by engaging in unauthorized private combat, causing a negative impact. Drop your ninja tools and surrender immediately, or be executed on the spot."

A cold, sharp shout rang out suddenly.

At the same time, two Shuriken arrived in coordination, aimed precisely at Arata himself, without the slightest deviation.

The warning just now seemed to be nothing more than a mere pretext.

"Tch, you really chose a fine time to arrive."

Cursing under his breath, Arata decisively abandoned the attempt to unmask the man and pulled the chakra blade that had been driven into the ground, quickly retreating.

As for the Anbu member left behind, he was not so lucky. Of the two Shuriken that had lost their original target, one grazed his waist and back, while the other pinned his right leg.

Yet, even so, Suzuki Taku did not dare to let out any screams or complaints.

"Captain, my apologies."

Struggling to sit up from the ground, he spoke to the two who had just arrived, his words servile and humble.

"Hmph, go back and explain yourself to the lord properly."

Cold words emerged from beneath the mask, though such a voice could only be heard by them.

As for the hot-blooded young Genin, they had long since fled in the chaos while Arata was suppressing the Anbu.

It was too terrifying!

To think they would hold down and beat even the Anbu without the slightest hesitation—one had to know, these were the most mysterious group of ninjas in the village!

This was what you called a ruthless man!

Only this was worthy of the Uchiha's reputation for madness!

"Heh, still not going to obediently drop your ninja tools?"

"Then we'll just have to break every bone in your body before dragging you back!"

Watching their prey standing guard in the distance with a blade, these sinister words drifted out from beneath the mask of the leader.

After all, the only thing that lord truly wanted was that pair of eyes.

Arata's nerves were taut, his pupils locked onto the masked man with the blue patterns, every cell in his body screaming at this moment.

He wanted to avoid this fight!

Because that guy was definitely no ordinary commodity; he gave off a pressure even more intense than what Itachi currently exerted. Most importantly, the opponent could actually face his Sharingan head-on without retreating!!

Just how much resistance training had he undergone to achieve this?

Of course, it was certainly related to the fact that he only possessed a Single-Tomoe, and his ocular power was not yet strong enough.

At the same time, it confirmed one thing for Arata Uchiha.

The opponent was not Anbu at all, but Danzo's Root!

In all of Konoha, only that man's subordinates—and Kakashi Hatake—could dare to lock eyes with a Sharingan, and the latter's hair was far too distinct to be mistaken at a glance.

"Thud."

Dirt and stone flew into the air.

The spot where Arata had stood a moment ago was now a ruin.

"A bit interesting."

"Not a genjutsu, not a Substitution Technique, and not a Clone Technique. It's a bit like the Body Flicker Technique, yet it's slightly different..."

"It seems that what you possess isn't as simple as just Ice Release and the Sharingan; there are other secrets as well."

After shattering the phantom image created by Kyōka Suigetsu, the lead Root ninja rubbed his fist and analyzed slowly, the eyes revealed beneath his mask filled with excitement.

His other companion remained where he was, not making a single move.

However, Arata could not ignore the other's presence.

Because with Root, there was absolutely no reasoning or following rules.

The only possible outcome was suppression or being suppressed.

His vision blurred, and that blue mask appeared before Arata once more, explosive power roaring right in front of him.

What kind of person was this?

Even his Sharingan was having trouble capturing the opponent's movements!

Arata wanted to retreat, but suddenly, an unfamiliar chakra appeared behind him.

It was that guy who had stayed in place!

How was that possible?

He had clearly been guarding against him the entire time!

It was at this moment that the Root member who had been standing quietly suddenly dissipated, transforming into a mass of dark, tiny things.

"Insect Clone?"

"The Aburame Clan!"

That old man Shimura really thought highly of him!

Gritting his teeth, Arata decided not to retreat, for he knew clearly that even if he did, he would never shake off the Root, who clung to him like maggots on a bone.

Frost began to creep along his blade, and ice and snow condensed at his sides.

He would face this battle in his strongest state.

Yet, the laughter pouring out from behind that blue mask only grew thicker.

Those ice shards and wind and snow were like tickling toys to him; they couldn't cause any damage at all!

The savage fist crushed through every obstacle, on the verge of slamming into Arata's body.

And there was no doubt: the opponent truly did not care whether he brought back a living person or a corpse!

But just then, a short blade appeared out of thin air, blocking the path of the rampaging fist.

At the same time, a whisper descended along with it: "The Uchiha Clan is not for outsiders to manage."

Though the voice was not loud, it possessed an unquestionable firmness.

Looking at the figure blocking his path, Arata was dazed for a split second, a flicker of disbelief even crossing his mind.

But in such an extreme situation, there seemed to be only one person in the clan capable of turning the tide:

"Shisui, Body Flicker Shisui!"