Counter-kill

Although the resilience of a Root ninja might mean this level of genjutsu could only control him for a fleeting moment, in a clash of this caliber, a split-second error is the difference between life and death!

"What?!"

"The intel is wrong! He was prepared!"

The other two Root ninja were deeply shaken, but their rigorous training kicked in immediately; one lunged without hesitation at the real Uchiha Ling hanging upside down, while the other attempted to rouse his comrade and provide cover.

"Too slow!" Uchiha Ling's voice was icy.

The moment the genjutsu was cast, Uchiha Ling's body was already in motion. His inverted form twisted with weightless grace, skillfully evading the incoming kunai.

He kicked off the ceiling with force, launching himself like an arrow from a bow toward the Root ninja caught in the genjutsu!

"Squelch!"

The kunai in his hand traced a precise line across the opponent's throat, and warm blood sprayed outward!

[Fear from Root Member A +40!]

[Shock and anger from Root Member B +30!]

[Despair and fear from Root Member C +300!]

First encounter, one kill!

The remaining two Root ninja were shocked and furious. The intelligence they had received stated the target was merely an academy student who, despite awakening the Sharingan and possessing some skill, was severely wounded and should be lying weak in a hospital bed.

Yet the target before them moved with lightning speed, acted with ruthless decisiveness, and possessed abundant chakra—where was there even a hint of injury?

"Kill him!" The two Root ninja did not hesitate, immediately launching a more ferocious assault.

The sharp air currents formed by Wind Style: Vacuum Wave sliced through the air, while Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique instantly engulfed half the ward. The massive roar and explosion finally shattered the silence of the hospital!

Alarm sirens wailed shrilly!

Utilizing the insight of his Sharingan, Uchiha Ling maneuvered through the cramped space, narrowly dodging their combined attacks by the thinnest of margins.

After a round of system purchases, his current level was far beyond what two Root ninja could handle.

So, it actually granted 300 points at once. Is it because the fear and despair of someone facing death are the most intense? Uchiha Ling pondered this question.

Before this, the most emotional points he had gained in one go was 80, during the surge of excitement when he saved Kushina.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Ling deliberately exposed a flaw, slowing his movements by half a beat as if his chakra were depleted. One Root ninja took the bait, closing the distance and thrusting his kunai directly at his chest!

"Got him!"

The moment the kunai was about to strike, Uchiha Ling's eyes suddenly revealed two tomoe.

As the Root ninja's gaze subconsciously met the spinning tomoe, his mind went into a trance, and his movements suffered another infinitesimal lag!

Now!

Uchiha Ling sidestepped, narrowly avoiding a lethal blow as the kunai slashed his hospital gown, drawing a trail of blood.

Ignoring the wound, he thrust out his other hand, which had been prepared with a shuriken infused with lightning-attribute chakra!

The buzzing blue electric shuriken pierced precisely into the opponent's heart!

[Despair and unwillingness from Root Member B +300!]

The second Root ninja fell!

The final Root ninja saw this and realized the mission had failed; the target's strength far exceeded their estimates, and his methods were bizarre and ruthless.

Without hesitation, he retreated, attempting to smash through the window to escape!

"Trying to run?" Uchiha Ling wiped the blood from his face, his scarlet Sharingan locking onto the retreating figure. "Too late!"

Uchiha Ling formed hand seals rapidly; with his mastery of seals, his speed was blinding.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

The massive fireball roared forth, not to strike the opponent directly, but to seal off all possible escape routes! The scorching heat forced the Root ninja to retreat and dodge.

In that split second of obstruction, Uchiha Ling pursued him like a ghost!

The Root ninja knew there was no escape and could only fight to the death.

But without his partner's coordination, facing Uchiha Ling—who possessed the Sharingan, was in perfect condition, and fought with a vicious, unorthodox style—he lasted less than ten moves before Uchiha Ling used a hidden Substitution Technique combined with a concealed projectile to pierce his heart from behind!

[Resentment and fear from Root Member A +300]

The battle ended.

The ward was a mess; flames burned, thick smoke billowed, and three corpses lay in pools of blood.

The piercing alarm and the sound of rapid footsteps from the distance grew closer.

Uchiha Ling stood in the center, his hospital gown stained with blood and dust, nursing several new wounds as he breathed heavily. The Sharingan slowly faded, leaving his black eyes cold.

Uchiha Ling walked to the first Root ninja he had killed, crouched down, and removed the man's mask without hesitation. Beneath the mask was a strange, pale, young face, eyes wide open, still holding traces of shock and fear.

Uchiha Ling reached out and searched his ninja pouch and clothing thoroughly.

Soon, Uchiha Ling found what he wanted—a wooden token engraved with complex runes, with an extremely faint "Root" mark on the back.

Evidence, secured.

Uchiha Ling tucked the token into his robes.

Then, he took a deep breath, and the cold, murderous expression on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by the terror, weakness, and immense fury—and... grievance?—of someone who had just narrowly escaped death.

Acting, full throttle!

When the first wave of Anbu ninjas rushed into the dilapidated hospital room, this was the scene that greeted them:

The blood-soaked, pale-faced young hero Uchiha Ling sat weakly against the wall, his body trembling slightly from "fear and lingering dread," his eyes brimming with "sorrowful indignation." He looked at the Anbu who had burst in, and with a tearful, incredulous tone, he shrieked:

"Why?! Why would the village send people to kill me?! What did I ever do wrong?! I just performed a meritorious service for the village!!"

Uchiha Ling's voice was filled with despair and accusation, echoing through the hospital room that reeked of blood and scorched flesh.

The Anbu who had rushed in looked at the corpses scattered across the floor dressed in standard Root attire, then back at the "weak," "terrified," and "aggrieved" youth, and for a moment, they all froze in place, staring at one another with their scalps tingling.

This matter... had blown up!

[Shock and bewilderment from Anbu A +30]

[Incredulity from Anbu B +30]

[Sympathy from Anbu C +30]

[From...]