Is Explosion Really an Art?

The Pot Poison Technique used corpses to make poisonous insects breed rapidly.

The dead cells then produced toxic gas, which spread through explosions and attacked every creature that came into contact with the poisonous mist.

Originally, this technique required a special barrier to use, but for some reason, it had become an instant-cast skill.

As the corpse decomposed before his eyes, Chen didn't hesitate. He used Flash Step to put some distance between them, then disappeared without a trace.

"Damn it, was that Flying Thunder God Technique just now?"

Aburame Torune couldn't tell whether Chen had used Flying Thunder God, but Chen's quick escape had put him in an awkward position.

After all, those tiny insects couldn't attack from a distance, and he was too worried about Chen ambushing him to release his forbidden technique.

Torune couldn't be infected by his own insects, but maintaining the forbidden technique still consumed chakra.

For a while, the two seemed to be testing each other's patience.

"What the hell happened? How did that technique become instant-cast? System, did you tamper with it?"

"Tch, I can't be bothered to do something like that.

"I've told you many times: this world really is the Naruto World, but your arrival has already caused a lot of changes.

"These changes aren't limited to events you're familiar with. They also affect ninjutsu and people, so what you call experience can only serve as a guide, not as the ultimate truth."

The system explained, and Chen could only sigh helplessly.

Torune clearly had to be dealt with. Chen didn't want to get Danzo's attention right now.

But without the Sharingan, Chen couldn't see whether those tiny poisonous insects were there.

Time passed, and Torune seemed to recall his insects. He began cautiously heading toward Konoha.

Did he really recall them, or is this a trap?

Chen couldn't make up his mind. After a moment's hesitation, he sent a Shadow Clone to test the waters.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

The moment the Shadow Clone charged Torune, it unleashed the Great Fireball Technique. In the distance, Chen kept his eyes fixed on Torune.

Sure enough, something near Torune seemed to block the flames.

But Torune was clearly trying to lure Chen closer. He pretended there were no insects around him and dodged in a fluster.

"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

The Shadow Clone attacked again, sending a large number of Kunai flying at the same time.

At the sight of the Kunai, Torune let a faint smile cross his face, certain that Chen had fallen for his trap.

But what arrived the next second wasn't Chen appearing beside him with Flying Thunder God. It was an enormous number of Explosive Tags.

A series of violent explosions rang out, lasting a full minute.

More than a hundred Explosive Tags had gone off. Surely even Torune's insect defenses couldn't withstand that.

"No wonder Konan collected so many Explosive Tags. Watching all those explosions really is satisfying.

"But it's pretty expensive, too.

"Poor Kakuzu. I wonder how he'd feel if he knew all the money he earned had been turned into Explosive Tags. Would he rise from the dead just to complain?"

Chen grumbled as Torune was blown to pieces.

"Ding. System notification: Assassination of a Root member complete.

"Evaluating mission...

"Mission evaluation complete. Rewards obtained: XX Transformation Potion, Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, and Basic Taijutsu increased to LV3."

Chen was fairly satisfied with the mission rewards. As for the potion covered in a mosaic, he simply ignored it.

After all, it would've been strange if this system hadn't come up with something weird.

With the enemy dealt with, Chen immediately returned to his home in Konoha.

He didn't want this little incident to make anyone suspicious.

Once he got home, someone soon came looking for him.

"Chen, was what happened with Sasuke your doing?"

The visitors were Shisui and Itachi, and Itachi looked displeased.

"Uh, Itachi, I don't think you can force Sasuke into something like that, can you?

"Instead of looking down on him, you should try to accept him. After all, it was Sasuke's choice."

Chen wasn't about to admit to anything. As for Sasuke...

It really was fun to bully him. The guy was always acting like he was all that.

"This... sigh."

Itachi sighed helplessly. As he saw it, if Sasuke truly liked it, then even as his older brother, he probably had no right to interfere.

"Itachi, you need to keep the act up to fool the Masked Man, but you should tell Izumi about it."

"I don't want to drag her into this. That man gives me a bad feeling, and with his bizarre space-time ability, it'll probably be difficult to kill him."

"That may be true, but Izumi's a member of the Uchiha Clan. No matter what, she'll be dragged into this.

"I think you and Shisui understand the village's attitude toward the Uchiha better than I do."

At that, both Shisui and Itachi's expressions darkened.

With Danzo secretly stirring things up, the tension between the village's leadership and the Uchiha Clan had been growing.

They hadn't reached the point of openly falling out, but the atmosphere was already thick with hostility.

"Chen's right. None of us can escape this mess.

"Itachi, from now on, let's talk things over before making decisions. I think Izumi will keep our secret once she knows."

Shisui tried to persuade him as well, and Itachi nodded.

Watching this, Chen couldn't help feeling speechless. He'd tried to persuade Itachi by letter before, but it hadn't worked at all.

Now Shisui had solved it with a single sentence. Chen really wondered if there was some secret between the two of them that they couldn't talk about.

"Shisui, Itachi, I think we need to make preparations in advance. I'm planning to get Izumi out of Konoha first."

"Leave? But...

"How are you planning to get her out? I remember you said the method you used to leave Konoha couldn't be used for anyone else."

Shisui looked confused. He didn't object to getting Izumi out first, but leaving so abruptly clearly wasn't wise.

"Easy. She can just walk out in broad daylight. Have Izumi apply for early graduation, then you can be her team leader, Shisui.

"When a battle breaks out, Izumi can die in action, leaving no body behind. Then it's all settled, isn't it?"

As Chen saw it, there was no need for a ninja to make a big public spectacle of defecting from the village. They could just fake their death and go into hiding.

Of course, they'd need someone to help.

"That's too risky. If we take people along just to get them killed, we'll not only be sacrificing someone else, but we'll also invite suspicion."

"We won't. Just have Itachi become your student, Shisui. He's already temporarily teamed up with someone else anyway. You can bring him along, then add another unlucky soul. You could even let someone connected to Danzo join your team.

"That way, if Uchiha Izumi dies, the other person's backers won't be able to say anything. And with you and Itachi there, if you get injured as well, no one will question it."