Ambushed (Part One)

"Qile! We'll hold him off. You go down the mountain and find more people to come help!" Sarutobi Hiruzen shouted without hesitation.

But the man who had come to attack them merely shook his head with a look of disdain at Hiruzen's swift plan.

Several more figures emerged one after another from the dense forest.

Their appearance made an already tense scene grow even more oppressive.

Qile was especially affected. When he got a clear look at the newcomers, a strong sense of suspicion immediately welled up inside him.

He had every reason to suspect that Senju Tobirama had planned all of this! Given that scheming bastard's cunning and methods, he was absolutely capable of pulling something like this...

Otherwise, with the two titans Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju living in Konoha, what idiot would dare come looking for trouble? So Qile really did suspect that this was Tobirama's handiwork.

That said, the Ninja World was vast, and there was no shortage of people with bizarre ways of thinking who acted recklessly.

Maybe someone really had lost their mind...

"That Uchiha brat has to be taken alive! As for the rest, capture them if you can, but if you can't, kill them!" The man fixed the group with a cold stare, a cruel smile spreading across his face. Then he suddenly swung his right hand and gave the order.

The instant he did, the enemies who had been watching them like hawks charged forward like hungry wolves, rushing at the group without hesitation.

In the blink of an eye, the whole scene descended into chaos...

Almost everyone was forced to face a fierce opponent. Koharu, in particular, had to split her attention to protect Qile beside her, severely restricting her movements. She soon found herself awkwardly off balance, unable to fight freely.

She had no choice but to take a defensive stance. Only with help from her companions could she barely hold off the enemy attacks.

But when the leader saw that his numerous subordinates had failed to take down a handful of brats in such a short time, his expression darkened.

He snorted and slowly drew a gleaming katana from behind his back, apparently planning to join the fray himself.

Only then did Qile finally realize that these men definitely weren't an examination Senju Tobirama had arranged for them...

These men were ruthless, showing no mercy. Every attack was aimed straight at a vital spot, without the slightest restraint.

"Hiruzen! Danzo! Use a wide-range ninjutsu! Call for help!"

Hiding behind Koharu, Qile seized an opening to launch a 'Great Fireball' and shouted at the top of his lungs.

At his reminder, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo didn't hesitate for even a second. They immediately tried to use the momentum of Qile's 'Great Fireball' to their advantage, rapidly forming Hand Seals to perform a loud ninjutsu that would alert the people in the village and bring them to help.

But how could their enemies fail to anticipate that?

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo were about to finish forming their Hand Seals, another enemy suddenly sprang out from the side, swiftly interrupting the ninjutsu they were about to unleash.

The chain of events had unfolded so quickly that it was hard to keep track of.

Worse still, Qile saw the leader charge straight toward him, pushing past the others.

Meanwhile, Koharu and everyone else nearby were all locked in combat with their own opponents. None of them could break free to help him.

At that instant, time seemed to freeze. A bone-chilling flash of steel suddenly streaked before their eyes, its target none other than Qile!

Faced with the vicious attack, Qile had no time to think. Relying entirely on his instinct to survive, he swiftly threw himself backward.

The leader couldn't help but pause, clearly surprised that Qile had dodged his attack. But his shock lasted only a moment before he struck again.

This time, he aimed for Qile's calf.

His blade darted toward Qile's leg like a venomous snake striking. His intention was obvious: cripple Qile's ability to move and leave him helpless prey.

In the blink of an eye, the blade was about to come down on Qile's vulnerable calf. Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others, watching from nearby, tensed with worry. But caught up in their own fights, all they could do was cry out anxiously in unison, "Qile!"

At the critical moment, a shadow flashed into view. With blinding speed, he swung the long blade in his hand and precisely blocked the attack that had seemed certain to land.

A sharp clash of metal rang through the area, and sparks flew.

The shadow gave his wrist a slight twist, flourishing his blade, then formed Hand Seals with both hands as fast as a blur.

"Fire Style: Great Fire Technique!" A roaring blaze burst from the shadow's mouth, forming a fireball that swept straight ahead.

The attack not only drove the leader back but also startled the enemies surrounding F5. They instinctively retreated, regrouping beside their leader.

"Lord Qile! Are you all right? I'm Uchiha Hikari!" A tall, handsome young man turned slightly and introduced himself.

Qile panted heavily, his chest heaving. "Hah..." He let out a long breath and looked down at his legs, still shaken. "That was so close..."

After a moment, Qile managed to calm himself a little and slowly raised his head to look at the person who had introduced himself as Uchiha Hikari.

Qile examined him carefully. Uchiha Hikari wore a black Uchiha Clan uniform, with a prominent Uchiha Clan crest embroidered on the back.

His eyes had already activated the Sharingan, proving his identity...

Qile wasn't the only one who noticed the Sharingan. The leader of the group standing opposite them had noticed it too.

The leader, who had seemed so calm and composed just moments ago, now wore a grave expression. A trace of wariness showed in his eyes. He clearly hadn't expected that even in his own village, the Uchiha brat would have guards protecting him...