Ambush (Part 1)

"Qile! We'll hold him off, you get down the mountain and find reinforcements!" Sarutobi Hiruzen shouted, making a split-second decision.

However, faced with Sarutobi Hiruzen's swift arrangement, the newcomer merely shook his head with a look of utter disdain.

From the dense forest, several more figures emerged one after another.

The appearance of these people made the already tense atmosphere grow even heavier.

Qile, in particular, felt a surge of intense suspicion the moment he focused his eyes on the few people who had suddenly popped up.

He had every reason to suspect that this was all meticulously planned by Senju Tobirama! After all, given that black-hearted guy's schemes and methods, he was absolutely capable of pulling something like this off...

Otherwise, with behemoths like Madara and Hashirama Senju present in Konoha, who in their right mind would dare come here to stir up trouble? That was why Qile truly suspected this was Tobirama's masterpiece.

Then again, the Ninja World was vast, and it was not without those whose way of thinking defied common sense or who acted in absurd ways.

Perhaps, someone really had a short circuit in their brain...

"That Uchiha brat needs to be kept alive! As for the others, capture them if you can, but if there's no other way, killing them is fine!" The leader stared coldly at the figures before him, a cruel smile curling his lips before he violently waved his right hand to issue the order.

The moment he gave the command, the enemies who had been eyeing them like tigers instantly lunged forward like starving wolves, charging at the group without a hint of hesitation.

In an instant, the entire scene descended into chaos...

Almost everyone had to face a ferocious opponent. Koharu, in particular, was severely restricted because she had to divide her attention to protect Qile, leaving her feeling constrained and unable to perform at her best.

She was forced into a defensive stance, only managing to fend off the enemy's attacks with the help of her companions.

However, seeing that so many of his subordinates had failed to take down these few brats in such a short time, the leader's expression turned grim.

With a cold snort, he slowly drew a gleaming katana from his back, clearly intending to join the fray himself.

It was only at this moment that Qile realized, as if waking from a dream, that these guys were definitely not a test arranged by Senju Tobirama for them...

This gang was ruthless and merciless; every single strike was aimed at vital points, with no intention of holding back at all.

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

At that moment, hiding behind Koharu after firing off a Great Fireball Technique, Qile screamed at the top of his lungs.

Following his prompt, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo didn't hesitate for even a second. Instantly looking to leverage the momentum of Qile's Great Fireball Technique, they began weaving hand signs at high speed, preparing to unleash a loud ninjutsu to alert the village for reinforcements.

However, how could their enemies not have anticipated this?

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo were about to complete their hand signs, another enemy suddenly struck from the side, using lightning-fast speed to forcibly interrupt the ninjutsu they were about to cast.

This series of events happened far too quickly, leaving no time to react.

Worse still, Qile saw the leader bypass the others and charge straight toward him.

At the same time, Koharu and everyone else were locked in combat with their own opponents, completely unable to break away to assist him.

In that instant, time seemed to freeze. Everyone felt a cold, bone-chilling glint flash before their eyes—a glint aimed directly at Qile!

Facing this vicious strike, Qile had no time to think. Relying entirely on his survival instincts, he threw his body backward.

This, however, caused the leader to pause in slight surprise, clearly not expecting Qile to dodge his attack. But after only a moment of shock, he launched another assault.

This time, he locked his target onto Qile's lower leg.

The blade in his hand darted toward Qile's leg like a viper's tongue, his intent clear: to completely strip Qile of his mobility and turn him into a lamb ready for the slaughter.

It all happened in a flash. As the blade was about to land mercilessly on Qile's fragile leg, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others watching from the sidelines felt their hearts tighten, but being pinned down, they could only shout in anxious unison: "Qile!"

At the eleventh hour, a dark figure flashed into view, swinging a long blade with lightning speed to precisely deflect the enemy's lethal strike.

Sparks flew as the crisp sound of metal clashing echoed through the air.

Immediately after, the dark figure flicked his wrist to flourish the blade before his hands moved in a blur to weave hand signs.

"Fire Style: Great Fire Technique!" Roaring flames erupted from the figure's mouth, forming a fireball that swept directly toward the front.

This not only successfully drove back the leader but also intimidated the enemies who had been surrounding F5, causing them to instinctively retreat and regroup around their leader.

"Young Master Qile! Are you alright? I am Uchiha Hikari!" A tall, handsome young man turned his head slightly to introduce himself.

Qile was panting heavily, his chest heaving. "Hoo—" He let out a ragged breath, looking down at his legs with lingering fear. "That was just a hair's breadth away..."

After a moment, Qile calmed himself down and slowly looked up at the man named Uchiha Hikari.

Qile examined him closely, noting that Uchiha Hikari was wearing the black attire of the Uchiha Clan, with the striking Uchiha Clan crest embroidered on his back.

His eyes were already activated with the Sharingan, proving his identity...

It wasn't just Qile who noticed the Sharingan; the leader of the group opposite them had also caught on.

The leader, who had been calm and composed just a moment ago, now wore a grave expression. A hint of wariness flickered in his eyes; clearly, he hadn't expected this Uchiha brat to have a bodyguard protecting him even within his own village...