Pursuit, Ambush

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

After breaking through the encirclement, Natsume immediately performed the Shadow Clone Technique, splitting into five figures that fled in several different directions.

Do not underestimate this B-rank Shadow Clone Technique.

As a ninjutsu created by the Second Hokage Tobirama specifically to counter the Uchiha Clan, it differs from many other Clone Technique variations.

It uses chakra to create clones with physical bodies.

The level of realism is so high that even the Mangekyo Sharingan struggles to see through it!

Using it to escape at this moment is truly effective.

It easily drew away the vast majority of the pursuers behind Natsume.

"Click—"

"Click—" Two sounds rang out.

Relying on the exclusive ability of his left Mangekyo Sharingan.

Natsume easily dealt with two Anbu pursuers.

In battles between ninjas, the most important factors are surprise and the amount of intelligence one possesses.

And the special ability of this pair of Mangekyo Sharingan is one of Natsume's most important trump cards.

Therefore, once he strikes, it must be a one-hit kill!

Natsume would never let anyone who has seen the exclusive ability of his eyes live to expose his powers.

He certainly wouldn't be like some fool.

Showing off the abilities of his eyes at every turn, only to fail to kill a single person...

This is also why, during the previous great battle.

He only unleashed Susanoo, but did not use the exclusive abilities of his eyes.

There were too many eyes watching back then, and Natsume could not possibly kill everyone.

Moreover, from a purely visual standpoint, Susanoo is far more shocking.

After disposing of the two pursuers, Natsume continued to sprint.

Since the Uchiha Clan compound was already located near the edge of the village.

In just a moment.

Natsume tore through the containment circle, rushed out of the village, and darted into a dense forest.

At the same time.

The burning pain rising within his eyes forced Natsume to deactivate Susanoo.

Coupled with his nearly depleted chakra and an exhausted body.

Without a doubt, Natsume was at the end of his rope.

But, since he dared to openly defect, how could he be unprepared?

Soon.

Natsume darted into a large tree he had already selected, using the dense leaves to conceal his figure.

He held his breath and sat cross-legged, preparing to recover his chakra.

With a flip of his right hand, three pills glowing with a faint luster appeared in Natsume's palm.

These were 'gifts' obtained through the system's pay-to-win lottery.

After consuming them, one can rapidly recover chakra and mend bodily injuries.

They are quite similar to the pills of the Otsutsuki Clan.

They were also the source of the confidence that allowed Natsume to unleash his full power and go head-to-head with Fugaku.

Soon, the three pills were swallowed.

In just over ten seconds.

More than half of the chakra in Natsume's body had recovered, which could be called god-like speed.

Furthermore, there were no side effects, far superior to those useless and foul-tasting Soldier Pill.

After recovering a good amount of stamina and mental energy, Natsume did not leave immediately.

Instead, he released another shadow clone to continue fleeing along this path.

As for his true body, he continued to lurk in this dense forest.

Waiting for the right moment.

According to his guess, that old bastard Danzo would inevitably covet this pair of Mangekyo Sharingan of his.

And thus, they would pursue him relentlessly.

That would be the perfect opportunity for him to eliminate this "source of all evil"!

Thanks to him, he and the entire Uchiha Clan had spent the last ten years living in Konoha.

It could be described as living in deep water and scorching fire, suffering through endless torment.

Therefore, if the opportunity arose.

He would certainly have to try his best to hack this bastard to death with a single blade!

Time ticked away, second by second.

In less than a minute.

Natsume watched with his own eyes as three squads of Anbu ninjas rushed past, chasing after his shadow clones.

Finally.

Ten seconds later, two ninjas dressed as Root members arrived from the distance.

One of them was even leading a ninja hound with an extremely keen sense of smell.

It seemed they were relying on the hound's ability to track Natsume with precision.

Soon, the two stopped beneath a large tree, seemingly having discovered something.

The next moment.

"Swish, swish, swish--"

Several sounds of projectiles cutting through the air rang out.

Three kunai shot into the dense foliage where Natsume was hiding, forcing him to leap out and expose his position.

Natsume landed in a "disheveled" manner.

He panted slightly, his face pale, looking as if he were completely exhausted.

He hurriedly drew a kunai, staring intently at the two Root ninjas with a grave expression.

He was skillfully putting on a performance of being "at the end of his rope."

Just then.

From the shadows behind the woods, a figure leaning on a cane with narrowed eyes slowly walked out.

"Danzo!"

Natsume shouted angrily, his eyes filled with intense hatred.

"What a cunning little brat! To think you used shadow clones to lure away most of the pursuers while your real body hid here."

"It's just a pity that I saw through it!"

Danzo let out a contemptuous sound, wearing a look of satisfaction.

In his eyes.

Natsume, this self-proclaimed clever brat, was still far too green.

Moreover, luring away the other Anbu ninjas undoubtedly made it easier for him to carry out the kill.

When the time came, he would simply take the brat's eyes and then destroy the body to leave no trace.

"How did you find me?"

Natsume panted, frowning, and asked with feigned shock.

"That is not something you need to know."

"Although your talent far exceeds my imagination, even surpassing Itachi. To have awakened the Mangekyo and Divine Power at such a young age!"

"It's just a pity that you are still too young. To have fought Fugaku to such a state."

"By now, your chakra and ocular power must be completely exhausted, right?"

"In that case, I will be taking these Sharingan of yours!"

Danzo sneered, looking as if victory were already in his grasp.

At the same time, he issued a cold order without the slightest hesitation.

"Do it!"

"Be careful not to damage those Sharingan!"

The next moment.

The two Root ninjas shot forward, rapidly closing in on Natsume to kill him.

Both were experts within Root, and their strength was among the top tier of jonin.

Of course, their strength could not compare to a clan head like Fugaku.

And they were certainly no match for the Divine Power, Susanoo.

However, it was more than enough to capture or kill a ten-year-old boy who had exhausted his chakra.

It was a pity.

This time, both of them had chosen the wrong opponent.

Just as the two were about to strike Natsume down.

"Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!"

In an instant, this high-level genjutsu was suddenly unleashed.

It centered directly on Natsume, shrouding the entire area within a ten-meter radius.

It forcibly stripped those two Root ninja of their vision.

Immediately following.

"Mangekyo Sharingan: Left Eye: Setsuna!"

"Second Stage, Fourfold Speed Boost—Activate!"

In the darkness.

Having activated the exclusive ability of his Mangekyo left eye, Natsume's speed instantly surged fourfold.

It was nearly comparable to a high-level Body Flicker Technique.

Clutching a kunai, he moved like a flash of light.

He crossed the distance of over ten meters in a blink.

Meanwhile, the two Root jonin, who had been plunged into panic after having their vision stripped away by the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, felt only a chill at their throats.

Then, they collapsed heavily to the ground, losing all signs of life.

A throat-slitting strike in an instant; a single blow to kill!