Kirigakure's Intelligence

"Do not underestimate the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!" The voice of Biwa Juzo, filled with fury and disdain, erupted suddenly from behind Uchiha Shisui.

Before Uchiha Shisui could react, a massive, overwhelming force struck his back like a heavy hammer.

"When!?"

Uchiha Shisui felt as if he had been rammed by a mountain; every bone in his body rattled under the sheer impact.

His body surged forward uncontrollably, flying through the air like a cannonball, his frame curled in agony.

With a dull thud, he slammed violently into a thick tree trunk.

Under the immense force of the collision, the bark of the tree peeled away, and wood chips scattered in every direction.

Uchiha Shisui felt as though his internal organs had been displaced, and a mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips, tracing a glaring arc through the air.

"It's over, brat!" A savage, triumphant look crossed Biwa Juzo's face as he hoisted the Kubikiribōchō high, the blade shimmering with a cold, murderous light as if thirsting for blood.

He swung his arm, and the great blade whistled through the air, descending with the force of a thunderbolt.

With a sharp crunch, the tree trunk, as thick as a man, was severed instantly by the terrifying power of the Kubikiribōchō, leaving a smooth, clean cut as wood chips flew everywhere.

However, the scene of Uchiha Shisui being decapitated did not occur.

At the critical moment, Uchiha Shisui had used the Body Flicker Technique to reach a nearby tree.

He crouched on a branch, his body trembling slightly as he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with vigilance.

He looked down at his hand, clutching the remaining fragment of a ninja sword, and felt a lingering chill of fear.

Had that blade not blocked the strike for a split second, absorbing part of the Kubikiribōchō's power, he would surely have been split in two.

"Tsk, lucky brat. Let's see how you handle the next strike."

Biwa Juzo looked at the disheveled Uchiha Shisui crouching on the branch and, with great irritation, raised the Kubikiribōchō high again. The cold light of the blade reflected off his twisted face, as if he intended to execute Uchiha Shisui in the next second.

But just as he prepared to strike, a deafening roar erupted from behind him, followed by a powerful shockwave that swept across the area.

The massive explosion echoed through the forest, shaking the leaves from the trees and causing the ground to tremble.

The scale of the blast was enough to alert the sentry towers set up by Konoha and the nearby Konoha ninja on duty.

"Damn it! Of all times."

Biwa Juzo's face turned ashen instantly. He cast an angry, reluctant glance at Uchiha Shisui, who still had the strength to fight.

He knew that if he continued to linger, he would be trapped once Konoha reinforcements arrived.

Weighing his options, he spat in frustration, sheathed the Kubikiribōchō, and turned to retreat, his figure quickly vanishing into the dense forest.

As for Uchiha Shisui, the moment he heard the explosion, his tightly wound nerves relaxed, and his body swayed from the sudden release of tension.

He watched the direction in which Biwa Juzo had fled, realizing that the trap he had set earlier had played its part, allowing him to escape death.

He endured the pain in his body and began moving toward the Konoha sentry tower.

Dragging his exhausted body, Uchiha Shisui slowly approached the sentry tower of Konoha.

Though his Anbu attire and mask were covered in dust and blood, they remained clearly identifiable.

The guards on the tower recognized his Anbu status at a glance. They did not give him any trouble, merely asking a few simple questions before signaling that he could return to Konoha.

Uchiha Shisui nodded in thanks, a warmth rising in his heart.

After enduring the various hardships and pursuits in Kirigakure, finally returning to a familiar place brought a long-lost sense of security that allowed his taut nerves to gradually unwind.

He chose not to use the main gate, instead heading toward the barrier entrance known only to Anbu ninja.

The moment he passed through the barrier and stepped into Konoha, an indescribable sense of intimacy welled up within him.

"Still the same as ever. A long-lost feeling."

He whispered to himself, a faint smile appearing on his face.

However, he knew what his primary task was.

Without lingering, he quickly organized the intelligence in his ninja pouch and hurried toward the Hokage Building.

He knew that finding the Third Hokage to report his mission, relaying the intelligence he had gathered in Kirigakure and everything he had experienced, was the top priority; it concerned the safety of Konoha and his own fate.

Uchiha Shisui stood at the entrance of the Hokage Building, taking a deep breath to calm his weary mind and body before raising his hand to knock gently on the door.

Almost instantly, the familiar, steady voice of Hiruzen Sarutobi came from inside: "Is that you, Shisui? You've returned."

Hearing this, Uchiha Shisui felt a slight stir in his heart.

He knew that from the moment he entered the village through the exclusive Anbu barrier, he must have been quietly tracked by other Anbu ninja, and their movements would naturally be reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi, so it was no surprise that the Third Hokage knew of his return.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Uchiha Shisui replied respectfully, his voice carrying a steadiness forged through hardship.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside, immediately seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi sitting behind his desk.

That familiar face, those kind yet dignified eyes.

Uchiha Shisui stepped forward and began to report his experiences and the intelligence he had acquired to the Third Hokage.

Uchiha Shisui stood there quietly, reporting everything to Hiruzen Sarutobi without reservation, from his encounters in Kirigakure and the intelligence he gathered, to the fierce clash with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened in silence, his expression calm, though a hint of gravity flickered in his eyes from time to time.

Once Uchiha Shisui finished his report, Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a brief moment before speaking slowly, "Now that you've returned, take a good month to rest."

His voice was calm and unruffled, yet it carried an unquestionable weight.

Uchiha Shisui felt a jolt in his heart; he knew this politician well and immediately understood the deeper meaning behind this seemingly simple arrangement.

On the surface, it was an order to rest, but in reality, it was a way to keep him under surveillance for the duration of the month.

After all, he had spent a year in Kirigakure and carried too many secrets; Kirigakure would not let him go easily, and no one could guarantee whether he had undergone any changes under the enemy's duress.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Uchiha Shisui said respectfully, his face betraying no hint of dissatisfaction or abnormality.

He knew well that in Konoha, the big picture took precedence over everything else. Besides, he had a clear conscience; while this month of "rest" was effectively surveillance, he could use the opportunity to recuperate and restore his energy.