Only then did everyone get a clear look at Shinji Uchiha's face.
Ao glanced at his face and froze. "You?!"
During the last Shinobi World War, just as Ao was about to claim the most valuable prize of all, this man had appeared out of nowhere and rescued that kid from the Hyuga Clan, ruining everything!
Hozuki Mangetsu stared at Shinji, his expression equally grave.
They had never fought, but he had heard about the history between Shinji Uchiha and Mei Terumi years ago...
And in recent years, the "Fire Demon of the Uchiha" had become a name everyone knew.
Shinji did not answer Mei. Instead, he scanned the tent. Hmm... Hiramekarei, Kubikiribōchō, and Lightning Release: Kiba.
So that little girl was—
Yūyuri?
Why did she look like she was about to die?
"Oh, right!"
Shinji remembered. If he recalled correctly, the girl had died of illness.
"Hey..."
Mei had a splitting headache. Did this man have any idea what kind of trouble his sudden appearance in Kirigakure's camp could cause?
"Oh." Shinji looked at Mei. "What?"
"What are you doing here?"
Shinji tilted his head and pressed down on Zabuza as he struggled. "Kirigakure started a war, didn't it? I came to see what you're planning."
"...?"
Mangetsu's gaze shifted between Mei and Shinji. Then he quietly released Hiramekarei from its awakened state.
He seemed to have an idea.
Mei's brows drew together. "No one here is a match for you. Let Zabuza go."
Shinji smiled faintly. "As you wish."
He planted Kubikiribōchō in the ground and released Zabuza's shoulder.
But—
The next instant—
"You bastard!!!"
Zabuza had barely pulled his foot free of the earth when he seized Kubikiribōchō's hilt and swung at Shinji with a howl of Wind Release.
Clang!
This time, Shinji did not hold back.