Looking at the rainforest ahead, Uchiha Tatsumi turned his head.
"Rope Tree, are you scared?"
Rope Tree shook his head, then raised his right hand to reveal a scar across his palm.
"I cut this myself with a kunai. To remind myself—never abandon a comrade again."
He continued, expressionless. "Since that day, I've stopped being afraid of that feeling."
"Oh?"
"Then why is your leg shaking?"
"...I'm excited."
Uchiha Tatsumi turned his head away, resisting the urge to comment. Even he had to admit that Rope Tree's dramatic flair was impressive in its own way.
They had already been in position for half an hour. Uchiha Tatsumi quietly observed the rainfall, then took a deep breath.
The rain carried the scent of the unreachable sky. The chorus of falling droplets and the ripples they created whispered like secrets from the earth itself.
This kind of weather was perfect for a kill.
Their target was somewhere within the forest. Tatsumi, Mikoto, and Rope Tree were currently perched in a tall tree, awaiting intel from the snakes Orochimaru had summoned.
Soon, the summoned snakes slithered back with the report. The information matched what Orochimaru had previously gathered.
The Iwa ninja squad known as the "Blaster Hunters" was indeed stationed in the forest. According to the chakra readings, the squad had only five shinobi remaining.
It seemed they'd lost quite a few members recently. The fact that they hadn't replenished their numbers suggested Iwa was short on manpower, likely tied up at the main battlefield.
Uchiha Tatsumi smiled faintly. If there had been too many enemies, a sneak attack wouldn't have been an option.
"Mikoto, Rope Tree, I'll take out a few chūnin first, then go for the Hunter. You two hold off the remaining ones. Stay alert—don't take unnecessary risks."
Mikoto nodded. Rope Tree grinned. "Of course—we've gotta get back to the village together."
Hearing that, Uchiha Tatsumi frowned. Rope Tree, why would you say something so ominous?
Everyone who says "We'll go home together" always ends up as a tragic backstory.
Tatsumi checked the time, then gave a wave signaling the operation had begun.
He drew a kunai, channeling Lightning Release chakra into it. His speed instantly surged to the limit, and he launched himself forward. Mikoto and Rope Tree followed swiftly behind.
Thanks to the snakes, they already had the enemy's precise location. Tatsumi charged directly at it.
"Enemy attack!" a voice shouted from within.
Tatsumi's aggressive approach naturally drew attention. But his current speed was already on par with a jōnin—amplified by Lightning Release, he closed the distance in an instant.
His Sharingan flared. The genjutsu activated through eye contact instantly invaded the enemy's mind.
The shouting stopped cold.
Tatsumi descended like a phantom, kunai slashing across the target's throat. Blood mingled with the falling rain.
Another enemy hurled shuriken at Tatsumi.
But such an attack couldn't hope to hit him. He smashed the ground with a punch, uprooting a large stone slab to shield himself.
The brutal maneuver stunned Rope Tree, who had just arrived.
He nearly blurted out, "Who the hell fights like this?"
But before he could finish the thought, an Iwa-nin lunged at him, forcing him into melee.
Meanwhile, two chūnin flanked Uchiha Tatsumi.
"We'll take him together! It's only one guy!"
Tatsumi's gaze sharpened—the supposedly dead ninja from before was back on his feet. In the rain, his Sharingan glowed like a phantom.
"He's an Uchiha! Avoid eye contact!" one of them shouted. This one clearly had some experience.
But just avoiding eye contact? That was wishful thinking.
Tatsumi snapped his fingers. The sound-triggered genjutsu immediately burrowed into the enemy's mind.
Just as he prepared to strike, a water dragon erupted toward him.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
In the Land of Rain, water-style ninjutsu were far more powerful than usual. The dragon reared its head and surged down on Tatsumi.
He had no choice but to evade using the Body Flicker Technique. His momentum stalled, and the ninja under his illusion was rescued by an ally.
No technique is invincible. Genjutsu may be hard to counter one-on-one, but against multiple foes, its effectiveness drops significantly. If the enemy coordinates, they can break its hold.
But Uchiha Tatsumi wasn't a one-trick ninja.
He moved in again, slashing with kunai at close range. One enemy lunged at him and received a brutal kick to the abdomen. Tatsumi pivoted midair into a flip, driving his elbow into the chin of the second attacker.
In a flash, both chūnin were down.
"Who is this kid? His genjutsu and taijutsu are—" the sentence never finished. The man's body stiffened—caught in another genjutsu.
The remaining Iwa-nin tried to form hand signs for a jutsu, hoping to create space.
But Tatsumi didn't give him the chance. He raised his right hand and threw his kunai with explosive force.
A sharp whistle sliced through the air. A human head hit the ground with a sickening thud.
The jutsu caster froze. His breath caught. He was trembling in the rain.
In the distance, Tatsumi's crimson Sharingan locked onto him—calm and merciless, like a death god.
"…It's your turn next."
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