Chapter 35: Halfway through the Ark

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Okay, there will be a time skip after this Ark but that is around 30-35 Chapters away.

I have been running calculations on the timeline and if you want to discuss the topic or generally help me with input do consider joining my Patroen and by extension Discord...

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In the dimly lit, rainy night, a small group of insects guided Fugaku and his team as they silently pursued their targets. Mindful of their own tracks, they moved cautiously, not wanting to fall into the same predicament as the Iwa shinobi they were chasing.

After some time, the figures of four individuals came into view, just within Fugaku's reach. It was Omoto, accompanied by three Iwa shinobi, their bodies stained with the evidence of a recent bloody battle. They hadn't anticipated another encounter with Konohagakure shinobi.

"Captain Omoto," one of the Iwa shinobi gasped, addressing their leader. "We can't keep running like this. We have four of us against three Konohagakure shinobi. It's unclear who will come out victorious if we engage in direct combat."

Omoto's expression grew solemn as he responded, "We must continue to flee without stopping. If it were any other Konohagakure shinobi, we might not need to run at all. But our opponent is an Uchiha clansman with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan. They are notorious for their use of Genjutsu and their superior battle insight. Even in the darkness, their vision remains sharp. Unless we have an overwhelming numerical advantage or possess a Kekkei Genkai that can rival the Sharingan, it's always wiser to retreat. At this moment, they hold too much of an advantage over us. We are exhausted and lack the power to face them head-on. If we were to engage, they would slowly pick us off."

"Captain Omoto, the Konohagakure shinobi aren't even chasing us. The traps we set along the way may have worked," one of the Iwa shinobi reported.

Omoto glanced back, his eyes scanning the darkness. There was no sign of the pursuing Konohagakure shinobi, but he remained vigilant. A shinobi could eliminate any luck by taking advantage of a moment's carelessness.

"Regardless of whether the trap worked or not, keep moving. It's possible that the other party wants us to believe they're not chasing us. You all go ahead, and I'll set up another simple trap for them," Omoto declared.

At the rear, Fugaku's team silently and swiftly increased their pace, closing in on the Iwa shinobi. The traps set up by the Iwa shinobi along the path couldn't escape the scrutinizing gaze of the Sharingan. Fugaku and his team discovered any signs or clues and skillfully evaded the traps.

As dawn approached, a faint light illuminated the sky, signaling the end of a long night of pursuit. Fugaku's team remained just out of reach of the Iwa shinobi, never launching an attack but waiting patiently for the perfect moment when their opponents would be exhausted or resting.

All four of the Iwa shinobi's bodies were marked with injuries, and their night-long escape had pushed them to their limits.

Omoto glanced back but saw no trace of the Konohagakure shinobi. Though his heart remained uneasy, they had to stop and rest. The four of them slowed their pace, knowing that they would be completely defenseless if they collapsed to the ground from exhaustion, with no chance of resistance.

Taking cover behind a large rock, Fugaku's team observed the movements of Omoto's group.

"Let's move. They seem unable to continue," Uchiha Fugaku stated. "We'll stealthily flank them and launch a surprise attack. Leave no room for retaliation or escape."

Sato and Nozawa nodded, their faces adorned with wicked smiles. Despite a night of relentless pursuit, the three shinobi were still filled with vigor. They weren't in a rush because they knew victory was guaranteed. Exhausted, injured, and demoralized, the enemies were nothing more than easy prey.

The vigilance of the four Iwa shinobi had dwindled to a minimum. As elite shinobi of Iwa, they wouldn't normally be so relaxed, but their remaining physical strength left them vulnerable to potential threats.

The current state of the four Iwa shinobi resembled lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

Fugaku gripped several shurikens in his hand and swiftly released them, each one aimed directly at Iwa shinobi Captain Omoto. Simultaneously, two shadowy figures leaped out like beasts, targeting the three remaining Iwa shinobi who had been ignored by Fugaku's shuriken.

In the moment of pain, Omoto immediately grasped the situation. The Konoha shinobi had never given up the chase; instead, they patiently waited for their enemies to exhaust themselves before delivering a fatal blow.

The echoes of colliding kunai and shuriken reverberated through the air, creating a symphony of clashing metal. Only the prowess granted by the Sharingan could execute such a precise and intricate display of the Uchiha clan's throwing technique.

Amidst the chaos, Omoto managed to catch his kunai, summoning his last ounce of strength to deflect two incoming kunai. However, the rest found their mark, piercing through his body—ribs, legs—and blood gushed out profusely.

Simultaneously, the remaining three Iwa shinobi faced the relentless assault from the Konohagakure shinobi. Nozawa swiftly impaled one in the throat with a well-aimed strike, while Sato's short sword pierced the heart of another. The last Iwa shinobi, barely standing, met his end as Fugaku threw a kunai, ending his life swiftly.

Omoto, weary and drained, surrendered to the embrace of exhaustion and the loss of his life force. Gradually, he found solace in the tranquility of the approaching end, his troubled breaths easing into a peaceful rhythm. As the weight of his existence lifted, Omoto embraced the serenity that accompanied his descent towards eternal rest.

Again, a piece of text appeared in Fugaku's mind along with the same cool sensation of Life Force entering his body.

[You killed a Jonin and earned 300 Points of Life Force.]

[You killed a Chunin and earned 30 Points of Life Force.]

[Current Balance: 1386 Points of Life Force.]

[Shop unlocked]

Approaching Omoto's lifeless body, Fugaku observed the life extinguished from his eyes, sensing a mixture of relief and sorrow. It seemed the fallen shinobi harbored a disdain for killing, but fate had placed them in a time of war and turmoil. Perhaps, in a future era, the ninja world would know peace and prosperity. But for now, it remained steeped in conflict and chaos.

"Nozawa, find a clean cave," Fugaku instructed. "We won't seek out the Aburame Clan members. Let's take a day of rest and head straight to the rendezvous point."

After the exhilaration of the chase, fatigue began to set in for the three comrades. Fugaku understood that impulsive actions on the battlefield often led to swift death. Now that the enemy had been completely eliminated, it was time to restore their energy.

"Understood."

Nozawa extended his hands, releasing a multitude of bugs that dispersed in all directions. The insects would gather information, scour the surroundings, and search for a suitable cave. The team took great care to erase their tracks, aided by the rain that washed away any remaining traces.

Inside the chosen cave, the environment was dry and rocky, in stark contrast to the relentless downpour outside. They set up a bonfire, essential for driving away the chill that had settled into their bodies after enduring a night exposed to the rain.

Any habit or condition that could weaken one's strength proved fatal on the battlefield. Fugaku was determined not to let his team be burdened by ailments that dulled their senses and invited colds. They sat around the campfire, basking in its gentle warmth, as it expelled moisture and chased away the chill from their bodies.

The rain poured down relentlessly, its rhythmic patter echoing through the cave.

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