Chapter 34: Monday just ain't 'mon' day! Hahahaha

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"Watch out for hidden weapons!" Omoto warned his team. "Retreat and leave the cave. Our opponent is a Konoha Uchiha with Sharingan. He has an advantage in this darkness."

The three-tomoe Sharingan eyes stood out in the pitch-black cave.

With a swift sequence of hand seals, Captain Omoto channeled his chakra into the earth beneath him, invoking the power of Earth Release: Earth Wall jutsu. In response to his command, the ground rumbled, and massive walls of solid earth emerged, forming a formidable barrier within the cave.

These earth walls acted as a defensive shield, rising swiftly to impede Uchiha Fugaku and his comrades. The compacted soil and rocks stood tall, creating an imposing obstacle that hindered their movement and limited their options within the dimly lit cavern.

Omoto's mastery over Earth Release allowed him to manipulate the very elements beneath his feet. With these earth walls, he aimed to separate and contain his adversaries, obstructing their path and buying time for his injured teammates to retreat.

Nozawa and Sato leaped onto the walls, with Nozawa releasing a swarm of menacing insects.

Sato clashed blades with one of the Iwa shinobi, a glint of steel flashing in the battle.

Despite Fugaku's efforts, his projectiles failed to breach the defense of the Earth walls.

Fugaku swiftly activated the Body Flicker Jutsu, disappearing from one spot and reappearing behind the Earth walls. Sato and Nozawa, who had already engaged the Iwa shinobi, found themselves at a disadvantage due to their numerical disadvantage against the battle-hardened veterans.

With a rapid series of hand seals, Fugaku inhaled deeply, filling his chest with air. Then, he exhaled forcefully, unleashing streams of scorching fire that engulfed the four Iwa shinobi.

Using the distraction caused by the blazing flames, the Iwa shinobi swiftly retreated from the cave, opting to avoid further confrontation.

This was a display of the Uchiha Clan's expertise: the Hōsenka no Jutsu, a technique that harnessed fire to its fullest potential. In a mesmerizing dance of flames, Fugaku unleashed a barrage of fireballs, overwhelming his opponents and forcing them to retreat from the intense heat and destruction.

The four Iwa shinobi recognized their weakened state and made a tactical retreat, acknowledging the futility of prolonging the fight, and leaving behind their injured comrades.

Having emerged victorious from their initial clash, Fugaku wasted no time in issuing orders. "Let's chase after them," he commanded, his voice filled with determination. "Their group is on the brink of collapse, and it won't be long before they become vulnerable. Nozawa, send out your bugs to scout for any traps they might have left behind."

Before they exited the cave, Fugaku swiftly took action. With swift and precise movements, he hurled two shuriken, finding their mark in the throats of the two severely injured Iwa shinobi. Knowing their fate was sealed, Fugaku saw fit to claim their life force, ensuring they would pose no threat.

The scene unfolded with a deadly elegance as the shuriken punctured their throats, sealing their fate and swiftly ending their lives. It was a harsh but calculated move, eliminating any chance of the Iwa shinobi recovering and posing a future danger.

Fugaku's actions demonstrated his resolve and strategic mindset, leaving no room for mercy or hesitation when dealing with adversaries.

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 Chunin and earned 30 Points of Life Force.]

[Current Balance: 756 Points of Life Force.]

Fugaku came to an abrupt halt, his instincts alerting him to a peculiar realization.

"En?" he voiced aloud, his words filled with curiosity. He paused, a single thought appearing in his mind. It became evident that one of the Iwa shinobi had not yet perished; instead, they had cunningly feigned death. Even with his Sharingan, Fugaku struggled to discern any weakness in the Iwa shinobi's act.

'Wow! This guy deserves an Oscar for his performance,' Fugaku thought to himself, his mind filled with a mix of surprise and admiration. If it weren't for the absence of the "missing" life force and the notifications he received upon vanquishing an enemy, he would have been completely fooled by the Iwa shinobi's ruse.

The realization struck Fugaku, showcasing both the Iwa shinobi's skillful deception and the usefulness of the 'messages' he got. It was a testament to the Iwa Shinobi's cunning and resourcefulness present in the midst of battle, where every action and reaction mattered.

Fugaku let out a weary sigh, a mix of emotions flooding his thoughts.

'Well played, but circumstances leave me with no choice,' he pondered to himself, a tinge of sadness accompanying his resolute decision. With a swift motion, he flung a kunai connected to an explosive tag into the air. The kunai soared over and landed precisely on target.

A deafening explosion echoed through the cave, flames consuming both the motionless forms of the Iwa shinobi. At that moment, Fugaku's resolve remained unyielding, even as a sense of melancholy lingered within him.

The scene unfolded with vivid visuals, the raging fire engulfing the supposed corpses of the Iwa shinobi. It was a poignant sight, a symbol of the sacrifices demanded by the circumstances of war. Fugaku's actions, though tinged with sadness, were driven by necessity and a commitment to protecting his own.

In the midst of battle, sometimes difficult choices had to be made, leaving no room for sentimentality.

Finally, 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.]

[Current Balance: 1056 Points of Life Force.]

[Shop unlocked]

'Seems like the guy was a Jonin, that explains his acting skills.': Fugaku thought, but his focus was suddenly on the [Shop] that was unlocked, if not being in these circumstances he'd be checking it out right now.

As three figures slowly emerged from the cave, a noticeable smell of burned flesh remained and permeated the air. There were no traces left behind by the four Iwa shinobi they had moments ago engaged in a fierce battle.

Fugaku turned his gaze towards Nozawa, seeking answers. "Did you manage to place your bugs on them? We need to track their movements."

Nozawa nodded in response, his expression focused and determined. "While some bugs have perished during the fight, I succeeded in placing others on the Iwa shinobi. They may try to flee, but they won't escape. My bugs can locate each other through their unique pheromones, imperceptible to human senses but easily discerned by insects."

The intricate workings of the Aburame Clan's techniques were not foreign to Fugaku. As a shinobi from Konoha, he was aware of people who frequently collaborated with the Aburame Clan, and so he possessed a basic knowledge of their methods.

With a firm nod, Fugaku acknowledged the effectiveness of the bug tracking. Male and female bugs possessed an innate ability to find each other through scent, an aspect well-known to him. The reliance on smell rather than vision ensured a reliable and discreet means of locating their targets.

Their pursuit would be relentless, guided by the instincts and intricate cooperation of the Aburame Clan's insects.

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