Chapter 23: I, Uchiha Byakuya, Am Always Pure and Kind!
Chapter 23: I, Uchiha Byakuya, Am Always Pure and Kind!
The Iwa ninjas who had launched their assault on Byakuya using ninja tools were swiftly dealt with, most of them lying lifeless.
Without indulging in any sense of triumph, Byakuya instinctively tossed a smoke bomb, vanishing into the dense cloud. The remaining Iwa ninjas, poised to strike, found themselves disoriented, unable to locate their target.
The sequence of his actions was seamless, almost casual, like a well-rehearsed dance.
From a distance, Obito stood frozen, his jaw slack. "So... strong."
Recalling his earlier boast about protecting Byakuya, Obito's face flushed in embarrassment.
Who's protecting who here?!
Even Kakashi couldn't ignore Byakuya's rapid takedowns. Shocked, he silently revised his earlier judgment of the younger ninja.
"Uchiha Byakuya... I underestimated you. But I, Kakashi, will prove I'm stronger than anyone!"
Kakashi, typically aloof, now burned with determination. Wielding his short blade, he surged forward, cutting down enemy after enemy.
It wasn't just genin—he sliced through chunin with ease, like a hot knife through butter.
But Kakashi's brilliance didn't go unnoticed.
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Iwa had its own elite Hunter Squad, a team composed entirely of jonin, designed to handle Konoha's most troublesome ninjas. Their captain, Magatsuji, had just dispatched a Uchiha special jonin when he spotted Kakashi's rampage several hundred meters away.
"Daishi, Kōka," Magatsuji barked, "eliminate the white-haired brat."
Before they could move, another voice interjected, cold and sharp. "Captain, leave him to me."
Magatsuji turned to see Majiri, the team's blade master, standing ready. He hesitated but ultimately nodded. "Fine. But don't underestimate him. He's the son of the White Fang."
Majiri twirled his katana with an arrogant smirk. "Even if the White Fang himself stood before me, I could exchange a few blows. His son? He won't last long. Allow me to send him to reunite with his father."
Magatsuji trusted Majiri's skill. "Just don't get careless."
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Majiri moved silently, his eyes locking onto Kakashi with the precision of a predator. Yet his mind was fixated on something beyond the fight.
The White Fang's training notes. If that brat has them, they're mine.
But instead of attacking Kakashi immediately, Majiri's gaze shifted to Byakuya.
Capture his companions first. With hostages, the brat will hand over anything.
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Hidden in the shadows, Byakuya suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of danger. His instincts screamed at him to move, every nerve on edge.
A streak of silver light sliced through the air, aiming for his back. Without hesitation, Byakuya used Body Flicker Jutsu, narrowly evading a fatal blow. A shallow cut on his back was the only damage sustained.
Byakuya reappeared several meters away, barely regaining his footing as he pulled shuriken from his pouch. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed them in a deadly arc toward his attacker.
Majiri deflected the shuriken effortlessly, his katana flashing with practiced ease.
Byakuya's eyes narrowed. This isn't good. This guy is no ordinary ninja.
He quickly assessed his options. The battlefield was chaotic, and chakra conservation was crucial. I need to retreat.
Without hesitation, Byakuya threw down a cluster of smoke bombs. As the thick cloud enveloped him, he shouted a warning to Obito and the others before activating Blink to vanish into a hidden vantage point he'd scouted earlier.
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Byakuya's hiding spot was a small hollow in a nearby hill. From this depression, he had a clear line of sight to Kakashi and the others, who were only 200 meters away. It was an ideal location to observe the battle while remaining undetected.
Majiri cursed under his breath as the smoke cleared, revealing nothing. He sent a shadow clone into the haze, but it found no trace of Byakuya.
This brat... slippery as an eel.
Majiri was impressed despite himself. Few genin could execute such a flawless escape. Yet, that only made him more determined.
With Byakuya hidden and his warning alerting the others, Majiri turned his attention back to Kakashi.
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Majiri directed his clones to surround Kakashi, sending two more to corner Obito and Rin. Meanwhile, he personally led the assault against Kakashi, determined to capture him alive.
Despite his injuries, Kakashi fought valiantly. But against Majiri and his clones, even he was pushed to the brink. Blood dripped from multiple wounds, and his movements grew sluggish.
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From his hiding place, Byakuya watched the battle unfold. He remembered Kakashi's earlier hostility but dismissed the thought.
Now's not the time for grudges. A strong teammate like Kakashi is too valuable to lose.
Byakuya smirked. I, Uchiha Byakuya, am pure and kind. How could I just sit back and watch a teammate struggle?
Besides, Kakashi's flashy fighting style made him the perfect distraction. From the shadows, Byakuya began to prepare his next move. Time to show this blade master what I can do.
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