Chapter 64: assassination

In the fading evening light, the mysterious man perched on the tree appeared even more menacing than during the day.

Yet, Sasuke and Neji, trembling not with fear but anticipation this time, knew they couldn't afford to hesitate or show weakness. This shadow will clung to their lives like a relentless parasite.

"I won't let you win so easily this time!" Sasuke gritted his teeth, his dark eyes blazing scarlet in an instant.

Neji activated his Byakugan, brow furrowing. "He..."

Swoosh!

Before Neji could utter another word, the mysterious man lunged, a sharp whistle slicing through the air as he charged directly at Shinji, who had discreetly positioned himself behind Sasuke and Neji.

"Full concentration!" Seeing the assailant heading straight for him, Shinji pushed his breath control technique to its limits, meeting the attacker with the last kunai from his ninja pouch.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A rapid succession of metal clashes and sparks illuminated the dim riverbank.

"No, he's not Orochimaru!"

"How can this be!?"

In the midst of their intense clash, both Shinji and the mysterious imposter were equally surprised. Shinji had initially prepared to confront Orochimaru, only to discover that while formidable, this opponent was nowhere near as powerful as the daytime's mystery man. It was clear this Root Ninja impersonating the mysterious figure was taken aback as well.

Earlier that day, he had effortlessly bested Shinji several times, dismissing this mission as routine.

Now, grappling with Shinji, the impostor began to piece together his true mission: he had concealed his true strength previously, intended to lure back to the base.

"Don't be afraid, he's not the same person from earlier!" Neji's voice cut through, as he swiftly joined the fray, disregarding whether Sasuke would follow.

Assessing the significant chakra gap, Neji had already deduced the imposter's identity.

"I don't care if he's real or fake!" Sasuke, fueled by mounting anger, charged in without hesitation. The two-on-one skirmish swiftly escalated into a four-way melee!

With Shinji's breath control technique driving him as the primary combatant, he bore the brunt of the enemy's assault, while Sasuke and Neji deployed their ocular abilities in strategic harmony.

Through their combined efforts, they momentarily stalemated their opponent.

This unexpected stand bolstered their resolve. Initially bracing for the worst, they now clung to a slim hope.

But Shinji's wounds multiplied with each passing moment, blood loss impairing his breathing and taxing his technique.

"The enemy targets only me. Danzo wants me dead! But why? Was I exposed, or is this a anger of danzo toward me" Despite the escalating danger, Shinji remained composed, analyzing his predicament.

In his estimation, Danzo's motive likely stemmed from rage; had he been exposed, Danzo would have captured and interrogated him, not sent assassins.

Amidst the heated skirmish, Sasuke and Neji recognized the mysterious man's fixation on Shinji.

They reasoned Shinji's prowess drew the focus, igniting a fierce resolve within them.

While Neji maintained a level-headed strategy against their formidable foe, Sasuke's fury propelled him forward. "You bastard, don't underestimate me!"

"fu*k!" The Root Ninja, posing as the mysterious figure, inwardly cursed.

He hadn't anticipated Sasuke and Neji's marked improvement since their tense encounter in the Death Forest. Previous nervous fumbles had vanished, replaced by fluid, precise movements.

Aware that time was fleeting, the impostor discarded restraint. Exploiting an opening, he deftly maneuvered past Neji's Gentle Fist strikes, knocking back Sasuke, shielded by Neji, and then repelling Neji. Free of immediate obstacles, he targeted Shinji, aiming for a swift resolution.

Observing Shinji's accelerated breaths, he sensed the Shinji was nearing his limit. After all, an eight-year-old's physical endurance had its limits.

Shinji, taken aback by the assailant's ruthlessness, sacrificed an arm to create distance from Sasuke and Neji, retreating into the nearby grove along the riverbank.

"Think you can escape!? There's nowhere for you to hide!" The Root Ninja sneered inwardly, hot on Shinji's heels.

"Shinji can't fend him off alone. I'm going after them!" Neji, rising from the ground, called out, giving chase into the woods.

Sasuke, reeling from his earlier rib injury due to overextended movements, hesitated momentarily. Pride spurred him to action; lying prone wasn't an option. Gritting his teeth, he rose, staggering into the forest after them.

Within the grove, Shinji raced through his options while on the move.

Though secluded, he remained within Konoha's borders. Generating enough noise would summon village ninjas swiftly. Glancing back, he noted the Root Ninja closing in, nearly overtaking him.

"Don't panic. Once I'm out of the forest, I'll use Fire Release to alert others," Shinji assured himself.

Suddenly, his gaze fixed ahead, shock registering on his face.

Moments ago, two ANBU operatives stood atop a nearby tree. They observed Shinji's pursuit by Root Ninja, indifferent to the unfolding drama. Shinji realized Danzo's actions likely had tacit approval from Konoha's leaders.

The reasons remained unclear—perhaps a bargaining chip to dissuade Danzo from pursuing Sasuke, or to placate him after the theft from his secret vault.

The ANBU operatives, present to protect Sasuke, had appeared deliberately close by.

Understanding this, Shinji abandoned his prior strategy, relinquishing hope for village support. Wheeling around, he hurled his last remaining kunai at the Root Ninja closing in behind him.

Clang!

As the Root Ninja deflected Shinji's kunai with his own, he chuckled inwardly. "Did this kid spot the ANBU and guess? Ha, a remnant of Uchiha dares defy Lord Danzo. ..."

Swoosh.

The Root Ninja's thoughts abruptly halted as he realized his head had been separated from his body.

In his waning consciousness, he noted a thread, almost imperceptible, where he'd passed moments before.

Had that thread severed his head?

With his final thought, the Root Ninja closed his eyes.

End of Chapter