Chapter 152: Hidden

Tōshirō, who was lying down, hadn't fallen asleep. He remained vigilant throughout the night, as he hadn't yet escaped danger.

"It's almost time!"

Silently sensing the time, there wasn't much left until dawn. It was about time to prepare to leave the place he had spent the entire night in.

As he opened his eyes and intended to take action, Tōshirō noticed several people approaching the tent.

[Have I been exposed?]

Tōshirō wasn't too surprised that the others might have detected something amiss. Although he had acted very cleanly when dealing with the original owner of this identity, a long time had passed, and it was inevitable for the others to become suspicious.

It was just that the timing was a bit...

Before Tōshirō could prepare, the tent flap was lifted. Four to five ninjas walked in.

"Lady Yekura, these are all the injured we have admitted. They've all been rigorously checked, and there's no issue..."

The medical ninja leading three Jonin introduced the situation while speaking. This tent, being temporary, was slightly cramped, and there were only three injured being treated inside.

"This one has a broken arm... this one is..."

As he introduced each injured person, he also briefed the three Jonin on their conditions.

At this time, the three injured, awakened by the commotion, looked at the sudden visitors, confused about why they had come at this moment. Were they there to visit the injured?

The Village of Sand had no such tradition!

Scanning the people, Yekura didn't find anything unusual but unexpectedly recognized one familiar figure. If she remembered correctly, she had seen this person today around dusk.

"I'll take over this time!"

The puppeteer accompanying Yekura spoke. They took turns conducting detailed checks, and it was his turn this time.

Without any objections, the three Jonin didn't abandon the check on the medical ninja's words alone. Watching him squat beside the bed of one injured person, speak a few words, and first place his hand on the injured person to sense, he then moved his hand to touch the injured person's face.

When he found nothing unusual, he continued to ask questions only their own people would know.

[Idiot! This leaves me with no way out!]

Knowing that that kind of search would inevitably expose him, regardless of whether he used some simple disguise or even high-level ninjutsu like 'Faceless', Tōshirō decided to act first. 

The sound of a kunai slicing through the air!

"Be-"

Before a warning could be completed, the kunai in Tōshirō's hand was already near the puppeteer's neck. A slight thrust would sever his carotid artery.

Realizing he couldn't remain hidden, Tōshirō didn't wait for the inspection to reach him but seized the moment when the opponent was examining another injured person to launch a sudden attack.

This action left the two other Sand Ninjas and the medical ninja in the same tent stunned.

They never expected their patient and fellow injured to launch an assault at this moment.

However, the puppeteer's companion remained somewhat calm, though slightly shocked.

"Not good!"

The kunai pierced the neck, but Tōshirō couldn't rejoice as his expression changed...

It felt wrong—it was a puppet...

Before he could adjust~

The rainstorm of shuriken targeted Tōshirō's vital points.

Just by the sounds of them slicing through the air, it was evident how powerful the technique and force behind them were, showing how formidable the person was.

"It's him, Uchiha!"

"Unrelated persons, move away!"

After spending the entire day, Yekura finally caught the assailant. Although excited, she didn't lose composure and kindly warned the Sand Ninjas in the tent.

But her companion, without her mercy, had begun to weave hand signs. 

The lives of these mid-level ninjas were insignificant compared to this Uchiha. He wouldn't show any mercy.

Realizing the feel was wrong and that it wasn't a real person he struck, Tōshirō didn't hesitate. He formed hand seals with one hand while intercepting the shurikens with the other.

Clink! Clink! Clink!

Shurikens fell to the ground with a series of sounds.

"Fire Release: Hiding in Ash and Dust Technique!"

Facing a bloodline limit ninja, a Jonin puppeteer, and an unknown Jonin, staying would be suicidal.

Without hesitation, Tōshirō performed the technique. Simultaneously, he hurled the kunai towards where he sensed the Jonin.

This Hiding in Ash and Dust Technique, along with several fire release techniques from the original canon, he had mastered them thoroughly despite the difference in their might when he wielded them.

But even then, their power shouldn't be underestimated.

Cough! Cough!

Successfully using this technique, he choked everyone in the tent and obscured their vision!

"The enemy is escaping..."

Yekura, the bloodline limit ninja, initially sensed his intent as the smoke began to scatter. But considering her companions, she hesitated to act.

The tent contained not only the enemy but also two injured and a medical ninja with no combat ability.

This showed she was unlike her companion, who was ready to use ninjutsu.

Tōshirō, a Leaf Ninja, wasn't burdened by such concerns.

Bang!

As his seals changed, the just-cast ninja technique of black, burnt dust changed and began to burn.

Not only could this technique shield the performer during retreat, but it also had offensive capabilities. Under control, it could ignite and harm chasing enemies. The damage was limited, though.

The chapter ends here.