Seeing the intense confidence in Shiki's eyes, all the ninja present couldn't help but feel a chill run through their hearts.
Why did his arrogant words sound so much like the truth?
It felt as though they were already on the chopping block—helpless and exposed.
Chapter 40: The Real Shiki
"What happened? Why are there so many Anbu running around?" someone watching the constant flow of Anbu ninja passing by couldn't help but wonder.
Normally speaking, let alone seeing this many Anbu ninjas, even seeing one or two would be extremely rare. After all, they typically worked in secrecy, handling covert missions.
Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say they shielded Konoha from the shadows.
Yet today, why were they jumping across rooftops without any attempt at concealment?
"Something big must have happened again," someone sentimental began worrying.
On a small path leading toward the Hokage Office, however, an old man with unsteady steps walked slowly along, seemingly unaware of the unusual activity around him.
Suddenly, an Anbu ninja stood in front of the elderly man.
"There is an important mission here today—no one is allowed to pass!" the Anbu ninja said coldly.
Though it was actually a Root ninja speaking, his tone was icy and unfeeling.
He didn't soften his tone at all, not even for an elderly man.
It seemed as though he truly had no emotion.
But just like this Anbu ninja appeared emotionless, the old man also seemed to lack both sight and hearing.
He continued walking forward indifferently, as if not even noticing the presence of the Anbu ninja.
Thirteen felt helpless—he hadn't expected this to be an old man suffering from severe hearing loss and terrible eyesight.
Finally, he raised his voice and shouted, "This area is off-limits! No one's getting through!!"
But the old man still didn't react, lowering his head and continuing his slow, stumbling walk.
In the falling snow, there was an oddly melancholic atmosphere.
Thirteen now felt completely helpless. He figured the only way this old man would realize someone was blocking his path was when he physically bumped into him.
There was another troubling possibility too.
What if this old man suffered from dementia?
This man was practically blind and deaf, making Thirteen strongly suspect that such illness was highly likely.
So, all he could do now was take things step by step.
Even as part of Anbu, he couldn't harm anyone within Konoha carelessly.
Otherwise, Root wouldn't have survived this long.
Still, watching the painfully slow pace of the old man, Thirteen even considered rushing forward and letting himself get bumped into just to stop him.
One step... two steps...
Thirteen boredly counted the old man's steps.
Finally, the old man reached right in front of him.
Once more, he tried saying clearly, "Passage is strictly prohibited here!"
Unfortunately, the old man still showed absolutely no reaction.
Now all that was left was hoping his sense of touch—the only one not yet lost—would inform him he wasn't allowed to go through.
Hmph!
The voice sounded as if it were skimming lightly over the surface of water. Thirteen listened, finding it oddly soothing.
But the pain that came the next moment was nearly unbearable.
Just when he was about to cry out, he discovered he couldn't summon even a bit of strength.
It felt like a death sentence had already been handed down. So this frail old man was the one he was after.
However, he closed his eyes and waited for a long time.
Yet there was no sensation of death. He lifted his head and found that the "old man" had already walked off slowly.
Continuing to shuffle step by step toward the Hokage Office.
In truth, Shiki wasn't actually moving slowly at all. Whenever he sensed other people's chakra nearby, he'd deliberately slow down into this state.
But he knew with such movements, there was absolutely no way he could reach the Hokage Office.
After all, sensing ability wasn't his strong suit. And Root undoubtedly contained ninjas far superior to him in sensing.
Thinking thus, Shiki couldn't help but quicken his pace slightly.
"Old man, your body is quite good."
A mocking voice seemed to arrive from behind. Shiki immediately understood his concealment had completely failed.
Talk about someone and they show up—just like that. He hadn't expected that sensing-type ninja would really appear so quickly.
"Shiki Uzumaki, if you've joined Root, I'll definitely have tremendous respect and admiration for you. To elevate your strength so dramatically in such a short time, and even discreetly find someone to divert attention for you—hardly any better plans come to mind than what you've done."
Hearing the praise, Shiki didn't feel the slightest bit happy.
"Just doing my best," Shiki sighed.
In truth, he didn't think anything he'd done was particularly impressive. It was just a dying man desperately grasping at a lifeline.
But who says grabbing a lifeline can't pull you up?
Fu Yamanaka nodded, seemingly appreciative of Shiki's attitude. Thus he said, "If you surrender yourself now and apologize to Danzo-sama, perhaps he might forgive you. You should know, Danzo-sama..."
Before Fu had finished speaking, Shiki interrupted, "...Danzo-sama will do absolutely anything for interests. As long as I obey him completely—for instance, voluntarily allowing multiple Cursed Seals to be placed on me—Danzo-sama will surely forget every mistake I've made. Right?"
Hearing Shiki Uzumaki's sarcastic remarks, Fu was momentarily at a loss for words. He could only say, "Since that's the case, then we seem to have no choice but to fight."
Shiki Uzumaki discarded all his camouflage. His bright red hair once again shone under sunlight.
[Opening Gate! Open!!!] Almost immediately upon engaging combat, Shiki activated the Eight Gates. But just opening the first gate, Shiki looked no different from usual.
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