Even if some had not immediately fainted from sudden massive blood loss, cerebral ischemia caused by blocked chakra, or certain meridian-induced unconsciousness,
Shiki had knocked them out with precise adjustments.
He had never been an outstanding student in his past life, but perhaps this time he had become one of the elite.
As one Anbu after another fell, Shiki suddenly realized how much more open his surroundings had become.
All that remained was the sound of fear.
Maybe the Root members didn't fear death itself. But watching their comrades fall one by one—feeling death closing in without knowing how—was what terrified them most.
"You... you monster!"
The last Chunin collapsed, his final words filled with hatred.
Shiki gasped for breath. At this moment, he should have just run away.
But he didn't. Because he knew he couldn't escape this "swarm of insects."
A swarm of black insects filled the air, stripping Shiki of any will to run.
Even if he wanted to flee, his current state made it impossible.
He probably needed to open the Fourth Gate and use his Chakra Air Wave to drive back these terrifying bugs.
But after such a massive chakra expenditure, opening the Fourth Gate now was no different from suicide.
Shiki glanced at Torune Aburame. True to the Aburame tradition, Torune hid behind an unusually special pair of sunglasses and mask.
Shiki wanted to say something—to buy himself a bit more time.
Besides, there were many things he really needed to ask.
For instance, why hadn't Torune stopped him when he started attacking?
He definitely had the strength to do so.
So Shiki opened his mouth and asked, "Why didn't you stop me?"
"Why?"
Torune wanted to laugh, but suddenly found his face stiff—as if it had forgotten how to smile completely.
Instead, he said, "Why would I stop you? These useless men were only going to interfere with our operation anyway. And besides, my insects tell me that although you look like a killing demon from hell, you haven't actually killed anyone, right?"
The insects buzzed and circled in the air, as if confirming Torune's words.
Shiki's eyes widened—he hadn't expected his secret to be so easily pierced by his enemy.
But Torune didn't stop there. On the contrary, he continued, "I'm curious though—why exactly did you spare their lives? Could it possibly be because you still think there's a chance for you to return to Konoha?"
Shiki stood frozen, unsure of what he could even answer.
But just then, Torune suddenly stepped forward—and helped lift up one of the fallen Chunin.
A terrible premonition struck Shiki's heart. He hurriedly shouted, "Don't!"
[Crack!]
The sound of a neck snapping echoed loudly.
Shiki could hardly believe his eyes—Torune had really killed the Chunin.
After finishing all of this, Torune Aburame once again straightened his posture and looked at Shiki Uzumaki, whose face was filled with terror.
"Joining Root means death has already become their fate," Torune said coldly.
He clapped his hands together. Several insects crawled onto his palm and licked away the blood.
Then Torune continued in a detached tone, "Moreover, you no longer have any hope of shaking off the label of a rogue ninja. Their mission has been completed."
Shiki had never feared battle, but what Torune had done made him feel genuine fear deep within his heart.
Why?
Why did this happen?
Shiki had considered countless ways to deal with combat, yet he never expected his opponent wouldn't even fight—he had already utterly defeated him.
Indeed,
Everyone would believe this Chunin had been killed by Shiki.
All strength within Shiki's body seemed to drain away in an instant, plunging him into endless darkness.
Chapter 46: Close Call
At this moment, Shiki suddenly felt like everything about himself had lost any meaning whatsoever.
How foolish of him to think again and again how to escape Danzo's grasp.
How foolish of him to keep thinking about how he'd face those battles that were nearly impossible to win.
It wasn't until Kabuto Yakushi appeared that he finally saw a glimmer of hope.
Yet now, where could he go?
Shiki could even sense how quickly his body had already recovered halfway.
This was the powerful regenerative ability inherent to the Uzumaki clan—the very reason why Naruto could rise again and again after being completely exhausted in the canon.
Maybe he should just go find Orochimaru.
That was what Shiki thought. He knew Torune Aburame would never expect him to activate [Eight Gates] a third time.
Moreover, during this third activation, he could open it as far as the Fourth Gate, Harm Gate.
If he caught Torune off guard, he could definitely escape from here.
As long as he went to Orochimaru, maybe he wouldn't have to deal with all of this anymore.
Right!
Orochimaru was about to participate in the plan to attack Konoha Village. He probably wouldn't use Living Corpse Reincarnation on Shiki right now.
Also, after using Living Corpse Reincarnation, Orochimaru would be unable to use this Ninjutsu for three years.
What he truly desired was the Sharingan—Sasuke's body. Shiki still had chances.
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