Chapter 23: Capturing the Root Rebel Ninja
Uchiha Akira accepted the mission. Rin, Tetsu, and Kai's expressions turned serious after learning the mission's content. It was their first A-rank mission.
"Captain, since Noha Saburo is a high-ranking spy from Root, his strength must not be underestimated," Uchiha Rin analyzed. "And he's also a medical ninja, so he might use poison."
Uchiha Akira nodded. "Exactly. So, we must be extremely careful during this operation. Everything will be according to my command."
"Yes, Captain!" the three responded in unison.
Based on the clues provided by the Intelligence Department, Uchiha Akira's team quickly left Konoha and pursued Noha Saburo in the direction he might have fled. Noha Saburo's anti-reconnaissance ability was excellent. The traces he left were extremely faint, and he frequently changed directions, even setting up some deceptive traps. If it had been a regular pursuit team, they would have probably been shaken off long ago. But unfortunately for him, he encountered Uchiha Akira, who possessed a system.
"He's fleeing towards the Land of Fire's border, in the direction of the Land of Grass," Uchiha Akira quickly determined the opponent's intention. The team traveled at high speed, tracking for about half a day.
Suddenly, Akira, who was leading the way, abruptly raised his hand, signaling the team to stop. "Something's wrong." His gaze was fixed on a dense jungle ahead.
"Captain, what's wrong?" Uchiha Kai asked vigilantly.
"In the air... there's poison." Uchiha Akira activated his Sharingan, clearly seeing faint purple Chakra particles, almost invisible to the naked eye, permeating the air in the jungle ahead.
"Everyone, hold your breath! Take antidote pills in advance, and wrap your entire body in Chakra to block the poison gas!" Akira immediately ordered. Rin, Tetsu, and Kai did not dare to delay and immediately followed suit.
"It seems we've been discovered," Uchiha Tetsu said in a deep voice.
"No, he deliberately led us here," Akira's eyes sharpened. "This is the battlefield he chose."
As soon as his words fell, several cold, shimmering senbon suddenly shot out from the jungle! Their targets were the vital points of the team members! Moreover, the tips of the senbon were all coated with a dark blue venom!
"Watch out!" Uchiha Kai roared, instantly blocking in front, with his arms crossed over his chest!
Clang, clang, clang!
Several poisoned senbon were deflected by the armor on his arms. But a few still grazed his skin, leaving subtle blood marks.
"Kai!" Rin exclaimed.
"I'm fine!" Kai grinned, but his face was slightly pale.
"Hmph, your reaction is quite good." A voice came from deep within the jungle. Immediately after, a figure flashed out from among the trees. The person wore a gray cloak and a pair of glasses that covered half his face—it was Noha Saburo!
"Konoha's running dogs, you're really persistent in your pursuit." Noha Saburo looked coldly at Uchiha Akira and his group.
"Noha Saburo, surrender. Come back to Konoha with us, and perhaps you can still receive lenient treatment."
"Go back to Konoha? And then be disposed of like trash?" Noha Saburo sneered. "I'm not that naive."
Noha Saburo quickly formed hand signs.
"Genjutsu: Poison Mist Confusion!"
Whoosh—!
A denser purple poisonous mist emanated from Noha Saburo's body, rapidly enveloping an area of several tens of meters! At the same time, a strange mental fluctuation also spread! This was not merely a poison gas attack, but a composite Ninjutsu that fused with Genjutsu. Those who inhaled the poisonous mist would not only be physically poisoned but also have their minds thrown into confusion.
"Petty tricks!" Uchiha Akira snorted coldly.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Uchiha Akira spat out a huge fireball, and the scorching flames instantly dispersed most of the poisonous mist ahead. But at that very moment, Noha Saburo's figure appeared behind Uchiha Kai! A specially made scalpel, shimmering with a faint glow, pierced straight towards Kai's back.
"Kai! Watch out behind you!" Uchiha Rin urgently reminded him.
Kai's reaction became sluggish because he had been exposed to a small amount of poison earlier. The scalpel was about to stab into Kai's body.
"Lightning Release: Chidori Sharp Spear!"
A dazzling blue lightning bolt, like an arrow released from a bowstring, burst out from Uchiha Akira's hand! Its speed far exceeded Noha Saburo's expectations.
Pfft!
The Chidori Sharp Spear accurately pierced through Noha Saburo's right shoulder, which was holding the knife!
"Ugh!" Noha Saburo let out a painful groan, stumbled, and the scalpel in his hand fell to the ground.
"Such fast Lightning Release..." Noha Saburo clutched his injured shoulder, his eyes filled with shock. He hadn't expected this young Uchiha brat to be so powerful.
"Tetsu! Restrain him!" Uchiha Akira shouted in a low voice.
"Understood!" Uchiha Tetsu formed hand signs.
"Genjutsu: Stake of Suffering Technique!"
"Damn it... a mere brat's Genjutsu..." Noha Saburo gritted his teeth.
Just as Uchiha Rin was about to step forward and completely subdue Noha Saburo, a sudden change occurred. "Since I can't escape... then let's all go to hell together!" A crazy smile suddenly appeared on Noha Saburo's face.
The Chakra within his body began to flow backward in a strange way! Purplish-black poisonous gas, like a tangible substance, gushed out from his pores, instantly engulfing his entire being! The surrounding vegetation, under this poisonous gas, withered and died at a visible rate!
"Oh no! He's going to self-destruct his poisoned body!" Uchiha Akira's expression changed. If this level of toxin burst were to spread, their four-person team would likely not survive.
"Step back!" Uchiha Akira made a decisive decision, pushing Rin, who was closest to him, away. At the same time, he quickly formed hand signs.
"Fire Release: Flame Dragon Release Song Technique!"
Roar—!
A giant flame dragon, composed of high-density flames, roared out from Uchiha Akira's mouth!
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—!
Deadly poison and raging flames collided and annihilated each other furiously! The air was filled with a pungent burnt smell and a sickening stench!
"Lightning Release: Ground Flash!"
Uchiha Akira placed one hand on the ground, and a violent surge of lightning energy spread along the ground, forming a lightning net that completely trapped Noha Saburo within the flames. Finally, Noha Saburo, charred all over, lay on the ground, barely breathing, having completely lost the ability to resist.
"Captain... are you alright?" Rin, Tetsu, and Kai gathered around him, still shaken.
"I'm fine." Uchiha Akira shook his head, his face a bit pale. Continuously using large-scale Ninjutsu had significantly depleted Uchiha Akira's Chakra.
"Take him with us; we're returning to the village."
The mission was successfully completed. An A-rank mission, apprehending a high-ranking rogue ninja from Root, achieved with zero casualties—a perfect accomplishment! Konoha's higher-ups' assessment of Uchiha Akira was once again refreshed! He was another rising star of the Uchiha, following Shisui and Itachi!