Chapter 72: A Swift Extraction
He, Uchiha Naoki, could have lived peacefully within the Uchiha clan. But in the end, not only was his life threatened, he was forced to defect. If not for the Uchiha massacre, an event where he had no direct stake in the lives lost, he might have remained.
He wanted to pummel the Third Hokage just to vent his frustration. Was it so difficult to properly resolve the Uchiha clan's issues? It wasn't unsolvable! The Senju clan had been marginalized and neutralized by him. And the Uchiha had both Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi—two shinobi with the Will of Fire and immense power on his side. With his control over Konoha, was it truly impossible to resolve the conflict between the Uchiha and the village?
It was deliberate. A conscious effort to marginalize and push the Uchiha to rebel. A way to destroy them with righteousness on his side, eliminating future troubles forever. Even at the cost of the village's combat strength. Because stability, his stability, was more important than the village's development and safety.
"But this has nothing to do with me anymore," Uchiha Naoki muttered to himself.
He arrived at the Ichiraku Ramen Stand—the same place he'd jokingly referred to in his past life as "Otsutsuki Ichiraku's" establishment. "One large bowl of beef ramen," he called out.
How Konoha developed was largely irrelevant to him now. He had his own nascent ninja village to manage; he just needed a foundation. As for protecting world peace and maintaining order in the ninja world? He'd consider that after he was settled. Otherwise, it was just empty ambition.
"Right away! Please wait a moment!" Teuchi responded heartily before turning to prepare the order.
The reason for being here was simple: his target, Mitarashi Anko, was here.
A short while later, a steaming bowl of ramen was placed before him. "Thanks for the food," Uchiha Naoki said before taking a sip of the broth. It was genuinely delicious and appetizing.
Five minutes later, Mitarashi Anko got up and left. Uchiha Naoki, having finished his last noodle without hurry, paid and departed.
He didn't consider his tracking skills exceptional, but staying undetected by someone of Anko's level was effortless.
Konoha, The Forest of Death
Mitarashi Anko, who had just begun her shuriken practice, suddenly felt an intense wave of killing intent descend upon her.
"Who's there?!" She immediately spun towards the source—the empty space in front of her.
"Quite perceptive, Miss Anko."
Uchiha Naoki emerged from the ground as if stepping from shadow, a faint smile on his face as he regarded the wary kunoichi. The killing intent, of course, had been a deliberate leak on his part.
"You are…" Anko's eyes widened in dawning horror as she recognized his face.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hand!"
Several long, foul-smelling snakes shot from her sleeves, fangs bared. Uchiha Naoki didn't flinch, his body dissolving into a molten state and letting the snakes pass through him harmlessly.
"Sizzle! Sizzle!"
The reptiles instantly charred and twisted into crisps.
But the spot where Anko had been standing was now empty. A sharp wind whistled behind Uchiha Naoki—Anko had already flanked him, a kunai aimed at his back.
Without even turning, Uchiha Naoki's hand snapped back with impossible precision, catching her wrist in a vice-like grip.
"To block me so accurately... just by sensing my chakra?" Anko gasped, shocked. "Is this the level of an S-rank rogue ninja, an existence on par with that bastard Orochimaru? He's too strong! I'm no match!"
She tried to form a seal with her free hand for another Hidden Shadow Snake Hand to break his grip and escape to alert the village.
But Uchiha Naoki seemed to read her intention. He swung her around and slammed her brutally into the ground.
BOOM!
The impact jarred every bone in her body. A coppery taste filled her mouth, and she couldn't stop a spray of blood from escaping her lips. Her vision swam, consciousness flickering.
Before she could even draw a ragged breath, a fist the size of a sandbag filled her blurry vision.
"Not good!"
A chill shot down her spine. She barely managed a Substitution Jutsu, replacing herself with a nearby log just before the fist connected.
"I have to warn the village...!"
Anko materialized several meters away, not wasting a second as she scrambled for the signal flare in her pouch.
However...
"Do you really think... I'd give you that chance?"
The sneering voice came from directly behind her, sending a primal fear through her entire being. Before she could even twitch, a devastating impact crashed into the back of her neck. Darkness swallowed her vision. It's over...
Her body went rigid, then slumped limply into Uchiha Naoki's waiting arms.
"With this, the final piece is in place."
He stowed the unconscious Anko within his unique storage space, then immediately sank into the earth, making his escape.
Who knew if that certain crystal-ball peeping tom happened to be watching this area? The brief scuffle would undoubtedly attract attention. Konoha's Sensor Division was not to be underestimated.
His guess was correct.
The Konoha Sensor Division had noticed the anomaly.
"A powerful, unknown chakra signature suddenly appeared in the Forest of Death! It vanished within ten seconds!" a Special Jonin in the division shouted urgently. "Quickly, dispatch a team to investigate! Find out what happened!"
Nearby patrol units were immediately contacted and soon arrived on the scene. They surveyed the limited signs of struggle and the scorched, serpentine remains.
Their conclusion: a mysterious, powerful individual had infiltrated Konoha, engaged in a brief fight here, and abducted someone. Both parties were now gone. There was no doubt—a kidnapping had occurred.
Uchiha Naoki emerged from a secluded alley and walked calmly towards the main gate.
Just then, he saw a ninja burst from the Hokage Headquarters at top speed, followed by a squad of patrolling shinobi rushing towards the village entrance.
"They're sharp, I'll give them that."
Seeing this, Uchiha Naoki knew his actions had been discovered. It was time to leave. He continued his unhurried pace straight for the gate.
"Hey, brother! Just came in and already heading out?" the chunin guard on the right side of the gate asked curiously. "Something urgent come up?"
Uchiha Naoki adopted a pained, frustrated expression. "Urgent? You have no idea! I came to Konoha for a business deal and forgot the ledger back at the inn. Can't finalize the delivery without it. Have to rush back to get it now." He let out a deep, weary sigh. "I just hope I'm not too late, or I'll be facing a huge loss this time."
Hearing this, both guards nodded in understanding. The chunin on the right even gave Naoki a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "Chin up, I'm sure it'll work out!" he said, stepping aside to let him pass.
Uchiha Naoki nodded, a look of gratitude on his face. "Thanks for the kind words."
But just as he stepped one foot beyond the Konoha gate, a sharp yell erupted from behind.
"STOP HIM! DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY!"
"?!!"
The sudden command stunned the two guards. But their training as chunin kicked in, and they reacted instantly.
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