After killing three enemies in rapid succession, Shawn didn't slow down.
Midair, he snatched a ninja blade from a corpse and flashed behind the Sky Ninja that Tsunade was about to finish off.
One clean thrust—death.
Tsunade froze for a split second, her fist stopping short.
Shawn pulled his blade free and said coldly:
"You retreat first."
Before she could reply, he had already turned and charged toward Jiraiya's side of the battlefield.
Tsunade glanced at the body on the ground, her expression shifting.
The speed of that kill—
Brutal.
Efficient.
Relentless.
She quickly reassessed the battlefield. Despite being outnumbered earlier, Konoha had clearly gained the upper hand.
Gritting her teeth, Tsunade ignored Shawn's order and instead rushed toward Orochimaru.
Hmph.
She had no habit of abandoning her comrades and fleeing.
Battle's End
Five minutes later, the fighting was over.
Every Sky Ninja lay dead.
Tsunade knelt beside Jiraiya, healing his injuries, while Orochimaru's gaze followed Sarutobi Atsu and the others as they methodically delivered finishing blows.
In the end, his eyes settled on Shawn.
That level of lethality left a deep impression on him.
Simple.
Crude.
Decisive.
Every strike carried a violent elegance.
Jiraiya noticed Orochimaru's stare and winced through the pain.
"This guy… he's not from the old man's直属 ANBU, is he?"
They didn't know every ANBU member personally, but they knew their style.
Shawn was different.
He was less like an assassin—and more like a killing machine.
Orochimaru answered calmly:
"Danzo's people."
Jiraiya thought for a moment and nodded.
"Yeah… that checks out.
Though he feels even more extreme."
"Shut up."
Tsunade punched Jiraiya on the head.
He howled in pain, stars spinning in his eyes.
Orochimaru merely glanced again at the bodies being checked.
"So cautious," he muttered.
Delivering finishing blows to every corpse—
That wasn't common.
In fact, he had never seen it before.
Aftermath
"No survivors."
Sarutobi Atsu reported once the cleanup was complete.
Shawn nodded and approached the Sannin.
"How long until you can move?"
"Five more minutes," Tsunade replied.
"Once you're done, withdraw immediately toward Fire Country," Shawn said flatly.
"We'll handle the rear."
Jiraiya frowned.
"You think they'll attack again?"
Before Shawn could answer, Orochimaru spoke:
"Don't ask foolish questions."
"They've already made a move. They won't stop so easily."
Jiraiya recalled the Sky Ninja's earlier words.
"They wanted to capture one of us alive.
Hostage exchange, maybe."
"Which means they're not afraid of provoking a war. There's more going on."
Orochimaru immediately thought of Kumogakure.
The Sky Ninja Village was weaker than even the Hidden Rain—yet they dared provoke Konoha repeatedly.
That only made sense if someone powerful was backing them.
Shawn had reached the same conclusion.
North of the Land of the Moon lay the Land of Lightning.
No matter how this conflict ended, Kumo would benefit.
Of course—
There was also the possibility that the Sky Ninja leader was simply insane.
Thinking of Shinnō and the creation of Zero-Tails, Shawn couldn't rule it out.
A Choice to Return
Five minutes later, the Sannin withdrew.
Shawn and his team stayed behind, using the battlefield's corpses to set traps.
Ten minutes later—
"Scatter."
Four shadows vanished into the forest.
On the retreat path, Tsunade suddenly stopped.
"Jiraiya, can you still sense them?"
Jiraiya shook his head.
"They probably have another mission."
Tsunade frowned.
"So we just leave?"
She didn't like Danzo.
But she liked abandoning comrades even less—especially ones weaker than herself.
Jiraiya understood her hesitation.
"They'll catch up. And we need to deliver this intel immediately."
Tsunade shook her head.
"One person is enough for that."
She stopped completely.
Jiraiya sighed.
"Orochimaru, you go back. Tsunade and I stay."
Orochimaru mentally cursed them both.
Then turned back anyway.
"It's just Sky Ninja."
"We haven't even gone all out yet."
Jiraiya grinned.
"Right. Wouldn't want Root thinking they outshine us."
Tsunade snorted, but her eyes were smiling.
The three turned back.
Back to the Forest
Hidden behind a tree, Shawn frowned.
…Why are they coming back?
This complicates things.
You're here, I can't freely use Wood Release.
If I don't use it, how do I intimidate my own men?
Kill witnesses?
Impossible.
And also—
Who would ever harm golden twin-tails?
Shawn sighed inwardly and nodded.
"Then take positions on the opposite side of the forest."
Jiraiya agreed immediately.
As they moved off, Shawn faintly heard Tsunade complaining:
"Jiraiya, you idiot—why did you agree so fast?
We're the main team here!"
She complained, but made no real attempt to seize command.
She understood—
Shawn had already prepared everything.
Interfering now would only create chaos.
Her annoyance stemmed purely from her dislike of Danzo.
The Trap Springs
Shawn didn't care about her complaints.
Their mission was already complete.
Fighting side by side was optional.
Even if overwhelmed, Shawn was confident he could escape.
—
Twenty minutes passed.
Figures appeared at the forest's edge.
Shawn's Wood Clone merged seamlessly with a tree, only its face visible.
Eight Sky Ninja.
They entered cautiously, examining the corpses.
A middle-aged Sky Ninja spoke:
"Konoha was prepared.
This wasn't just one three-man squad."
"Our two teams won't be enough. We need reinforcements."
A female Sky Ninja frowned.
"They left at least half an hour ago.
Calling for help now—isn't it too late?"
The man smiled.
"Have you forgotten Kumogakure?"
"They already sent people.
We just declined earlier."
"At this point… it doesn't matter anymore."
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