"You… you're…"
"Uchiha Chiba?!"
The man standing before them was infamous throughout Konoha. The ANBU, who often crossed paths with the Police Force, knew him all too well.
But the Chiba standing before them now—
Was far more terrifying than usual.
It did not feel as though a man had arrived.
It felt like a blood-eyed beast.
One ANBU guard swallowed nervously.
"Even if you're Uchiha Chiba, you cannot barge into the ANBU detention facility!"
"And you've been suspended by the Hokage. You no longer serve in the Police Force!"
As he spoke, he subtly signaled his partner—clearly trying to alert headquarters.
Chiba thought of Yamaka's severed arm.
Of Aoki lying between life and death.
Of Clan Head Fugaku walking alone into this darkness.
His face remained calm.
But inside—
His fury burned white-hot.
"I'll say this once."
"Step aside."
"Whoever stands in my way will fall."
The two guards stiffened.
"Don't be arrogant, Uchiha Chiba!"
"You have no authority here!"
"Do you intend rebellion?!"
Before the final word fully left his lips—
A flash of steel.
Hum—
Chakra surged violently, distorting the very air.
"What—"
They felt only a sudden chill at their throats.
Then—
Silence.
Thud.
Thud.
Two bodies collapsed before the entrance.
Ding.
[You have helped two overworked ANBU guards rest peacefully. Merit +40.]
[You have helped two overworked ANBU guards rest peacefully. Merit +40.]
Chiba did not even glance at the notifications.
He had already stepped inside.
The ANBU detention facility was a place devoid of light.
Cold.
Oppressive.
Heavy with despair.
Chiba moved like lightning through its shadowed corridors.
"Who goes there?!"
"How dare you intrude here?!"
"Those eyes—"
His Sharingan flared.
Three tomoe spun slowly, radiating killing intent.
"It's Uchiha Chiba!"
"Report to the captain!"
"Kill him!"
Seven or eight ANBU converged at once.
Weapons flew—
Kunai.
Shuriken.
Senbon.
Then ninjutsu erupted in waves—
Flames.
Torrenting water.
Lightning arcs.
Slicing winds.
Rising walls of earth.
An assault no ordinary shinobi could face carelessly.
But the tomoe spun.
His eyes saw everything.
In a single heartbeat, Chiba moved through the barrage untouched.
He became a streak of white lightning in the darkness.
In the next instant—
His hand closed around an ANBU captain's throat.
"Lead me."
The surrounding ANBU froze.
None dared risk their superior's life.
The captured captain trembled violently.
He knew Chiba's reputation.
There would be no mercy.
With a shaking hand, he pointed deeper inside.
"Walk."
They moved through corridors that felt like descending layers of hell.
The screams of prisoners gradually faded the deeper they went.
Finally—
"There… she's there…"
In the dim depths, a pair of cold eyes lifted.
The Kirigakure woman regarded him calmly.
"So those are the Sharingan…" she murmured softly.
"Beautiful."
"And terrifying."
Chiba pressed his blade against the ANBU captain's throat.
Blood beaded instantly.
"I ask."
"You answer."
The man nodded frantically.
"Who helped frame my men?"
"Th—this…"
The blade pressed deeper.
"I'll speak!"
"It was an order from above! We only followed orders!"
Chiba's smile was faint and cold.
"So you were part of it."
"How convenient."
"Who else?"
The man pointed shakily.
"Him… and him… and him…"
"Seven of us in total…"
"Please, we had no choice—"
The blade fell.
His head struck the floor and rolled into the shadows.
Ding.
[You have helped the ANBU captain start anew. Merit +80.]
The remaining ANBU froze—
Then erupted in fury.
They charged.
Even the Kirigakure spy felt her composure crack.
This man—
Was more frightening than the blood-soaked legends of her homeland.
For the first time—
She felt fear.
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