With that, every single ANBU involved in framing Yamaka and Aoki had fallen by Chiba's hand.
But—
This was only the beginning.
"Uchiha Chiba! Do you think you can escape?!"
"You stormed the ANBU detention block and killed so many of our people!"
"This won't be forgiven!"
Chiba cast them a cold glance from within the shattered corridor.
Then—
"Lightning Release: False Darkness."
Boom—!
A violent surge of lightning blasted through the outer wall, tearing open a massive breach.
Ordinary prisoners, their chakra sealed, could never hope to break free.
But Chiba was no prisoner.
And though layered sealing barriers surrounded the facility—
He had served as a Police Force captain.
He knew their structure well.
He slipped through the weakened formation and disappeared into the night.
The ANBU inside stared in shock before finally shouting—
"After him!"
…
Only once he reached open air did the cold wind cool his racing mind.
He finally checked the results of the battle.
Two guards—80 points.
One captain—80 points.
The Kirigakure spy—60 points.
Seven ANBU conspirators—280 points.
Five hundred merit points in total.
The largest gain yet.
Without hesitation, he poured every point into his Sharingan.
Hum—!!!
A surge unlike anything before erupted within him.
It felt as though his ocular power had doubled in an instant.
Pain stabbed through his eyes.
His chakra roiled violently.
He staggered slightly, breathing heavily.
He had already fought fiercely.
Now this sudden enhancement pushed his body to its limits.
Yet when he opened his eyes—
The three tomoe blazed with terrifying brilliance.
Sharingan Ocular Power: 980 / 1000
Just one step from the Mangekyō.
At this moment, within the Uchiha clan, only Shisui might surpass him.
Even Fugaku would not easily stand above him in pure ocular strength.
Though exhausted and wounded,
He was stronger than ever.
And he had no intention of stopping.
His next destination—
The ANBU headquarters.
Chiba knew perfectly well who had ordered the trap.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
And behind him—Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He would not be satisfied with cutting down the pawns.
The cold wind bit at his face as he deactivated the Sharingan, conserving what little chakra remained.
Step by step—
He advanced.
…
Not far behind, Yakumi and the others regrouped.
They had watched Chiba storm the detention block but dared not follow.
If Chiba acted alone, it could still be framed as a personal offense.
But if they joined him—
It would be open war.
Yakumi, cautious by nature, held the others back.
He had already sent word to Elder Yashiro.
Minutes felt like hours.
Then he saw Chiba burst from the shattered wall, drenched in blood like a specter from the abyss.
Yakumi's heart sank.
And when he saw the direction Chiba was heading—
ANBU headquarters.
There was no choice now.
"You—report to Elder Yashiro immediately!"
"The rest, with me!"
…
Within the Uchiha district, Yashiro listened to the report.
His vision nearly darkened.
"Yakumi is usually steady… and now even he…"
"Elder, Captain Chiba was terrifying in that moment. Even if Yakumi had refused, he would have uncovered the truth himself."
Yashiro closed his eyes.
"If this continues, there will be no return."
"Where is Shisui?"
A pause.
"He has gone to see the Hokage."
Yashiro's headache worsened.
At such a time—
Another messenger rushed in.
"Elder! Captain Chiba has broken into the ANBU detention facility! He emerged covered in blood—and now he's heading toward ANBU headquarters!"
Silence filled the room.
Fugaku was absent.
Shisui stood with the Hokage.
Chiba had become a blazing fuse.
And now Yashiro alone held the reins.
He inhaled deeply.
"I will stop Chiba myself."
"We're coming with you!"
"No."
"If he acts alone, it remains one man's crime."
"If you follow him, it becomes rebellion."
"With the Clan Head gone, open war means destruction."
He turned to Tekka and Inabi.
"The Police Force is in your hands. Prepare for the worst."
They exchanged grim looks.
"Yes, Elder."
"We will be ready."
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