If they ran a few hundred meters farther, they would already be outside Konohagakure's territory.
In those days, the village didn't yet have a massive barrier covering the surroundings like a turtle shell.
Akira held his breath and silently hid behind an ancient tree so wide that three people linking arms couldn't encircle it.
Through layers of branches and leaves, his eyes locked onto the battle ahead.
The Anbu ninja had already intercepted the fugitive, and the two were locked in a fierce clash.
Blades flashed. Sparks flew.
Akira didn't dare blink.
Such exquisite swordsmanship!
He silently marveled.
Every strike and motion of the ANBU ninja seemed to carry a unique rhythm.
But soon he shook his head.
What a pity…
He had already spotted the flaw.
"This ANBU guy lacks the internal strength to truly bring out the essence of this sword style."
"It's like a child swinging a massive blade—looks flashy, but full of openings."
"This fight… the ANBU will definitely lose."
The life-or-death struggle continued for about five minutes.
Yet those short three hundred seconds gave Akira enormous insight. His mind replayed the refined sword techniques he had just witnessed.
Bang!
A dull thud echoed.
Just as he predicted, the ANBU ninja was slightly weaker.
The fugitive seized an opening and delivered a heavy kick to his chest.
The ANBU was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing hard beside the very tree Akira was hiding behind. He collapsed on the ground, unable to get up.
Akira instinctively glanced down.
By coincidence, the ANBU ninja struggled to raise his head at that exact moment.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the atmosphere became painfully awkward.
Akira frowned and cursed inwardly.
He had no intention of getting involved in this mess.
Without hesitation, he turned to leave, planning to slip away without helping the unfortunate ANBU.
But just as he moved—
A gust of wind rushed toward him.
The fugitive ninja had abandoned the fallen ANBU and instead appeared directly in front of Akira, his dagger flashing toward Akira's throat.
Akira felt like ten thousand alpacas were stampeding through his mind.
Is this guy brain-damaged?
You're fighting for your life here—why aren't you escaping instead of attacking a random passerby like me?
Had the man simply gone berserk?
Despite the complaints in his head, his body reacted instantly.
The opponent had clearly displayed the strength of a Jonin. There was no room for carelessness.
Chakra surged to his feet.
Body Flicker Jutsu!
Akira's body blurred into an afterimage as he slid half a meter sideways at the last second.
Clang!
The dagger stabbed deeply into the tree trunk.
The fugitive froze for a moment, pupils shrinking.
"This brat…"
He had never expected that a child who looked barely six years old could dodge a killing strike.
Akira landed beside him and rapidly formed hand seals.
Snake – Goat – Monkey – Boar – Horse – Tiger!
"Great Fireball Jutsu!"
His chest swelled as he exhaled.
A massive fireball over five meters wide burst forward with blazing heat.
"Damn it… this kid isn't simple!"
The fugitive's face changed instantly.
But he was a battle-hardened jōnin and reacted quickly.
Using the Body Flicker again, he shifted several meters sideways.
The fireball grazed his clothes and slammed into the forest behind him.
BOOM!
Several towering trees exploded into fragments, flames soaring into the air before turning to ash.
Akira's heart sank.
As expected… fighting a jōnin above my level is still too much.
The fugitive stood in the distance, his earlier contempt replaced with seriousness.
"Kid, at your age you can already use a Fire Style with that kind of power. Which clan's genius are you?"
Akira stared at him coldly, completely speechless inside.
Mister, you're a fugitive. Can you at least act like one?
Why are you so obsessed with me?
He stayed silent, muscles tense, ready for a life-or-death fight.
Seeing Akira refuse to answer only intensified the killer intent in the ninja's eyes.
"So you've already discovered my secret."
"No matter who you are, you die here today."
Akira was completely confused.
Secret? What secret?
All I know is that ANBU is chasing you.
How is that a secret?
Are you some foreign spy? A rogue ninja?
"I think there's been a misunderstanding—"
Akira tried to explain he was just passing by.
But the ninja didn't give him the chance.
With a powerful step, the ground cracked beneath his feet as he launched forward like a cannonball.
"This guy is a rabid dog!"
Akira cursed inwardly.
Since escape was impossible, he could only fight.
The fugitive closed the distance instantly, throwing a punch straight at Akira's face.
Akira ducked and whipped his right leg like a steel whip into the opponent's abdomen.
Thud!
The impact sent the ninja flying several meters before crashing into a tree trunk, leaves raining down.
"Brat… you've got some strength."
The ninja cracked his neck and stood up as if nothing had happened.
A normal ninja would have collapsed from that kick.
So this is the durability of a jōnin…
Akira felt tremendous pressure.
Thick skin, powerful endurance.
If this turns into a drawn-out fight, I'll definitely lose.
Our taijutsu is about equal, but he definitely still has hidden techniques.
At that moment, Akira really wanted to run.
But he was only six years old. Against a fully unleashed jōnin, escape was impossible.
Since running wasn't an option, he had to gamble everything.
"You're already being hunted and still won't run. Why are you so obsessed with fighting me?!"
The ninja sneered cruelly.
"Dead men keep secrets."
Akira almost laughed from anger.
What secret do I even know?!
Before he could think further, the enemy attacked again.
The two instantly engaged in close combat, fists and kicks colliding repeatedly.
The fugitive grew increasingly shocked.
Although the kid looked reluctant, every attack he launched was calmly countered.
This was not the strength of a six-year-old.
After another clash, the two separated.
I can't drag this out, the ninja thought. The longer this takes, the worse it gets.
He rapidly formed hand seals, chakra transforming instantly.
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter!"
Akira's pupils shrank.
Damn—high-level Wind Style!
Earth Wall won't stop something with that kind of cutting power.
Earth techniques could block water and fire fairly well.
But against razor-sharp wind blades designed for penetration, they were basically paper.
I'll have to attack instead of defend.
According to elemental interactions, fire counters wind.
If the flames were strong enough, the wind would only fuel them.
Akira gritted his teeth, hands forming seals again.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Both finished their hand seals at almost the same time.
"Whoosh!"
Several razor-sharp wind blades shot forward, colliding head-on with a fireball even larger than before—nearly six meters wide.
BOOM!
The two energies clashed violently in midair.
The fireball trembled slightly before suddenly expanding.
The wind blades barely cut halfway through before being swallowed entirely by raging flames.
Fire truly counters wind.
The massive fireball continued surging forward toward the fugitive.
The ninja frowned and rapidly retreated.
"Damn it… why does this kid have chakra reserves like a Tailed Beast?"
"Does it never run out?"
He was becoming impatient.
Meanwhile, after releasing the jutsu, Akira's eyes turned completely cold.
If you won't let me leave…
Then I'll send you on your way instead.
Leaving a lunatic like this alive behind him would make sleeping impossible.
"You want to silence me?"
"Then be ready to get killed instead."
The fugitive pulled his dagger from the tree, his gaze dark and vicious.
He no longer saw Akira as a child—but as an equal opponent.
"Kill!"
The two charged at each other simultaneously.
As they passed each other, Akira's foot lashed toward the ninja's ribs.
The rogue ninja roared and slashed down with his blade.
Akira twisted his body in a strange motion, using the Body Flicker to appear beside the fallen Anbu operative.
He snatched the long sword the ANBU had dropped on the ground.
When he turned back—
his entire presence changed.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of steel striking steel rang out like heavy rain.
At first, Akira's movements were a little clumsy, but after several dozen exchanges, the sword in his hand began to move more and more naturally.
The fugitive ninja started to feel something was wrong.
Cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
"This… isn't that ANBU's sword style?"
"How does this brat know it too?!"
The ANBU ninja lying on the ground forced his eyes open. Seeing Akira standing in front of him, he weakly shouted:
"Run… you can't beat him…"
In his view, Akira was talented, but still just a child. There was no way he could outlast an adult jōnin in stamina.
Akira didn't even turn around. He chuckled softly.
"You're still alive? Tough luck."
"I borrowed your sword style for a moment. You don't mind, right?"
"Even if you do, it's too late. I've already learned it."
He took a deep breath and assumed a unique starting stance.
"Your kenjutsu really is elegant. It's a pity you haven't mastered it."
"Watch carefully. This is how it should be used."
Akira flicked his wrist, and the blade emitted a clear humming sound.
Though they stood in a dark forest, the edge of his sword seemed to gather the moonlight, forming a pale, sorrowful crescent.
The ANBU ninja on the ground widened his eyes in disbelief.
"This… this is my 'Moonlit Night'?"
"When did he learn it?!"
Across from them, the rogue ninja felt the deadly chill radiating from that stance. His face turned pale.
"What the hell? How could this brat replicate such a high-level kenjutsu?"
"He's bluffing! There's no way you can actually pull it off!"
He raised his blade to counter.
Hummmm—
The air itself seemed to tear apart.
The two figures turned into afterimages and crossed paths beneath the moonlight.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze.
Akira crouched beneath a tree, gripping the sword with both hands, holding the finishing pose of his slash without moving.
The rogue ninja crouched beside the fallen ANBU, his back facing Akira like a statue.
A few seconds passed.
The ANBU ninja suddenly covered his mouth in horror.
"This… this can't be…"
Splurt!
A horrifying wound suddenly opened across the rogue ninja's abdomen.
Blood burst out like a fountain.
"Ugh…"
His face twisted in agony as the pain spread through his body.
"I… actually died… to a brat…"
As blood poured out, his life quickly drained away.
His unwilling expression remained, but his body collapsed helplessly to the ground.
Akira slowly stood up and glanced at the sleeve of his clothes, which had been cut.
Luckily, only the fabric was damaged—his skin was untouched.
He flicked the blood off the blade, walked over, and delivered one final stab to ensure the man was dead before finally relaxing.
It was the first time he had killed someone.
His stomach churned violently, but he forced himself not to vomit.
"Killing someone… feels awful."
The ANBU ninja stared at him blankly for a long moment before finally speaking.
"Kid… when exactly did you learn Moonlit Night?"
Akira raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"A woman?"
He had been too focused on fighting earlier to notice.
Now that he heard the clear voice—and remembered the distinctive kenjutsu—he quickly pieced things together.
Must be Yūgao Uzuki.
Yūgao forced a bitter smile, which tugged painfully at her wounds.
"Is it that surprising that I'm a woman?"
Akira shook his head and stuck the sword back into the dirt beside her.
"Not surprising."
"What's surprising is that you're about to bleed to death and still have time for gossip."
The ground beneath Yūgao was already soaked crimson with blood.
"Don't worry… I won't die…" she insisted stubbornly.
Akira rolled his eyes and walked over, flipping her onto her back.
"Ah! That hurts!"
The sudden movement made Yūgao cry out as cold sweat drenched her face beneath the mask.
Akira quickly rummaged through her ninja pouch, pulling out bandages and a soldier pill.
"Open your mouth."
He grabbed her chin and shoved the pill inside.
The ANBU mask was in the way, so he casually tore it off.
Under the moonlight appeared a pale yet delicate face.
Sure enough—Yūgao Uzuki, about sixteen years old.
She stared at the boy before her in confusion.
Despite the pain, her professional instincts kicked in and she fired off questions rapidly.
"How did you learn that move just now?"
"What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"
"What clan are you from?"
"Who taught you that kenjutsu? It's unbelievable!"
Akira felt his head start to ache.
"Are you done yet? Swallow the medicine already!"
Being scolded by a child left Yūgao speechless, her cheeks turning slightly red in embarrassment.
After feeding her the pill, Akira looked at her blood-soaked uniform and frowned.
"You're lucky to still be alive."
Yūgao had regained a little strength and smiled.
"What, did it scare you?"
Akira ignored her and pulled out a kunai.
"Bear with it. I'm going to cut your clothes."
Yūgao panicked, covering her chest.
"W-what are you doing?! You little pervert!"
Akira kept working with a serious expression.
"Shut up! How else am I supposed to bandage you? Do you want to bleed to death?"
"Do you know medical ninjutsu?" he asked.
Yūgao saw the clarity in his eyes and realized she had misunderstood.
Ashamed, she shook her head.
"No."
"Useless."
Akira sighed and continued quickly.
"I only know basic first-aid bandaging. Hopefully it'll hold until help arrives."
Rip—
The sound of fabric tearing echoed through the forest.
Yūgao had five deep wounds across her body.
Akira calmly cleaned the injuries and wrapped them with practiced efficiency.
Meanwhile, he had already sent a Shadow Clone to seek help from Kakashi.
10 minutes later, the bandaging was finished.
Akira sat down on the ground, sweating heavily.
Yūgao watched the exhausted child and felt warmth rise in her chest.
"Thank you… kid. What's your name?"
"Akira Hane."
He pulled off the coat from the dead rogue ninja and placed it over her to cover the bandages.
Soon after, several figures rushed in with the sound of wind cutting through the air.
Kakashi arrived with two medical ninjas.
Seeing the battlefield—even Kakashi, who was used to death, inhaled sharply.
The area was a mess.
Blood everywhere.
And the corpse of a jōnin.
Akira pointed toward Yūgao.
"Over there. Save her first—she lost too much blood."
The medical ninjas immediately took over.
Akira added:
"Cover her properly."
After all, Kakashi was a grown man—it was better to respect her privacy.
While the treatment was underway, Akira explained everything that had happened.
After hearing the story, Kakashi's lazy eye turned sharp.
He crouched down and looked Akira straight in the eyes.
"Listen carefully."
"Everything that happened here tonight—including that dead ninja—was done by Yūgao Uzuki."
"You just happened to pass by. Understood?"
Kakashi knew very well how complicated the higher-ups in Konoha could be.
If someone like Danzō discovered Akira's talent, the boy's life would be ruined.
Akira nodded.
"Got it. I'll follow your lead."
Kakashi sighed in relief and formed hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Poof!
A puff of white smoke appeared.
A small pug-like dog with droopy, sleepy eyes stood on the ground.
Kakashi pointed at it.
"This is Pakkun."
"For the next while, he'll stay with you. His nose is excellent—he can warn you about danger."
"As long as I haven't summoned him back, don't go anywhere with anyone who calls you."
Akira looked down at the dog, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"He looks… kind of sloppy."
Pakkun immediately rolled his eyes.
"Kid, do you have any sense of taste?"
Kakashi rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"Stop fooling around. This is for your safety."
"Pakkun, stay with Akira for a week. Don't leave his side."
Pakkun nodded and glanced at Akira.
"So you're the genius student Kakashi keeps talking about."
After making the arrangements, Kakashi walked over to Yūgao.
She had recovered a little by then.
Kakashi asked quietly:
"Yūgao… you killed this rogue ninja, right?"
It wasn't a question.
It was an order.
Yūgao understood instantly.
She looked gratefully toward Akira in the distance and nodded firmly.
"That's right."
"I killed him."
After examining the wounds, one of the medical ninjas said in amazement:
"Luckily this kid bandaged her quickly and professionally."
"Otherwise she would've died from blood loss long ago."