Shiki Uzumaki wiped the blood from his Seiquan Sword—leftovers from the earlier battle.
"This fight could have been avoided. But life and death are impermanent. Just like how you're trying to kill me now, in the very next moment, we might be on the same side instead. Who can truly say what is right or wrong?"
Boom!!!
After saying this, Shiki Uzumaki's gaze no longer showed confusion.
His figure instantly vanished from where he stood, even the shockwave kicking up a gust of sand.
Within the green chakra flame, a fierce crimson blaze burned fiercely, as if a real inferno had ignited.
That streaking crimson trail carved an arc through the sky, hurtling straight toward the two Chunin!
"No!!!"
The two Chunin targeted by Shiki Uzumaki cried out in shock!
What humans fear most is dying without resistance, and under such fierce killing intent and against an opponent they couldn't even see clearly, they were utterly incapable of fighting back!
Chapter 215: Sword Dance
"We didn't expect Shiki Uzumaki to be this strong," Nara Shiomi scratched his head helplessly.
Yamanaka San Tian nodded along, even though he still kept his hand seals formed for the Mind Disturbance Technique.
Still, he couldn't help sighing, "This kid, when he erupts with power, possesses strength rivaling that of a Tokubetsu Jonin."
Kusei caught his breath but kept his sword raised to guard the two shinobi. "It's reassuring to see the new generation has this kind of strength. As for the rest..."
Suddenly lowering his voice so nobody could hear, Kusei murmured, "...just die on the mission."
Except for the Third Hokage, probably very few people knew about this man's deepest wish—to die on a mission—after serving over fifty years as a Genin.
Because all his life, he carried the weight of guilt—for the comrades he'd lost long ago because of his mistake.
That was why he never chose to become a Chunin or even a Jonin.
Even when the Third Hokage once persuaded him to become a Jonin, he still refused.
Now that the Third Hokage had also passed away... should he himself die as well?
Perhaps, for someone like him who had made mistakes, dying in battle was the best choice.
To simply grow old in peace would only make his guilt worse.
Thinking this, Kusei had already resolved himself to a certain will.
Meanwhile on the battlefield, Wind Release Ninjutsu raged constantly, creating thick clouds of dust obscuring sight.
Yet the fine drizzle made the dusty air feel heavier.
And now, it might even carry a trace of blood in its haze.
It was August 3rd, the day after the death of Konoha Village's Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Chaos had erupted throughout Sunagakure Village, while Gaara sat quietly alone atop a rooftop, watching the silent rain fall.
"Gaara, it's raining. Come inside."
Someone said softly as they approached from behind him.
For some reason, she felt that the person before her had changed since returning to Sunagakure yesterday.
Gaara slowly turned his head and looked at Temari in the rain. She was already wearing a black raincoat.
"Temari... what do you think my purpose is?" Gaara's voice, compared to his usual cruelty, sounded somewhat weak with this inquiry.
But at this moment, Temari's heart softened too. Only now did the person before her seem like her little brother again.
"Purpose? I'm not sure. Even during my recent stay in Konoha, I did a lot of thinking."
In the depth of Temari's gaze seemed to appear the image of a red-haired boy—and the back of him holding onto a girl.
"I see... Previously, I thought my reason for existing was to kill everyone in the world, to prove that I existed and wasn't being ignored. But after meeting Naruto Uzumaki, I realized that maybe one could live for the sake of emotions. And now it seems I've also made a friend named Shiki Uzumaki."
"Hmm, now that I think about it, those two Uzumakis are both a bit weird. One acts really goofy, and the other—never mind, never mind."
Temari sat down beside Gaara at the edge of the rooftop, took off her shoes, and dangled her legs while swinging them back and forth quietly.
Just like a child would.
Gaara's face kept shifting, as if reliving his childhood.
"Temari, if I were to consider you an ally, would you value me too?"
"Eh?" Temari was taken aback almost instinctively, reacting without thinking.
She even ignored who exactly was beside her—this was Gaara, after all.
"Is that not possible?" Gaara shook his head and cast a confused look into the distance.
"No."
Temari replied almost instinctively.
A spark of brightness returned once more to Gaara's eyes.
Yet within Sunagakure, probably only this place remained so serene.
The entire village had fallen into chaos—not just because of the war with Konoha.
Even more alarming was the fact that among the village's top leadership—the Fourth Kazekage and the two senior advisors—had completely vanished.
At such a critical moment, Sunagakure found itself dangerously leaderless.
Eventually, under the orders of Baki, many ninja were dispatched to search for the Fourth Kazekage.
Baki increasingly sensed a hidden conspiracy, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
It was only now that he began to recall how surprisingly sudden the Fourth Kazekage's decision to attack Konoha had felt at the time.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>