The stench of blood from the Wasabi estate's front courtyard had already drifted up to the towering watchtowers.
Uchiha Itachi stood motionless at the battlement's edge like a silent statue, his dark eyes locked onto the three death-bringing figures below—and the merciless katana reaping lives with each flash.
Every glint of the blade accompanied the piercing wail of shattering metal and the sickening thud of torn flesh. The Wasabi guards' screams and roars rang hollow against such overwhelming power.
Itachi's fingertips unconsciously tightened on the cold stone.
Only three had come—three. This outcome exceeded even Wasabi Jirōchō's worst estimates and deviated from their contingency plans.
Had dozens swarmed in, it would mean Chasan Group thugs led the charge with perhaps one or two ninja mixed in. With Shizune-senpai and Anko-senpai's strength, backed by Wasabi guards, they could hold out or even repel them.
But only three came.
This meant the Black Erosion Group—long hidden in shadows, movements mysterious—had finally stepped into the light. These three were likely the group's core fighters, perhaps even their entire force. The overwhelming power displayed by that leading swordsman's casual strikes, and the aura emanating from his two companions...
Danger!
Mission priorities had to shift immediately: repelling the enemy was no longer realistic. The primary objective must become covering Wasabi Jirōchō's escape amid the chaos!
"Kid." A female voice sounded behind him.
Years of combat training made battle instinct override environmental awareness—Itachi's body snapped taut like a bowstring, spinning around, the kunai in his hand becoming a black flash slicing toward the voice's source with fierce momentum.
However, an arm appeared as if from thin air, faster than sight could track! That hand didn't block the kunai's edge directly, but like brushing past a willow branch, touched precisely on the wrist joint of Itachi's weapon hand.
An irresistible yet gentle force transmitted through—Itachi felt his entire arm go numb instantly, his gathered strength dispersing at once. The kunai slipped from his grip, clattering onto the stone bricks at his feet.
"Good reflexes." That voice carried a barely perceptible note of approval, then returned to flatness. "I'm Shizune's master."
Itachi's taut nerves didn't fully relax, but hearing "Shizune's master," his body instinctively eased a fraction of its guard.
He quickly looked up to see a woman with casually flowing golden hair, her features breathtakingly sharp in the interplay of light and shadow.
She wore a simple green robe, leaning against a pillar inside the watchtower, her eyes sweeping over Itachi before turning toward the blood-soaked front yard below, her brow furrowing imperceptibly.
This woman appearing now—Itachi studied her carefully—was definitely a powerful fighter. Perhaps they could continue with the original plan after all.
"No, I won't fight."
The woman's answer made Itachi frown involuntarily. Shizune's master should also be a Konoha ninja, so why refuse to help?
This doubt flashed by, immediately replaced by deeper calm. The strong must have their reasons; dwelling on it now serves no purpose.
Tsunade didn't explain. She forcefully suppressed the churning discomfort, raising her right hand where four pure white slugs, only palm-sized and radiating gentle life energy, rested.
"Take these." She handed the slugs to Itachi, her movements crisp and efficient. "Attach them to your bodies. Through them, I'll transmit my chakra to you." She paused, her gaze sweeping toward the fierce battle below. "The other three, you know who to give them to. With these present, as long as you're not killed instantly..." She left the rest unsaid, but the meaning was clear.
"Your captain, where is that Shuji fellow?" Tsunade suddenly asked.
"The captain has separate orders." Itachi's answer was concise and clear, carrying no emotion. He obediently placed one small slug under his shoulder collar. Almost the instant it touched his skin, a vast, warm, endlessly flowing stream of pure chakra flowed from the slug's tiny body, rapidly filling his limbs and bones.
This amount of chakra...
Itachi's heart surged with shock, though his face remained calm as still water. He quickly secured the remaining three slugs carefully, his gaze returning to the scene below.
The front yard—a hellish tableau.
Half the Wasabi guards had already fallen.
Severed limbs and broken weapons lay mixed together, fresh blood dyeing the flagstones dark red. Komainu strolled as if through a garden, each sword swing precisely claiming one or several lives.
Behind him, on his left stood that man with blood-soaked bandages wrapping his left arm, bone claws grotesque, watching with the detachment of one viewing art. On his right, the figure shrouded in an oilcloth cloak, shouldering that massive gourd, stood silent as bedrock, his aura even more obscure and inscrutable.
"Enough!"
A dark purple figure shot from the side hall's shadows like a hunting cheetah!
Mitarashi Anko's eyes blazed with fury, her new coat's hem snapping in the gale.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Brown venomous snakes erupted from her sleeves with hissing shrieks, fangs bared, viciously targeting Komainu's throat, heart, and lower body! The offensive was fierce, carrying long-suppressed rage!
Almost simultaneously with Anko's attack, another deep blue figure swept into the field like light smoke.
Shizune's expression was grave, her movements swift as wind. She didn't attack directly, but immediately flashed to several severely wounded guards lying on the ground. Her hands glowed with emerald green medical chakra, like the light of life, trying to stabilize their rapidly fading vitality.
Komainu's sword swing paused slightly.
Snakes?!
Those sharp hawk-like eyes precisely captured the Konoha symbol on Anko's forehead protector, and her young face filled with anger.
It's her! That female ninja who confronted the guards at the city gate alongside the Konoha jōnin! She and Orochimaru...
Where was that other brat? Lying in ambush nearby? Or at sea? If only that kid was protecting the messenger, why hadn't Komainu returned? Could a mere child stop him?
And that other ninja—who was she? From Konoha, or separately hired by the Wasabi family?
As the awaited ninja finally took the stage, more doubts multiplied in Komainu's mind.
The situation seemed to be slipping beyond control.
But the arrow had left the bow!
The doubt in Komainu's eyes was instantly replaced by deeper ruthlessness.
Whatever Konoha had planned, he must achieve his objective at maximum speed right now—Wasabi Jirōchō must die!
He flicked his wrist, the blood-stained katana tracing a cruel arc of cold light, easily severing the attacking venomous snakes. The blade's momentum didn't cease, the icy edge carrying unmatched killing intent, pointing directly at Shizune who stood before him protecting the wounded, and Anko who had just landed in combat stance!