Everyone activated their Body Flicker Technique and vanished in an instant.
The moment Shisui and the others departed, a shadowy mass that looked like liquid oozed out from a nearby tree — none other than the “most devoted son of the shinobi world”, Black Zetsu.
“The Konoha ninjas are gone.
They won’t be returning to check this spot again.”
“Madara intends for Obito to carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan… then my own plan shall begin as well!”
“Iwagakure’s forces?
This will prove interesting… but for now, it is no concern of mine.”
Black Zetsu muttered to himself, then sank back into the tree trunk and disappeared.
The very instant he vanished, an Iwa ninja leaped out from the same branches:
“Shisui of the Body Flicker… and Kakashi!
This is the perfect chance to eliminate Shisui!
Inform Lord Han at once!”
During the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, Konoha’s primary foe was Iwagakure.
The two sides clashed with devastating ferocity, suffering massive losses on both fronts.
Through the chaos, two names rose to legendary status across the shinobi world.
One was the Yellow Flash — Minato Namikaze.
The other was Shisui of the Body Flicker.
As for the Three Legendary Sannin, their fame stemmed from the Second Great Ninja War, not the Third.
At this time, Jiraiya was wandering the world in search of the Child of Prophecy; Tsunade had left Konoha and vanished without a trace; and Orochimaru, for reasons unknown, rarely appeared on the battlefield at all.
The Third Great Ninja War had become almost entirely the stage for Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Shisui.
For that very reason, Iwagakure was desperate to eliminate them — they would seize any opportunity that presented itself.
…
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Deep within the mountain forests, Shisui took the lead, racing back toward Konoha with Kakashi and the Military Police Force at his heels.
Suddenly, Shisui’s expression shifted sharply.
“Shisui — did you sense something?” Kakashi asked in a low, serious tone.
“Enemies incoming!
Everyone, prepare for battle!” Shisui replied firmly.
In wartime, such encounters were commonplace.
No one panicked; each tightened their grip on their weapons and stood ready.
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
In an instant, figures flickered into view — a squad of Iwagakure ninjas, perched on the branches directly across from them.
At their head stood a man draped entirely in deep crimson: a wide hat, heavy armor, and a face mask covering his mouth.
He was built like a fortress, and his very presence radiated overwhelming pressure.
“Steam Ninja… Iwagakure certainly thinks highly of me.”
Shisui’s brows drew together.
“Steam Ninja?”
Ryuu echoed the thought silently.
He thought back carefully, and the identity of the imposing figure finally clicked.
“Han… the Jinchūriki of the Five‑Tails, Kokuō!”
Realizing who he faced, Ryuu inwardly grimaced.
Han was a taijutsu specialist — but taijutsu was no trivial matter.
Might Guy’s Eight Gates had shaken the entire world.
And on top of that… he was a Jinchūriki.
“Uchiha Shisui — today you die!”
Han pointed a massive finger straight at him, his voice cold and unyielding.
Hissss!
At the same time, thick plumes of steam shot upward from the back of Han’s collar and armor.
Shisui dared not lower his guard — the steam meant an attack was imminent.
Swish!
True enough, Han dissolved into a blur and vanished from sight, rocketing toward Shisui with blinding speed.
CRACK!
The branch he had been standing on snapped clean in two.
“Incredible speed!”
Shisui’s Sharingan flared wide.
He shifted his body instantly, reappearing atop a neighboring tree.
BOOM!
The treetop Shisui had occupied only moments earlier was completely shattered by the force of Han’s impact.
His strength was nothing short of monstrous.
Meanwhile, Han’s subordinates surged forward — not after Shisui, but targeting Kakashi and the rest of the group.
Kakashi met them head‑on without hesitation, and a brutal clash erupted across the forest.
Ryuu had only just gained the Rinnegan; he had no wish to reveal his true power yet.
He deliberately drifted toward the edge of the fray.
A few quick Body Flickers later, he had slipped outside the main battle entirely.
Getting separated in combat was nothing unusual — no one paid him any mind.
Only two Iwagakure chunin had spotted him and given chase.
Once he was well clear of the fighting, Ryuu came to an abrupt halt.
He turned slowly, looking back at his pursuers with casual ease.
Two chunin.
“Monday to Friday – Update 3 Chapters a Day”
“Saturday and Sunday – Off”