A flash of cold steel, Kakiu's head separated from his shoulders. In his arms, Veigar dissolved into a wisp of smoke.
"Seriously?"
Veigar looked down at Kakiu's corpse, shaking his head with an expression of muted disdain. That was it? This level of strength and intelligence, and he actually thought he could come after him?
Veigar wouldn't mind if another dozen came knocking.
With Kakiu dealt with, Veigar didn't linger. Without a word, he turned and headed home.
But he knew all too well, this was only the beginning.
...
Roughly ten minutes after Veigar departed, two Konoha Military Police shinobi arrived on the scene. When they found the decapitated corpse, they reported it immediately.
Back at home, a satisfied smile tugged at the corners of Veigar's lips. His gaze occasionally flicked toward the Hokage Residence.
He didn't believe for a second that Hiruzen and Danzo, two men with near-total control over the village, especially in wartime, would fail to notice enemies slipping into Konoha unnoticed.
So there could only be one explanation:
They let them in on purpose.
As for why?
Veigar didn't particularly care. All he knew was this, so long as it was within Konoha, he could kill these intruders openly.
And in doing so...
He would grow stronger.
...
The next day at noon, Veigar left his house again.
Perched atop a tall building in Konoha's southern sector, he stood motionless in the wind. His gaze swept across the bustling streets below, observing every passerby.
He had to admit, there were far more spies intentionally let into Konoha than expected. In less than thirty minutes, he had already identified three obvious hostiles.
Better to kill the wrong ones than let the right ones go.
That was Veigar's philosophy. After all, these weren't villagers, they were enemies. Their deaths were meaningless.
As long as the sky didn't fall, Hiruzen wasn't going to hold him accountable.
Not now.
Because at this moment, Hiruzen wouldn't throw away a Kage-level shinobi. Especially not one with the limitless potential of Veigar.
"So... let me show you what I'm capable of."
With rapid hand seals, he created a Shadow Clone, then disappeared from the rooftop in a blur.
Three enemies.
All eliminated simultaneously.
Veigar had no intention of interrogating them. People like that held little valuable intel.
What he sought... was Life Essence.
...
Elsewhere, just outside the Hokage Residence, along the road leading to the Uchiha compound..
Fugaku Uchiha walked at the front, his expression dark as thunder, his very presence emanating menace.
Two Uchiha clansmen walked at his sides, fists clenched, teeth grinding in frustration. Their thoughts, unspoken, were plain on their faces.
The three had just returned from a meeting with Hiruzen.
Fugaku had submitted the corpse they found yesterday, but had just received a curt message from the Hokage:
"You don't need to concern yourselves with this any further."
What kind of nonsense was that?
What was the role of the Konoha Military Police supposed to be?
From the condition of the body, Fugaku had deduced that the targets were clearly coming for Veigar. Coupled with the bounty on Veigar in the underground black market, it was clear, this was no isolated incident.
They weren't allowed to go to the frontlines. Now they weren't even allowed to apprehend intruders?
What the hell was Hiruzen thinking?
Having only recently taken up the mantle of Uchiha Clan Head, Fugaku felt the pressure mounting.
The clan was already in turmoil from being sidelined in the war.
Now this latest command would only stoke internal unrest even more.
...
Meanwhile, deep within the lush forests southeast of Konoha...
Naoki, an S-rank missing-nin from Kirigakure, flitted silently through the treetops, eyes scanning every shadow.
Once a scout for the Hidden Mist, his skill in intelligence gathering and survival was second to none.
He wasn't strong in direct combat, but he didn't need to be.
He'd survived this long thanks to expert camouflage, sharp situational awareness, and an unshakable survival instinct.
This was his fourth time infiltrating Konoha. He'd come to gather intel on Veigar, just like before, grab what he could, sell it, and vanish.
But today... things felt off.
He was already on his exfiltration route, aiming to leave the village without incident.
Because not long ago...
He realized someone might be tailing him.
And when that happens, you abort.
Staying alive comes first.
Money? You can't spend it if you're dead.
Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.
Naoki darted forward, leaping from the undergrowth to the treetops, then vanishing into the leafy canopy again. Constant motion, constant caution, that was how he had survived this long.
He broke from the woods, skipped across a stream, and vanished back into the forest beyond.
Watching from a distant tree branch by the riverbank, Veigar narrowed his eyes.
"He's trying to leave the village?"
Veigar found it strange, this guy was too cautious.
Rather than strike, Veigar trailed him at a distance.
He wanted to confirm whether this man was truly planning to escape, and how.
Time passed.
After nearly thirty minutes of pursuit, Naoki finally reached a secluded valley nearly ten kilometers southeast of Konoha's center.
There, he paused for the first time.
This was near the edge of Konoha's barrier network. Beyond it lay open territory. If he moved quickly, he could disappear before any shinobi noticed.
"Safe?"
Still high-strung, Naoki didn't relax even for a second.
Hidden in the shadows, Veigar observed him quietly.
"So this is the escape route?"
Having followed him without seeing a single Konoha patrol, Veigar could confirm it: Naoki had found a gap in the village's defense perimeter.
"Alright then."
"I'll finish him off quickly and return."
With that, Veigar vanished into the forest.
...
Hidden in the underbrush, Naoki swallowed a Soldier's Pill, taking a short break, but just then, a chill ran down his spine.
He twisted midair, leaping clear.
Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!
Three kunai sliced through the air, embedding themselves in the tree where he'd been seconds ago.
Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.
Naoki flipped, landed in a crouch, and drew his blade in one smooth motion. He glared toward the direction the kunai had come from.
There stood Veigar Koshima.
Naoki's face darkened.
"Damn it. Veigar himself. This just became a nightmare."
He had no doubt. His target had found him first.
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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]