While the Cloud ninja were resting, Samui—seated calmly atop a rock—was doing her best to soothe everyone's nerves.
"Don't worry. Lord Raikage probably won't punish us. On the contrary, knowing his temper, he'll definitely take it out on Konoha instead."
Although Samui knew full well that the Fourth Raikage would be enraged by the failure, she also understood that starting an all-out war with Konoha wasn't feasible. Neither village could afford it. If a full-scale conflict broke out, it would only end in mutual destruction.
Their previous show of aggression had been more of a bluff—an attempt to intimidate Konoha into giving in.
And at first, the plan had been working. Even the Third Hokage seemed on the verge of caving.
But then, unexpectedly, a single Uchiha stood up. His overwhelming presence disrupted everything, proving even more assertive than the Cloud's delegation.
Yet this wasn't something Samui could decide on. Whether war would continue or peace would be renegotiated—it was up to the Raikage.
Hearing Samui's explanation, the other Cloud shinobi relaxed slightly. She was a respected Jōnin, and her younger sister served as the Raikage's personal secretary—if anyone had insight into his temperament, it was her.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ryosuke had been silently observing from nearby. He had heard every word they said.
And when they mentioned the "Konoha Breeding Plan," his expression darkened.
So… the real goal of this so-called peace negotiation was to seize the Hyuga clan's Byakugan bloodline. Their method? Kidnapping Hinata Hyuga.
That so-called "breeding plan"… it was targeted at Hinata!?
The realization hit Ryosuke like a thunderclap, and a burning fury erupted within him.
The ninja world was truly twisted. To think they'd dare enact such a vile plan on a little girl—Hinata was just a child! They wanted to treat her like breeding livestock?
If they had succeeded… Ryosuke didn't even want to imagine the horrors Hinata would've endured.
And she was a main house Hyuga. Her bloodline was pure. If they forcibly produced offspring with her, those children would inherit the Byakugan. That was what Cloud wanted all along.
"Despicable," Ryosuke muttered coldly. "They'll pay for this."
His decision was instant.
The women could live.
But every man here… would die.
He stepped out from behind the trees, approaching the Cloud ninja calmly.
Samui was the first to notice him, her expression tightening as her eyes darted to the cloaked figure in the black hood and white mask approaching them.
"Who are you?" she asked sharply, her voice alert and tense.
Her instincts screamed at her—this wasn't some ordinary rogue wandering the borderlands.
They were nearing the border between Konoha and the Land of Lightning, an area known for its lawlessness. Rogue ninja, bandits, and mercenaries roamed freely. But this one felt different.
The others looked over as well and spotted the figure.
One of the Cloud chūnin, already frustrated from the failed mission, stepped forward with a scowl.
"Hmph, I'll take care of this guy."
Samui didn't stop him. This masked figure wasn't acting friendly. Letting a comrade probe his strength made sense. If he was weak, they'd kill him. If strong, they'd learn something.
The chūnin drew his gleaming longsword and used the Body Flicker Technique to rush at Ryosuke, aiming to cleave his head clean off with one precise strike.
But Ryosuke merely tilted his body to the side and evaded the slash with ease.
In one fluid motion, he grabbed the attacker's sword arm and slammed a fist into it, wrenching the weapon free. Then, in the same breath, he reversed the grip and plunged the blade straight through the man's heart.
The Cloud ninja screamed in agony, eyes wide.
"Bastard! You actually—killed—me…"
His head tilted to the side, and he collapsed, dead before he hit the ground.
Ryosuke pulled the blade free from the corpse and stood tall as the body crumpled before him.
The kill had taken mere seconds.
Samui was stunned. She hadn't even had time to react.
To defeat her comrade that easily—it meant the enemy's strength was far above normal. Even she would've struggled to kill that man so effortlessly, let alone with a single counter.
Her breath caught. Who is this guy?
The rest of the Cloud ninja were furious.
"You dare kill one of our comrades from Kumogakure!?"
Another drew his blade and snarled, "No need to talk. We'll kill him together!"
At once, the rest followed his lead, all drawing their weapons and charging.
With their numbers and synchronized assault, they were confident—no matter how strong the masked man was, he couldn't block every angle.
They would carve him into pieces.
But Ryosuke calmly activated his Sharingan.
The red gleam of his eyes shone like twin stars.
The Cloud ninja flinched. That crimson glow—the Sharingan! They knew exactly what that meant. But by then, it was too late to stop.
Charging recklessly now would be suicide, but retreating was even worse.
They swung.
Ryosuke weaved between them like a ghost. His Sharingan captured every movement, predicting each strike before it even came. With a single motion, he countered, slashing one more down with cold efficiency.
Another one dead.
Just then, Samui—who had stayed still until now—saw her chance. She darted forward from behind, a razor-sharp kunai in hand, aiming directly for the black-cloaked man's heart.
Eye for an eye. Her teammate had been slain. She would return the favor.
But Ryosuke had been aware of her from the start.
He jumped lightly to the side, landing atop a tree branch in one graceful motion, completely dodging her sneak attack.
Samui bit her lip, furious. "Just who the hell are you? Are you from the Uchiha clan?!"
After all, possessing the Sharingan didn't automatically mean someone was Uchiha. Unlike the Hyuga, the Uchiha didn't brand their clan members with cursed seals like the Caged Bird. If a Uchiha died in battle, their eyes could be stolen.
It was possible he wasn't even Uchiha—but someone who had looted a corpse.
But Ryosuke offered no answer.
Only death.
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