When Shiranui Genma staggered forward, bloodied and exhausted, his chakra nearly spent, Kakashi collapsed beside him, barely conscious. Asuma, cradled in Might Guy's arms, had already gone cold.
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane stared in disbelief, their worldviews shattered.
What just happened?
Hadn't it been said that Uchiha Kenya was, at best, a jōnin at the peak of his strength? How could one man so easily crush the very pillars of Konoha's elite?
"Uchiha Kenya! Release Kurenai at once!"
Passing Asuma's lifeless body and the fainted Kakashi to Izumo and Kotetsu, Guy—his body blazing with the Third Gate's power—roared in fury.
Kenya, calm as ever, hefted Kurenai over his left shoulder. With his right hand, he slid Kyōka Suigetsu back into its scabbard.
"Go back," he said evenly. "Tell Sarutobi Hiruzen not to send trackers or ANBU after me. Once I leave the Land of Fire, I'll release her."
"Even if you are a traitor, you're undeniably strong. But to rely on a hostage? Don't you feel ashamed!?" Guy's voice shook with fury.
This wasn't a taunt. Guy wasn't playing psychological games—he was simply enraged by Kenya's dishonorable tactics.
"Aha…"
Kenya gave a twisted grin, his tone laced with mockery. "You Konoha types… far too many single-brained fools, grown like leeks to be cut down at will."
"Don't you dare use Kurenai as a threat!"
Genma, forcing himself upright, moved to Guy's side. His face was pale, but his eyes burned with cold fury.
"He's betrayed Konoha and killed Asuma. Lord Hokage won't forgive him just because he has a hostage. As a kunoichi of the Leaf, Kurenai has already accepted the mission—even if it costs her life!"
Kenya chuckled darkly. "No, you don't understand. You don't understand the pseudo-gentleman's way of ruling the village."
With that cryptic remark, he vanished into the shadows.
"Do we pursue him?" Genma asked, glancing sideways at Guy.
Kakashi had already fainted. The only one still capable of command was Guy.
Guy clenched his fists, grief burning in his eyes as he looked at Asuma's still form. Then he shook his head. "No. We return to the village. Report to Lord Hokage first."
"But… Kurenai…" Izumo's voice trembled with hesitation.
Kotetsu closed his eyes and muttered, "As Genma said… as shinobi, we all know the price of sacrifice for Konoha."
Kakashi often repeated that abandoning comrades was the worst sin a ninja could commit. But timing mattered. With Asuma dead and Kakashi incapacitated, there was no way to chase.
Still, neither the straightforward Might Guy nor the wounded Genma truly reflected on the meaning of Kenya's parting words—the "pseudo-gentleman's way of ruling the village."
The Border of Fire and Wind—The Land of Rivers
The Land of Rivers thrived on trade between Fire and Wind. Though not as barren as the Wind Country, its land was far from fertile.
By dusk the next day, Kurenai stirred from unconsciousness. Her eyes fluttered open—and found Uchiha Kenya less than half a meter away.
"Uchiha Kenya!"
Startled, she bolted upright, instantly pulling a kunai from her thigh pouch. Only then did she notice they were in a small inn's rented room.
"You woke up right on time. Couldn't you have slept another ten seconds?" Kenya remarked dryly, the faintest hint of mockery in his voice.
He had confirmed by now that Konoha hadn't dispatched further pursuit. This was only a temporary stop before his departure. That she had awakened at this precise moment was… inconvenient.
"Take this!" Kurenai lunged forward, kunai raised.
"Bakudō Thirty: Three Biting Lights."
Kenya casually extended two fingers. Three golden fangs of light formed in an instant, connecting into a triangular barrier. The flashes surged forward and pinned Kurenai to the wall before she could take a second step.
"This—this technique…!?" Kurenai's eyes widened in shock as she struggled against the strange bindings.
"That's why I said," Kenya replied, lowering his hand, "if you'd woken half an hour later, this wouldn't have been necessary."
"You…" Kurenai's voice trembled with anger. "With power like this, why betray Konoha? With your strength, you could have become the first Uchiha Hokage in history!"
Kenya actually laughed aloud at her words. The sincerity in her indignation, paired with her naivety, was almost amusing.
"What's so funny!?" Kurenai demanded, cheeks flushed with anger.
Still smiling faintly, Kenya replied, "An Uchiha becoming Hokage? That was already impossible. The moment Konoha was founded fifty-six years ago, our fate was sealed."
"Why?" Kurenai asked, stunned.
But before he could answer, her stomach gave a loud, untimely growl.
Even in such a tense moment, her face turned crimson with embarrassment.
Kenya tilted his head, almost amused. "I'll release you—if you stop attacking me."
He raised a finger, and the Kidō binding dissolved.