Faced with Sarutobi Shun leading the group away on his own initiative, Uchiha Akira neither tried to stop them nor offered any explanation.
After the two sides had created some distance, Akira finally came to a halt.
He began searching for suitable locations to set explosive tag traps.
"Against enemies who overwhelmingly outclass you, neither standing your ground nor blindly running is wise…"
"Only strategy will work."
"Sorry about this…"
He muttered inwardly as he took out the explosive tags he had stored and began preparing his traps.
He had deliberately provoked Sarutobi and the others into leaving—buying himself time.
When a group split up, the enemy would usually choose to pursue the larger one.
After all, they were confident in their victory.
And just as Akira focused on recalling how to set traps—
A system notification rang out in his mind.
[Ding! You carefully recalled trap-setting methods and have comprehended Top-Tier Trap Techniques!]
[Top-Tier Trap Techniques allow you to perfectly set explosive tags, kunai, and shuriken traps that are extremely difficult to detect.]
"…Even this can be comprehended?"
Akira was slightly surprised.
Without hesitation, he put it to the test.
Instantly, a flood of knowledge surged into his mind—
Methods for arranging explosive tag arrays, kunai traps, and shuriken mechanisms…
Like a roaring torrent of information.
These techniques were precise, efficient, and nearly impossible for enemies to detect.
Perfect for dealing with the approaching Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Without delay, Akira sprang into action.
Using his heightened perception to track their movements, he began setting traps along the routes they were most likely to take.
Meanwhile, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, still in pursuit, were completely unaware of the deadly traps waiting ahead.
"They've split up."
Kushimaru Kuriarare observed.
"Hmph. That just means they'll die faster."
Jinin Akebino sneered.
Fuguki Suikazan grinned viciously.
"I'll take the three. You guys handle the other one."
"You think you can take all three alone?"
Raiga Kurosuki scoffed.
From their tone, it was clear—
They didn't take their opponents seriously at all.
Based on the traces left behind, everything suggested their targets were no more than Chunin-level.
In their eyes, this was nothing more than an easy slaughter.
"Finish them quickly, then move to the next ambush point."
"Before negotiations conclude, we need to inflict as much damage on Konoha as possible."
"Especially by wiping out their active forces—draining their fresh blood."
Jinpachi Munashi added.
Hearing this, the group grew even more eager.
Spreading destruction and bloodshed across Konoha—
That was exactly why they were here.
Uchiha Akira had already set up five traps in different directions.
Each was positioned along routes the enemy was most likely to take.
This included the path taken by Sarutobi Shun, Hyuga Koji, and Uzuki Sena.
At this point, he had used up all his kunai, shuriken, and explosive tags.
"Should've taken their equipment before splitting up…"
He felt a hint of regret.
If he still had tools left, he would have set even more traps—
Preparing a proper "welcome gift" for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
"Well… time to hide."
With that thought, Akira used the Transformation Technique, merging into a nearby tree.
He became indistinguishable from it—
As if he were part of the tree itself.
At that moment, another system notification sounded.
[Ding! You have used the Transformation Technique and comprehended Advanced Camouflage!]
[Advanced Camouflage allows near-perfect concealment, making it extremely difficult for enemies to detect you.]
Feeling the new wave of knowledge settle into his mind, Akira felt a quiet satisfaction.
"This Heaven-Defying Comprehension just keeps getting better…"
Immediately, he applied the newly acquired camouflage techniques.
First, he erased all traces of his earlier movements.
Then, he merged once again into the tree beside his traps.
This time—
His presence nearly vanished completely.
Even his heartbeat and breathing slowed, suppressed to the bare minimum.
He blended into nature itself.
Even if an enemy stood directly in front of him…
They might not notice him at all.
Now, all he needed to do was wait.
Though dense vegetation blocked his view, his enhanced perception allowed him to track the enemy's movements clearly.
At around five hundred meters away—
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen split into two groups.
One headed toward Akira.
The remaining six pursued Uzuki Sena and the others.
"Exactly as I expected…"
Akira smiled inwardly.
Just as he had predicted—
They split up.
And only one came after him.
The rest chased the other three.
When setting his traps earlier, he had focused heavily on the route taken by Uzuki and the others.
"If I can kill even one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen here…"
"That alone would change history."
Since the Seven were still intact, it meant they hadn't yet encountered Might Duy.
If one of them died here—
Then perhaps he would be the one to alter the course of the war.
Time passed slowly.
Before long—
Akira clearly sensed movement about fifty meters away.
The enemy was about to step into his trap.
Moments away from being blown apart—
But suddenly—
Boom!
A thunderous explosion erupted in the distance.
Flames and thick smoke burst through the forest canopy, rising into the sky.