The one who intercepted the enemy first—
Was not Uchiha Tekka, nor Uchiha Inabi or Uchiha Yashiro.
The three Uchiha Jonin hadn't even had time to react.
Within the rolling smoke, the enemy let out a painful cry after being struck by the kunai—
Then accelerated his escape.
Meanwhile, Tekka and the others once again revealed looks of disbelief as they stared at Uchiha Akira.
Their eyes seemed to ask—
What kind of kunai technique is that?!
Only Akira himself knew—
His throws were unerring.
After injuring the opponent again with two more kunai, Akira charged into the smoke ahead of everyone else.
"Wait!"
Seeing his reckless move, Tekka tried to stop him—
But it was too late.
With no choice, the three followed.
As they burst through the smoke—
They immediately saw Akira forming hand seals at blinding speed.
Facing the fleeing enemy, he exhaled a massive fireball.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The three froze.
Before they could even process what was happening—
The fireball had already engulfed the target.
Flames roared.
The enemy let out a piercing scream—
But it didn't last long.
Akira followed up immediately, ensuring the kill.
When Tekka and the others arrived—
Akira casually dusted off his hands and turned around.
"That's done. Let's continue the mission."
"…Who taught you that kunai technique?"
Inabi finally couldn't hold back.
"I practiced it myself. Isn't that normal for a ninja?"
Akira replied calmly.
"…You can't do it?"
Inabi was momentarily speechless.
He opened his mouth—
But Tekka cut him off.
"Enough."
"Mission first."
Tekka gave Akira a long, measured look.
His understanding of this previously unknown clan member had clearly changed.
So had his attitude.
As they prepared to move toward the port, Tekka added:
"Next time, don't act so recklessly."
"Charging through smoke like that is dangerous. The enemy could have set an ambush."
"Got it, senpai."
Akira nodded seriously.
Though only he knew—
With his perception, he had already confirmed there was no danger beyond the smoke.
Otherwise, he would never have rushed in.
Soon—
The four arrived at the coastline.
Hiding behind a cluster of rocks, they observed a dock about a hundred meters away.
The area bore clear signs of intense combat.
The forest… the shoreline…
Both scarred and devastated.
But now—
The Hidden Mist had regained control.
Their ships docked freely, unloading troops without resistance.
Not long after Akira's team arrived—
A ship approached from the sea.
Then another.
And another.
Six ships in total—
Delivering dozens of Mist ninja.
"These must be reinforcements. We need to report this to the rear."
Inabi whispered.
Tekka glanced upward and shook his head.
"They already know."
"These aren't our concern. Our objective is to destroy their ships."
Hearing this, Akira also looked up.
His vision sharpened instantly.
Two hundred meters above—
A tiny black dot came into focus.
In his eyes, it zoomed in—
Revealing a crow.
"…Uchiha Shisui."
The moment he saw it, Akira understood.
A crow summoning—
A signature of Shisui, famed for his Body Flicker.
Its presence meant—
The situation here was already known.
The incoming Mist reinforcements were not their concern.
They remained hidden, waiting patiently.
Soon—
All six ships docked.
Dozens of Mist ninja disembarked and disappeared into the forest.
Only after they left did Yashiro speak:
"Let's plant explosive tags and blow up the ships."
"Move."
Inabi immediately prepared to act.
But suddenly—
His shoulder was pressed down.
He was forced back into place.
Startled, he turned toward Akira.
The others looked at him as well.
Akira shook his head slightly.
"Wait."
They didn't understand.
Tekka frowned.
"Opportunities don't wait."
"If we delay and those ships leave, they'll bring more forces."
Yashiro's expression darkened.
"Akira, what are you doing?"
But before they could continue—
Their ears twitched.
All three froze.
From beyond the rocks, voices drifted over.
"No one's here?"
"Looks like Konoha hasn't reached this place yet. We can withdraw safely."
"Not yet."
"Leave them a little gift."
"These ships are old anyway—we don't need them."
"Set explosive tag arrays on board. Maybe we'll take a few Konoha ninja with us."
The Mist ninja's conversation made Tekka, Inabi, and Yashiro go still.
Only then did they understand—
Why Akira had stopped them.
Once again—
They were stunned by his perception.
But before they could react—
Akira had already moved.
He leapt out from cover.
"Hey! You—!"
Seeing him charge out again despite earlier warnings—
Tekka felt a headache coming on.
And immediately rushed after him.