"Damn it!" one companion cursed again, while another glanced back at Yuki Seisui and muttered a similar curse.
"When we get back, I'll report your expression. Our squad should probably disband!"
"We're not worthy of your brilliant mind!"
"I still don't believe he'd dare kill me!" The stubborn ninja, seeing his two companions' reactions, protested. "And it's so far away—how could he possibly hear me?"
"Shut up!" another companion snapped beside him. "Have you lost your mind?"
"Do you not know who previously bore the title of Shura?"
"That was someone who could wipe out entire villages!"
"Anyone worthy of the Shura title can't be a good person!"
"Damn it!"
After hurling their insults, the two companions exchanged a glance and quickly distanced themselves from the fool.
From afar, Seisui suddenly turned his head, leaving the Konoha ninja around him puzzled.
Watching the two ninjas separated from the fool, he couldn't help but smile.
"Seems like they have a bit of self-awareness after all."
While the surrounding Konoha ninja stared in disbelief, Seisui clapped his hands and summoned his katana back from the bamboo grove.
No flashy gestures, no buildup, no charging—he merely flicked it lightly in the fool's direction.
The result made every ninja observing him constrict their pupils in shock.
What seemed like a casual swing instantly became a strike over ten meters long under Seisui's control.
It was a slash perfected through his combination of wind and water chakra.
Wind chakra provided speed and sharpness, while water chakra added force from behind, enhancing the already fast slash.
The crescent-shaped strike left a trail of blue light, residual afterimages, and mist along its path.
The slash didn't cut through objects—it was more like a gentle breeze cleansing dust, mist nourishing the ground.
But for the others, it was instantaneous.
From Seisui's swing to the fool's decapitation, it happened in the blink of an eye.
All they saw was a blue mist trailing through the air—no process, no buildup.
They swallowed hard.
This was just one casual strike.
If a casual swing could be this fast and deadly, how terrifying must Seisui's true power be?
"You reckless fool."
After his previous battle with the Third Kazekage, Seisui had learned much.
This strike was one of his realizations.
It required only his chakra.
And Seisui had the most chakra of anyone present.
This is what "basic attack equals ultimate move" really means.
Once the fool fell, his two surviving teammates exchanged a glance, hearts pounding in relief.
Good thing they had distanced themselves—or the casualty count would have risen to four.
"What an idiot!"
"Investigation's complete, let's move!"
Though they said it aloud, neither slowed their retreat.
Seisui had no intention of slaughtering the rest.
After sheathing his blade, he addressed the still-frozen Konoha ninja:
"Carry on with your investigation. I'm leaving first."
He adjusted his glasses with a finger, squinted at the fool's corpse, and turned to leave.
"Do your best. The Hokage is watching."
"Yes! Seisui-sama!"
"Seisui-sama is incredible!"
"No kidding—truly my idol!"
"Huh? I thought your idol was Jiraiya-sama?"
"Not anymore."
Hearing Seisui, the Konoha ninja all became excited.
They had never witnessed such a shocking and overwhelming battle.
In their minds, ninjas fought with tactics: probing with tools, following with taijutsu, and finally using jutsu.
Never had they seen a single swing kill someone from so far away.
Not even in their imagination could such a thing exist—but Seisui had done it, casually.
"Carry on with the intel gathering! Seisui-sama said the Hokage sees our efforts!"
"Yes!" they replied in unison.
Seisui, walking ahead, stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Did I forget to tell them the Hokage I referred to is the next generation?
He didn't bother to clarify. Misunderstanding or not, it didn't matter.
Squinting toward the distant mountains, he adjusted his vision to see more clearly.
Looks like I shouldn't push the Mangekyo too hard.
Being near-sighted is really inconvenient. He murmured, then set off toward the Land of Fire.
Minato and Uchiha Haru were waiting for him.
Meanwhile, ninja from all villages relayed intelligence back to their respective Kage.
"Look at this," the Third Raikage A handed the intel to his son, the young Raikage.
The young Raikage, sweating profusely, snatched it up, remembering how even sleeping wasn't restful since receiving news of Seisui's power.
During the chunin Exams, he had struggled with Seisui. Now Seisui could even kill the Third Kazekage—while he remained just a jonin.
He glanced at his father—the renowned Third Raikage.
"What are you staring at me for?" the Third Raikage asked, frowning.
"Nothing." He coughed, withdrawing his rebellious thoughts, focusing on the intel.
As the future Fourth Raikage, all intelligence in Kumogakure was open to him. He was effectively the acting deputy Raikage.
At first, he thought it was ordinary intel, but reading it made him sigh.
Our gap keeps widening…
"But I won't give up!" His eyes burned with determination, making his father proud.
Not far away, Onoki of Iwagakure frowned at the same intel.
Since hearing of Seisui's killing of the Third Kazekage, neither side had moved.
Another naturally talented Uchiha… but just being talented doesn't make him worthy of the Shura title!
Though he had been beaten by Madara, if not for Hashirama, he would have died.
The memory of Madara's oppressive power still sent shivers down his spine.
Even now, he doubted he could survive two moves against Seisui.
Onoki's emotions toward Seisui—Madara's successor in a sense—were a chaotic mix of disbelief and fear.
"Damn brat!" Onoki scowled.
Elsewhere, in a cavern, Black Zetsu awakened the sleeping Madara.
"Has the fight started?" Madara asked, opening his eyes slowly, his face even older.
"War has stalled," Black Zetsu replied, laying out Seisui and the Third Kazekage's events in full.
"Hmph, that brat is strong."
Madara wasn't surprised.
War stagnating—I predicted this.
"Possessing the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, he could stop it if he wished."
Black Zetsu spoke hesitantly: "Seisui's vision has been affected—he wears glasses now."
"Huh?" Madara paused, frowning.
Last time, Seisui had used the Eternal Mangekyo. He couldn't be mistaken.
But now, with vision impaired, it wasn't the Eternal Mangekyo.
After a moment, Madara laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! Ambitious little brat! He must be luring others, prolonging the war. I confirmed the Mangekyo—it's not a mistake. The glasses are intentional."
Madara glanced at Black Zetsu, satisfied with his creation.
War will only pause, never end. Human ambition never ends!
"Since he wants to lure others, assist him. Tell them that Seisui cannot use his Mangekyo, and the battle will reignite."
"This time… four against one."
"Yes, Madara-sama!" Black Zetsu replied, then left immediately.