"Did you actually understand what I meant?"
Uchiha Su looked at Uchiha Hikari with a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he asked the question.
"Is it really that difficult to understand?" Hikari replied with a slight snort. "Or do you think I'm stupid?"
Her tone carried the familiar tsundere edge she often used when speaking with Su.
"You simply want me to keep wearing down Konoha's fighting forces," she continued confidently. "By constantly attacking them, you force them to send more and more reinforcements to the front line. Eventually, Konoha will keep bleeding resources and manpower until it collapses under the pressure."
Uchiha Su blinked slightly in surprise.
"So smart," he said sincerely. "Honestly, I thought you wouldn't understand such strategic matters. After all, you never had the chance to study things like this."
His assumption was not unreasonable. In Uchiha Hikari's past, her life had consisted almost entirely of endless battles. She had grown up during a brutal era where survival depended on strength alone. There had been little time for formal learning or strategic education.
Hikari shrugged lightly.
"I admit I haven't studied it much," she said casually. "But some things are obvious if you look at them carefully. It doesn't take a genius to understand such a simple strategy."
Then she stood up.
"Anyway, you don't need to send anyone with me," she said while stretching her shoulders slightly. "I'll go directly to the enemy's main camp myself."
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and began walking toward the exit of the tent.
"Wait, Hikari!"
Uchiha Su suddenly called out.
She stopped and glanced back.
Su stepped closer to her and lowered his voice.
"Setsuna is also inside their main camp," he whispered quietly. "When the time comes…"
He explained the situation briefly.
Hikari nodded once, understanding immediately.
The Konoha Camp
Bang!
Inside the Konoha command tent, Sarutobi Sasuke and Nara Ryusei were discussing military strategies when a sudden explosion echoed outside.
The loud noise was followed by chaos.
Angry shouts, panicked screams, and desperate cries filled the air. The entire camp instantly descended into confusion.
Sarutobi Sasuke abruptly stood up.
"What's happening?"
His expression became extremely grim.
"I'll go check."
Nara Ryusei walked quickly toward the entrance of the tent. However, the moment he pushed open the door, he froze.
Before him stood a terrifying sight.
A massive crimson warrior made of chakra was rampaging through the camp like an unstoppable god of destruction.
The enormous figure swung its arms casually, destroying tents, defensive barriers, and ninjas alike.
Some ninjas attempted to launch Ninjutsu attacks at the towering figure.
But the results were pitiful.
The powerful techniques exploded harmlessly against the warrior's body, as if they were nothing more than tiny scratches.
"Susanoo… Susanoo…"
Nara Ryusei clenched his teeth as he forced the words out slowly.
The sight sent chills through his entire body.
The ninjas of Konoha were extremely familiar with this terrifying ability. After all, it was the signature technique of Uchiha Madara himself.
Whenever this monstrous warrior appeared on the battlefield, it meant that countless lives would be lost.
Even before Madara defected from the village, Konoha's own ninjas had feared his overwhelming power.
Now, another Susanoo had appeared on their battlefield.
Sarutobi Sasuke stepped outside as well.
When he saw the towering chakra warrior in the distance, his expression became extremely complicated.
"It's red…" he murmured quietly.
"This isn't Madara's Susanoo. His was blue."
But after saying that, he sighed heavily.
"That might actually be worse news for us."
The appearance of another Susanoo meant that the enemy possessed another ninja capable of wielding the Mangekyō Sharingan.
And right now, that monster was standing in the middle of their battlefield.
Sarutobi Sasuke did not even consider the possibility of defeating it.
He understood this terrifying power too well.
With the strength of ordinary ninjutsu, breaking through Susanoo's defense was nearly impossible.
"Retreat, Lord Sasuke."
Nara Ryusei forced himself to calm down despite the fear gripping his heart.
"If you die here, I cannot imagine how many of our people will lose hope."
Sarutobi Sasuke hesitated.
There were still several hundred ninjas inside the camp.
If he retreated now, the losses would be enormous.
"Commander, what are you hesitating for?"
Nara Ryusei's voice suddenly became urgent.
"If you're worried about the casualties after your departure, then there's no need," he continued quickly. "The enemy is only one person. Even if there are several hundred ninjas here, how many can that Susanoo actually stop if everyone tries to escape?"
He looked directly at Sasuke.
"Right now is the moment to make a decision, Lord Sarutobi!"
His voice carried a rare intensity.
If it were only his own life, Ryusei might have fled long ago. However, the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance had always maintained a strong relationship with the Sarutobi clan.
Even during the chaotic Warring States Period, the three clans had followed the Sarutobi family.
Moreover, Ryusei and Sasuke were close friends.
In private, they addressed each other by name. But now, in the middle of the army, Ryusei used the respectful title of "Lord Sarutobi."
Sarutobi Sasuke closed his eyes briefly.
Then he nodded.
"Ryusei… you're right. I hesitated too much."
He prepared to use the Body Flicker Technique to escape.
However, just as the two were about to leave, they realized they had already attracted attention.
High above the battlefield, Uchiha Hikari had been observing everything.
Inside the Susanoo, her gaze locked onto one specific figure.
Sarutobi Sasuke.
Uchiha Su had specifically told her to pay attention to that man.
When she saw him attempting to flee, a faint smile appeared on her face.
The massive Susanoo immediately turned and rushed toward them.
Seeing the enormous warrior charging directly at them, Sasuke and Ryusei immediately fled without hesitation.
One Hour Later
Deep within a forest.
Nara Ryusei's expression was extremely grim.
"Damn it… this Uchiha just won't stop chasing us."
For an entire hour, they had been running at full speed.
For a ninja, such speed meant covering an enormous distance.
In fact, they had already traveled from the border of the Land of Fire deep into its territory.
Their current location was not far from Konoha Village.
If the village received the news, reinforcements could arrive within thirty minutes at most.
Yet despite this, their pursuer showed absolutely no hesitation.
No fear.
No concern.
Such an enemy was truly terrifying.
Ryusei suddenly stopped running.
"Lord Sarutobi, go ahead," he said firmly.
"I'll stay here and cover your retreat."
Against such a powerful opponent, someone had to stay behind.
Otherwise, both of them would be caught and killed together.
Sarutobi Sasuke was the commander of the Eastern Army. Thousands of soldiers depended on his leadership.
He could not die here.
Therefore, Nara Ryusei stepped forward.
Sarutobi Sasuke looked at him silently for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Very well."
His voice was heavy with emotion.
This time, he did not waste any more words.
Turning around, he immediately sped toward Konoha using the Body Flicker Technique.
Any hesitation now would only insult Ryusei's sacrifice.
This opportunity had been bought with his friend's life.
Nara Ryusei stood quietly in the forest.
His gaze shifted between the position of the sun and the shadow beneath his feet.
Then he looked up.
The enormous Susanoo warrior was already approaching.
Soon, Uchiha Hikari arrived.
The massive chakra giant stood towering above the forest.
However, Hikari did not seem particularly concerned about the escaping Sarutobi Sasuke.
Her original objective had never been to guarantee his death.
If she managed to kill him, that would be fine.
If not, it wouldn't change the overall situation.
She looked down at the lone ninja standing before her.
"Are you planning to die in Sarutobi Sasuke's place?" she asked coldly.
"What a loathsome surname."
Nara Ryusei frowned slightly, but then quickly relaxed his expression.
An arrogant opponent was actually the best outcome.
If she underestimated him, he could stall for more time.
Then something unexpected happened.
The enormous Susanoo suddenly vanished.
Hikari canceled the technique.
Standing casually with her arms hanging loosely at her sides, she looked at Ryusei with curiosity.
"Let me see how the ninjas of this era fight," she said calmly.
Since being rescued by Uchiha Su, Hikari had rarely fought.
Most of the time, she spent her days reading books or simply staying near Su.
Now, she seemed genuinely interested.
"This era?"
Nara Ryusei's pupils contracted slightly.
When he looked at her more carefully, his shock deepened.
She was incredibly young.
Yet she possessed enormous chakra reserves and had already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Still, he forced himself to remain calm.
"The ninjas of our era won't disappoint you either," he said quietly.
As he spoke, he slowly adjusted his position.
His shadow gradually stretched forward.
Finally—
His shadow touched Hikari's shadow.
For a brief moment, they overlapped.
A faint smile appeared on Nara Ryusei's face.
His trap was ready.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)