Peace talks… mean nothing when fists start flying.
The one lying on the ground—
was a boy around eight or nine years old, with dark skin and bright white teeth.
Young—
but well-built and sturdy.
The other two—
a man and a woman.
The boy looked about twelve, with bronze skin, thick lips, and long white hair covering one eye. A broad sword was strapped across his back.
The girl appeared fifteen or sixteen, with delicate features, short blonde hair, and a striking figure.
Exotic.
Unmistakably from Kumogakure.
…
"Darui… and Samui?" Kai frowned slightly.
From their headbands, he confirmed their identities as Hidden Cloud shinobi.
He didn't recognize the boy on the ground.
But the other two—
he knew well.
Darui—
a wielder of Storm Release.
In the future, he would subdue Kinkaku and Ginkaku during the Fourth Great Ninja War—and become the Fifth Raikage.
As for the woman—
Samui.
Her cold, mature demeanor made her unforgettable.
Tsunade.
Pakura.
Samui.
Each carried their own kind of allure.
Tsunade—too mature.
Pakura—seductive, with a dangerous charm in every glance.
Samui—
cold and distant.
The kind that made people want to conquer her.
Each had their own style.
…
"Kai, what are you staring at!?"
Nami pinched his arm, pouting, clearly jealous.
"Nami, maintain some distance," Kai reminded her calmly, withdrawing his gaze.
What he didn't realize—
was that his earlier glance had already annoyed Samui.
She let out a cold laugh.
"Didn't expect someone your age to already be such a pervert."
"So this is what Konoha shinobi are like?"
…
Before Kai could respond—
Sarutobi Daiki stepped forward.
"You can call Uchiha Kai a pervert—I won't argue."
"But I won't allow you to insult Konoha's shinobi!"
"Many of them are proud to protect the village! They've given their lives for it!"
"And I, Sarutobi Daiki, will become Hokage!"
"Your looks don't interest me at all!"
He snorted proudly, lifting his chin.
…
Kai opened his mouth, wanting to explain.
Women only slow down my blade…
I'm not that kind of person…
…
The boy on the ground—
Toyobi—
scrambled to his feet.
His eyes burned like a starving wolf's as he glared at Kai.
"You dared to sneak attack me?!" he roared, veins bulging.
…
Kai shrugged, expression blank.
"You were the one who ran into me. Not my problem."
…
Hidden Cloud shinobi trained hard in taijutsu.
But compared to Kai—
they weren't even close.
…
"I was distracted! That's the only reason you got lucky!" Toyobi snapped.
"Fight me again if you've got the guts!"
His eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
…
"Boring," Kai said flatly, turning to leave.
They were Kumo envoys.
Here to "negotiate peace."
If things escalated—
Hiruzen would probably punish his own people first.
Forget it.
Not worth it.
I'll let it go this time.
But don't push me.
…
Kai's indifference—
only fueled Toyobi's rage.
With a stomp, he lunged forward, his fist packed with force as it shot toward Kai's back.
…
"A sneak attack?" Kai sneered.
A mere academy-level brat—
at best a genin—
and this arrogant?
…
"Get lost."
He sidestepped effortlessly—
then drove a kick straight into Toyobi's abdomen.
…
Boom.
Toyobi was sent flying like a ball.
…
If Kai hadn't held back—
that kick alone would've ended him.
…
Samui's eyes widened in shock.
Darui reacted instantly, catching Toyobi mid-air.
…
The pain hit immediately—
Toyobi cried out, his face turning pale.
…
Darui had always treated him like a younger brother.
Now—
his gaze turned icy.
…
"For the sake of peace between Kumo and Konoha, we crossed mountains and rivers to come here."
"And this is how you treat your guests?"
…
Kai scoffed.
"Did I invite you?"
…
"Exactly! Who knows how much food you've already eaten from our village!" Daiki chimed in.
Many in the Sarutobi clan had died to Kumo during the war.
He wasn't about to hold back.
…
Darui's fists clenched, veins bulging.
"If Konoha refuses to apologize…"
"Then don't blame us."
…
The air—
grew tense.
…
Samui stepped in front of him, lowering her voice.
"Darui. Don't forget our mission."
"If we fail—Lord Raikage won't forgive you."
…
Their purpose—
was never peace.
It was the Byakugan.
And if they could steal other kekkei genkai or jutsu along the way—
even better.
…
Darui exhaled slowly.
"Relax. Hiruzen Sarutobi is obsessed with peace."
"He won't dare act against us."
…
Before coming, they had studied Konoha thoroughly.
They knew its limits.
At worst—
they'd beat up a brat.
And Konoha would swallow it.
…
The standoff escalated—
ready to explode at any moment.
…
Then—
a gentle voice broke through.
…
"Fighting isn't allowed inside the village."
…
A young man stepped forward.
Black high-collared shirt.
Black pants.
A short sword on his back.
A warm, easy smile on his face.
…
Uchiha Shisui.
…
Beside him—
Itachi.
They had just returned from training.
…
"Friends from Kumogakure, welcome," Shisui said with a smile, his eyes curved gently.
…
The moment Darui saw him—
his arrogance vanished.
Only fear remained.
…
"Uchiha… Shisui…"
His pupils shrank.
…
Years ago, during the Third Great Ninja War—
Darui had seen him.
On the battlefield.
Cold.
Terrifying.
Unstoppable.
…
Now—
his legs trembled involuntarily.
…
Shisui noticed—and chuckled lightly.
"It's the middle of summer, yet you're shivering like that…"
"Your constitution must be pretty weak."
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read chapters ahead on Patreon → patreon.com/c/MythArcStudio