Yuichi's words made the two "businessmen" suddenly tense. Their expressions flickered with unease.
"Sir… Konoha shinobi… we don't—this has nothing to do with us!" one of them stammered.
"We didn't see anything," the other added hastily.
"Haha!" Yuichi raised his kunai, his gaze sharp. "You didn't see it, then!"
"Master Ninja, don't be impulsive!" they pleaded. "We are just ordinary businessmen. Whatever happened before with the Konoha shinobi doesn't concern us. We have no idea what happened."
Yuichi studied them carefully, then slowly sheathed his kunai. Their relief was palpable.
He looked down at Kazuya's fallen body, sighing softly. Poor planning really made them underestimate him—treating him like a twelve-year-old.
The two "businessmen" seemed to be weighing their options, then stepped slightly closer.
"Master Ninja… where will you go now?" they asked cautiously.
Yuichi's cold gaze met theirs. "I don't know."
"If you don't know, Master Ninja, we can guide you somewhere," one of them offered. "That place is absolutely safe."
Yuichi's lips curved into a cold smile. Now he understood.
Haya… this idiot thinks Third Hokage sent him to test me, but it's really Danzo behind all this.
If Third Hokage truly wanted him dead, he wouldn't have sent peace. Sarutobi Hiruzen knew Yuichi's strength too well. Sending a Jōnin wouldn't suffice to evaluate him. Only Danzo could manipulate such a scheme, using Third Generation's Jōnin as pawns.
These two businessmen? They were likely Danzo's men, tasked with testing Yuichi's potential. Kill a Konoha Jōnin and they'd report back—Yuichi, a twelve-year-old, was clearly valuable.
The "safe place" they offered was merely part of the script. If Yuichi had been naive, he would have walked straight into Danzo's plan, believing Third Hokage had orchestrated it.
"Master Ninja… are you going to the place we mentioned?" the two asked again, their impatience growing. A child who killed a Jōnin in seconds would be a major prize.
Yuichi raised a hand, signaling them to wait. His gaze turned to Kazuya on the ground. Slowly, he performed the seal.
"Wood Style, Transform!"
Bang! Sawdust erupted, swirling around Yuichi's body.
The two "businessmen" gasped, eyes wide.
"Wood Style?!"
Yuichi ignored their astonishment, focusing on Kazuya's fallen form. The sawdust enveloped him completely, reshaping his appearance into an exact replica of the Jōnin on the ground.
"How… flawless!" one of them whispered.
Yuichi's voice mirrored Kazuya's perfectly. The two stared in horror. Wood Style… this Genin possesses it?!
The power that once stabilized chaotic times now manifested in a young child. It was no accident—Yuichi had awakened it himself.
They exchanged glances, understanding silently. This child must be brought to Danzo.
"You must be thinking of taking me to Danzo," Yuichi said, his tone calm yet piercing.
The two froze. "How… did you know?" one of them asked.
"Guessing at first… but now I'm certain," Yuichi replied with a faint smile.
Suddenly, the wind died. The atmosphere grew oppressive. A bead of cold sweat ran down their cheeks.
"Superior!" they shouted simultaneously, releasing their chakra. In an instant, they lunged at Yuichi with blinding speed, intent on capturing him for Danzo.
Yuichi, standing as Kazuya, remained calm.
"When the prey is most relaxed," he said softly, "it isn't resting or eating—it's watching another prey…"
A chill ran down the two attackers' spines. The air seemed to freeze around them. They tried to look back, but it was too late.
Boom!
Two deafening impacts rocked the ground. Both men were slammed into the sand headfirst. The force cracked the earth, sending hard rock and soil flying. Plasma-like energy scattered, mingling with blooming sprays of blood.
Yuichi observed the ninjas who had come within two steps of him. A small shake of his head expressed mild regret.
From the impact holes, two Wood Style clones emerged. One leaped forward instantly; the other approached Yuichi calmly.
"Third Generation tolerates this," Yuichi muttered.
"I understand," the clone responded.
"Dirty work is quietly pushed to Danzo," Yuichi continued. "Third Generation often does this. But now… what are your options? You can leave Konoha, or report to the Root organization."
"No!" the clone exclaimed.
"There is a third way," Yuichi said, a confident glint in his eyes.