Shisui of the Body Flicker.
They agreed and got right to it. Determining the destination, both vanished almost simultaneously.
Since the kunai emitted a blinding glow, an ordinary person would have trouble missing it. So Satoru and Shisui naturally found it quickly.
"Now let's see who's faster," Satoru reminded.
However, taking advantage of Satoru's distraction, Shisui unexpectedly overtook him.
"Shisui, this is your first time seeing Flash Release, right? With its enhancement, the speed of the Body Flicker Technique exceeds ordinary Shunpo by more than ten times!" Satoru didn't mind that Shisui had passed him. Instead, in the next second, he merged Flash Release chakra with his body and then used the Body Flicker Technique. In the next instant, his entire body overtook Shisui.
Not even a few seconds passed before Satoru held the kunai coated in Flash Release chakra in his hand.
"This is no longer the Body Flicker Technique in the traditional sense. It seems you've awakened your own Kekkei Genkai," Shisui said.
"You're not going to cheat, are you? Say Kekkei Genkai isn't allowed?" Satoru asked.
"I won't cheat. Lost is lost. Everyone has their own abilities and path. As for the Body Flicker Technique, few in Konoha can match you... and honestly, few in the entire shinobi world," Shisui was observant and rational; he spoke the truth.
Satoru nodded, "Flash Release is the fusion of Wind Release and Lightning Release. I mastered it when I first arrived at the Daimyo's capital. Over two years, I've mainly honed this Kekkei Genkai.
"Alright, let's hurry to the Daimyo. While it's still light, we need to get on the road," Satoru said.
Then the two headed to the Daimyo. The ruler of the Land of Fire was quite hardworking: from early morning, he wasn't lounging in bed but handling state affairs. Seeing Satoru and Shisui, the Daimyo understood everything.
"Oh, Satoru, you've been here two years already—time flies unnoticed, doesn't it?" the Daimyo said.
"Yes, Lord Daimyo. Thank you very much. The 'Konoha Barn' business is going very well; we've both profited nicely," Satoru was essentially the Daimyo's partner, so both made money.
"Yes. But you're a ninja, and these two years should have been good training for you. Now it's time to return. I remember you still dreamed of Jonin rank, right? Go back; the Third Hokage will promote you to Jonin," the Daimyo reminded.
Only then did Satoru remember he had the System.
Over these two years, Satoru had almost forgotten about it. His task was to wait two years, return to Konoha, and become Jonin to earn ten super draws.
But Satoru thought about fighting Danzo's people on the way back, which angered him. What could he do? Satoru couldn't let Danzo die yet. He could only keep destroying the strong warriors Danzo sent. In a way, it was internal strife.
"Alright, Satoru, return soon," the Daimyo smiled faintly. He valued Satoru greatly. One could say that over these few years, Satoru had built good relations with the Daimyo and the top echelons of the Land of Fire.
Satoru bid farewell to the Daimyo, then turned and headed toward Konoha.
Shisui ran alongside, escorting Satoru.
"Honestly, Shisui, did you come because you were afraid I'd get lost on the way back to Konoha?" Satoru teased on the move.
"I told you, protecting you on the way to Konoha is the mission Lord Hokage assigned me," Shisui replied without slowing.
"By the way, Shisui, has your Sharingan awakened Mangekyo yet?" Satoru asked casually.
"You seem to know a lot about the Uchiha clan. Even about Mangekyo Sharingan? Awakening Mangekyo Sharingan isn't that simple," Shisui said.
"I've already awakened Eternal Mangekyo. It was fairly easy for me..." Satoru thought.
On the way, they barely talked. Satoru continued toward Konoha with Shisui. After a while, in a rather secluded spot, Shisui said, "Something's off. Be ready."
Satoru sensed it instantly and waved his hand, "Enemies are already here. Exactly eight people."
"You're a sensor type?" Shisui was a bit surprised.
"Something like that. I've been able to see others' chakra since birth," Satoru said, half-truth, half-lie.
The eight enemies didn't emerge and kept hiding. Of course, they didn't believe Satoru could pinpoint their locations instantly.
"Sigh, I told you I see you. And you're still hiding. Right here!" Satoru then threw the kunai and shuriken he had, attached with explosive seals.
Satoru didn't miss once; they all landed at the enemies' feet. Explosions followed, forcing the eight ninjas to reveal themselves.
"Indeed, eight. These guys are definitely from Root," Shisui drew his sword, preparing for battle.
The Root ninjas attacked Satoru without a word.
"Hey, no need to fight right away, okay?" Satoru dodged the ninjas' attacks. Against their techniques and shuriken, he simply used Flash Wall.
Shisui, using Shunpo, dodged quickly too.
"Fine, I won't hold back anymore. Flash Release: Wave of Chaotic Light!" Satoru immediately unleashed Flash Release, and countless homing laser beams shot from his hands. These golden laser beams pierced the hearts of several Root ninjas. Only the two most skilled survived.
"Uchiha Style: Dance of the Flame Blade!" Uchiha Shisui quickly took down one Root ninja too. But seeing Satoru had already dealt with six enemies, he froze in amazement.
"So strong? Who's protecting whom here?" Shisui muttered to himself.
"By the way, how did he just finish them off? Flash Release? Automatically tracks enemies? Am I dreaming?" While Shisui doubted reality, a Spiral Lightning Ball formed in Satoru's hands. This technique had both piercing power and Wind Release's tearing might. Just grazing an enemy would destroy them almost instantly.
This time, Satoru wasn't so lucky. He wanted to finish the enemy with one strike but only hit his mask.
As soon as the mask touched Satoru's hand, it shattered instantly.
After the opponent's mask broke, Satoru saw the Root ninja before him was a girl. Satoru immediately pulled back his hand, retreated, and examined her closely.
Not only was she a girl, but a quite beautiful one, around sixteen or seventeen.
"This one's definitely from Root? For sure?" Satoru asked with some doubt.
"Of course! Satoru! Watch out!" Shisui barely warned him when he saw the girl Root ninja hug Satoru.