Chapter 86: Yakushi Nonō
Several figures darted swiftly through the mist-shrouded forest.
Suddenly, one of them stopped abruptly, carefully examining a certain marking while simultaneously raising his fist to signal the others to remain alert.
"Judging by these footprints, the target is heading directly toward the village." Staring at the faint shinobi boot impressions on the tree branches, the man with the distinctive ponytail rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He glanced in the village's direction and sneered: "He didn't even bother concealing his movements. This guy clearly doesn't take us seriously."
These words caused visible resentment to flash across the faces of the others.
Since becoming members of the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, it had been many years since anyone had dared to underestimate them so blatantly!
"Damn it! How dare someone look down on us like that!"
The kid with distinctive blue hair styled in a spiky topknot grimaced, gritting his teeth furiously: "Once we catch this bastard, we'll make him regret ever being born!"
"Hehehehe~ Interesting prey, this one." The man carrying an enormous cleaver-like blade grinned with bloodthirsty anticipation, licking his lips as his eyes flashed with predatory ferocity: "Perfect timing—my Kubikiribōchō is missing a chunk of iron. I need fresh blood to restore it properly!"
That guy is too arrogant!
Not only did he kill Murasaki Genji outright, but he also stole Shibuki without any attempt to cover his tracks. His route pointed directly toward Kirigakure itself—a clear provocation.
"Let's continue the pursuit."
The ponytailed man slowly stood upright, grinning confidently: "The footprints are still fresh. That intruder can't be far ahead of us."
The others nodded in agreement, and just as they prepared to resume the chase, they were stopped by someone who suddenly materialized before them.
The newcomer wore an ornate patterned mask—clearly identifying him as a member of the elite Hunter-nin squad operating directly under the Mizukage's command.
"Hunter-nin?"
The blue-haired kid frowned deeply, obvious impatience flashing across his young face: "What do you want? Speak quickly!"
Kirigakure's Hunter-nin, even within the village itself, had an infamous reputation. They specialized in tracking down missing-nin and deserters, acting like bloodthirsty hyenas—once they locked onto prey, they never released their hold. Their methods were notoriously cruel and ruthless, strictly adhering to the First Mizukage's iron-clad policy of absolute secrecy.
Therefore, almost nobody actually liked the Hunter-nin. After all, these operatives were incredibly irritating to deal with.
"By direct order of the Mizukage, conveying your new mission parameters."
The Hunter-nin's voice was cold and emotionless as he tossed a scroll toward them: "Hiramekarei wielder Mangetsu Hōzuki, Nuibari wielder Kushimaru Kuriarare, and Kabutowari wielder Jinin Akebino—continue pursuing the intruder. The remaining swordsmen—Chōjūrō Hōzuki, Jūzō Biwa, and Raiga Kurosuki—return to Kirigakure village immediately with me."
"Wait just a damn minute! Why is the Mizukage suddenly recalling us?"
Jūzō Biwa was the first to express vocal dissatisfaction, speaking indignantly: "We're practically on top of this bastard, and now you want us to turn back? My Kubikiribōchō is absolutely itching for combat!"
He wasn't the only one dissatisfied—Chōjūrō felt the same way.
Chōjūrō, with his distinctive blue hair styled into that spiky topknot, stared coldly at the Hunter-nin operative: "Is this genuinely the Mizukage's order, or is this coming from those meddling village elders?"
"Lord Chōjūrō, please comply with your orders."
The Hunter-nin didn't answer the question directly, but deliberately emphasized a single word: "Orders." After adding: "There are more critical matters requiring attention within the village proper."
After a prolonged moment of tense silence, Chōjūrō swallowed his visible anger, his eyes remaining distinctly unfriendly as he spoke: "Fine. We'll obey orders."
The Hunter-nin, his expression completely unchanged behind his mask, handed over a blood-stained intelligence scroll: "This contains information about the intruder that Murasaki Genji managed to transmit before his death."
"Konoha... Uchiha Kazuki. That Iwagakure contact mentioned him."
Chōjūrō narrowed his eyes suspiciously, scanning the scroll's contents before scoffing: "I see. So those bastards in Konoha have already noticed our movements and alliance."
"Tsk, fine. That target is all yours then, Chōjūrō."
Jūzō Biwa suppressed his obvious dissatisfaction while crossing his muscular arms.
With that settled, Chōjūrō Hōzuki, Jūzō Biwa, and Raiga Kurosuki vanished instantly alongside the Hunter-nin operative.
Mangetsu Hōzuki, Kushimaru Kuriarare, and Jinin Akebino remained behind to continue tracking Uchiha Kazuki.
Meanwhile...
Uchiha Kazuki finally arrived at a village—not quite Kirigakure proper yet, but remarkably close to the main settlement.
Thanks to the First Mizukage's oppressive policies combined with the region's remote location and severe resource scarcity, the common civilians held extremely low social status. All supplies and necessities were prioritized for shinobi, leaving only the bare minimum required for survival to ordinary people.
Most residents lived their entire lives like this. Their faces were etched with suffering, their eyes hollow and empty—like walking corpses completely devoid of hope or ambition.
"Hmm..."
Uchiha Kazuki stroked his chin thoughtfully: "It seems I don't even need to employ psychological invisibility techniques here. These people simply don't care about anything anymore."
On every face, there appeared to be absolutely no hope for the future. Their souls seemed to have already died long ago, leaving behind only empty shells slowly rotting and decaying in this miserable world.
Witnessing this depressing scene firsthand, Uchiha Kazuki's inner conviction only deepened further:
A world dominated and controlled by shinobi... is fundamentally wrong.
And this fundamental mistake needed to be corrected!
Lost in contemplation, he walked down a desolate street and, without consciously realizing it, stopped directly in front of a small pharmacy.
"I'm here."
Looking up at the weathered pharmacy sign, Uchiha Kazuki walked straight inside without hesitation.
The pharmacy interior was sparsely furnished, with many sections showing obvious mold and structural damage. Only a single figure was busy working beside the medicine cabinet.
Uchiha Kazuki wasn't in any hurry. He leisurely entered, casually glancing around the cramped space before finding a reasonably clean chair to sit on. Resting one hand against his cheek, he watched the busy figure with an amused smile.
After a considerable while—
Seemingly having finally finished organizing the medical supplies, the figure wiped away sweat, released a soft exhausted breath, and slowly turned around.
It was a woman, approximately twenty years old, with a gentle demeanor and shoulder-length light brown hair. She wore simple round-framed glasses, and a faint pleasant smile always seemed to play across her lips, radiating an approachable and trustworthy aura.
The woman turned fully around—and her pupils constricted sharply in shock.
Inside her own private pharmacy, a complete stranger was sitting calmly, watching her with an unsettling half-smile. Her heart nearly stopped entirely; she almost screamed in pure fright.
"You... who are you?!"
Forcibly suppressing her shock, the woman's face displayed genuine fear as she trembled visibly: "Please... please don't kill me... I have nothing of value... If you want money, I can give you everything I have."
Hearing this predictable response, Uchiha Kazuki smiled pleasantly, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes: "I don't want your money or possessions... I only want you, Yakushi Nonō!"
I've been exposed!
This was the immediate thought that flashed through Yakushi Nonō's mind, and in less than a single second, she made her critical decision!
I cannot die here...
Konoha, and those precious children at the orphanage, are all waiting for my return!
Whoosh!!!
A shuriken instantly pierced through the air with deadly precision.
The woman who had appeared so delicate and gentle just moments ago now moved like a hunting predator, charging forward with clear lethal intent radiating from her stance!
The very next instant, Yakushi Nonō found herself completely frozen in place.
Her eyes widened impossibly far, revealing an expression of absolute disbelief as she stared at the man in pure shock—specifically at those blood-red eyes with their distinctive tomoe pattern.
"Sharingan... The Sharingan!"
Yakushi Nonō whispered softly, as if only now fully comprehending what had just occurred.
"You've been drafted into service, Yakushi Nonō."
Uchiha Kazuki's eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses, an enigmatic smile playing across his lips.
[End of Chapter 86]