Wen Lan had never truly considered defecting from Konoha.
That was because Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina were close friends of his parents—and they had taken care of him for many years.
In the future, Minato would become the Fourth Hokage, and Wen Lan had always believed that, under Minato, he would protect the village even more resolutely, treating that trust and responsibility as his own duty.
But that did not mean he had any fondness for the Third Hokage.
And it certainly did not mean that if someone bullied him, he would just swallow it!
Wen Lan suddenly spun around and slashed at Sarutobi Asuma, his speed terrifyingly fast!
So fast that not only Asuma and the others—but even the Mist ninja—failed to react in time!
The blade light cut through the air like a crescent moon. Asuma's pupils shrank as he instinctively leaned backward—but the slash was far too fast!
Suddenly, a hand burst out of the ground beneath Asuma's feet and grabbed his ankle, yanking him violently downward!
Asuma was dragged straight underground, leaving only a pit behind.
Earth Release: Headhunter Technique!
Because Asuma was pulled down too quickly, Wen Lan's slash only shaved off a chunk of his hair.
Strands drifted to the ground as Wen Lan's gaze turned icy.
Two figures burst out of the earth among the Mist forces—Root operatives, one of them gripping Asuma tightly.
Yūhi Kurenai and the others had been confused at first as to why Wen Lan attacked Asuma—but now they finally understood.
Asuma had been signaling the enemy.
All his earlier opposition to Wen Lan had been deliberate—covertly transmitting intelligence.
Even his suggestion to retreat had been nothing more than psychological bait to provoke Wen Lan.
After all, a vanguard unit would never immediately retreat upon encountering the enemy.
Even if they didn't fight, they still needed to assess the enemy's strength.
Wen Lan stared coldly at Asuma and sneered.
"Truly the Hokage's good son. Colluding with the enemy and murdering comrades—how impressive."
Asuma was dragged back above ground, his face still pale with lingering fear, yet he roared defiantly:
"What do you know… Everything I've done is for Konoha's future!
You Uchiha are wolves with ambition—you must be completely eradicated!
This is for the village's stability!"
Wen Lan laughed coldly, lifting his blade to Asuma's throat.
"For the village? Then leaking our defenses to Kirigakure is also for stability?"
His voice turned frigid.
"Since you've chosen to be a traitor, I'll send you on your way."
"Arrogant!" one Root operative shouted, hurling a kunai straight at Wen Lan's neck!
Wen Lan sliced the kunai apart instantly, his body unmoving as blade light flashed again.
The Root ninja's pupils trembled. He grabbed Asuma and retreated at full speed!
The slash followed close behind, carving through the Root ninja's left shoulder. Blood sprayed as he grunted in pain, yet he still shielded Asuma and fled without slowing.
Wen Lan was about to give chase when the Mist ninja surrounded him once more.
The lead jōnin sneered.
"Wen Lan, you don't seriously think you can escape the encirclement of nine jōnin and over thirty chūnin, do you?"
"Escape?" Wen Lan laughed. "Why would I?"
He sneered savagely.
"All nine of you will die right here!"
"Eight Gates—Sixth Gate: Gate of View—OPEN!"
Violent chakra erupted like a hurricane. The ground cracked as shockwaves blasted leaves from nearby trees.
In the next instant, blazing flames engulfed Wen Lan's body, his ninja blade wrapped in scorching fire.
"Attack!" the lead jōnin shouted, forming seals.
"Water Release: Water Formation Pillar!"
The ground trembled as chakra surged beneath Wen Lan's feet. He leapt backward—
And a massive water pillar erupted from the earth where he had stood!
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
"Lightning Release: Earth Spear!"
When Wen Lan landed, the battlefield was already swallowed by mist, his vision completely blocked.
At the same time, roaring torrents of water surged forward, charged with lightning!
Wen Lan roared, chakra exploding as his flaming blade swept out, forcibly evaporating the approaching water.
Then he shouted sharply:
"Kurenai, from now on you command the squad—protect yourselves!
Genma, use Fire Release to burn away the mist!
Guy—protect the two of them!"
Fire could disperse mist, but far more slowly than Wind Release.
Unfortunately, no one else present had Wind chakra.
"Understood!" the three answered in unison.
Wen Lan closed his eyes.
He couldn't see. He couldn't sense chakra.
But he could hear.
Even though the Mist ninja were walking on water, their steps still stirred ripples and sound.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
Suddenly, dense waves of senbon, kunai, and shuriken tore through the fog from all directions, screeching through the air.
Wen Lan gripped his blade and roared:
"Flame Breathing—Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!"
Spiraling flames burst outward, forming a fiery ring around him. All incoming weapons melted instantly, turning into red-hot droplets of metal that scattered away.
"Water Release: Water Blade Technique!"
"Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!"
"Water Release: Water Spirit Wave!"
Roaring water techniques came from every direction—dense currents forming razor-sharp water fangs that pierced through the mist.
Wen Lan's pupils tightened. He kicked off the ground, flipping upward with the momentum of the flame ring, his burning blade sweeping again and evaporating the incoming water fangs.
But just as he dispersed the Water Blade Technique, the shockwave from Water Spirit Wave slammed into his body!
His chest felt as if it had been struck by a sledgehammer.
He was smashed straight into the muddy ground, water splashing everywhere.
A mouthful of blood burst from his lips!
Gritting his teeth, Wen Lan forced himself up on one knee, chakra raging wildly inside him.
At last, Shiranui Genma managed to burn away most of the Hidden Mist.
The enemy silhouettes were finally revealed.
Kurenai and the others stood on the branches—then their pupils shrank.
Over forty Mist ninja stood silently on the water, completely surrounding Wen Lan.
"Damn it! I'm going down there!" Might Guy shouted impulsively, ready to jump.
Genma grabbed his shoulder and barked:
"Are you insane?! Going now is just throwing your life away!
Guy, you're the fastest—go back to camp and call for reinforcements!
Kurenai and I will hold them off!"
Guy clenched his teeth. He knew this was the best option—but seeing Wen Lan trapped at the center made his fists tremble.
The lead Mist jōnin sneered at Wen Lan.
"How ridiculous. That someone like you killed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen… it's an insult to them."
Blood dripped steadily from Wen Lan's mouth, falling into the pool beneath his feet.
When he saw that every Mist ninja was standing on the water, the corner of his mouth slowly curved upward.
A dangerous smile appeared.
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