Chapter 9
After exchanging the first bounty target's reward at an underground black-market office with Konan, Oborotsuki and she continued hunting several more targets across different parts of the Land of Fire.
The bounties weren't particularly high—ranging from three to eight million ryō each.
Notably, two of the targets were important figures: aides to the Fire Daimyō's court.
Eliminating them forced Oborotsuki and Konan to venture deep into the country's core territory, gradually approaching the location of Konoha Hidden Village.
On the surface, this wasn't overly suspicious.
Oborotsuki already understood: Konan was almost certainly acting on Uchiha Obito's orders, using this mission as cover to scout intelligence near Konoha.
Whether there were additional hidden objectives, he hadn't detected yet.
Still, he took full advantage of the opportunity—quietly memorizing the local terrain, mapping routes and landmarks in his mind.
Perfect for his own future operations.
But just as they finished all the bounties and their reconnaissance neared completion, ready to leave the Land of Fire, trouble arrived.
"Oborotsuki."
Konan, walking side by side, suddenly stopped and whispered a warning.
"Yeah… I know."
"A troublesome group is catching up."
Oborotsuki turned, Decapitation Greatsword resting on his shoulder, staring into the seemingly empty primeval forest.
At first glance, nothing—silent trees, no movement.
But both he and Konan had already sensed the subtle disturbances normal people would miss.
"Konan-senpai, go ahead. I'll cover the rear."
Oborotsuki suggested decisively.
"We leave together or not at all."
Konan didn't argue. She activated her Paper Dance—countless white sheets embedded with explosive tags spiraled into the air, then scattered outward, blending seamlessly into the surrounding giant tree branches.
The explosive trap was set.
Any enemy stepping inside would be blown to pieces—no escape.
"…"
Oborotsuki recalled the canon scene of Konan using six hundred billion paper bombs against Obito. Intense.
But he celebrated too soon.
Just as the trap was complete, a barrage of kunai shot from the distant trees ahead.
They seemed guided—detonating in sequence—"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"—and effortlessly neutralized Konan's carefully laid explosive array.
"Oborotsuki, fall back!"
Konan's eyes sharpened as she shouted.
Too late. More kunai rained down on both of them.
Even the forests on either side erupted with countless shuriken.
Konan shot skyward on paper wings; Oborotsuki activated Hydrification, letting his body turn liquid and phase through every attack harmlessly.
"Konan-senpai! Go now!"
He urged her again to retreat while he held the line.
From the air, Konan finally saw the enemy count: four squads of Konoha ANBU—twelve total—closing in from all directions.
"Oborotsuki, you retreat. I'll cover!"
Worried he couldn't handle them alone, she frowned and insisted.
She could escape easily with Paper Dance even if surrounded.
"Konan-senpai, if you stay I'll be distracted! No time to hesitate!"
His words snapped her back to reality.
She remembered "Madara's" mission directive.
Glancing down, she realized: these weren't the only ANBU coming. If they got encircled here, neither might escape.
"Oborotsuki! Be careful!"
"I'll wait for you at the border!"
With a reluctant, lingering look full of concern, Konan turned and flew away.
Hearing the genuine worry in her voice, Oborotsuki's heart stirred.
Perfect timing.
He pulled the Pregnancy Card from his inventory and activated it without hesitation.
His gaze locked onto Konan's retreating figure.
"Ding! Pregnancy Card used successfully!"
"Target: Konan. Conception successful!"
"Ding! Congratulations! You have received the system reward: First Offspring Grand Gift Package ×1. Please check your inventory!"
"…"
Oborotsuki withdrew his gaze as Konan disappeared into the distance.
He leaped onto a tree branch, dodging the second wave of kunai.
Then, calmly, he opened his inventory, retrieved the new gift package, and used it.
"Ding! Use successful! Congratulations! You have obtained: Healing Potion ×1, Mangekyō Sharingan!"
[Healing Potion] Instantly heals any injury or illness upon use, with near-resurrection effect.
He set the potion aside for now.
The moment the notification ended, a warm current surged into his eyes, spreading rapidly.
Chakra flooded his body—fierce, overwhelming, like a mountain torrent bursting its banks.
The unique Mangekyō chakra merged perfectly with his own.
At the same time, vast knowledge of Mangekyō usage poured into his mind.
It felt as though he'd wielded these eyes for decades.
This is… the power of the Uchiha?!
Oborotsuki raised his head calmly, scanning the area.
The Konoha ANBU had fully surrounded him.
Judging by the animal masks, they were Root operatives.
"You're the one who killed the Daimyō's aides, aren't you?"
The apparent squad leader stared coldly.
"Captain, the other one escaped!"
A subordinate reported.
"Heh. You won't be chasing her."
Oborotsuki lowered the bloodstained Decapitation Greatsword from his shoulder, pointing it at the enemy.
"Deal with this one first!"
The captain barked orders—focus fire, take him down immediately.
But in that instant, Oborotsuki's eyes transformed into the swirling pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"?!"
"That's… Sharingan!!"
The Root ANBU realized the danger too late.
Oborotsuki activated Flying Thunder God, combining it with his new Mangekyō.
In a blink, his figure flashed past each enemy in turn.
After circling once, he returned to his original spot.
The twelve Root ANBU collapsed without a sound—dead.