Seeing that both Seii and Uchiha Shisui's attention was drawn to the enormous firework, Fubuki didn't hesitate. He unleashed all his chakra, accelerating towards the coastline.
"Hmm?"
Noticing Fubuki's reaction, Seii imdiately understood the firework's aning but had no intention of pursuing.
After all, his primary goal was rely to test his newly perfected "Instant Sword Technique" and harvest so chakra. Running into Fubuki was just a coincidence. Now that he had achieved his first objective, he didn't need to cling to this opponent.
Completing his second objective was now of utmost importance. Conveniently, the Mist side had already sent out a retreat signal. As long as Seii intercepted effectively, he wouldn't lack chakra to harvest.
With this thought, Seii wasted no ti. He quickly ford a hand sign, used Wind Release: Wings of Wind, and soared into the sky.
Before leaving, he said to Uchiha Shisui, "Shisui, he's yours. I'll check other areas."
Without waiting for Shisui's response, he flapped his wings and vanished.
Watching Seii's carefree departure, a hint of envy flashed in Shisui's eyes. But he quickly brushed it off. He had pressing matters to attend to; there was no ti for idle thoughts.
Shisui looked in the direction where Fubuki had fled. He leaped forward, determined to pursue. Although the opponent was withdrawing and would likely no longer affect the upcoming battle, Shisui still wanted to capture him. Reducing their enemies ant fewer deaths on their side in the next battle.
---
Elsewhere.
After ascending to high altitude, Seii activated his three-tomoe Sharingan, observing the Mist ninja's movents below by the faint light.
As the firework rose, the Mist side's ninjas visibly grew tense. They each tried to disengage from battle, heading either alone or in small teams toward the sea, confirming Seii's suspicion that the Mist forces were indeed retreating.
With this confird, Seii focused on selecting his targets carefully.
The battlefield below was vast but also compact. During battle, they moved within a few kiloters, but when retreating, with ninja speed, they could leave this area within minutes. This ant a very narrow ti fra for him to act. Moreover, the Mist ninja were fleeing separately, allowing only a few chances to strike.
To maximize his chakra gain, he needed to pick the right targets. High-level jōnin squads were not worth attacking; even the weakest jōnin could retaliate effectively, making it a waste of ti. Similarly, it wasn't worth attacking solitary genin unless they were in a larger group, as they had little chakra.
As for lone chūnin, they were either skilled or unlucky. The forr would hinder him, and the latter wouldn't yield much chakra—neither ideal.
Thus, the most suitable targets were small teams composed of a few chūnin. Attacking these groups provided the highest return.
With his standards set, Seii started looking for suitable targets.
---
Under the night sky, Seii moved like a phantom, silently hovering above, seeking his target. With blood-red Sharingan scanning the ground, he soon spotted a Mist ninja squad of three chūnin moving quickly through the forest.
Without hesitation, he swooped down, closing in from behind.
Below, Iwasaki Masakazu was running with his two companions when a shadow suddenly lood over him. Instinctively, he looked up and saw a pair of blood-red eyes.
"This is...?"
A chill ran through Iwasaki as he tried to shout. But before he could make a sound, he fell into a genjutsu, his running steps stopping as he collapsed.
"Masakazu?"
The two other Mist chūnin imdiately halted, turning back. Before they could understand what happened, they saw another figure appear—Seii.
Recognizing him, they realized the danger and prepared to abandon Iwasaki to flee. But their gaze t Seii's, and within that instant, one was caught in his "Genjutsu: Sharingan."
For the remaining one, Seii canceled his Wind Release: Wings of Wind, landing on his feet. He unsheathed his long sword, performing the Instant Sword Technique, appearing behind his target in a flash.
*Whoosh*—the blade swung down.
The Mist chūnin sensed the danger and threw himself forward, barely dodging the strike, then rolled aside, facing Seii with a determined look.
"If I can't escape, I'll fight to the death!" Harada Isamu thought, bracing himself. But when he looked up, Seii was gone.
"Where did he go?"
Harada anxiously searched, then heard the faint sound of air being sliced. A glimr caught his eye from the side—a deadly gleam. Panicking, he tried to dodge, but it was too late.
*Slash*—Seii's blade cut through his left arm, leaving a deep wound across his side. Blood poured as Harada collapsed, seemingly beyond saving.
Unfazed, Seii used "Demonic Illusion: Shackles" to restrain him, immobilizing his prey. In monts, he had subdued all three Mist chūnin, accomplishing the ambush in seconds.
Though his success was partly due to the surprise attack, the Instant Sword Technique's effectiveness was undeniable. Against skilled enemies like these chūnin, he could now dispatch them with ease.
With the Instant Sword Technique perfected, his close-combat prowess had reached new heights. Against high-level jōnin, it might be less obvious, but for chūnin and lower, his lethality was unmistakable.
(Chapter End)
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