Haruto Saito's plan had unfolded even better than he had anticipated!
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were now down to six members. Tsunade and her two companions had managed to hold off five of them, leaving only Momochi Akagen in pursuit of Haruto! From Tsunade's perspective, their danger level had significantly decreased. While the battle's outcome remained uncertain, they wouldn't be defeated in a short period.
For Haruto, this meant an opportunity to counterattack!
If two had chased him, he wouldn't have even considered fighting back. He would've fled at full speed, doing everything possible to escape. But with only one in pursuit… Haruto didn't think he was stronger than Momochi Akagen, in fact, the gap between them was significant.
However, Haruto had his trump cards—he could consume power-ups and had access to "special Uzumaki items!" Victory wasn't impossible!
The thunderous explosions of battle faded behind them as the two figures, one fleeing and one chasing, moved deeper into the forest, gradually distancing themselves from the battlefield.
Momochi Akagen was fully aware that Haruto was deliberately drawing him away, both to relieve Tsunade and the others and because he intended to counterattack. It was an open strategy, and Akagen chose to accept the challenge!
He couldn't afford not to pursue!
Because Haruto was likely the only person alive who knew the exact location of the Uzumaki treasure! Capturing him meant claiming the treasure. If he couldn't capture Haruto alive, then he had to ensure his death. Otherwise, before long, Konoha would dispatch an entire force to excavate the treasure!
The dark forest was filled with the howling wind.
Haruto had already activated his full speed, not just consuming his chakra reserves but also enhancing his legs with brute strength techniques and speed-boosting jutsu. He ran like mad! Yet, despite this, Momochi Akagen was still closing the distance, bit by bit!
Haruto's speed was close to Kage-level. As a semi-taijutsu ninja, he had absorbed most of Hyūga Domon's abilities, making him much faster than ninjas of similar rank.
But Momochi Akagen was simply a monster!
Previously, Hyūga Domon had been able to shake off Akagen, but Haruto wasn't as fast as Domon had been.
Still, he had one more way to boost his speed!
If he activated the Eight Gates! Unlocking the first gate would unleash a surge of power, allowing him to move at an even greater speed!
But he didn't want to shake off Momochi Akagen!
Otherwise, how would he kill him?!
Dragging Akagen along, Haruto sprinted for more than ten kilometers. His chakra depletion was severe, and he was running on empty!
While still running, he pulled out a mid-tier chakra restoration card and consumed it!
Instantly, his chakra reserves were restored!
Haruto suddenly spun around mid-run, hurling over a dozen kunai! Each kunai was attached to an advanced sealed explosive tag!
Momochi Akagen reacted instantly, countering with his own kunai, using the same tactic as before!
Each explosive tag was struck mid-air!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A dozen high-level ninjutsu explosions erupted simultaneously, creating an inferno between them, severing their line of sight!
Haruto leaped onto a tree branch!
Across from him, Momochi Akagen had also taken to the trees!
Both were breathing heavily—not because of exhaustion from the chase, but because they had been fighting for hours before this pursuit even started!
Their eyes locked in a fierce confrontation, the tension crackling between them.
"Tell me where the treasure is, and I'll let you go," Momochi Akagen said coldly.
"What if I told you that the Hokage has already sent people to retrieve it? Would you believe me?" Haruto countered.
"You possess numerous sealed explosive tags and the Uzumaki clan's royal decree. That proves you're the only one who has accessed the treasure!" Akagen sneered. "Otherwise, such vital items would not be in your hands, nor would you be wasting the explosive tags so recklessly… You can't fool me!"
This guy's logic was impeccable, his intelligence terrifying. He wasn't the eldest or the strongest of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, but he was their leader for a reason!
Haruto desperately wanted to kill him!
A monumental achievement lay before him!
"Give me a moment to think!" Haruto gestured with his hands, signaling Akagen not to advance.
Momochi Akagen stood still, gripping his executioner's blade, his gaze icy.
Silence.
The fire between them continued to burn, but its intensity was waning.
Haruto was stalling for time—to catch his breath, to strategize.
"Have you made up your mind?"
"Give me a second. My brain is a bit oxygen-deprived. Thinking is slow."
"I know you're buying time, but I still hope you'll seriously consider my offer. Life… only comes once."
"You think you're scaring me? You think I can't burrow into the ground and escape?"
"You're welcome to try!" Akagen raised his executioner's blade.
"Oh." Haruto responded nonchalantly.
Akagen's eyebrow twitched in irritation—Haruto's attitude was beyond aggravating!
"I've lost my patience!" Akagen declared darkly. As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished—
Completely disappeared without a trace!
This was an instant-cast teleportation secret technique!
A trump card technique, used immediately!
A shadow appeared right before Haruto, executioner's blade slashing downward with terrifying force!
Haruto raised his blade to block, but his entire body trembled upon impact. The massive tree beneath him disintegrated into dust, and Haruto was launched like a cannonball through the air!
Akagen disappeared again, reappearing next to the airborne Haruto, striking again!
BOOM!
Haruto blocked, but was sent hurtling toward the ground! The overwhelming force rattled through his body, nearly making him cough up blood! This guy was insane! He was outright dominating Haruto!
CRASH!
Haruto slammed into the ground, creating a massive crater. Akagen descended like a thunderbolt, preparing for the final strike!
Haruto dodged at the last moment, narrowly avoiding the lethal blow!
Akagen relentlessly pursued, launching a whirlwind of attacks. In a short span, he had already slashed at Haruto over a hundred times. Haruto was barely keeping up!
BOOM!
Haruto was sent flying again! He crashed through a towering tree and landed against a massive boulder before coming to a stop.
Akagen didn't follow up with another attack. Instead, he stood motionless, his icy gaze locked onto Haruto.
"This is your final chance. Tell me where the treasure is, and I'll let you live!" Akagen's voice was cold and deadly. "Otherwise, next time, I won't hold back!"
As if he had been holding back this whole time!
Haruto had already realized the terrifying skill of Akagen's swordsmanship! He had known the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were masters of the blade, but this was beyond anything he had expected!
Haruto said nothing!
Instead, he lunged at Akagen, his body surrounded by a violent gust of energy, his aura surging!
Eight Gates Release, first gate—Open!
Haruto's speed exploded as he reached Akagen, attacking ferociously!
"Damn it! You think you're the only one who can slash?! You think you're the only one?! You think you're the only one?! Screw you! Take this! Take this! TAKE THIS!!"
Haruto had lost it!
The two warriors clashed in a frenzy, exchanging over two hundred strikes!
BOOM!
A final explosive clash sent Akagen flying!
"Think you're scary?! Damn it! Who are you trying to intimidate?!" Haruto cursed, refusing to pursue but seething with rage.