The power of Haruto Saito in battle while utilizing the Flying Thunder God Technique had already been deeply felt by his enemies.
From the moment they appeared until now, everything seemed complicated, but in reality, only a minute had passed...
And within that short time, Haruto had already eliminated one of the assassins!
Only three remained!
However, the most despairing fact for them was that they no longer had the chance to kill Haruto, who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. Even if they were unable to defeat him, he could simply evade them. More importantly, their time was running out!
In at most another minute, Konoha's elite forces would inevitably arrive!
Although this location was far from the Hokage Building, with Hiruzen Sarutobi's speed, he would be here in no more than two minutes...
And once Hiruzen arrived, they would be doomed!
"Retreat!"
"Scatter!"
They made a decisive choice, exchanging glances before simultaneously forming hand seals and vanishing. Moments later, they reappeared at a greater distance, fleeing in three different directions!
Haruto simply watched them run!
He did not chase them down.
He did not attack.
Because this was his domain, and the surrounding eight districts were all his property! Damaging it would be too painful!
Besides, they wouldn't escape anyway!
For someone who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, pursuing them was easy. Though he could only chase one at a time, it made no difference whether he acted now or later—the outcome would be the same!
Haruto flung a Flying Thunder God kunai, teleporting onto a nearby rooftop!
Scanning the area, he contemplated which target was best to pursue.
At this moment, the three assassins were under immense psychological pressure. They had already split up, yet none of them could match Haruto one-on-one. It was a gamble—each hoping Haruto wouldn't choose them. But who could say for sure whom he would go after?
By now, the entirety of Konoha had been alerted!
Numerous Konoha shinobi were already rushing toward the scene!
"Damn it, aren't you going to act yet?!" one of the fleeing assassins suddenly shouted!
His words seemed to remind the others!
"You're the strongest! How much longer do you intend to wait? You were the one who brought us here! You made promises..."
"Hurry up and stop him!"
The other two assassins also yelled!
Haruto narrowed his eyes. What was this? Another assassin nearby?
Or was it just a bluff?
It was better to be cautious than regretful!
Haruto immediately formed hand seals, activating his sensory technique to track any hidden presence...
Meanwhile, in a dark alley nearby, a cloaked figure's face turned pale with rage, cursing under his breath: "Damn it! You traitorous bastards! Selling me out!"
Indeed, he had been betrayed!
This was a temporary alliance with no real bonds—just a group motivated by money, each one prioritizing their survival above all else!
Haruto sensed it!
A powerful presence—one he had not detected before!
It was because his attention had been on the four pseudo-Kage-level assassins earlier! But this fifth assassin, who had yet to make a move, was likely stronger than them all!
Perhaps he had been saving himself for a surprise attack, meant to be the trump card!
Swish!
A Flying Thunder God kunai shot through the air! Haruto teleported closer!
Whoosh!
A black-cloaked figure burst from the alley, moving so fast that only an afterimage remained. He was fleeing! Because he knew that, alone, he had no chance against someone who had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique!
Haruto flickered into view on the main street, grabbing his kunai and hurling it once more!
And then, he froze for a moment.
Because he recognized the assassin's back.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
The fleeing figure suddenly turned, launching a high-speed Lightning Release attack! In an instant, the Flying Thunder God kunai was struck, the technique's inscription carrier completely destroyed and dissolved!
Haruto still stood there, momentarily dazed.
"So it's him..." Haruto sighed inwardly, forming hand seals and vanishing.
...
The black-cloaked figure sprinted through the alleyways, dashing through side streets and hidden paths, always choosing the most obscure routes!
He needed to leave Konoha as quickly as possible!
All he needed was three minutes!
And he would be able to leap over Konoha's walls!
Swish!
The sound of a kunai slicing through the air rang out, and Haruto flickered into place at the alley's exit, blocking his path!
"If you surrender, I can guarantee you'll live!" Haruto said with a playful smile.
The black-cloaked figure didn't understand why Haruto was smiling, but surrender was out of the question. He had a grudge against Konoha, and if he were captured, there was no way he would survive!
He formed hand seals and vanished!
Reappearing in an open street, he resumed his escape!
Ten seconds later!
Another Flying Thunder God kunai flew, and Haruto once again blocked his path!
Haruto had no intention of fighting! He was merely stalling. The reason was simple—this guy was Kage-level. Haruto wasn't confident he could defeat him quickly. And if he couldn't finish him off fast, then there was no point in fighting. It would only cause unnecessary destruction to his own properties!
Because Hiruzen Sarutobi was coming! And once he arrived, it would be over!
The black-cloaked figure kept running!
Haruto kept blocking him!
Five times in a row!
Haruto never made the first move, and the assassin had no intention of initiating combat. He wasn't foolish enough to give Haruto the opportunity to stall him even further!
In the distance, the sounds of battle erupted!
Clearly, the three pseudo-Kage assassins had already engaged Konoha's forces. If they managed to escape alive today, it would be nothing short of a miracle!
Once again, Haruto blocked the black-cloaked figure's path!
"Found him!"
"Over here!"
More Konoha shinobi appeared on the rooftops nearby!
"Stay back!" Haruto warned. "He's strong! You're no match for him, don't throw your lives away!"
"You... recognize me?" the black-cloaked figure finally asked.
"Mhm!" Haruto responded nonchalantly.
"Damn it!" The assassin cursed, darting into another alley!
At that moment!
A streak of light surged forth from the alleyway!
The assassin abruptly halted, stepping back!
A cold and piercing gaze met his!
ANBU Captain White Fang!
He had arrived first!
The black-cloaked figure now realized he might not make it out of Konoha alive. He cursed those traitorous assassins—if they hadn't betrayed him, he might have escaped undetected!
Whoosh!
Just as the standoff began, another figure appeared at the opposite end of the street!
A flowing cloak, a wide-brimmed hat emblazoned with the kanji for "Fire"—
Hiruzen Sarutobi!
The assassin now reconsidered Haruto's offer—should he just surrender? Was there even a point in fighting anymore? Haruto, with his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, had already overwhelmed him, let alone the even stronger White Fang, and one of the most powerful shinobi in history—Hiruzen Sarutobi!
"How bold of you," Hiruzen said calmly, his aura intensifying, making the air itself seem heavier.
"Sensei!" Haruto suddenly raised his hand like an obedient student. "If possible, can we capture him alive?"
Hiruzen glanced at Haruto. "Why?"
"Because..." Haruto looked at the assassin. "I feel like we're destined to meet."
Because this final assassin was Kakuzu!