Tachibana Ukyo in Naruto World - Chapter 20

In the Hokage’s office, an ANBU ninja kneeled before Hiruzen Sarutobi, reporting the progress of the second round of the Ch?nin Exam.

Not far away, Danz? stood silently, listening intently.

The report highlighted Gekkou Tenya’s exploits.

“Gekkou Tenya?” Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, a glint flashing in his eyes. “Unexpectedly, what the Root trio couldn’t accomplish, this kid managed. It seems our intimidation strategy hasn’t failed after all!”

The Forest of Death exam not only safeguarded Konoha’s reputation but also dealt a significant blow to the arrogance of the other villages.

Thanks to Gekkou Tenya’s outstanding performance, Konoha inadvertently achieved its goal of intimidating the other villages.

This was a delightful surprise for Hiruzen.

Feeling relieved, Hiruzen allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. The other villages should be more cautious now.

“Hokage-sama, there’s another matter to report…” The ANBU ninja mentioned the damaged cameras.

Hiruzen’s face darkened upon hearing this, his eyes narrowing.

“Have you identified the cause?” he asked.

“Not yet!” the ANBU ninja replied. “Lord Orochimaru has already sent people to investigate, and Y?hi Shinku has also taken an ANBU squad to support. We should have news soon.”

“Keep me informed. Report any findings immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

After the ANBU ninja left, Danz? spoke up. “Hiruzen, Root lost three elite ninjas for the village. We urgently need to replenish our ranks. I think that kid Tenya would be a good fit for Root. How about letting him join?”

Hiruzen glanced at Danz?, pausing before replying, “We’ll discuss this later.”

The Gekkou clan was part of Hiruzen’s faction. He couldn’t allow such a promising young talent to fall into Danz?’s hands, as it would only fuel Danz?’s ambitions.

After all, his old comrade still harbored desires for the Hokage position.

Allowing Danz? to recruit Gekkou Tenya would only strengthen his position, making him a more significant threat.

“Danz?, Root lost three elite ninjas for the village. You should compensate somehow,” Hiruzen said, knowing Danz? would not give up easily.

“I’ll allow you to recruit new members, but you cannot touch Gekkou Tenya. Understood?” Hiruzen’s tone became firm, his eyes locking onto Danz?, the warning clear.

“Then approve the documents quickly. I have other matters to attend to.” Danz? turned to leave. “The borders are heating up. I’ll send people to monitor, and you should prepare as well.”

With that, Danz? left without looking back, seemingly unfazed by Hiruzen’s warning.

As Danz? departed, Hiruzen’s brow furrowed. It was clear his old comrade hadn’t given up on Gekkou Tenya.

…

In the Forest of Death, Tenya hadn’t fully recovered when a barrage of kunai and shuriken rained down on him, blocking all escape routes.

As the projectiles closed in, Tenya’s expression remained calm, his eyes glinting.

He could clearly see the trajectories of the kunai and shuriken and, in that brief moment, found the best escape route.

Utilizing his Hell Walk technique, Tenya’s sword flashed, deflecting each kunai and shuriken.

When the dust settled, the ground was littered with deflected projectiles, and Tenya stood unscathed.

“You’ve finally shown yourself,” Tenya said, looking towards his right. “Since you’re here, come out, Hiruko.”

Clapping footsteps echoed as a familiar figure emerged from the forest.

It was Hiruko.

“Impressive as always,” Hiruko clapped, his eyes gleaming with greed. “I knew you’d be a valuable asset. I’ll take your body for myself!”

“Summoning Jutsu!”

Without further ado, Hiruko bit his finger and pressed it to the ground.

In a puff of smoke, a grotesque chimera appeared, a fusion of a dog, bird, and two-headed snake, covered in tumors.

Its immense chakra mixed with chaotic energy, making it a monstrous aberration.

This must be an experimental product of the Chimera Technique!

It seemed Hiruko had progressed significantly, using summoned creatures for his experiments.

If his experiments succeeded, Hiruko would likely begin human trials next, modifying himself to possess multiple Kekkei Genkai.

“Go, kill him!” Hiruko commanded.

The chimera unleashed a torrent of flames at Tenya.

Tenya swiftly dodged, evading the intense heat.

But the chimera didn’t relent, spewing another wave of flames.

Tenya kept evading, dodging the relentless attacks.

Hiruko, from a distance, bombarded Tenya with various long-range ninjutsu, collaborating with the chimera to trap Tenya.

Several times, Tenya barely escaped harm.

It seemed Hiruko was wary of close combat, preferring to wear Tenya down from a distance.

If this continued, Tenya knew he wouldn’t last long.

“I need to end this quickly!” Tenya steadied his breath, eyes locking onto Hiruko beyond the chimera.

Relative to the summoned monster, Hiruko posed a greater threat.

Hiruko planned to exhaust Tenya, then finish him off easily.

That couldn’t be allowed.

If he defeated Hiruko, the chimera would be no problem.

With resolve, Tenya advanced.

He maneuvered past the chimera’s flame attacks, closing in.

“Such agility!” Hiruko’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Blow him up!” Hiruko ordered.

Feathers shot from the chimera, filling the air. Each feather was charged with chakra, ready to explode.

“Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish Technique!”

Tenya burrowed underground as explosions rocked the area.

When the dust settled, a large crater remained, but Tenya was nowhere to be seen.

“He didn’t die!” Hiruko realized too late as a sword flashed from below, slicing through him.

Tenya emerged, but Hiruko’s body vanished in a puff of smoke.

A shadow clone!

Tenya turned towards a tree where Hiruko stood, eyes filled with fear.

The commotion drew the attention of Konoha ninjas, who rushed towards the explosions.

A squad entered the forest but quickly fell into Hiruko’s traps.

“Trap! Everyone, move!”

“It’s a chain trap! Be careful!”

“No…”

Explosions echoed, mingling with the sounds of kunai and shuriken hitting flesh.

When the dust settled, the Konoha squad was nearly wiped out. Only a few survivors remained, and they were gravely injured.

Y?hi Shinku arrived with an ANBU squad, seeing the carnage.

His face darkened, eyes filled with killing intent.

“You, treat the wounded. The rest, follow me. I want to see who’s behind this!”

With orders given, Shinku led the remaining ANBU deeper into the forest.

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