Outside Konoha Village, to the northeast, lay a hilly area with high terrain and exceptionally dense woods.
This place was neither a scenic spot nor a strategic hub; it was just an ordinary, slightly eerie forest that neither common villagers nor low-ranking Ninja would easily venture deep into.
Yet, at this moment, deep within this forest, a pair of eyes colder than the shadows and deeper than the night were lurking.
Uchiha Sasuke.
He leaned his back against a cold, damp tree trunk, his Sharingan not yet activated, silently gazing at the distant Konoha.
Several days had passed since he personally drove a Kunai into the heart of Utatane Koharu.
He had not left; he was observing.
Observing the "effect" brought about by his "masterpiece."
A cold and pleasant arc curled up at the corners of his stern mouth.
In his field of vision, Konoha at this moment was like a giant beehive that had been fiercely poked.
Although from the outside, the Village still stood tall and the lights were still bright, an invisible, tense atmosphere permeated the air like a tangible miasma.
The number of patrolling Ninja squads had doubled, and they no longer followed fixed routes or rhythms, but were more random and crisscrossing, covering every direction from which they could be infiltrated.
Their gazes were no longer the relaxed or task-focused looks of ordinary days, but carried a tightened vigilance, ready to draw their blades at any moment.
Every landing of the Body Flicker Technique and every exchange of hand signals exuded a sense of urgency, as if a storm were about to break.
At the main entrances and exits of the Village, the number of visible and hidden sentries had increased at least threefold.
The light of the Chakra perception barrier rippled faintly in the dusk, brighter and more complex than ever before.
Inspections of people entering and leaving had become extremely strict; even familiar caravans or Ninja had to go through multiple procedures and repeated verification.
The bustle of the Village was gone, and when villagers talked, their eyes would unconsciously scan their surroundings, carrying an unconcealable suspicion and unease.
Children were called home earlier, the night market was noticeably much quieter, and near some important public buildings, such as the mission assignment office, the ninja tools warehouse, and the communication tower, he could faintly sense more hidden presences belonging to the Anbu.
The air was scorching; it was clear that this was the pressure brought by the layered fury of the high-ranking officials, the fear of ordinary citizens toward an unknown threat, and the Chaos and stress response of the entire System after being disrupted by the sudden, bloody attack.
All of this was clearly reflected in Sasuke's cold, black eyes.
A near-cruel pleasure, smelling of rusty sweetness, flowed slowly through his heart like a cold stream.
"Heh..."
A cold sneer escaped his lips, dissipating into the wind among the trees.
Yes, that's it.
Be afraid, be vigilant, be panicked!
Just like when, after that night, he, who had luckily survived, was surrounded by endless fear, suspicion, rejection, and hypocritical sympathy.
Just like those high-and-mighty Elders, hiding behind a safe curtain, using cold orders and calculations to decide the fates of others.
Now, it's your turn.
Utatane Koharu was merely the first, a remnant of the old era—corrupt, hypocritical, with filth-stained hands yet priding herself on being noble.
A twisted sense of satisfaction swept through Sasuke's body and mind; at this moment, he felt wonderful, never better.
He liked this feeling.
He liked watching these guys, who once regarded him as a "monster," a "hidden danger," and "the remaining Uchiha scum that needed monitoring," now living in constant fear because of his blade.
He liked watching this Village, which buried his clan and nurtured his hatred with lies and indifference, now on edge and facing a formidable enemy because of his revenge.
The panic of the prey is the best reward for the hunter.
Their battle-readiness, their frantic state, their fear and unease... each one ignited a cold flame in Sasuke's heart, bringing a twisted yet real sense of satisfaction.
It proved that his blade was sharp enough and his actions were effective enough.
Sasuke sneered, his eyes full of disdain, and turned to leave.
Just as he was about to leave, a fluctuation of Chakra appeared around him, and Sasuke's body paused.
Immediately after, three Anbu figures appeared on the trees behind him, forming a perfect triangular encirclement, blocking his best escape route.
He had been discovered.
Sasuke did not move immediately, maintaining his posture against the tree trunk, the three tomoe in his eyes slowly rotating.
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