Although Isamu had expected a coordinated sneak attack, what actually happened was completely different.
After releasing the blinding white light, the Xuanyuan Clan leader simply stood there, watching Isamu with a strange smile.
"Hmm?" Isamu frowned. "Wasn't that flash supposed to blind me so you could launch a surprise attack?"
While Isamu hadn't noticed anything unusual, Karura—thanks to her Tenseigan—saw something no one else could.
"Isamu, be careful!" she shouted. "He's released something tiny. It's about to crawl onto your body!"
"Hmm? Something's coming?"
Isamu narrowed his eyes. Under the Rinnegan's enhanced perception, he finally noticed countless microscopic creatures surrounding him.
"Oh… nano-sized bugs."
He pinched one between his fingers and examined it as it struggled to burrow into his skin.
"They resemble the Aburame Clan's insect techniques… specifically the Parasitic Giant Bugs. No… they're similar, but not the same."
The Xuanyuan Clan leader's expression changed drastically.
His hidden technique had been exposed.
Just who were these people?
It was one thing for Uchiha Isamu to discover them, but how had the woman behind him noticed them as well?
Boom!
A sudden explosion echoed through the forest.
Curious about the insects, Isamu had casually infused one with Chakra.
The bug instantly expanded to nearly half a meter in size before exploding violently.
"So they're Explosive Bugs."
He dusted the smoke off his clothes.
"That's quite a dangerous trick. You're a crafty one."
If it had been anyone else, that explosion would likely have been fatal.
With a burst of Chakra, Isamu instantly blasted every remaining nano-bug away from his body.
"Fourth! Fifth!" the leader shouted. "My Explosive Bugs have been exposed. It's up to you now!"
"No problem, leave it to—"
"Ahhh!"
Before either of them could finish speaking, black receivers nearly half a meter long shot from the ground, impaling the earth beneath them and pinning both men firmly in place.
"Fourth!"
"Fifth!"
"Boss, don't touch them!" one of them shouted hurriedly. "These black rods possess an incredibly powerful sealing force! The moment you touch them, you'll be trapped too! Uchiha Isamu's abilities are far too strange. Boss, leave us and escape!"
"Nonsense!"
The leader charged forward anyway.
"If I'm your leader, then I won't abandon my brothers."
"If we're leaving, we're leaving together!"
He reached out to pull the black receiver free.
"Ahhh!"
The instant his hand made contact, black chains burst from the rod, wrapping tightly around his body and restraining him completely.
Watching the three brothers struggling together, Isamu slowly walked over.
He even pretended to wipe away a tear.
"My, my…"
"What touching brotherhood."
"It's been a long time since I've seen loyalty like this."
"It almost brings tears to my eyes."
"Uchiha Isamu!"
The youngest member shouted.
"We admit defeat!"
"If you spare our boss, we'll serve you from now on!"
"Fifth, shut up!"
The leader immediately interrupted him.
"We're birds born for freedom."
"We'll never willingly live inside anyone's cage."
"I refuse to buy my freedom with my brothers' sacrifice."
"If I can't save them today…"
"…then I won't leave alive either!"
"Boss…"
"Well, now…"
Isamu sighed.
"The way you're talking makes me sound like the villain."
"But give up."
"These black receivers are Six Paths creations."
"They're powerful enough to restrain even a Tailed Beast over a hundred meters tall."
"With your strength…"
"…breaking free is impossible."
"Behave yourselves."
Truthfully…
Seeing their willingness to live and die together made Isamu hesitate slightly.
It was rare to find comrades this loyal.
Just then—
Four crimson-eyed shadow figures charged toward him once more.
"Heh."
"I almost forgot about you."
He casually dispersed the shadow assassins before speaking without turning around.
"Karura."
"Find the real one."
Compared to his Rinnegan, Karura's Tenseigan was superior at locating hidden enemies.
Since she was here…
He might as well let her do it.
Using the Tenseigan's incredible vision, Karura immediately locked onto the assassin.
"Isamu!"
"Ten meters ahead to your left!"
"Behind that tree!"
"So that's where you were."
Without hesitation, Isamu formed hand seals.
"Fire Release: Storm Dance!"
A spiraling torrent of flames swept across the forest like a blazing tornado.
Trees exploded apart.
The hidden assassin was instantly forced into the open.
"I've been found!"
He immediately tried to disappear again.
"Trying to run?"
"Not happening."
Isamu clapped his hands together.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Countless massive trees erupted from the earth, surrounding the fleeing shinobi before launching countless branches toward him.
"W-What?!"
"Wood Release?!"
"The legendary Wood Release of Konoha?!"
The assassin frantically summoned dozens of crimson-eyed shadow clones.
The shadows slashed wildly at the incoming trees.
Wood chips flew everywhere.
Unfortunately…
Against Wood Release…
Their efforts were meaningless.
After barely thirty seconds…
The assassin was completely bound by the massive roots.
His Chakra was rapidly drained away, leaving him weak and emaciated.
"Amazing…"
Itachi stared at Isamu with shining eyes.
"Grandpa is incredible."
This was the first time he'd truly witnessed his grandfather fight.
The overwhelming techniques…
The mysterious black receivers…
The effortless domination…
Everything completely reshaped Itachi's understanding of true strength.
Karura smiled and gently rubbed his head.
"I told you."
"These people are no challenge for your grandfather."
"And let me tell you something…"
"What you've seen today…"
"…is only the tip of the iceberg."
"Only the tip…"
Itachi's admiration deepened even further.
He suddenly felt that following his grandfather had been the best decision he could have made.
When he eventually returned to Konoha…
He would definitely surprise Shisui.
Meanwhile…
Isamu dragged the exhausted assassin over by one arm before tossing him beside the other restrained members of the Xuanyuan Clan.
Looking at the four defeated warriors, he smiled faintly.
"I have to admit…"
"Your strength is impressive."
"With proper teamwork…"
"…even a Kage of one of the Five Great Nations would struggle against you."
"If I killed all of you now…"
"…I'd honestly find it a little wasteful."
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