Veigar snapped his head up at the sound, his gaze immediately drawn to the bright flames flickering through the forest.
After quickly looting the bodies of the three Grass Ninja, he wasted no time in rushing toward the ongoing battle ahead.
"It's him."
Remaining concealed, Veigar observed the fierce skirmish between two ninja squads. It didn't take him long to identify them.
The only Uchiha clan member participating in this Chunin Exam—those crimson Sharingan eyes and the unmistakable clan emblem made it impossible for Veigar not to recognize him.
The Konoha three-man squad currently locked in battle with the Cloud Ninja consisted of Shōgetsu Uchiha, Hoshino Sarutobi, and Kōtaro Akiyama, a civilian-born ninja whose strength rivaled that of the clan prodigies.
As Veigar took in the chaotic battle, a thought began forming in his mind—an opportunity to ambush the Cloud Ninja.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
Shōgetsu Uchiha, engaged in combat with the Cloud Ninja's Lightning Release user Renbu Furuyama, had been analyzing his opponent's attack patterns with his Sharingan. Spotting a momentary weakness, he leaped into the air and unleashed a barrage of fireballs toward his enemy.
In response, Renbu Furuyama's teammate Pachira quickly broke away from his struggle with Hoshino Sarutobi, moving to shield Renbu. Forming hand seals in rapid succession, he countered with a Water Release technique.
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
From Pachira's mouth erupted a powerful torrent of water, resembling a cascading waterfall. The surge not only extinguished Shōgetsu's fireballs but also surged toward the falling Uchiha, aiming to engulf him.
Seeing his opponent slip from his grasp, Hoshino Sarutobi's expression shifted. Without hesitation, he formed a quick series of hand seals. Just as Pachira's water torrent threatened to strike Shōgetsu, Hoshino reacted in time to intercept the attack.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
A sturdy earthen wall rose before Shōgetsu and Hoshino, blocking the rushing water. But before they could breathe a sigh of relief, Renbu Furuyama followed up with his own technique.
"Lightning Release: Ground Spark!"
Electricity surged through the water, crackling violently. Due to the elemental disadvantage, the earth wall couldn't withstand the combined force of water and lightning—it crumbled, leaving a gaping hole.
Fortunately, the brief delay gave Shōgetsu and Hoshino enough time to retreat, both leaping onto a nearby tree branch.
At that moment, the third Cloud Ninja, Moriichiro Ichikawa, suddenly appeared beside Hoshino Sarutobi. A kunai in hand, he aimed directly for Hoshino's throat.
"Hoshino, watch out!"
Ichikawa had cunningly used the Earth Substitution Jutsu to deceive Kōtaro Akiyama, slipping away unnoticed and setting up a deadly ambush. From the moment Renbu Furuyama exposed a weak point, the Cloud Ninja squad had orchestrated this moment—they had planned all along to eliminate Hoshino first.
From the instant Shōgetsu Uchiha launched his Fire Release attack, he had unknowingly walked right into their trap.
Kōtaro Akiyama, realizing the deception too late, saw Ichikawa materialize behind Hoshino. Panic surged through him as he shouted a warning.
But it was already too late.
Neither Hoshino could dodge in time nor could Shōgetsu or Kōtaro intervene to save him. They could only watch helplessly as the kunai slashed toward Hoshino's throat. Even Hoshino himself believed his end was inevitable—his eyes widened in horror.
But then—
Veigar, who had been lurking in the shadows, descended like a savior.
Just as Ichikawa's kunai was about to slice through Hoshino's neck, a gleam of steel cut through the air.
A single, swift stroke.
Ichikawa's arm was severed at the elbow.
His severed limb, still gripping the kunai, flew through the air. Hoshino, still in shock, barely had time to react before Veigar followed up with his Phenomenal Evil Rasengan.
"Boom!"
The dark swirling sphere of energy struck Ichikawa with crushing force, sending him hurtling backward. He slammed into a tree with a sickening crack—his body went limp. Life extinguished.
Just moments ago, Renbu Furuyama and Pachira had been smirking, convinced their plan had succeeded. Now, their grins froze, their expressions twisted in shock.
Then came the anguished cries.
"Moriichiro!"
But no amount of shouting would ever bring him back.
On the opposite side, relief washed over Kōtaro and Shōgetsu. The two exhaled deeply, their tense bodies finally relaxing.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
Still shaken, Hoshino Sarutobi instinctively voiced his gratitude upon noticing the Konoha headband on Veigar's forehead. Veigar simply responded with a brief nod.
"Who are you?"
Now fully regaining his composure, Hoshino looked at Veigar with gratitude and curiosity.
"Konoha Genin, Veigar."
Veigar's reply was calm and indifferent, his gaze already locked onto Renbu Furuyama and Pachira.
"You… You killed Moriichiro… I'll kill you!"
Renbu Furuyama's voice erupted in a furious roar.
Back when he had first arrived in Konoha, Renbu had been arrogant, dismissing Konoha's Genin as weaklings, certain he would pass the Chunin Exams with ease.
Now, not only was he facing elimination, but he had also lost a longtime comrade.
Unlike him, Pachira remained composed. He grabbed Renbu's arm, stopping him from acting recklessly.
"We surrender. We'll give you our scroll."
Reaching into his pouch, Pachira pulled out the Heaven Scroll, holding it up as a peace offering.
"Pachira, let go of me!"
Renbu struggled against Pachira's grip, but the latter held on tightly.
"Killing you both would get us the scroll just the same."
Veigar's voice was cold, filled with killing intent. Renbu immediately stopped struggling, while Pachira's grip loosened.
He met Veigar's eyes head-on, his voice steady.
"We've already lost. We're surrendering. Do you really want to keep fighting?"
"Cloud Ninja aren't ones to be taken lightly."
However, before Pachira even finished speaking, Shōgetsu Uchiha had already given his answer.
His crimson Sharingan spun, the tomoe shifting in a mesmerizing swirl.
-----------------------
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here for advance chapters: PATREON.COM / PRIMALDEMON