Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

"The likelihood that Danzō is the mastermind is getting higher…"

After analyzing the situation, Uchiha Haruki became increasingly convinced that the ones spying on him were under Danzō's command.

Because aside from him, who else would specifically target him and Uchiha Shisui?

If their goal had simply been to target jōnin, then there were two other jōnin in the squad as well—why had they been ignored?

Those two hadn't noticed a thing.

Unless they were lying, the enemy's target was now painfully obvious.

When Haruki voiced his thoughts, Shisui's expression turned grim. He couldn't understand—why were they fighting each other when the war hadn't even ended yet?

If Haruki had known what Shisui was thinking, he probably would've snorted in amusement. In both his past and current life, people had betrayed their clan and country for selfish reasons more times than he could count.

He's still too young, Haruki thought.

The two stood in silence for a while. Then Haruki glanced at Shisui and said meaningfully, "Stay sharp tonight."

"Hm?"

Shisui blinked in confusion, but quickly grasped the underlying meaning and nodded seriously.

Once Shisui left, Haruki shook his head and turned his focus back to training.

Time ticked by…

Late at night.

Haruki was mid-training when a sharp whistle suddenly pierced the quiet night.

Instantly, the entire temporary camp was thrown into chaos. Everyone had been jolted awake by the sudden alarm.

Haruki shot up, grabbed the short blade at his side, and leapt down from the tree—rushing toward the direction the whistle had come from.

Soon, two figures came running toward him.

One of them was familiar—Hyūga Feika, the Tokubetsu Jōnin from the Hyūga clan.

According to the patrol rotation, she should've been stationed at the perimeter right now.

Haruki's eyes flicked to her hand—she was still holding the whistle, meaning she had sounded the alarm.

In an instant, Haruki used Body Flicker and appeared in front of her. "What happened?" he demanded.

Feika was tense and alert, and Haruki's sudden appearance startled her slightly.

But she quickly calmed herself and answered, "Enemy forces are approaching."

"How many? And what's their level?" Haruki asked crisply.

"Roughly five squads. No genin. All squad leaders are at jōnin level."

"No genin… all leaders are jōnin?"

Haruki paused, frowning. "That's an elite force…"

Just as he was about to ask more, another sharp whistle blew from a different direction.

Haruki and Feika exchanged glances—both could see the seriousness in each other's eyes.

Enemy forces in two directions.

Chances were high—they were surrounded.

As if to confirm Haruki's hunch, two more piercing whistles followed in rapid succession.

There it is.

No more "high probability"—they were definitely encircled.

Combined with the constant sensation of being watched these past few days, Haruki was now almost completely certain: this had everything to do with the one lurking in the shadows.

Now the question was—who exactly had surrounded them?

Haruki didn't believe it was ROOT.

For two reasons. First, ROOT didn't have the manpower to deploy so many operatives at once.

Second, ROOT wouldn't risk attacking a squad this large in broad daylight. They couldn't afford such blatant exposure.

Which left only one conclusion.

"Using another's blade to kill."

Haruki muttered under his breath.

"What?" asked Feika in confusion.

"Oh, nothing."

Haruki composed himself and said, "Let's move."

He turned and sprinted toward the temporary camp.

Since they were already surrounded, separating from the main force would be foolish. Reuniting with the team was now the only smart move.

Even before reaching the camp, Haruki could hear the sounds of battle.

The enemy had already arrived.

Haruki used Body Flicker again and appeared inside the encampment.

What he saw was the northern section of the camp ablaze—firelight flickering, smoke billowing, and loud explosions rocking the air. The battle had clearly begun.

As for the attackers…

Activating his Sharingan, Haruki quickly identified them. Just as he had guessed—they weren't ROOT, but about twenty Kirigakure ninja.

Wait a minute—

Haruki's eyes narrowed. The leader of the Kirigakure squad looked familiar.

Green hair, a black flak vest, bandages wrapped around his upper torso, and two curved-blade longswords—held in reverse grip.

If that wasn't Raira Kurosu, the wielder of the "Thunder Blades: Kiba," then who else could it be?

Knowing he'd likely be assigned to the Kirigakure front, Haruki had naturally done his homework.

He'd gathered plenty of intel through Uchiha Kazen, including details about prominent enemy ninjas.

And among them were the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Haruki recognized the figure in the distance without doubt—the appearance, the outfit, the weapons—everything matched the intel on Raira Kurosu, the wielder of the Lightning Blades – Kiba.

Which meant… those twin blades in the man's hands were one of the Seven Swords of the Mist.

If I remember correctly, Haruki thought, Kiba's power lies in generating lightning…

Even as the thought formed, Raira suddenly clanged his two swords together—

CRACK!

A dazzling arc of lightning erupted and struck a nearby Konoha Tokubetsu Jōnin directly.

"AAARGH!"

The Konoha ninja screamed as he was blown backwards through the air.

Haruki's eyes followed the body.

The man's skin was charred black, his clothing in flames, and his chakra signature had plummeted—he was critically injured and out of the fight.

"As expected from an elite jōnin—he's seriously dangerous."

Haruki's gaze locked on Raira, and he prepared to move.

But just then, a series of explosions erupted from the west side of the camp, along with the anguished screams of Konoha ninjas.

Turning toward the sound, Haruki saw another familiar figure—thick lips, braided hair and beard, left eye wrapped in black cloth—rampaging through the Konoha lines.

Another "acquaintance"—Munashi Jinpachi, one of the Seven Swordsmen, and the wielder of the Blasting Sword: Shibuki.

Haruki's expression twitched at the sight of the massive blade in Munashi's hands—lined with explosive tags.

No doubt about it—that sword was dangerous as hell.

Those explosive seals weren't just deadly for enemies—they posed a huge risk even to the wielder.

But for now, that wasn't the most pressing issue.

What Haruki really wanted to know was—did Kirigakure send all seven of the swordsmen?!

If that were true, he might have to consider retreating.

Sure, if he gave it his all, he could probably take them down.

But doing so would mean exposing the secret of his Mangekyō Sharingan.

And let's not forget—someone was still watching from the shadows.

He couldn't afford to reveal his trump card in front of that kind of enemy.

Fortunately, not all of the Seven Swordsmen had come.

Besides Raira Kurosu (Lightning Blades: Kiba) and Munashi Jinpachi (Blasting Sword: Shibuki), only Bibō Jūzō, wielder of the Decapitating Carving Blade, had joined the assault.

"Only three of the Seven are here? Thank goodness—"

"—the hell it is!"

"What is Konoha's defensive line even doing?"

"Three of the most dangerous enemy swordsmen just waltzed behind our lines—bringing nearly a hundred elite Mist ninja with them—and no one stopped them? Are you kidding me?"

If Danzō wasn't behind this, Haruki would write his name backward.