Naruto: Pay-to-Win Ninja System

Konoha chose to launch its attack at night in order to stealthily bypass the spies scattered around the village from various other hidden villages.

Even though,

before this operation,

the Anbu had repeatedly taken action, eliminating batches of enemy spies stationed outside the village.

Still, it was hard to be certain that none had survived by sheer luck.

But as long as they used the cover of darkness,

they could skirt past those spies and race toward their destination.

If they reached before the spies could send word back to Iwagakure Village, the element of surprise would still be on their side.

The advantage would remain firmly in their grasp.

Likewise, Fugaku and Itachi,

after leaving the village, were also urged onward by the two Anbu supervisors.

They accelerated all the way, heading swiftly northward into the Land of Rice Fields, part of the Fire Country.

Since the Land of Rice Fields wasn't particularly far from Konoha to begin with,

and with everyone pushing forward at full speed,

it took less than a day's journey.

By the next evening's twilight,

they had already entered the borders of the Land of Rice Fields.

And continued advancing further toward Homura Hidden Village.

As they drew ever closer to Homura Hidden Village,

the emotions of these Uchiha ninja grew increasingly complex.

After all, how could they not feel conflicted? That newly founded hidden village had been built by their own clansmen who had risked their lives to defect!

Acquaintances, close friends — even those they had secretly cherished in their hearts… were all living there peacefully and safely.

Yet now, they were here to personally destroy that peace, bringing pain and disaster to those very people.

As fellow members of the Uchiha clan, how could their hearts not tremble with inner turmoil?

But they had no choice but to carry out the mission!

Their own families and children, among others, were being held hostage in Konoha.

If they faltered now, death would strike their loved ones instead…

At the same time, watching the pained and struggling expressions of his fellow clan members behind him,

Fugaku, leading at the front, couldn't help but feel a deep ache in his heart, reluctant and distressed.

The Uchiha had reached this breaking point not just because of Konoha's hostility and oppression, but also because of his own failures.

As the Great Clan Leader, he carried a heavy burden of guilt.

If only he had mustered the resolve earlier, staging a coup sooner or finding another solution beforehand,

then the clan wouldn't now be forced to endure such internal torment.

*Sigh… Regret now is useless.*

*I should focus on how to overcome this upcoming challenge.*

A sigh echoed in Fugaku's heart.

Right now, their entire group was already very near Homura Hidden Village.

The straight-line distance probably didn't exceed one thousand meters.

In fact, they could even faintly see smoke curling into the sky—

a sign that many families in Homura Hidden Village were already preparing dinner...

"Everyone, stay silent."

"First, disperse our formation. Wait for my signal!"

Fugaku, the seasoned and experienced Great Clan Leader, immediately halted the group, preparing to adjust their formation and carefully closing in.

Truth be told, he had no idea how Homura Hidden Village or young Shimoku would react.

What if someone chose righteousness over family loyalty and turned against them without hesitation?

Cutting down all his clansmen behind him with one slash? He'd end up bawling his eyes out. And how could he possibly explain that to the rest of the villagers?

Therefore, he must be cautious!

At least Fugaku was handling it better.

Compared to his carefulness, the two Anbu ninja guards at the team's rear were trembling with nerves, hands sweating nonstop.

What else could they do?

They had also been present on that night when Shimoku and others defected!

They had personally witnessed those two Susanoo demigods battling fiercely!

If a real fight broke out now,

Shimoku might hold back against other Uchiha clan members, but since they weren't from the clan, they knew he wouldn't show them any mercy.

With their scrawny builds, they probably couldn't even take a single punch from Susanoo!

Certain death!

How could they not be afraid?

To the point where both started considering whether they should find somewhere to hide first.

Unfortunately, before the two could make up their minds,

suddenly something unexpected happened.

Several figures flashed suddenly from the distant forest, directly blocking the entire team's path.

Naturally, these five figures were none other than Shimoku Uchiha

and his four personal guards.

"Hey! Uncle Fugaku, long time no see!"

Shimoku happily greeted, clearly having waited here for quite some time.

"You kid... You've known we were coming all along?"

Fugaku showed slight surprise.

Since departing the village, they had rushed nonstop all the way here.

In theory, even if discovered, there shouldn't have been any scouts capable of sending intelligence back ahead of time, right?

"Of course. The moment you set off, I knew."

Shimoku smiled calmly.

After all, he had played the biggest role in sparking and escalating this war.

How could he not know about Konoha's movements?

At the same time, while speaking, Shimoku nodded slightly with a smile toward Itachi standing beside Fugaku.

Last time, without this 'filial son' actively leaking information,

he probably wouldn't have easily wiped out those Root elites in one go, nor smoothly triggered this war.

This cousin truly had outstanding merits!

Pity he had a one-track mind—only ever thinking about his precious "otouto".

Meanwhile, Itachi beside them felt increasingly uneasy under his cousin's gaze, almost getting goosebumps.

"Good boy! So you're telling me everything fell into your calculations?"

Fugaku sighed, increasingly feeling himself growing old.

"More or less," he replied casually.

"So you..."

Fugaku wanted to ask something else,

but just then, the two Anbu ninjas at the team's rear had no choice but to speak up nervously:

"Great Clan Leader Fugaku, please watch your words and actions; don't chat excessively with this rogue ninja!"

They were scared too—what if they kept chatting like this?

What if emotions arose between both sides and the battle didn't need to happen anymore...

"You're telling me what to do?!" 

Fugaku turned his fierce gaze backward, barking angrily, extremely intimidating.

The two Anbu ninjas got so frightened they hurriedly shook their heads and retreated, daring not to utter another word.

Just kidding.

Right now, the entire area was packed with crowds of Uchiha Clan members—inner circles and outer circles alike.

If they really provoked the Great Clan Leader of the Uchiha, there'd be absolutely no chance for the two of them to survive today!

Seeing both men back down, Fugaku finally turned his attention back toward Shimoku and resumed their conversation.

Shimoku asked, "Are we going to fight or not?"

"Not yet. Want to tell me how you caught on so early?"

Fugaku intentionally delayed.

After all, every moment he could drag things out was one more moment gained.

It gave Shimoku's side more time to prepare.

Or perhaps, just a bit more hesitation before making his final decision.

"Oh, that's easy."

Shimoku chuckled lightly, then suddenly swung his right hand.

A kunai shot through the air, aimed directly at Fugaku in the distance.

Instantly, panic spread across the faces of the Uchiha ninja behind him. They all thought the battle had begun.

But in the next instant,

Fugaku simply reached out with his left hand, easily grasping the kunai, which carried only moderate force, then waved off his alarmed subordinates behind him.

Still, he felt puzzled.

Why had Shimoku suddenly thrown a kunai at him?

Was there something special about this kunai?

Just then, as his eyes swept over it,

He suddenly noticed a complex and familiar marking engraved onto the weapon.

A seal pattern he once saw frequently—one most skillfully used by his old friend, Minato.

"This is..."

Fugaku's heart jolted violently, letting out an exclamation.

Before he could finish speaking,

Suddenly, everything blurred, and a figure swiftly flashed into existence mere inches from him.

Shimoku grabbed the handle of the kunai and pulled it back.

"How's that, Uncle Fugaku? Do you get it now?"

He said with a smirk, lifting the kunai up slightly.

At the sight, Fugaku's eyes gleamed sharply—he understood everything in an instant.

Now he realized exactly why Shimoku dared to act so recklessly.

The boy clearly had countermeasures prepared all along!

Simultaneously, one crucial question was answered—

Exactly what choice he should make!

"Hu—"

Fugaku took a deep breath, closed his eyes briefly, then forcefully expelled the stale air from his lungs.

In the next second,

His eyes flew open suddenly.

There, emerging within his eyes, was the symbol of ultimate power—the [Mangekyo Sharingan].

Alongside it, powerful chakra roared outward from his eyes, immediately taking form into a towering [Susanoo].

However, this Susanoo was not intended for battle against Shimoku.

Before anyone could anticipate what would happen next,

Fugaku directed his Susanoo to spin around—and launched a crushing punch.

Directly toward the two Anbu ninja.

With a single blow, both were crushed into a bloodied mess.

...

P.S.: To all my most handsome and beautiful readers—please don't just add this story to your collection without reading! It'll easily kill the momentum o(╥﹏╥)o

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