Chapter:41

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"Captain, it seems something has fallen," an Anbu whispered to Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

"Go check it out," Sarutobi Shinnosuke commanded, feeling a sense of foreboding.

The Anbu ninja nodded and moved to investigate, but before he could take a step, a blade pierced his chest. He let out a short scream before collapsing lifelessly.

"What is it!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke yelled in shock. Quickly stepping back from the body, he signaled for the remaining two Anbu to get into formation, their weapons ready.

As Shinnosuke steadied himself, he caught sight of his wife's severed head lying on the ground. Her lifeless eyes were wide with terror.

"Hirika!!!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke screamed, his eyes burning with rage and grief. His focus shifted to the figure emerging from the shadows.

"It's you—Fujiwara Kirito!" Shinnosuke growled, recognizing the masked figure approaching.

"Ala, ala, weren't you just looking for me? Well, here I am," Kirito taunted, his sword gleaming as he stepped forward with a smile behind his mask.

Fueled by fury, Sarutobi Shinnosuke composed himself quickly, knowing there was no room for mistakes. He signaled his remaining Anbu teammates. The two exchanged quick nods before they simultaneously formed hand seals, each preparing a powerful attack.

"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet!" one of them called out.

"Wind Style: Fierce Wind Slash!" the other followed up, their attacks working in tandem.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke's strategy was to use Fire Release as a distraction while he attacked with his Wind Release. His precision and teamwork with his comrades had taken down countless enemies in the past.

But before they could even unleash their jutsu, Kirito had already appeared before them. In one swift motion, he decapitated both Anbu ninjas, and their Fire Dragon Bullet never had a chance to ignite.

Shocked, Sarutobi Shinnosuke watched as the bodies of his comrades fell to the ground. The sheer speed of Kirito's movements reminded him of the legendary Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

Without wasting time, Shinnosuke channeled his Wind Release into his sword and swung at Kirito, sending a sharp wind blade his way. Yet, Kirito remained calm, raising a single finger to meet the attack.

With a simple flick of his finger, Kirito blocked the wind blade.

"Not bad for Wind Style," Kirito commented. "You've mastered the technique well, but it's pointless against someone like me. Chakra battles aren't just about techniques; it's about power. And your wind chakra can't overpower my fire chakra."

With that, Kirito slashed through Shinnosuke's wind blade, cutting him deeply from shoulder to abdomen.

Shinnosuke collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from his wound. "How... how is this possible?" he muttered weakly, his sword slipping from his grasp.

"We've wasted enough time here," Kirito said, shaking the blood from his sword. "I need to move. I can't miss the chance to take Uchiha Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan."

With a flash, Kirito disappeared, leaving Sarutobi Shinnosuke lying in the dirt.

Once Kirito was gone, a giant pitcher plant emerged from the ground, revealing White Zetsu. "This guy's insane," White Zetsu remarked. "He caught a Wind Release technique with one finger!"

Black Zetsu appeared as well, theorizing, "He must be using some kind of advanced chakra armor technique similar to the Fourth Raikage's Lightning Release armor."

"What now?" White Zetsu asked. "Should we follow them? Itachi's been tasked with killing Kirito, but he doesn't know Kirito has joined Akatsuki. If either of them dies, the organization will lose a valuable asset."

Black Zetsu thought for a moment. "Go find Obito. A battle between Mangekyō Sharingan and Sage Art techniques is beyond our level."

The pitcher plant retracted into the ground, leaving the area silent once more.

Meanwhile, Kirito arrived at the home of Dai Takashi, sensing the chakra of Uchiha Fugaku and his wife, Mikoto, inside. In the distance, he could also sense Itachi, who was in the midst of slaughtering the Uchiha clan.

"It looks like I'm just in time," Kirito muttered as he stepped forward, opening the door to see Fugaku and Mikoto kneeling on the tatami mat, waiting for Itachi to finish his grim task.

"It's you?" Fugaku looked up in surprise, echoed by Mikoto's similar reaction.

Fugaku's expression softened. "Did the Third Hokage or Danzo send you to kill us? I would rather die by my son's hand."

Kirito rolled his eyes. "Who said I was here to kill you? Didn't you just meet Itachi with a shadow clone? Have you seen me kill any Uchiha?"

Fugaku hesitated but nodded. "Then why are you here?"

"Nothing special," Kirito said casually. "I'm just here to claim your Mangekyō Sharingan after your son kills you. Better me than Danzo or anyone else with sinister motives. At least, because of Izumi, I won't touch the rest of the Uchiha."

Kirito glanced at Mikoto, admiring her beauty. Her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her lavender dress perfectly outlined her graceful, mature figure. Her soft features and kind demeanor evoked a rare gentleness.

Kirito sighed inwardly. "Such a shame," he thought, knowing she wouldn't survive the night.

**(End of Chapter)*(Updated to Ch-67).

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