Naruto: I Draw Power Into Reality

"We're approaching the Land of Whirlpools now. That's where we fought those ninja earlier."

Kazama couldn't suppress a shiver as he revisited this place.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced around and asked, "Akaba, did you handle the bodies after killing those ninja?"

"What? Akaba killed several ninja here?"

Jiraiya jumped up in shock, while Orochimaru also looked surprised, glancing toward the carriage.

"No."

Lying inside the carriage, Akaba couldn't be bothered to look outside.

Akaba knew exactly why Hiruzen had asked — clearly, the bodies were already gone. No point in even looking out; that would've wasted energy.

Just as he thought that, the curtain of the carriage was yanked open.

A little girl glared at the carriage, shouting, "Get out!"

"Uh, I'm feeling weak..."

Before Akaba could finish speaking, chakra surged from Tsunade's body.

[Strength of a Hundred Seal technique]?

Realizing this, Akaba sensed danger.

"Do you want to come out yourself, or should I smash the whole cart?"

Tsunade raised her fist threateningly.

Shiso smirked nearby, clearly enjoying the situation.

"Akaba, come on, tell us exactly what happened that day."

Hiruzen said cheerfully.

Frustrated, Akaba realized the Third had probably set him up again. He stepped down from the cart, leaving a Shadow Clone behind to continue drawing.

"Five Chunin — I took them down with Genjutsu right here."

"The Jonin died at this spot."

Akaba threw a shuriken to mark both locations.

"Five Chunin..."

Tsunade clenched her fists tightly, secretly wondering whether she could take down five Chunin herself.

No way in hell.

"Is Akaba really already this strong?"

They graduated the same year — how could there be such a massive gap?

Why hadn't I noticed this!

Jiraiya stood frozen in amazement.

Orochimaru understood Akaba best though — getting defeated instantly by his first encounter with Genjutsu wasn't surprising at all.

But being able to release Genjutsu on five Chunin at once — and instantly — showed terrifying mental strength.

"All the tools and Exploding Tags were standard equipment Rogue Ninja could purchase. They also disguised their appearances. As for Ninjutsu, since Danzo-sensei killed one with a single sword slash, nothing significant was displayed."

Akaba added from behind.

"Too few clues — we can't determine much about who they are. But the method of removing bodies matches Mist village's Pursuit Unit techniques."

Walking over to where Akaba stood, Hiruzen observed carefully. Although two days had passed, and someone had tidied the scene, since it hadn't rained, some faint traces remained.

So those were Mist ninja...

Akaba contemplated silently.

"Mist village's Pursuit Unit?"

Excitement lit Jiraiya's eyes as he quickly asked, "What kind of unit is this in the Hidden Mist Village?"

"They specialize in hunting down Rogue Ninja."

"Everyone use Transformation Jutsu to disguise yourselves. Kazama, you may proceed with your Caravan now."

Hiruzen rose and signaled Kazama's caravan to follow.

Nobody lacked knowledge of Transformation Technique, though skill levels varied. Take Jiraiya for instance — even when transformed, his ridiculous demeanor was unmistakable.

Akaba transformed into a laborer, lazily sitting on the edge of a flatbed cart.

If they didn't disguise themselves, it wouldn't take six Genin to handle the situation—just Hiruzen Sarutobi alone would be enough to deter every ninja from the Land of Whirlpools.

After all, he was Third Hokage!

Akaba and the others traveled along with a caravan, finally entering the Land of Whirlpools. Not long afterward, Akaba truly understood how chaotic things had become there.

The fields were barren, and the houses looked empty and long abandoned.

They had walked half the day without seeing a single soul.

How tragic!

"The Land of Whirlpools... I've never set foot here until today."

Tsunade originally seemed cheerful, but after such a long journey, her mood turned gloomy and sorrowful.

This was her grandmother's homeland… but now look at it.

Akaba groaned inwardly, feeling helpless.

Bijū were treasures for every Hidden Village—as powerful as nuclear weapons. However, the Uzumaki clan was the natural enemy of the Bijū, effectively making them enemies of all.

As just a Genin, he had neither the power nor the will to change anything.

"Ahead lies an important trade route junction within the Land of Whirlpools. Rogue ninjas often show up there."

Kazama became very nervous, sweat already forming on his forehead.

Akaba picked up his brush and started sketching the background in advance.

The caravan continued moving slowly forward. Some regular guards began approaching the carts loaded with manga books, as if guarding these goods was particularly critical.

At this moment, the difference between those who had killed before and those who hadn't became apparent.

Though both Shiso and Sakumo felt tense, their expressions seemed no different from the surrounding ordinary guards. But Tsunade and the other three clearly showed their status as shinobi; their vigilant postures were distinct.

As for Akaba, he sat casually by the side of the flatbed cart, idly fiddling around with something in his hand.

"Shoo!"

Suddenly, rustling leaves came from the woods.

"Be careful!"

Orochimaru shouted just in time as several Shuriken flew out from the forest.

Jiraiya immediately stood up and knocked the incoming Shuriken down using a Kunai. Tsunade charged directly into the woods.

Sakumo's face changed instantly. Boosting his speed, he rushed ahead of Tsunade and threw a Kunai at the ground just a few steps away.

Boom!

"Explosive tags?"

So focused on the enemy, Tsunade had forgotten about potential traps. Seeing that Sakumo had just neutralized one, she now felt a belated sense of fear.

"It seems you're only a bunch of brats. Are you recently graduated Team from Konoha?"

"We don't know who your Jonin instructor is, but you'll still die. [Hiding in Mist Technique!]"

Chakra spread outward, fog filling the air until visibility dropped to a few feet around them.

[Hiding in Mist Technique!]

Such an expansive range could only mean an opponent of Jonin rank!

Akaba's heart tightened.

Their enemy hadn't shown themselves yet, and now vision was gone—he couldn't possibly use his drawing to cast any genjutsu here.

In such conditions, his illusions were nearly useless.

Miscalculation!

Unable to see or hear anything, everyone held their breath cautiously, not daring to let their guard down.

Akaba stayed alert inside.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a faint breeze passed by his ear.

Instantly, his hands formed seals,

[Earth Release: Decapitation Jutsu!]

Digging underground and pulling upward happened seamlessly. The attacking Mist ninja hadn't even reacted when dragged below ground, immediately pierced through the throat by a Kunai.

"You applied Earth Release to such precision—are you a Jonin from Konoha?"

[Silent Killing Technique!]

Akaba broke out in a cold sweat as he felt the blade drawing near, his hands moving faster than ever through hand seals.

[Substitution Jutsu!]

He switched positions silently but realized instantly—he'd be easy to track in the thick mist. This was the Mist ninja's territory.

"Third Hokage, you bastard! Get your act together already!"

Inside, Akaba was cursing up a storm. An upper-rank Jonin was practically on top of him now. If help didn't come soon, he'd be dead meat.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness overtook him.

The next moment, a flood of memories surged into his mind—the experiences of his Multiple Shadow Clone. He had completed Episode Twelve.

"Perfect!"

Ecstatic, Akaba quickly opened his menu and exchanged points for the Silent Killing Technique.

In an instant, every sound and breath around him became crystal clear!

Behind him stood a sword-wielding Mist Jonin. At the same time, he sensed Orochimaru and others locked in battle not far away. The worst off was Jiraiya, whose heavy breathing signaled serious injuries.

But something strange caught his attention—the "Mist Jonin" held a blade, yet showed no sign of aggression.

Could it be my Silent Killing Technique isn't advanced enough?

This technique came from the system, after all. It must be top quality.

Akaba quickly dismissed that thought. There could only be one explanation: this "Jonin" had no intention of attacking.

"Maybe the Third has already taken care of him. What the hell."

Realization hit him fast. He muttered a silent complaint, then used Earth Release to swiftly move toward where Orochimaru and the others were fighting.

As he approached a Chunin engaged in combat, he pulled the enemy down the same way and finished him off with a kunai throw.

Yet once reunited with the group, Akaba chose not to intervene further. Like the Mist Jonin, he crouched quietly in a hidden spot and simply observed.

The outcome was already decided. Might as well let the others train while he saved himself the trouble.

[Kid, aren't you afraid of death?]

Just as he was slacking off, the Jonin abruptly appeared behind him, swinging his blade.

Akaba sighed, ducking under the "slow" slash with ease. "Lord Hokage, knock it off."

"Heh, sharp kid. So you figured it out when my strike missed earlier?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi whispered softly.

"You used the Silent Killing Technique—why warn me before striking?"

Dryly remarked Akaba.

Of course,

he didn't realize it until after. If he hadn't learned the Silent Killing Technique and noticed the Jonin's odd behavior, he might still be hiding underground right now.

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