Chapter 115: Ambush Uchiha Iizumi! S-Rank Ninja Mission (10,000-Word Epic Chapter)

After seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi’s younger son, Asama, leave with a cold and distant demeanor, the Third Hokage lowered his gaze to the Daimyō’s Edict in his hand, muttering softly:

"Something’s off… just slightly… but what?"

Uchiha Iizumi had killed the Daimyō of Fire Country’s second son. Naturally, the Daimyō would be furious—angry enough to want the Uchiha dead. That made perfect sense.

And it was logical that the Daimyō wouldn’t travel all the way to Leaf Village. Sending Asama back to deliver the message was reasonable.

Yet… Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Not with the Daimyō’s anger. Not with the plan.

But with this edict in his hands—and Asama’s report of the Daimyō’s “innocent” scheme.

Let Uchiha Iizumi step outside the village. Let him, with his Absolute Justice, provoke more enemies. Then, use those enemies as blades to kill him.

That was a plan so naive, so utterly impractical, it was laughable.

No one would willingly become the knife used to slay Uchiha Iizumi.

And even if they did—how could anyone be sure the Uchiha wouldn’t turn around and aim that blade straight at the Daimyō himself?

"The Daimyō must have another plan," Hiruzen muttered, frowning. "Asama knows something. He’s hiding it from me."

He exhaled sharply. "Trouble after trouble… never-ending."

A deep weariness settled over him. At his age, dealing with so many crises was exhausting.

Each new event piled onto his mind like stones, slowing his thoughts, draining his strength.

"Come," he called.

A single Anbu Ninja appeared instantly.

"Bring Iizumi to me."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

"Wait—stop." Hiruzen paused. "First, gather the Anbu. Then summon him."

He still wasn’t ready to face Iizumi alone.

Too risky.

…

Outside Leaf Village, Kazuma leaned against a tree, twirling a kunai between his fingers, a senbon clenched between his teeth. His eyes narrowed.

"Come on… where’s the damn Asama?" he growled. "This feels like a trap. They’re not here to kill Uchiha Iizumi—they’re here to finish me. What if hundreds of Leaf Ninja come pouring out in five minutes?"

Slowly, he stood. His cold stare locked onto Dilu—the Guardian Ninja Twelve’s member guarding the perimeter.

His five allies rose as well. The three on Dilu’s side tensed instantly.

"Kazuma, what are you doing?" one snapped. "Remember our mission. The Daimyō ordered us to eliminate Uchiha Iizumi—not turn on each other!"

Kazuma smirked. "Maybe. But I don’t trust Asama. The Daimyō may trust me, but does Asama?"

Dilu remained expressionless. He clasped his hands together and whispered a prayer.

"Asama isn’t like that."

But his eyes never left Kazuma.

One twitch. One movement. And he’d strike.

Just then—crack!

A sudden sound split the air.

Kazuma turned sharply.

"Ah… you’re finally here," Asama said, taking a slow drag from his cigarette, his voice icy.

"Che." Kazuma flicked the kunai with his thumb. "Give me a reason to wait this long. You weren’t just chatting with the Hokage, were you?"

Asama’s expression darkened. "I did some digging. Found out what happened to Uchiha Iizumi while I was gone."

Kazuma raised an eyebrow. "You just got back. What’s so urgent?"

Asama fell silent.

He hadn’t thought it necessary—until he’d heard whispers in the village.

Then he’d started asking.

And what he’d learned… stunned him.

Shimura Danzō dead.

Drug smugglers eliminated.

His own clan—killed.

Shimura Clan wiped out.

All in just a few days.

All by Uchiha Iizumi.

And that was just what he’d heard.

There were more things he couldn’t even begin to guess.

"Our enemy is far beyond our understanding," Asama said, voice low. "This is a fight to the death."

He laid out every detail.

Kazuma’s sneer faded.

"Wait…" he murmured, rolling the kunai between his fingers. "No exaggeration? This guy never stops? Root doesn’t even sleep?"

Dilu remained calm. "We have the advantage. He doesn’t know we’re waiting."

Asama exhaled. "That’s our only edge. I lied to the old man. I let him out. Now, once he steps out… he walks straight into our trap. Kill him fast. If he gets even a second to breathe, we’re dead."

"No room for hesitation. No room for hiding our strength. If we hold back, we’ll die."

Kazuma spat out the senbon, grinning. "So you’re willing to kill a Leaf Ninja this strong? The real monster might not be the Hokage… but you."

Asama inhaled deeply. "He threatened the village. That’s all."

"So… scared?"

Kazuma’s eye twitched. "Say that word again, and I’ll kill you first."

Asama’s chest relaxed.

Success.

He didn’t like Kazuma. But as long as he didn’t back down at the critical moment… it was enough.

He turned to a Guardian Ninja.

"Has the Summon Beast been sent? Informed the Daimyō of Fire Country that we’re about to strike?"

The ninja nodded. "Sent last night. My summon moves fast. The Daimyō should’ve received the message."

…

Meanwhile, at the Ninja Academy—

Hiss.

Yamada Ryosin gasped as his eyes fluttered open. His neck ached. His head spun.

"…Shit!"

He shot upright.

He remembered—red eyes.

A flash. A jolt. Then darkness.

He’d been hit by a Genjutsu.

Sharingan Genjutsu.

And the attacker had been smart—before he could break free, they’d struck him with a hand blade to knock him out.

Yamada knew his duty: watch the Jinchūriki.

He wasn’t the target.

The Jinchūriki was.

His blood ran cold.

Then he saw the two massive holes in the classroom wall.

This was bad. Worse than bad.

Failing to protect the Jinchūriki wasn’t just disappointing the Hokage.

It was a betrayal of the village.

"…You’re awake?"

A voice—clear, soft.

Yamada’s pupils contracted.

There, standing beside him, was a familiar face.

Uchiha Izumi.

His subordinate. The one who followed her.

"You did this?" Yamada choked out.

Izumi shook her head. "No. It was Uchiha Itachi."

Yamada froze.

"!!!"

"Relax," Izumi said. "His target was Uchiha Sasuke—not Naruto Uzumaki. You were just… in the way. He probably knocked you out to avoid distractions."

She’d watched him closely.

Knew he wasn’t a criminal.

To her, anyone not marked by evil was worth sparing.

"If you’re here… where’s Iizumi?" Yamada asked, scanning the area.

"An Anbu came. Hokage-sama wants to see him. He’s been gone for a while."

Yamada’s breath caught.

…

Hokage Tower.

"Ninja Mission?" Iizumi met Hiruzen Sarutobi’s gaze.

Even though he sensed more than two people in the room, his face remained unreadable.

"Yes. A Ninja Mission."

Hiruzen handed him a scroll.

"Izumi… how long has it been since you last took a mission?"

"About two and a half years."

The term Ninja Mission had felt foreign to him.

"This is an S-Rank mission." Hiruzen spoke slowly. "Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to break your Absolute Justice. That was our promise, wasn’t it?"

He added, almost defensively: "We’re short on experienced ninja for high-level missions. After careful thought… I chose you."

It wasn’t a lie.

But… why were there so few ninja capable of S-Rank missions?

Hiruzen’s gaze carried a quiet sorrow.

"The scroll contains classified documents. Deliver them to the border guards of the Land of Fire. Root has intelligence—foreign spies know about them. They’re watching every entrance and exit. We must pass them under their noses."

"Leaf Village is in the open. The spies are in the dark. They’ll likely attack. But when? How many? Who’s leading them? I don’t know."

"This is an S-Rank mission. Extremely dangerous."

Hiruzen paused. "I first thought of Maito Kai. But… you’re better suited."

Iizumi turned the scroll in his hands.

"You want to get me out of the village, don’t you, Third Hokage?"

Hiruzen: "…"

Dammit.

With a mind like this, it felt like Izzumi had read his soul.

And worse—he admitted it.

Hiruzen recovered quickly. "Regardless… you’re the best choice. Your eyes can see the future and past evils. You’ll spot spies before they even get close."

"They’ve killed innocents. They’ve murdered Leaf civilians. For you… this is justice. And justice is what we need."

Iizumi stared into his eyes.

Hiruzen looked away.

Not out of guilt.

But because he felt the pressure of the Mangekyō.

"When?" Iizumi asked.

"Today."

Just as Iizumi turned to leave—

"Iizumi."

Hiruzen’s voice stopped him.

"The Daimyō of Fire Country knows what you did. You’re his enemy. He might act rashly… but he won’t hurt you. Don’t raise your sword against him. Leaf Village needs him. The Land of Fire needs him. If he falls… chaos will spread. More evil will rise."

"So… please."

Hiruzen didn’t finish.

Iizumi was already gone.

"…Ah," Hiruzen sighed. "I just hope the Daimyō sticks to that childish plan."

…

"Wait… S-Rank Mission?!"

Izumi’s eyes widened.

The Hokage gave Iizumi an S-Rank mission?

She’d only ever done C-Rank missions since graduating.

S-Rank was legend.

"Meow! I’ll go with you, Iizumi-sama!" Tachibana Jiro purred, tail flicking. "She’s grown a little. Not ready to fight alone… but she can handle weak criminals. And while she does, she can teach those two kids about Absolute Justice!"

Izumi frowned. "Tachibana Jiro… you’re just avoiding babysitting, aren’t you?"

Tachibana Jiro’s cat face froze. "Who are you?!"

Izumi: "…?"

Tachibana Jiro blinked. "Only I and Iizumi-sama can read your mind. How did you…?"

Izumi smirked. "You admit it fast."

"Tachibana Jiro, stay behind. I’ll handle Justice here. If you encounter a criminal you can’t deal with… report it. I’ll finish it."

Izumi’s tone was flat. "Absolute Justice isn’t Blind Justice. Don’t throw your life away. Stay alive. For the next victim."

She knew he wasn’t saying it out of care.

But still…

She felt it.

"Yes, Senior!" she saluted.

"Tachibana Jiro, let’s go."

"Meow? No prep?"

"No need."

…

As the center of recent village storms, Iizumi’s departure sent ripples through Leaf.

"Iizumi left the village?"

Inside the Uchiha Compound, Uchiha Setsuna narrowed his eyes.

"He went to the Hokage Tower before leaving. Then he vanished."

His grandson’s death burned in his heart.

He needed to know what Iizumi was doing.

"Find out. Follow him. See where he goes."

"Yes, Setsuna-sama!"

…

In the Investigation Corps office, Fugaku stared out the window.

"The Hokage finally released the beast."

To him, Iizumi leaving was a relief.

The longer he stayed, the more chaos he caused.

The more risk to the Uchiha name.

But then…

Itachi.

If Iizumi wasn’t here…

Would Itachi finally act?

Would the future… unfold?

Fugaku rubbed his temples.

His expression was torn.

…

In the Hokage’s office, Tsunade Konoha arrived in a flash.

"Rikō… do you realize what you’re doing?" she demanded. "You just released a man who killed the Daimyō’s son! What if he meets a noble on the road? In his eyes… all nobles are guilty!"

"You know how they treat commoners. In his mind… they all deserve death."

"You can’t explain the Daimyō’s son’s death. What if more die?"

She hated Iizumi.

She saw Absolute Justice as a curse.

But she knew—if it spread, the entire Land of Fire would burn.

"He’s not free," Hiruzen said, handing her the Daimyō’s Edict. "The Daimyō knows."

Tsunade froze.

…

In a quiet corner, Kakashi slumped, eyes half-lidded.

"Finally… I can stop watching Naruto."

"Uchiha Iizumi!" Maito Kai grinned, teeth flashing. "Justice! Youth! Passion! Perfect match, Kakashi!"

He slapped Kakashi’s shoulder.

"Ow—!" Kakashi winced.

"You know, I’ve heard his stories. Extreme? Sure. But isn’t that the fire of youth?"

"Kakashi! Leave Anbu! Join me! Let’s live with fire!"

Kakashi sighed.

"You’re worse than Iizumi."

…

Outside Leaf.

A crow landed on a ninja’s shoulder.

"Uchiha Iizumi’s out! He’s coming this way!"

"Hmph. About time," Kazuma muttered, rising. "Asama, don’t slow me down."

Asama crushed his cigarette. "I want him dead more than you."

"If things go wrong… will we have backup?" Dilu asked. "We don’t know much about him. This is risky."

"No," Asama said. "The old man doesn’t know. If he sends Anbu… it’ll be too late."

"Get ready."

…

Two figures—small and large—sliced through the forest.

Speed beyond even elite Jonin.

Tachibana Jiro slowed.

"Izumi-sama… something’s wrong. The forest isn’t silent… but it feels… unnatural."

She’d survived the Third Ninja War.

Her instincts screamed danger.

Her eyes scanned. Nothing.

"…Maybe I’m wrong?"

"You’re not."

Iizumi slowed. Then stopped.

Tachibana Jiro froze beside him.

Iizumi stared ahead.

His eyes were open.

No Sharingan.

Yet he saw something no one else could.

He placed a hand on his sword.

"Someone’s hiding from the Third Hokage… and wants to kill me out here."

Tachibana Jiro’s mind erased the idea of foreign spies.

Hiding from the Hokage? That meant… one of us.

"Who?" she whispered.

"Not ‘him’… ‘them’." Iizumi’s voice was calm. "Asama. Dilu. Kazuma. The Guardian Ninja Twelve. All of them. Even missing one—Nanmu, dead by my hand."

At that moment—shriek!

From every direction, invisible steel wires shot out—like a net—snapping from impossible angles, trapping Iizumi in a deadly cage.

Then—kill intent.

Three figures appeared on tree branches.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Binding Fang Technique!"

No warning. No words.

Three hands formed seals.

A flash.

Lightning surged through the wires—a storm of electricity—crackling, roaring, crushing.

The entire area, a hundred meters wide, became a storm of jagged lightning.

Trees exploded into splinters.

At the same time—six figures emerged.

Kazuma led.

"Earth Release: Great Swamp River!"

The ground sank.

Iizumi’s feet sank into thick, sticky mud.

Kazuma grinned, scars flashing. "This is your grave, Uchiha Iizumi. How do you like it?"

The others attacked—fire, wind, earth, water—a barrage of Ninjutsu.

"Guanyin: Thousand-Hand Binding Lock!"

Dilu’s chakra flared golden. A thousand arms shot out—to crush Iizumi.

"Wind Release: Dust Storm!"

Asama’s wind cut through the air—ripping the ground.

The clash was explosive.

A mushroom cloud erupted.

"That kind of power…" Asama panted. "Could level three great clans."

He gripped his chakra gauntlet knives.

Could he really be dead?

Then—the smoke cleared.

Asama’s eyes widened.

"That’s… a Ninja Cat?!"

"How big is that thing?!"

…

Inside Hokage Tower—

Hiruzen felt the tremor.

A blinding flash lit the sky.

"What was that?!" Tsunade cried, rushing to the window.

A massive mushroom cloud rose in the distance.

"No explosive facilities here… what happened?"

"That explosion…" Hiruzen’s face darkened. "It’s the road outside. Nothing but trees and dirt."

"No way that could explode like that."

"It’s stronger than the hundreds of Explosive Tags used to kill the Shimura Clan."

When Tsunade said "Uchiha Iizumi", both froze.

"It’s him!" Hiruzen gasped. "He just left… he’s there."

"Foreign spies?"

"No matter. This explosion… we must investigate."

Tsunade wanted to say: "Wait. Let them destroy each other. If Iizumi dies… Absolute Justice ends."

But she didn’t.

…

Kakashi, still trying to escape Maito Kai, looked up.

"That’s… not an Explosive Tag."

"Too big. Too many elements. At least a dozen elite Jonin."

"Not Leaf Ninja…"

He lifted his forehead protector.

Three Tomoe Sharingan.

"Let’s go."

…

Naruto stirred.

"Huh…?"

He sat up—then remembered.

"He used Genjutsu on me…"

A voice: "He’s gone."

Naruto turned. Sasuke stood beside him.

"You were under a Sharingan Genjutsu. Iizumi came by. Said he’d stay until you woke."

Naruto groaned. "I still can’t beat him… your brother’s strong."

Sasuke’s voice dropped. "He’s not my brother."

Naruto blinked.

Then—he looked outside.

"What… in the world is that?!"

"Explosion," Sasuke said.

"That… mushroom!"

…

As the smoke cleared—

The giant shadow emerged.

A cat.

Huge as a mountain.

Orange fur, scarred, torn—from water, lightning, wind.

"HA!" The cat roared. "Hurts! You bastards!"

A stench of blood and sulfur filled the air.

"That’s… Tachibana Jiro!" Asama realized. "The one from the Third War! It’s using the Akimichi Size Increase Technique!"

"A normal Size Increase couldn’t survive that. It’s still alive. It’s using hardened fur—Ninjutsu to strengthen its coat!"

Kazuma snarled. "You didn’t tell me he had that cat!"

Xidu growled. "We can’t retreat. For Nanmu. This is war."

Just then—a stench.

Hot air.

Sulfur.

Asama’s eyes widened.

"Watch out! Molten Release Beast—Uchiha Iizumi’s attacking!"

His pupils shrunk.

Red lava filled his vision.

The heat—like death itself.

"Laiying: Thousand-Hand Kill!"

Dilu roared, his chakra arms smashing into the lava—but it was just a decoy.

Too fast.

Iizumi appeared behind him—a red demon claw, a hellfire hound—

"Guanyin Form: Buddha Bell!"

The golden bell shattered.

The lava claw ripped through.

Dilu’s body exploded.

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end