Watching Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara gradually walk away, Hanare's forehead began to bead with fine sweat.
Just moments ago, when she heard Naruto say he was a student at the ninja academy, she had instinctively used her secret technique to probe his memories.
But the moment she looked, she almost screamed on the spot.
These boys who looked so young…
were actually the sons of Yuzuru Uchiha!
The instant she saw that memory, she immediately cut off her secret technique.
After all, if she were discovered gathering intelligence, the worst that could happen was that she herself would be killed.
But if anyone found out she had used her abilities on Yuzuru's children…
it wouldn't just be her. The entire Land of Rice Fields might suffer complete destruction.
"Even if they are Yuzuru's children, if they haven't graduated from the ninja academy yet, they probably wouldn't notice anything."
"I can't be this reckless next time."
Originally, in Hanare's plan, she intended to deliberately reveal a few flaws while gathering information so that Konoha's ninja would notice her.
As long as someone came to interrogate her, she was confident she could use her secret technique to read their memories and obtain the intelligence she needed.
But now that was impossible.
No matter what, she absolutely did not dare lay a hand on anyone connected to Yuzuru.
After thinking with a furrowed brow for a long time, Hanare slowly returned backstage.
The sudden change of circumstances made her mood heavy and even affected her performance that night.
Fortunately, it was her first time performing in Konoha, so the audience didn't notice anything unusual.
When the concert ended smoothly, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Hanare was sitting backstage in her performance outfit, preparing to tidy up and return to rest when Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara suddenly barged in.
Her expression stiffened, and she hurriedly stood up, asking the three who rushed in,
"Naruto, why did you come here?"
Naruto grinned and pulled out a poster.
"Sister Hanare, we want your autograph."
"You sang so well. You'll definitely become a superstar known by every household in the future."
"I see…" Hanare's expression returned to normal as she took the poster and pen from Naruto.
But the moment she began signing it—
Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara suddenly attacked.
"Now!"
Naruto, the closest to her, made the first move, reaching out to grab both of her hands.
Sasuke leapt into the air, raising his right leg and smashing it down.
Gaara opened the small gourd at his waist, and a large amount of sand immediately surged toward Hanare.
Although the three had launched their attack suddenly, Hanare seemed prepared. In an instant, she used the Body Flicker Technique to create distance.
"So they really noticed…"
Hanare felt a heavy knot in her chest.
She couldn't understand it. Her secret technique had always been extremely discreet and had never been detected before. How could three kids who hadn't even graduated from the ninja academy notice it?
But now wasn't the time to think about that.
Since she had already been exposed, no matter how unwilling she was, she could only choose to escape.
Fortunately, judging from the situation, these three kids seemed to have kept the information to themselves for some reason.
Thinking of this, Hanare immediately prepared to rush outside.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
White smoke rose as dozens of shadow clones instantly surrounded every exit of the backstage area.
At the same time, Naruto's eyes turned crimson—the two-tomoe Sharingan spinning within them.
The shadow clones shouted as they charged at Hanare. Left with no choice, she formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A violent gust erupted indoors, instantly blowing the charging shadow clones into disarray.
Seeing this, Sasuke snorted coldly, his black eyes likewise turning crimson as the two-tomoe Sharingan appeared.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Boom!
A massive, blazing fireball exploded inside the room, sending out a scorching wave of heat.
All the windows shattered instantly, producing a deafening crash.
"So strong…"
Hanare couldn't help but gasp in shock.
The power Naruto and the others displayed had already exceeded her expectations.
She had thought escaping would be easy, but now she couldn't help growing anxious.
"Hmph! Your strength is nothing special. Watch as we throw you straight into prison today!"
"That's right. You're unlucky to run into us."
Naruto and Sasuke had already rushed in front of Hanare, and the three of them fell into a chaotic melee.
Under the pressure of two pairs of Sharingan, Hanare felt immense strain.
To her surprise, even in pure taijutsu, she couldn't match Naruto and Sasuke.
"As expected of Yuzuru's sons. Every one of them is so strong."
"If I keep holding back, those three brats might actually capture me today."
With that thought, Hanare began forming hand seals.
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"
Wind Release was invisible and extremely sharp, often catching opponents off guard in battle.
But against Naruto and the others, who possessed the Sharingan, it was somewhat lacking.
Naruto and Sasuke simply twisted and flipped their bodies a few times, effortlessly dodging all her attacks.
Gaara didn't even move.
A pile of sand automatically rose in front of him, blocking every strike.
"It seems that's all the strength you have. In that case, this battle ends here."
Sasuke snorted, his eyes full of disdain.
"Chidori!"
The chirping cry of a thousand birds echoed out.
Sasuke shot toward Hanare like an arrow released from a bow.
"Too fast…"
Hanare only saw a flash of blue light before Sasuke had already reached her.
His timing was perfect. She had no chance to dodge.
Just as a chill of death gripped her heart—
endless yellow sand suddenly rose in front of her.
Thud!
With a dull sound, a pale hand pierced through the sand and stopped less than a foot from her chest.
"Gulp…"
Having barely escaped death, Hanare collapsed onto the ground in a daze.
If the sand hadn't blocked the attack, she would already be a corpse.
They could skillfully use powerful ninjutsu.
In battle they fought like seasoned veterans, with perfect timing and coordination…
Were these three really just kids who hadn't even graduated from the ninja academy?
As the sand dispersed, Sasuke looked at Gaara with irritation.
"Gaara, why did you stop me?"
Gaara spoke softly in explanation.
"I think we shouldn't kill her before we figure out her identity and purpose."
Naruto nodded in agreement.
"I agree with Gaara."
Seeing this, Sasuke shoved his hands back into his pockets and said coldly,
"Do whatever you want. I've already lost interest in weaklings like her."
---------------
Want more chapters? 50+ extra chapters are available on my Patreon:
patreon.com/Hard_Worker