Surrounded on all sides, Chiba did not retreat.
He advanced.
His Sharingan had already locked onto the true culprits.
Lightning burst along the edge of his blade.
Crackle—
In the depths of that dark detention block, such light had likely never shone before.
But it was not salvation.
It was judgment.
The three tomoe spun rapidly.
Every incoming strike—every kunai, every blade, every jutsu—became crystal clear within his vision.
To him, the storm of attacks seemed slowed… deliberate… almost predictable.
He moved through them like a streak of pale lightning, weaving past blades and techniques without pause.
Then—
"Lightning Release…"
"False Darkness Blade."
His sword thrust forward.
The first target froze as the blade pierced straight through his throat.
Electricity surged violently.
The impact detonated outward, hurling the man backward in a burst of sparks.
He collapsed without another sound.
"First."
Chiba turned.
The lightning blade carved through the air again.
The second target staggered as the strike pierced his chest.
Lightning erupted across the wound, blasting him off his feet.
"Second."
The detention hall descended into chaos.
Even hardened operatives recoiled at the ferocity of the assault.
"Is he even human?" someone whispered.
In the far corner, the Kirigakure woman felt the first real tremor of fear.
"Kill him!"
The remaining ANBU rallied, pressing in from all sides.
A sword slashed toward Chiba's back—
Clang!
He deflected it without even turning, lightning flashing at the point of impact.
In the same motion, he pivoted—
His Sharingan flared.
For a fraction of a heartbeat, the attacker faltered within the illusion.
That single heartbeat was enough.
Chiba's blade swept upward.
The man's weapon arm was severed instantly.
Lightning arced violently through his body.
He collapsed, overwhelmed by the shock.
"Third."
Chiba was not untouched.
Cuts marked his shoulders and side.
Blood darkened his clothing.
But he did not slow.
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter!"
Blades of air tore toward him.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Technique!"
Flames surged forward, colliding with the wind and spreading in all directions.
The corridor filled with smoke and searing light.
Cries echoed—
ANBU scrambling.
Prisoners shouting.
The Kirigakure spy backed away from the heat, panic flashing across her face.
Chiba pressed forward.
Lightning.
Fire.
Steel.
The power he had honed for years erupted without restraint.
"Fourth."
"Fifth."
Two more bodies fell.
Only one of the original conspirators remained.
The man broke.
He turned and fled.
Chiba leapt upward, hands forming seals midair.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
A spear of lightning tore through the corridor, striking the fleeing figure and dropping him in a surge of crackling light.
The seven involved in the ambush were down.
But more ANBU had already surrounded him.
Reinforcements were arriving.
Chiba had no intention of fleeing.
Instead, he turned toward the shattered cell.
The bars collapsed aside.
In a blink, he stood before the Kirigakure woman.
Her composure had completely vanished.
"Please—don't kill me—"
"I was forced into this—"
Chiba's eyes were cold.
"Everyone has a reason."
"Yours does not concern me."
The lightning blade flashed once more.
She fell.
Electric current dispersed across the stone floor.
Ding.
[You have helped the Kirigakure spy find release. Merit +60.]
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