Three shadows leapt from the trees, landing around Gin, forming a triangular stance around him.
This formation was typically for protection or...
For ambushing someone.
Gin quickly surveyed the three figures, dressed in dark grey ninja attire with peculiar white masks, similar to those of the ANBU.
The only distinguishing feature was their hair color.
A tall man with orange hair, a slim woman with long black hair, and another man with short black hair.
Seeing them, Gin already had his kunai out, warily watching the trio.
Confronting him in the Forest of Death, they certainly weren't here for good.
"Uchiha Gin, by order of the Hokage, come with us."
The orange-haired man spoke with a commanding tone.
"I don't think the Hokage would summon me so sneakily."
Gin didn't believe them. Even if Hiruzen wanted to see him, why not have Jiraiya relay the message?
Despite any ideological differences, Hiruzen and Jiraiya still trusted each other.
So these people were unlikely to be Hiruzen's.
The only one who could command those dressed like the ANBU was the hidden shadow of Konoha, Shimura Danzo.
Seeing Gin ready to fight, the orange-haired man sternly questioned him.
"Do you intend to defy the Hokage's orders?"
Gin was about to reply when he saw a black dot flying toward him. He quickly used Shunshin to disappear, landing on another tree.
He squinted, scanning the branches around him.
The three stood on surrounding branches, encircling him again.
The black-haired woman praised him.
"Impressive taijutsu."
Such a fast-moving taijutsu was much quicker than the Body Flicker Technique.
If it weren't for their own exceptional abilities, they wouldn't have kept up with him.
"Attacking mid-conversation is not the ANBU's style."
Gin spoke, eyes searching for an escape route.
The orange-haired man sternly questioned him again.
"Do you plan to defect, Uchiha Gin?"
Such a heavy accusation.
Gin scoffed.
If the outside wasn't more chaotic than the village, he would have left long ago. Did they think he was brainwashed by the Will of Fire?
But he couldn't say that.
Especially not in front of Danzo's subordinates.
He chuckled softly, looking at the orange-haired man.
"Attacking fellow villagers without cause? Looks like you're the ones planning to defect."
"Have the guts to reveal your names, and I'll see the Hokage myself tomorrow."
The orange-haired man didn't reply, realizing it wouldn't be easy to take Gin.
They would have to use force.
He signaled with his hands, indicating they should knock him out directly.
The man with short black hair spread his arms, releasing countless black dots from his sleeves, forming a writhing mass of bugs.
From the Aburame clan.
The bugs quickly converged, forming a sea of insects moving toward Gin.
Gin jumped to the top of the tall tree, avoiding the black mass below.
The next moment, the woman appeared before him, hands forming quick seals.
"Water Release: Water Blade Jutsu!"
Water swirled around her kunai.
Gin, with no ground beneath his feet, couldn't use Shunshin. He had to face her head-on.
His right hand's kunai blocked the water-covered kunai, while his left aimed for her temple. If she didn't retreat, his kunai would pierce her temple.
The woman didn't retreat, accelerating her kunai.
Silent, her kunai sliced through Gin's, but his left kunai reached her temple.
Continuing would injure him but kill her.
The insect sea spiraled upward, too slow to save her.
The kunai pierced her temple, but water sprayed out as her body turned to liquid.
"Water Clone!"
Her delay allowed the insect sea to reach Gin.
Still mid-air.
"Got him."
Seeing the branch covered in insects, the short-haired man was nonchalant.
Gin had lost.
But Gin disagreed. Forming quick seals, he inhaled deeply and exhaled with force.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The fireball exploded, creating an updraft that carried Gin higher, landing on another branch.
The woman reappeared, mirroring his position.
Gin drew another kunai.
No words were exchanged; they clashed immediately.
Their taijutsu was evenly matched.
"Impressive, Uchiha genius. Even without Sharingan, you're this strong."
She praised while fighting, contrasting Gin's full focus.
Gin had no time for praise. His kunai was cut again by her water blade.
The insects swarmed again.
Gin couldn't prolong the fight. He used Shunshin to jump to another tree.
But the woman followed relentlessly.
Gin noticed her chakra was sealed, making it impossible to steal.
He suspected the Curse of Hatred Technique.
"You're not escaping."
She smiled, continuing their fight.
Gin saw the orange-haired man closing in, maintaining a seal.
He waited for an opportunity.
"Yamanaka clan! Troublesome."
Gin let himself fall.
The insects swarmed, but Gin shot a wire from his sleeve, swinging to another tree.
He had no intention of continuing the fight.
From their brief encounter, he knew the Yamanaka's strength was unknown, but the other two were too much for him.
Two insect clones emerged from the insect sea.
Using the insects as a platform, they rushed at Gin.
Gin threw a handful of shuriken, which collided mid-air, changing direction toward the clones.
But insect shields emerged, blocking the shuriken, which were devoured.
Blocking the clones' view momentarily.
Gin pointed behind him.
"Rei Gun! Double Shot!"
Two spirit bullets became thin beams, piercing the clones' foreheads, disintegrating them into insects.
Gin reached the tree, using Shunshin to disappear from sight.
The short-haired man turned to the side.
Gin hid behind a leafless tree, unable to conceal himself.
But he underestimated them.
Seeing their synchronized movements through his kunai's reflection, he used Shunshin to escape.
While fleeing, his face healed, shedding dried insect corpses.
"Where are you running to?"
The woman blocked him again.
Gin stopped, panting against the tree. Continuous use of Shunshin and Rei Gun had drained him.
Looking at her, he was incredulous.
Did she know Flying Thunder God?
She intercepted him every time.
The orange-haired and black-haired men approached.
The ground was a sea of insects, with countless flying above.
"No way out."
Gin gritted his teeth.
"Where's Orochimaru?"
If he delayed, he would be taken to Root.
Who knew what would happen there? Nothing good.
Danzo wouldn't treat him well.
No Sharingan, but still an Uchiha.
Gin couldn't understand why Danzo targeted him, not those with Sharingan.
Did Danzo foresee his future threat?
"You're trapped, little boy." She taunted.
Gin steadied his breath, glaring at her.
"Hope you say that in bed!"
Black hair was his type.
"If you survive, I'd love to." She laughed.
She doubted he would leave Root unharmed.
"Forget it." Gin retorted.
"With that mask, you're probably ugly. I'd puke."
Her smile vanished. No woman tolerated being called ugly.
"Seems you need some respect."
Gin's disdainful smile infuriated her more.
She was about to retort.
Gin jumped into the insect sea!
(End of Chapter)