"If we don't eliminate the ones tailing us, no matter how we try to escape, it's going to be a mess," said Ishiki Kujo calmly.
The other three blinked in surprise.
For someone primarily trained as a medical-nin to be the first to detect pursuers—when the team's top scouts hadn't noticed a thing—that was more than a little shocking.
"Distance?" Hyūga Tokuma was the most rattled.
Recon was his domain. His Byakugan's range extended beyond two kilometers—a feat few even among Hyūga jōnin could claim. His ocular purity had earned him early recognition in the clan.
"Just over three klicks that way." Ishiki raised a hand and pointed.
Thanks to his deepening control of Ripple and its attunement to solar energy, his sensory capabilities had grown considerably.
He wasn't sure if he'd ever reach the level of Kars, but the path forward felt open—close, even. All it needed was effort.
"The enemy's only picked up traces so far," said Inuzuka Ze, sniffing. "But their sensory reach must be exceptional. I can't get anything that far."
If he still had his ninken, he could've tracked that far. But the difference between man and beast—biological limits—remained, no matter how much Ze trained to close the gap.
"Which is why we set up an ambush and take them out. Preferably with a live capture," Ishiki said, his eyes gleaming.
This… this might be the flaw in Danzo's plan.
He must've calculated based on the average sensory range of Ze, Tokuma, and Muta—assuming Ishiki's strength lay only in medical ninjutsu and combat.
But Ishiki had range. Precision. Ripple.
"I'll go alone," he declared, and immediately created a Shadow Clone.
The other three started objecting—of course they did. They knew Ishiki was strong, but facing a whole Root squad solo? That was pushing it.
But Ishiki shook his head. "If they're sensory specialists, they'll pick up a full group coming at them. That would blow our only shot. Solo gives me the best chance."
What he didn't say: he wasn't planning to sneak up on them. He was going to teleport. Use Heavenly Transmission Jutsu (Ten Sō no Jutsu) to bypass their detection entirely. Instant insertion.
"I trust you," Ze nodded. "Just come back in one piece. I'll handle your clone."
But before Ze could form the hand seals, a rustle of clicking mandibles signaled that Muta had already produced a bug clone.
It looked almost identical to Ishiki—except its expression was stiffer, unnatural.
Ishiki nodded and dispelled his own clone.
The three and the bug clone saluted him in silence. They'd keep moving but leave marks. If Ishiki succeeded, he'd follow their trail back. And if things went wrong, a signal flare would bring them running.
"We're a team," Ze said quietly before leaving.
"Death isn't scary," Tokuma added. "But letting your comrades die while you live with regret? That shame never fades. Fire the flare if you need us."
The normally chatty Muta was brief: "You've got bugs on you."
"Then take them off," Ishiki replied seriously. "They'll be vaporized by Ten Sō no Jutsu if they stay."
Muta winced but raised a hand to recall them. "We're comrades. See you soon."
Ishiki grinned. He hadn't expected that bug-obsessed motormouth to look bashful while saying something serious.
Once the team and the clone vanished into the woods, Ishiki turned, inhaled deeply.
Flying Thunder God might be flashy, but in this scenario—Ten Sō was king.
He retrieved a large container and split off another clone.
As he stepped atop the barrel, golden Hamon surged through him, triggering Yang Release Ripple Chakra Mode.
"Yare yare da ze…"
Ten Sō no Jutsu—Heavenly Transmission!
Lightning cracked. A golden arc tore through the trees—and Ishiki vanished.
—
Far off, within the pursuing Root squad, one ninja kept his hands sealed in the Ram sign. "Target's chakra split. Shadow Clone technique."
"They're prepping an ambush?" one teammate muttered. "Didn't they just fight an Iwa squad?"
"No… they've split. One stayed behind and cloned again," the sensor-nin corrected.
"They've found us? Impossible. Are the two of you ready?"
Before the chakra-charging pair could answer, golden light exploded in their midst.
Ishiki Kujo appeared out of thin air, smiling brightly. "Look at me."
Magician's Red ignited behind him, cloaked in living flame. No hand seals. No prep. Just roaring fire unleashed all at once.
Flames spiraled into a Fiery Cross Sigil, bursting outward with searing heat.
The sensor-nin reacted first—but too late to switch jutsu. The cross exploded in his face before he could flee, flames consuming him in an instant.
His body was a silhouette in the inferno.
The second ninja, standing guard beside him, had barely slower reflexes—but fast enough.
Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!
He summoned a single dragon, hurtling it at the flames.
It clashed with the fire—but by then, the golden figure had already closed in.
No ninjutsu. No theatrics.
Just a single, featherlight palm—pressed to the man's chest.
And the masked ninja knew it was over.
The intel had been clear: "Do not let Ishiki Kujo close the distance. His medical taijutsu, enhanced by Yang Release, is akin to the Hyūga's Gentle Fist. One touch is enough to end the fight."
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New translation : Naruto: I Can Use Corpse Release !
Give power stones to that new story if you want bonus chapter in all current translated fanfics !
300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter