Under the guidance of Biwa Jūzō and Hōzuki Suikazan, Takayama Haru and his group quickly arrived at a cave.
Suikazan bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Takayama, we searched thoroughly and finally found this place."
He had overheard Haru's conversations along the way and finally realized his true identity—leaving him deeply shocked.
Even Haru's name had undergone a complete transformation.
The Senju clan… They were legendary in the shinobi world.
As the last heir of the bloodline, Takayama Haru deserved nothing but reverence.
"I've said it a thousand times already—I'm not a Senju!"
Damn it, no one even uses that surname anymore. The Second Hokage still bore it, but by the time of the Third, even Tsunade and Nawaki had dropped the name.
With the dissolution of the Senju clan, their policy had shifted—severing ties with the clan name and blending into the greater Konoha community.
That was how the Senju had once blocked Mu Xiu from venturing deeper into the forest. But in the end, even they couldn't escape the clutches of that dark hand.
"Yes, Lord Haru. This cave is shrouded in thick mist—it's clearly the work of a Hidden Mist technique. The target is likely inside."
Haru nodded. "Once you find Terumi, you're free to leave."
"Thank you, Lord Haru!"
Suikazan and Jūzō led the way deeper into the cave. Haru followed closely behind, curiosity on his face. "Can't you dispel this Hidden Mist jutsu?"
Suikazan looked a bit embarrassed. "Lord Haru, it's actually quite simple to break the technique. Wind or Fire Release would do it. But, uh… Mist ninja generally don't train in those styles."
He thought to himself grimly—the ones who did… are already dead.
Uchiha Mikoto stood up immediately. "I'll do it. I've got fire."
Everyone cleared the way.
"Katon: Kōka no—"
Before she could finish the technique, kunai suddenly came flying out from the cave.
"Watch out!"
Haru quickly pulled Mikoto close, and thick tree roots surged from the ground to intercept the kunai.
Mikoto blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry… my jutsu was too slow."
"It's fine. You guys wait here."
Haru glanced toward Jūzō and Suikazan. "You two go on ahead."
The two elite Mist Jonin exchanged glances, sighed, and ventured deeper into the cave.
As the Mist's finest, they soon located Terumi and her bodyguard, Ao.
Without delay, they apprehended them.
The burly Suikazan grabbed Terumi with one arm and grinned. "Got her, Lord Haru!"
Terumi, wearing an elegant blue dress, stared in horror.
"What are you going to do with me?" she demanded.
Haru was clearly no ordinary ninja. He had to come from one of the great families of the Mist Village—cast out by political conflict, perhaps.
As the tension eased, Terumi suddenly leaned in and blew a kiss—right into Suikazan's face.
"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!"
A thick, acidic steam blasted across his face!
"AAAAARGH!"
Suikazan howled. "You'll pay for that!"
Just as he raised his blade to strike her down, Haru intervened.
Lightning surged from Haru's hand—birds chirped wildly in the electric glow, turning everyone's faces pale.
Even Kakashi's eyes nearly popped from his skull.
That was Chidori—his original technique!
"When… did Master Haru learn this? Is he a genius?"
It even looks more refined than mine…
In that instant, Haru's image in Kakashi's heart towered like a giant.
Suikazan stared in disbelief at Haru's glowing hand.
"L-Lord Haru…"
Before he could finish speaking, his eyes widened.
He felt his body lift from the ground.
His headless body collapsed to the floor—blood spurting from the neck like a fountain.
"AAAHHH!"
It was too gruesome.
Mikoto, Rin, Guy's whole squad, and the three students who had just regained consciousness all screamed.
None of them had ever witnessed such brutality.
Even during this mission, no one had died—until now.
The three kids who had just woken up fainted all over again.
Even Guy and his team couldn't hold back their vomiting.
Kakashi and Obito swallowed hard, a bit queasy—but they'd seen enough to handle it.
Terumi stood frozen in fear, and Haru carried her gently in his arms.
Mikoto was astonished at Kakashi and Obito's calm.
She looked closer—Obito's Sharingan had activated.
She realized she'd been so focused on Haru that she hadn't even noticed—Obito was Uchiha.
And he had awakened the Sharingan.
A prodigy?
Her heart fluttered.
Just as she was about to ask, Sakura said, "Kakashi, Obito, Rin—the rest is up to you."
"What?! Let the students fight a Jonin?"
Mikoto turned just in time to see Biwa Jūzō bound again like a rice dumpling.
He shouted in fear, "Haru! You're from the Senju—how could you be so untrustworthy?!"
Green—his comrade—looked totally confused.
Black turns on black?
Haru patted Terumi on the head and shrugged. "I told you—I won't kill you. Kakashi, Obito, Rin, go."
"Yes, sensei!"
Rin huffed and stood up, pale but determined. The bloodshed had shaken her—but she refused to fall behind Kakashi and Obito.
"Haaah!"
Rin let out a battle cry and hurled a barrage of kunai and shuriken.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
Jūzō howled in agony—his face was riddled with blades.
"Nice one, Rin!"
Obito was impressed—only to get kicked in the butt by Haru.
"Less talk, more action!"
Kakashi was already forming hand signs. He gripped his right wrist with his left hand—lightning bursting from his palm.
Mikoto's eyes widened. That move—Haru had passed it on to Kakashi?
Such terrifying chakra…
Jūzō was covered in blades, his eyes wide in terror. He struggled but couldn't break free—the vines held him tightly.
"Stay back! I'll kill you—"
Before he could finish, Kakashi flashed forward with a blur of movement.
Swoosh!
Blood sprayed everywhere!
Kakashi's body slammed into Jūzō's, driving a blade into his gut.
Jūzō looked down in horror—his waist had snapped.
Kakashi was still young—he lacked the height to strike cleanly—but still, he'd made it work.
"AHHH!"
Next, Obito roared and leapt, stabbing his kunai toward Jūzō's heart.
The Jonin's face twisted with disbelief—his life extinguished.
Mikoto and Terumi were stunned.
This didn't feel like a rookie squad.
They were far too composed—even more so than some Chunin.
Haru stroked Terumi's head with a smile. "Nice work."
Terumi frowned, looking him over.
"Don't blow on me, or I'll tie you up," he teased.
The little girl shivered and puffed up. "Who do you think you are?!"
"The guy who saved you. We're from Konoha."
Ao stood up, scowling. "You're Leaf ninja? Why did you capture us then?"
"Ask the Hokage when we return."
Haru smiled and began leading them out.
Along the way, Mikoto was amazed—Kakashi was White Fang's son? No wonder he was so strong.
And Obito… such a talented Uchiha, buried in obscurity, unknown even to his family?
"Obito, come with me. When we get back, I'll introduce you to the clan head."
Obito's eyes lit up. "Okay, Mikoto-nee!"
He was thrilled—recognized at last, finally worthy of acknowledgment.
He was no longer a nobody.
He looked at Haru, full of gratitude.
Even if Haru-sensei was rough, this intensity had helped him awaken his Sharingan.
They chatted and laughed as they returned to Thousand-Meter Bridge.
By then, the mist had cleared—the other side of the bridge was in plain view.
"Once we cross, we're back in the Land of Fire."
"We made it!"
"Let's go!"
Everyone smiled in relief.
The road had been long and dangerous—but they were finally safe.
As they reached the center of the bridge, Haru suddenly stopped.
Everyone looked at him, puzzled.
Mikoto asked, "What is it?"
Terumi grew alert. "Lord Haru, is there danger?"
In Haru's mind, the system suddenly returned.
Ding! Based on the current situation, you have three choices:
Option 1: Be a coward, abandon everyone, and flee. Reward: Secret Technique – "Earth Grudge."
Option 2: Escape with Terumi alone, abandoning everyone else. Reward: Kekkei Genkai – Sharingan.
Option 3: Learn from the Second Hokage's spirit. Abandon cowardice, and save Konoha's future. Reward: S-Rank Instance – "Second Hokage's Will of Fire Defense!"
The Third Mizukage… where is he hiding?
Haru looked around.
Suddenly, the bridge shook violently.
From beneath, monstrous sound erupted—and countless columns of water shot into the sky!
"Water Release!"
"AAAHHH!"
Everyone except Haru hit the deck—some even collapsed outright.
They were terrified.
The three little kids from earlier screamed and sobbed again.
Obito almost cried too.
Rin and Terumi clung to Haru's pants.
Even Mikoto and Terumi were trembling.
Haru looked up.
At the far end of the bridge, a figure stood.
He had long hair, wore the Mizukage's cloak, and kept his eyes shut.
The Third Mizukage had arrived.