NOVEL WEB Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Knowing When to Stop
Chapter 11: Knowing When to Stop
At this moment, the full attention of Jinin Akebino, Fuguki Suikazan, and Kushimaru Kuriarare was focused on Uchiha Dali, who was hidden in the darkness.
They completely disregarded Hyūga Kōji, Uzuki Sen, and the gravely injured, barely breathing Sarutobi Shio.
This oversight allowed the two to catch their breath and stay alive.
Uzuki Sen and Hyūga Kōji regrouped, their faces still filled with lingering fear and doubt. They followed the enemy's gaze toward the darkness ahead.
"Is it really him?" Uzuki Sen whispered.
"I don't see him," Hyūga Kōji replied.
Even with his Byakugan activated, he scanned the area but found nothing. This made him doubt whether his eyes were even functioning properly.
"Shio… he might not make it," Hyūga Kōji reminded her.
Uzuki Sen quickly leaped over to check on Sarutobi Shio's condition.
"You people are getting a little too reckless," Kushimaru Kuriarare suddenly said.
"If he won't show himself, we'll kill you first!"
He turned and attacked Uzuki Sen, who was about to treat Sarutobi Shio.
His long sword, Nuibari, shot out, aiming straight for her back.
"Watch out!"
Hyūga Kōji tried to intervene, but he was a step too late.
Just then, a kunai flew out from the darkness at a nearly imperceptible speed, precisely striking Nuibari.
Clang!
The long sword fell to the ground.
"There he is!!"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Jinin Akebino unleashed a Water Release technique toward the origin of the kunai.
But his Water Dragon Bullet crashed forward like a raging torrent, only to vanish into the night, leaving nothing but a few fallen trees in its wake.
"That guy is fast! Could he be…?"
Fuguki Suikazan's expression darkened as a possibility dawned on him.
Kushimaru Kuriarare's pupils contracted slightly at the realization.
He quickly retracted Nuibari by the cord attached to its hilt, scanning the surroundings warily.
"Uchiha Shisui? That guy who became famous for his exceptional Body Flicker?"
Even Jinin Akebino hesitated.
The Mist Village's forces had clashed with the Uchiha Clan multiple times, and their fear of Shisui of the Body Flicker was equal to, if not greater than, their fear of the Yellow Flash.
With injuries already hindering the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, they had to reconsider whether continuing the fight was in their best interest.
At that moment, a cold voice echoed from the darkness.
"If this fight continues, my comrades might not survive—but neither will you."
Clearly, the other party wasn't eager to engage them further either.
Realizing this, Fuguki Suikazan spoke first.
"You can leave. We won't stop you—but release our four men first."
"You two, take the wounded and go," the voice in the darkness commanded.
This time, it was directed at Hyūga Kōji and Uzuki Sen.
The two immediately obeyed, carrying the unconscious, heavily wounded Sarutobi Shio away from the battlefield.
A suffocating silence fell over the pitch-black forest.
Suddenly, the four members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen who had been trapped in Water Prison Jutsu were freed as the technique shattered.
They fell to the ground, gasping for air.
"I was nearly drowned to death…," one of them muttered.
Fuguki Suikazan, Jinin Akebino, and Kushimaru Kuriarare exhaled in relief at the sight.
"Was that really Shisui?"
"Not sure, but that guy is strong. We should retreat!"
"…"
After all, they had worked hard to earn their reputation as the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. If something happened here, it wouldn't just be about losing face—it could mean death.
Having narrowly escaped, the seven of them didn't dare linger any longer. They quickly turned and fled.
Hidden in the darkness using an advanced camouflage technique, Uchiha Dali watched them retreat. Only when he was certain they were truly gone did he finally breathe a long sigh of relief.
To be honest, if he had to fight all seven at once, he wasn't confident he could win outright.
If he pushed them too hard, a desperate battle could cost him dearly.
So, this time, he had no choice but to let them go.
After sensing the position of Hyūga Kōji and the others, Uchiha Dali turned and followed them.
---
Hyūga Kōji set down the blood-soaked, barely alive Sarutobi Shio, leaning him against a tree trunk.
Uzuki Sen rushed over, using her chakra to perform medical ninjutsu.
But no matter how much she tried, the gaping wound on Sarutobi Shio's body continued to bleed profusely.
The steady flow of crimson stained the ground, and the sight of the mangled flesh was horrifying.
Uzuki Sen's hands trembled slightly.
"Wake up, Shio!"
She tried to rouse her teammate.
But no matter how desperately she called his name, he didn't respond. His body only grew colder.
Hyūga Kōji watched as the last signs of life faded from his comrade. He knew it was too late.
His eyes dimmed with grief.
Just then, a figure landed beside them—it was Uchiha Dali.
"Sorry, I was too late," he said calmly, looking down at the now-lifeless Sarutobi Shio.
"Was that really you who saved us earlier?" Hyūga Kōji asked in shock.
"Yes."
"But… how did you do it?"
"My Byakugan didn't see you at all."
"Maybe you haven't fully unlocked its potential yet."
Uchiha Dali didn't elaborate further.
Instead, he changed the subject.
"We need to leave immediately. If those guys come back, I might not be able to protect you again."
"But Shio—"
Uzuki Sen hesitated, looking at her fallen comrade.
"The retrieval unit will handle his body," Uchiha Dali reminded her.
Hyūga Kōji, though grieving, steeled himself.
"We're still in a war. We have to survive first—only then can we avenge Shio."
Uzuki Sen burst into tears.
She had poured every ounce of her chakra into trying to save him.
But it was futile.
After struggling with her emotions, she finally accepted the harsh reality.
She wiped her tears, then lifted her gaze, now filled with determination, to Uchiha Dali.
"Our strength is far below the enemy's. If we want revenge, we have to get stronger."
Before she could say more, Uchiha Dali spoke first.
"Then follow me."