Chapter 36

As Akihiro crept closer to the battlefield where the echoes of the battle reverberated. Taking shelter behind a large rock, he watched the chaos unfold. Before him were five Chunin of the ruthless Hagoromo clan, playing with two tired Chunin of the Senju clan, behind them a wounded Genin clutched his injured shoulder, a victim of the relentless attack.

Remembering the Hagoromo clan's reputation for its ruthless nature, Akihiro's gaze focused on the familiar Genin. With cream-colored hair and an X-shaped scar on his cheek, his resemblance to Tobirama was uncanny. Remembering that Hashirama and Tobirama had two more brothers, Akihiro deduced that this Genin must be one of them.

As Hagoromo Chunin mercilessly mocked the Senju defenders, one of them sneered, "Come on, let's fight more! Don't you see that your friend is dying?" Laughter erupted from the spectators as the assault continued. The Chunin of the Senju clan, exhausted and overwhelmed, could barely stand.

The Hagoromo Chunin, sensing victory, decided to end the farce. One of them sneered: "Since you can't continue anymore, it's better to send you all to the other side." He prepared to unleash a deadly barrage of kunai aimed at the heads of the defeated Senju ninja.

In that terrible moment, a single shuriken emerged from the shadows, expertly deflecting each kunai with pinpoint precision. All eyes were drawn to a 14-year-old boy with striking red eyes emerging from the darkness. Recognizing his identity, the Hagoromo Chunin were surprised to see the captain of their group intervene.

The protagonist, with his penetrating gaze, declared: "Leave it to me. I'll finish them off." The Hagoromo Chunin, although tempted to protest, remembered the previous show of force and reluctantly stepped aside. The protagonist positioned himself in front of the battered Senju ninjas, preparing to deliver the final blow.

However, in a treacherous twist, a Hagoromo Chunin with a cruel smile lunged forward and stabbed the protagonist in the back, aiming for his heart. The chunin achieved his sinister goal, a victorious smile playing on his lips. Gloating, he declared, "You shouldn't have stolen our prey, brat." His accomplice, smiling knowingly, commented: "Well, that was too easy. It wasn't such a big deal, after all."

The air was charged with tension while Akihiro lying on the ground remained completely still.