Chapter 70
Under the night sky, the dense mist blanketed the vast forest.
Visibility was extremely low, but this worked in favor of the Uchiha clan members.
The Sharingan allowed them to see much more clearly than ordinary eyes. Its ability to analyze movement enabled Uchiha ninjas to make accurate judgments even in obscured vision conditions.
Uchiha Iwa led Uchiha Mikoto through the forest, moving stealthily. They had already been separated from Uchiha Tohu, and now, Shaki's pursuit loomed over them. Although the night and the thick fog significantly impaired his vision, as long as they didn't get too far ahead, he could track them by sound and chakra presence.
As for the other Sand ninjas—the four Jōnin and six Elite Chūnin—most had split off to chase after Uchiha Tohu, while others were lost in the misty forest, trying to regroup or locate the fleeing Uchiha members.
...
"Miss, if an opportunity presents itself, you must escape alone. I will do everything I can to hold them back!" Uchiha Iwa whispered urgently as he sprinted forward, keeping his voice as low as possible. "If you get away safely, return to Konoha immediately and report this incident to the clan!"
"And that brat? That damned guy ran off on his own! Are we just going to leave him?" Uchiha Mikoto asked quickly.
"Haruto Saito... he is most likely dead already. There are too many enemies. Even we might not be able to escape, let alone him." Uchiha Iwa's face darkened further as he spoke.
It was just sheer misfortune. The original plan was to lure the Hyūga clan into hunting Haruto, exposing their hidden dealings and acquiring proof of their crimes against Konoha shinobi. That way, at least Haruto's death would serve a purpose.
But fate had played a cruel hand. The Hyūga clan never appeared, and instead, they stumbled into an elite Sand team.