Chapter 40: What Do You Think You Are?
Faced with the questioning from the burly Cloud Village ninja under the tree, Uchiha Dali didn't rush to answer.
His gaze calmly swept across the surroundings, taking in the sight of the subdued Konoha ninja.
Since he had just used the advanced version of the Flying Thunder God Technique to travel from the distant northwestern battlefield to this location, the time elapsed was brief.
So, he hadn't heard what had transpired here earlier.
Still, there were clues to piece together the situation.
Among the five captured Konoha ninja, two, judging by their attire and distinctive white eyes, were clearly elite members of the Hyuga Clan.
As for the other three, they were likely civilian-born ninja, but they were all wearing jonin vests.
"You've gathered quite a crowd. That's honestly a little intimidating."
He then turned his gaze back to the burly man under the tree.
"You seem to be their leader. How about we make a deal?"
Hearing this, the burly man introduced himself.
"I am the Fourth Raikage of the Cloud Village. Kid, you think you're qualified to negotiate with us?"
The Fourth Raikage sneered, convinced that this brat had lost his mind.
"Oh? So, you're the Fourth Raikage?"
Uchiha Dali studied him with newfound curiosity.
People in reality always looked somewhat different from how they appeared in films and television.
Although he had guessed the man's identity upon first seeing him, he hadn't been completely certain. Now, after confirming it, his gaze shifted to Killer Bee.
"If this burly guy is the Fourth Raikage, then that dark-skinned guy carrying multiple ninja swords must be the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee…"
He thought to himself.
Ignoring the Fourth Raikage's mocking skepticism, he continued speaking nonchalantly.
"Release those five, and I'll take their place as your hostage. How about that?"
He gestured toward the captured Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Hizashi, Raimei Daigo, Higashimura Hiba, and Watanabe Daie.
Hearing his words, not only were the Cloud ninja taken aback, but they also burst into laughter.
Even Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Hizashi, and the other three Konoha jonin thought Uchiha Dali must have gone insane.
They scrutinized him with uncertainty, unable to recognize his identity immediately.
All they could tell was that this young man was far too confident.
Sure enough, a towering Cloud ninja beside the Fourth Raikage chuckled.
"Kid, what do you think you are? Trade you alone for five of them?"
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Uchiha Dali."
"Uchiha Dali? Never heard of you."
"Wait a minute… Could he be…?"
"Ah, I think it's him! The one who crushed the Mist Village forces on the front lines—the man the enemy calls someone who surpasses Shisui of the Body Flicker!"
The Cloud ninja initially dismissed his name, but their expressions subtly changed as realization dawned.
Clearly, his reputation from other battlefields had spread here as well.
"He's the one they call 'The Man Who Surpassed Shisui of the Body Flicker'?"
Killer Bee curiously examined Uchiha Dali.
The surrounding Cloud ninja all looked tense, as if facing a formidable foe.
Even the Fourth Raikage clenched his fists, his eyes fixed warily on Uchiha Dali's every move.
A warrior renowned for his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique and responsible for devastating enemy troops—no matter how unassuming he appeared, he had to be taken seriously.
Otherwise, their forces might suffer the same fate.
"Well then, doesn't that make the deal worthwhile?"
Uchiha Dali smiled calmly, glancing at Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Hizashi, and the others.
At this moment, the Konoha ninja were also observing him.
Their eyes reflected the same shock and curiosity as the Cloud ninja.
After all, he was a rising star.
Though his fame had spread, he wasn't yet at the level of the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze, or Shisui of the Body Flicker.
There were still many ninja, both friend and foe, who had never seen him in person.
So, their curiosity was understandable.
"Enough jokes. You're just one person—you don't have the clout or the ability to make us accept your terms."
"A, Bee, take him down. With the hostages we already have, we hold enough bargaining power against Konoha."
"Two elite Hyuga and a genius from the Uchiha Clan—strong warriors from two of Konoha's most prestigious families are in our hands. The Fire Country and Konoha won't be able to refuse our demands."
Before the Fourth Raikage or anyone else could respond, a Cloud ninja named Dodai had already spoken up.
The Fourth Raikage, who had never intended to accept Uchiha Dali's proposal, immediately followed with a stern declaration.
"You heard him. Now, will you let us bind you obediently, or should I beat you into submission first?"
"Our first meeting, and we're already giving each other the worst impressions…"
Uchiha Dali sighed, shaking his head in disappointment.
"Enough talk! If you won't make a choice, I'll make it for you. I think I'll beat you to a pulp first to teach you some manners!!"
With a thunderous roar, the Fourth Raikage leaped forward.
At the same moment, his entire body erupted with Lightning Release chakra.
With a sudden acceleration, he shot through the air. In an instant, he appeared behind Uchiha Dali.
"Don't move."
Uchiha Dali pulled out a kunai, gripping it in reverse so the sharp tip was pointed directly behind him.
His timing and angle were precise—the blade was aimed exactly at the Fourth Raikage's heart.
If his opponent punched forward, his body would inevitably lean slightly, causing his heart to be impaled by the kunai.
Momentarily startled by Uchiha Dali's calm voice, the Fourth Raikage thought his opponent had some hidden technique ready to counterattack.
But when he glanced down, all he saw was an ordinary kunai.
Without hesitation, he completely ignored the warning and threw a powerful punch.
He intended to rely on his Lightning Release Chakra Mode's enhanced durability to overpower his opponent with brute force.
Just as his fist was about to strike Uchiha Dali's head—
In a split second, Uchiha Dali's figure vanished.
The Fourth Raikage's full-force punch hit nothing but air.
Unable to retract his momentum, he stumbled forward at a steep thirty-degree angle.
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