Konoha Life: The System Forced Me, an Innocent Soul, onto a Dark Path

"Muto, you know it as well as I do!"

"Your strength doesn't match mine, and in this thick fog, your insects are practically useless! Going back now would be nothing but suicide. Worse, you'd just be a burden to Tetsuya and Sensei Shin!"

Mikoto's gaze locked onto her teammate. Her Sharingan flared crimson, carrying an intensity that was impossible to ignore.

"I know, Mikoto. I know!" Muto replied, voice trembling with the weight of her resolve. "But I have to go. I can't just stand here and watch Tetsuya and Sensei Shin die without doing anything! Since joining Team 13, I've never asked anyone for help. But now—I'm begging you, please let me go."

Mikoto's Sharingan remained focused on him, unwavering and unrelenting. Muto knew he had little chance against an Uchiha, let alone one as skilled as Mikoto, but he stood his ground, head bowed in defiance.

"Mikoto, please…"

There was a moment of silence. Then, Mikoto sighed, lowering her gaze. "Muto," she said softly, "I understand your resolve. So, I'll go with every bit of determination that you have, too."

Her expression hardened as she continued, "But this is pointless! You know I hate using these cursed eyes on my comrades."

At her words, Muto's resistance faltered. He lowered his hands, defeat settling over him like a heavy blanket. He whispered, almost inaudibly, "Mikoto… Tetsuya… Sensei Shin… You must survive. Please."

As Muto turned and disappeared into the mist, Mikoto's slender figure vanished, following the call of battle into the fog.

---

The battle between Tetsuya, Shin, and the Mist shinobi reached a desperate lull. Facing the combined might of four Jonin, Shin's chakra reserves were finally depleted. He collapsed under a relentless barrage of Water Release techniques, beaten and bloodied, his strength all but spent.

The Mist Jonin prepared to deliver a final, fatal blow when Tetsuya, emerging victorious over the Chunin, dashed forward, narrowly saving Shin from certain death.

"Cough… Tetsuya, leave me," Shin rasped, voice faint. "With me slowing you down, there's no way you'll escape."

"There are a few explosive tags in my pack. Use them... It's all I can give you now."

His voice weakened with every word, his pupils slowly dilating. Yet, even in the face of death, Shin's focus remained on his students, on his team, thinking of them until the end. There was a lingering regret, yes, but no trace of fear.

"Sensei Shin, enough!" Tetsuya urged, trying to inject his mentor with hope. "You're forgetting Aunt Koiko! What would she do if you didn't make it back?"

He leaned closer, his voice firm and steady. "Do you really want her to live in pain forever? Sensei, open your eyes. We're not out of options yet."

A glimmer of determination flickered in Shin's eyes as he held on, but his wounds were too deep; he finally slumped into unconsciousness. Feeling the weight of his teacher's body on his shoulder, Tetsuya's expression darkened with resolve.

If he were to die here, perhaps Jiraiya, Shin, and even Mikoto would extend a hand of protection to his clan, the Fujiwara, Tanaka, and Uesugi.

"Water Release: Water Clone Technique."

A clone materialized at Tetsuya's side, taking Shin's form and beginning the trek toward their ship. Tetsuya trusted Muto and Mikoto—they'd come back for them when things were at their worst. If they could reach the boat in time, Shin might still have a chance at survival.

But as for Tetsuya himself… he allowed his water clone, now disguised as Shin, to carry the real Shin toward the sea as he darted north alone.

---

The dense fog hung heavily over the battlefield as Mikoto's slim silhouette moved swiftly through the forest, darting between trees with practiced precision. After several minutes, she finally crossed paths with Tetsuya's clone and the unconscious Shin.

Her crimson eyes widened briefly in recognition before her Sharingan zeroed in on the clone's chakra pattern. She didn't say a word. Without hesitation, she sprinted onward into the forest, her expression set.

Further ahead, Tetsuya was trapped in a brutal standoff against four Jonin. Pushed to his limits, he barely evaded death multiple times, each encounter taking more of his strength.

The water clone that had taken on Shin's form met its end with a thunderous blow, dispersing into a cloud of mist. The Mist Jonin realized in an instant—they'd been tricked. And in their frustration, their bloodlust only grew.

"Cough!"

With a sickening crunch, Tetsuya was struck hard in the chest by one of the Jonin, his ribs splintering under the force. He was flung into a muddy hollow, body bruised and broken.

"Why aren't you running, kid?" sneered one of the Jonin as the four advanced, each step punctuated by murderous intent. "Looks like your time is up."

Standing over him, they didn't make any move to attack, waiting instead to savor the final, inevitable moment.

═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═

patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator

🥰 Support the translation and help me grow.🤓

Read upto 20 Extra chapter in Patreon