Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

Everything happened too fast.

It wasn't until Uchiha Haruki had killed Yamamoto Kenichi that the Iwagakure chunin and genin in the area finally snapped out of their shock.

As their cries rang out, Haruki released Kenichi's wrist and let the corpse slump to the ground.

Then, with eyes blood-red like a demon, Haruki slowly turned his gaze on the remaining Iwa shinobi.

Instantly, the cries ceased.

Everyone his eyes swept across instinctively took a step back.

Haruki knew the timing was perfect. All it would take was one final push—and this group would collapse into full retreat.

That kind of rout would trigger a wider panic, spreading chaos across the battlefield.

In the ensuing confusion, Haruki could pick off more enemies, cause massive casualties, and ultimately force Rōshi—the Four-Tails' jinchūriki—to retreat and reinforce.

Once that happened, Haruki's goal would be achieved.

With that thought, he stopped hesitating. His figure flashed, and he appeared before an Iwa chunin.

Before the man could react, Haruki activated his Sharingan and unleashed a genjutsu-based hypnosis technique, freezing the target in place.

Swish—!

The short sword in Haruki's hand pierced forward. A sharp splurt echoed as the blade stabbed through the man's heart.

Eyes widening in disbelief, the Iwa ninja broke free of the illusion—but it was already too late.

He was dead.

Shlick—

Haruki pulled out his blade without delay, scanned the area, and lunged toward the next one.

The same technique—hypnotize, then kill. Clean, precise, and efficient.

The entire process didn't even take a second.

Another enemy collapsed, lifeless.

Seeing this, the surrounding Iwa shinobi were completely stunned.

Haruki didn't even spare them a glance.

He withdrew his sword and charged at a third target.

Same method.

Same execution.

Another one fell.

It was like a butcher's assembly line—cold, efficient, and utterly terrifying.

At that moment, someone suddenly screamed, "Run!"

It was like a spell had been broken.

All the Iwa shinobi snapped out of their stupor, their faces filled with terror.

Without hesitation, they scattered in every direction like startled birds.

Haruki didn't chase them right away.

His goal wasn't slaughter for slaughter's sake—it was strategic disruption.

He waited a few seconds, then turned and gave chase in the direction of the mountaintop.

Coincidentally, most of the panicked Iwa shinobi had fled that way—which suited Haruki perfectly.

"Ahhh!"

Deeper in the forest, another scream rang out from behind.

The Iwa shinobi running ahead knew what had happened—another comrade had died.

But no one dared to stop, let alone look back.

They knew all too well—hesitation meant death.

Their fallen comrades had already proven that much.

Their pursuer was simply too terrifying.

Even when they encountered another squad on the way—reinforced by a Special Jonin—they still couldn't stop the bloodshed.

That Special Jonin only lasted slightly longer than Yamamoto Kenichi…

Before falling to the "Demon Blade" Uchiha Haruki.

That's right.

They now knew exactly who was behind the carnage.

But knowing didn't help—it only deepened their fear.

In the past, many had heard of the infamous "Demon Blade Haruki," but most had never encountered him personally.

So, their fear had been abstract—until now.

Seeing the legend in action, and realizing the nickname wasn't just for show, created a reaction greater than fear alone.

Now that the name and the reality had aligned in their minds, their dread had grown exponentially.

Especially when they saw Haruki easily kill a second Jonin—they completely gave up any thought of resistance.

All they wanted was to run.

This led to a new phenomenon: more and more Iwa shinobi were retreating, and the chaos began to spread toward the mountain stronghold.

Eventually, as the retreating group neared Konoha's second defensive line, their confusion and panic caught the attention of the Iwa vanguard.

Before long, an Iwa Jonin approached and barked out,

"What's going on?! Why are you here early?!"

The Iwa operation had been carefully orchestrated, with clear roles for the vanguard, rear guard, and flanks.

These retreating shinobi were supposed to be securing the perimeter.

Now, all of them were rushing to the front.

If Konoha launched a pincer attack, their entire formation could collapse.

Naturally, the Jonin was furious.

One of the chunin in front, panting heavily, quickly answered,

"Sir, it's the Demon Blade! He's behind us—Uchiha Haruki is chasing us!

We've already lost so many!"

"Demon Blade? Uchiha Haruki?!"

The Jonin, Nagashima Tomohisa, frowned deeply.

"Yes," the chunin nodded frantically.

"It's him! Both Captain Yamamoto and Captain Oda have been killed by him!"

"What?!"

Tomohisa's voice jumped an octave.

"You're saying Yamamoto Kenichi and Oda Yukimasa are dead?!"

"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes!"

Only then did Nagashima Tomohisa realize—something had gone seriously wrong.

He immediately sent word to Rōshi, the Four-Tails' Jinchuriki.

This entire ambush operation had been built around Rōshi's power, so he had to be informed.

From there, Rōshi would decide the next steps.

This was one of the key differences between the new Iwa commander and the previous one, Kuroki Kazuto.

Kazuto had treated Rōshi and Han like disposable weapons, keeping them out of strategic decisions.

But the new commander gave both Jinchuriki greater autonomy, even letting them lead missions directly.

This operation was one such trial run.

Elsewhere…

Just as Rōshi was about to break through Konoha's second line, he received the report and his face turned grim.

He had no choice but to halt the charge and retreat to the rear.

"Tomohisa, what's going on?

How the hell did this 'Demon Blade' cause such a mess?!"

Back at the rear, Rōshi confronted Nagashima Tomohisa directly.

Tomohisa replied helplessly,

"I'm still gathering details. But our formation is a mess.

Our rear and flanks are exposed—if Konoha circles around, we're in serious trouble."

"Where's the guy who saw it happen? I'll question him myself."

Rōshi was clearly not satisfied with that answer.

Tomohisa had no choice but to lead him over.

By now, more and more Iwa shinobi were fleeing toward their position, and Tomohisa also wanted to hear if there were any new updates.

But just as they approached one particular group…

Rōshi suddenly stopped in his tracks.

His eyes narrowed as he stared at one of the Iwa chunin.

"Who are you?" he asked coldly.

Everyone turned to look at the man.

His appearance was plain—nothing special at all.

But the words he spoke next sent a chill through every shinobi who had fled alongside him:

"Heh… So I've been discovered?

Your sensory perception is quite sharp."