Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 72 72 : Application Of Flying Thunder God Technique

In the world of shinobi, strength is important—but sotis, even the most powerful ninja can fall to assassination.

The Third Kazekage, the Fourth Kazekage, the Second Raikage... all powerful, and all assassinated.

Assassination ans the enemy has the advantage.

That's why Kakashi didn't want Riku to be careless.

Riku nodded. "Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei. I won't be."

Just as he was about to leave, Tsunami called out, "Riku, be careful."

He gave a nod of acknowledgent.

Tsunami believed in Riku. From their brief conversation earlier, she could already tell—he was a good person.

The reason Riku chose to go alone was because Kakashi needed to stay behind to protect Tazuna, and Sasuke and Naruto simply weren't strong enough yet. If they tried to help, not only would they fail to save Sakura—they might get captured too.

At that mont, in a forest several kiloters away from Tazuna's house—

Sakura was tied to a tree by two Chūnin from Kirigakure.

All her ninja tools had been confiscated.

And around her, detonating tags were everywhere.

Hundreds of them.

The tags had been plastered within dozens of ters in every direction, connected by countless razor-thin steel wires. Trap after trap had been set in layers.

Even a Jōnin who entered this setup would likely be killed—if not by the explosion, then by the brutal hidden chanisms.

The two Kirigakure Chūnin didn't even dare to get close. They were stationed on a small hill over a hundred ters away, keeping watch.

Sakura looked at the web of steel wires around her, the detonating tags scattered all over the forest, and she broke down in tears.

She felt like she was going to die.

"Those bastards set all this up just to kill Kakashi-sensei… or Riku."

She knew the one who'd co to rescue her would be either Riku or Kakashi.

But she hoped neither would.

Because with these traps, she was sure—no matter who ca, they wouldn't survive.

The night was dark, the wind howled, and only the sounds of nocturnal animals echoed through the forest.

An hour passed. Sakura's tears had dried.

She didn't care anymore. Just one ter in front of her were several taut steel wires—sharp enough to slice falling leaves in half.

They glead in the moonlight like blades.

The two Chūnin remained hidden on the hillside, growing impatient.

"What's taking so long?" one muttered. "Why haven't they co yet?"

"Did they just give up on her?"

"No way. They're close. Probably already here. Maybe they're hiding nearby, trying to figure out how to save her."

Just as he finished speaking, a cold voice whispered near their ears.

"You're smarter than you look."

The two n froze. They'd been found.

Before they could even rise to their feet, Riku stabbed both of them through the chest.

His blades pierced them simultaneously.

They collapsed on the hilltop, blood soaking into the earth. Neither even got a glimpse of Riku's face before dying.

With the sentries dead, Riku stood silently on the hill, his gaze locked on Sakura, still trapped over a hundred ters away.

She was trembling violently.

She was terrified.

He observed the web of steel wires and tags surrounding her.

Frowning, he muttered, "There's no way to force my way in. There are too many tags. If even one detonates, she's dead."

He wasn't afraid of the traps himself. But Sakura wouldn't survive the blast.

After a mont of thought, Riku sighed. "Looks like I'll have to use the Sharingan after all."

With a quiet breath, he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. His eyes, always hidden beneath a cover, showed no outward change.

He locked his gaze on Sakura.

Chakra surged from his eyes.

In an instant, he appeared beside her.

Sakura, exhausted and pale, heard the sudden shift in wind. She looked up and saw Riku standing in front of her.

A faint, tearful smile spread across her face.

"You're okay…"

And with that, her fear burst forth all at once.

"Riku… you're finally here. I… I was so scared. I thought I was going to die."

Seeing her cry, Riku quickly stopped her. "Don't cry. You'll trigger the traps."

She stiffened imdiately.

Then she suddenly rembered sothing. "Riku—be careful! There are detonating tags everywhere. If you're not careful, they'll all go off."

"There are steel wires too, and all kinds of traps. And—and I've still got detonating tags on !"

Riku's gaze sharpened. He looked at her back.

Sure enough—several detonating tags were affixed to her clothing.

If she moved too much, they'd all go off at once.

Riku frowned. "This is going to be tricky."

With the tags stuck directly to her clothes, he couldn't remove them without risking detonation.

Sakura's expression wavered between a sob and a smile. "Riku… you don't have to save . Just go. Get out while you can. If you stay, you'll die too. I… I don't think I'm going to make it."

She laughed faintly as tears stread down her face.

It was clear.

She had already accepted death.

Even Kakashi wouldn't be able to do anything here.

Even if Riku tried to cut off the pieces of clothing with the tags attached, it wouldn't help—any movent might set them off.

Riku remained silent, his eyes sharp.

Then Sakura heard his calm voice. "Don't worry. I've got a plan. The Third Hokage once gave an S-rank jutsu. I haven't used it yet… but it's ti I see if it works."

To assess the danger, he asked evenly, "Are there any tags on your body? Not your clothes—your body."

Sakura quickly shook her head. Her whole body was trembling. Though she wanted to cry again, she kept her lips tightly sealed. Only sweat and tears trickled down her face.

Riku focused his chakra, using sensory ninjutsu to scan her.

After a few seconds, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

"No, you're clean. You'll be fine."

Sakura didn't respond—she was too overwheld. She didn't believe him.

She thought he was just trying to comfort her.

Riku gently placed his hand on her shoulder, forming a seal.

A faint array of mysterious marks shimred across her skin—the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Sakura blinked, startled by the sudden appearance of symbols on her shoulder.

But she didn't ask. She didn't dare speak.

With so many traps, even her breath felt dangerous.

The detonating tags on her could go off at the slightest movent.

And there were over a dozen of them on her clothes.

If they exploded, she'd be vaporized on the spot.

Once the seal was complete, Riku placed his hand over hers.

In the blink of an eye—

Space warped.

Ti twisted.

And both of them vanished from the trap-ridden forest.

They reappeared nearly a hundred ters away.

Riku had previously marked this spot with a Flying Thunder God kunai—his escape route.

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