Naruto Card King

Haruto Saito was momentarily stunned, blinking as he looked at Rento Asakura. Then he turned back to the window. The man who looked like a wealthy merchant, Kazumoto Soichiro, had a rosy complexion and walked with the stride of a powerful man, exuding an air of authority. He didn't appear to be suffering from any illness.

Haruto had learned in class that when assessing whether someone was ill or had internal injuries, the most crucial thing to observe was their eyes.

Kazumoto Soichiro's eyes were bright and full of spirit, showing no signs of weakness at all.

Haruto observed carefully but found nothing unusual. He turned back to Rento and shook his head. "Asakura-sama, you said that man is about to die. What is your reasoning?"

"I already told you, I have the ability to read people," Rento said with a completely serious expression.

Haruto met Rento's gaze for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't believe it."

To declare someone's life or death so casually—it was nonsense!

"You'll believe it soon enough," Rento said, giving Haruto a mysterious smile. The next moment, in Haruto's stunned gaze, Rento transformed into a wisp of black smoke and disappeared.

Haruto barely had time to process what had happened before he sensed a strong surge of chakra from the street below. His head snapped toward the window.

On the street.

Kazumoto Soichiro was walking forward when, suddenly, a shadowy figure, cloaked in eerie black mist, appeared behind him. A flash of a blade—a strike like lightning!

It all happened too fast.

Kazumoto Soichiro instinctively sensed the deadly threat. In that split second, his body reacted as if ignited, surging with chakra. An intense burst of energy erupted from him. He spun around, unsheathing the jeweled dagger at his waist to block the incoming slash!

Clang!

Kazumoto Soichiro managed to intercept Rento's first strike, but Rento had used precise control to avoid sending him flying and damaging the surrounding area. Even so, the impact sent violent tremors up Kazumoto's arm, nearly shattering his bones. His hand was forced upward, leaving his torso completely exposed.

Rento's blade surged like a tidal wave—he twisted his wrist and struck again!

Slash!

Blood sprayed into the air like rain. A burst of golden light erupted as eight or nine cards flew out.

It was done!

Compared to Rento, Kazumoto Soichiro was simply too weak. Even in a fair fight, he wouldn't have been a match, let alone in a surprise attack using the Black Martial Flash!

Rento had been wearing the Black Martial Armor all along. Though he had made a deal with Mifune to exchange it, the payment from the Land of Iron had yet to arrive in Konoha. Until then, Rento wasn't going to hand it over.

From the moment Rento disappeared from the second floor of the restaurant to the instant Kazumoto Soichiro lay dead on the ground, only a few breaths had passed.

Only then did the people on the street react. Screams rang out. Chaos erupted.

"The Black Warrior!"

"The Black Warrior just killed someone!"

Someone who recognized him shouted. Many had already figured it out—this was Rento Asakura! It was no secret in Konoha that Rento was the Black Warrior. While not everyone knew, anyone well-informed was aware.

Rento discreetly collected the eight or nine cards that only he could see. Then, the black mist surrounding him dissipated, revealing his usual black robe and sunglasses.

There was no need to hide. He wasn't afraid of being exposed anymore—the Black Martial Armor would be handed over in a few days.

The people around him had already fled, keeping their distance. Rento didn't care. He casually flicked the blood off his sword before concealing it under his robe. Then he looked up at the second floor of the restaurant.

Haruto Saito was staring at him, his eyes filled with shock.

Did that just happen?!

This guy just casually claimed someone would die—then went and killed him?!

Wait—no, something was off.

Haruto's sharp mind immediately caught onto the deeper issue. He looked back at the corpse. Just a moment ago, he had assumed the man was a wealthy merchant. But… why would a merchant have such a powerful chakra presence? He had clearly been a ninja—and a strong one at that. So why was he disguised as a merchant?

Whoosh!

Rento vanished from the street. A moment later, he reappeared in his seat across from Haruto. Taking out a handkerchief, he wiped the blood splattered on his sleeve. Then, looking at Haruto, he said, "Now do you believe me?"

Haruto didn't answer immediately. He wasn't about to call Rento out for being shameless. Instead, he was still processing Kazumoto Soichiro's true identity.

The Konoha Police Force arrived faster than Rento had expected. It was a patrol squad—nine Uchiha shinobi, none of whom Rento personally knew.

They quickly examined the corpse, confirmed Kazumoto Soichiro was dead, and listened to the murmurs of the bystanders. Then they all looked up at the second-floor window. Rento waved at them casually, looking completely unconcerned about being arrested.

"Damn it, it's Rento Asakura!"

"That brat is causing trouble again."

"He killed someone in broad daylight. Should we arrest him or report to the clan leader?"

"He must have had a reason for this."

The Uchiha shinobi deliberated but didn't act immediately. Rento's status was different now. Although he hadn't formally become the apprentice of Hiruzen Sarutobi, it was well known that the Hokage valued him highly.

If this had been the old Rento, he would have been arrested without question. As a rogue ninja from the Rain Village, his motives would have been immediately suspect. But things were different now.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three masked figures suddenly appeared on the street below—ANBU!

Rento recognized one of them. It was Shinji Heisuke, the ANBU operative assigned to protect him.

Shinji confirmed the situation with the Uchiha squad leader, then looked up at the second floor. Rento waved at him and made a subtle hand gesture. Shinji immediately understood—but his expression darkened.

Damn it!

You little brat—of all places to kill a spy, you had to do it in the middle of a crowded street?! This was going to start rumors for sure.

"This matter is now under ANBU jurisdiction," Shinji declared to the Uchiha squad.

ANBU's authority was absolute. With them taking over, the Uchiha had no choice but to step back.

Haruto turned back to Rento.

"You… knew in advance?" Haruto pressed further.

"I just figured it out," Rento replied smoothly. "I told you—I can read people."

Haruto's expression froze.

For the first time, he felt like Rento Asakura was threatening him.

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