"Funny kid."
Seeing Mirai Uchiha's appearance, the Sunagakure Jonin revealed a slight smile, regarding with interest the young brat who had just forced him to change strategies.
This opponent seemed to be barely out of the Ninja Academy, yet his timing was remarkably precise.
And that arrogant declaration from earlier—it was as if this kid didn't even take him seriously.
If he could make such a brat show a look of despair, it would certainly be quite amusing.
Thinking thus, the Sand ninja coldly spoke, "Kid, your strength is indeed impressive, but against a Jonin, it won't justify your arrogance."
Tremble in fear! Bow down to me!
Hahahaha...
The Sand ninja continuously emitted intense killing intent while proudly declaring his strength.
Yet the boy across from him did not show any emotion like he expected.
He merely glanced expressionlessly and scoffed, "Idiot."
"You little punk! I'll make sure you're the idiot later!" Provoked, the enraged Suna Jonin wasted no more time. He grabbed a kunai and charged straight at Mirai Uchiha.
[Wind Release: Wind Blade!]
[Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!]
The sharp wind blade clashed with the earth wall, causing dust to fly everywhere and smoke to rise.
In the next moment, the Sand ninja appeared beside Mirai Uchiha.
Clang!
The kunai met the katana in a clash that sparked flying embers.
The Sand ninja's face showed astonishment—how fast was the opponent's reaction speed!
Before he could even move, Mirai had already drawn his sword and slashed toward his neck.
The Sand ninja raised his steel kunai to block, instinctively thinking ahead to his next move.
But the next second, his expression changed.
The moment his steel kunai made contact with the opponent's sword, it was effortlessly severed without resistance.
Puchi!
At the very last moment, the Sand ninja threw himself backward with all his might, but a deep gash still appeared on his chest, reaching down to the bone.
Bang!
With a dull sound, the Sand ninja felt an intense pain in his stomach, and his body was heavily kicked away.
"Run!"
That was the Sand ninja's immediate decision.
This brat's strength exceeded his expectations; continuing the fight would only mean death.
First, protect his life!
Fixing his gaze firmly on Mirai Uchiha, the ninja circulated chakra within his body and immediately prepared hand seals, ready to escape using both Body Flicker Technique and Substitution Jutsu.
But right then, something unexpected occurred.
To his eyes, the black-eyed boy—who until now had been ordinary—somehow had transformed.
His eyes had become crimson red.
[Triple-comma Sharingan!]
The Sunagakure Jonin's heart seized with dread, but before he could react, his mind suddenly went dizzy.
In an instant, a blinding bolt of lightning lit up the battlefield.
"Chidori!"
Staring at the gaping wound in his chest, the Jonin coughed up a gush of blood mixed with bits of vital organs. With eyes wide in shock and refusal to accept defeat, his consciousness slowly faded away.
[Ding! Congratulations, Master! You have obtained: Chakra +1!]
Hearing the System's notification in his mind, Mirai Uchiha felt a pang of disappointment.
He had expected defeating a Jonin to yield a far greater reward, yet it turned out to be no different from defeating a Genin.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, it was abysmal.
"We won!"
Seeing the Sand Ninja lose consciousness, Kurenai Yuhi cried out joyfully and rushed to Mirai Uchiha's side.
He was a Jonin!
Yet Mirai Uchiha had taken him down so effortlessly.
So strong!
"Mirai, how did your blade cut through this Jonin's Kunai so effortlessly?"
Kurenai asked curiously.
In the battle just now, that moment was arguably the turning point.
Had the enemy's weapon not broken, the Sand Ninja wouldn't have been severely injured.
Kurenai was very curious how this had happened.
After all…
Earlier in the fight, that Sand Ninja's weapon had clearly blocked Mirai Uchiha's long katana.
"Kurenai, by infusing Wind Release chakra into a weapon, you can greatly enhance its cutting power."
"In battle, when you suddenly apply Wind Release chakra to your weapon, it often creates unexpected effects."
Mirai Uchiha patiently explained to Kurenai.
Even a steel Kunai forged from the finest ore would be as soft as tofu against his long katana infused with Wind Release chakra.
"To think you could do something like this… Mirai, you truly are a genius…"
Hearing Kurenai's praise, Mirai Uchiha reached over and ruffled her hair with a smile. "Genius? Genius is just the minimum standard to measure up to me."
Kurenai's eyes sparkled. She loved that smug feeling of being shown up.
No wonder it was Mirai—so smooth and effortless!
"When you master chakra natures and shape transformation, you'll be able to do this too."
"Okay!"
"Alright, let's clean up the battlefield." Mirai Uchiha glanced at the lifeless Sand Ninja. "Be careful for traps on his body."
"Got it."
Watching the disappearing silhouettes of Kurenai and Mirai Uchiha, Asuma Sarutobi felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.
A Jonin who had left him in despair had been so easily defeated by Mirai Uchiha.
"Don't judge my opponents by your feelings."
The words of Mirai Uchiha echoed again in Asuma's mind, filling him with bitterness.
Perhaps Kurenai's choice hadn't been wrong after all.
In comparison to Mirai Uchiha, he truly fell short in far too many ways.
...
Sunagakure village.
Frontline headquarters.
Inside the command tent.
Lady Chiyo's face darkened as she read the scroll in her hands. The gathered Suna ninja remained silent, creating a heavy and oppressive atmosphere.
Lately, their attacks against Konoha had not gone smoothly.
They hadn't gained any useful intelligence—and instead had suffered heavy losses.
Initially, it had only been some genin and chunin squads getting killed or injured, but now even jonin were beginning to go missing...
Every jonin was an invaluable warrior to the village; such losses were unbearable.
"Rasa!"
"Yes!"
"You, take two jonin with you and form a decapitation squad. Teach Konoha a lesson."
"Yes, sir!"
Seeing Rasa's somewhat tense expression, Lady Chiyo softened her tone slightly. "Now that the Third Kazekage has disappeared, the village needs someone with prestige and authority to step up and become the Fourth."
"You're the successor of Magnet Release. Don't disappoint me."
Hearing Lady Chiyo's words, Rasa felt his heart leap into his throat.
Becoming Kazekage had always been his dream.
Previously, he hadn't dared to harbor any hopes, but the sudden disappearance of the vigorous Third Kazekage had given him new hope.
However, due to having no background at all, Rasa had never stood out before.
But now... Lady Chiyo, who held absolute authority in the village, had publicly declared her support for him!
As he stepped out of the tent, Rasa felt like he was living in a dream.
Recalling the recent conversation, determination filled Rasa's eyes.
The upcoming war against Konoha would be his best opportunity.
As long as he could accumulate enough merits, combined with Lady Chiyo's support, becoming the Fourth Kazekage would be just a matter of time!
Thinking thus, Rasa selected two jonin and set off toward Konoha at full speed.
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