Uchiha Setsuna

"Clap, clap, clap." A round of applause came from the forest ahead.

Ye Wuyue stared forward as several ninjas dressed in Uchiha Clan attire emerged from the woods. The man leading them had a gloomy face and an arrogant air. A mask covered the right side of his face and looped around one eye, which held three tomoe. He did not look young.

A Three-Tomoe Sharingan—he was at least a Jonin. And the others did not look like easy opponents either. Ye Wuyue assessed the situation, a thin sheen of cold sweat forming on his forehead. He craved battle and excitement, but these people were fucking strong!

At the same time, their identities troubled him deeply. They were clearly members of the Uchiha Clan, so why were they attacking him, the son of the Uchiha clan head?

"As expected of Clan Head Fugaku's son. You've only just entered the Ninja Academy, yet you already possess such strength. You'd have more than enough ability to become a Genin." The leader applauded in approval, though his eyes brimmed with killing intent.

Ye Wuyue drew the Asauchi from his back and watched the enemies before him warily.

"You're Uchiha Clan members too. Why are you attacking me? Aren't you afraid my father will find out?"

The leader seemed to have heard some great joke. He threw back his head, clutching his forehead as he laughed.

"Hahahahaha! The Uchiha Clan... You, Fugaku's son, think you're worthy of talking about the Uchiha? Fugaku has become Konoha's lapdog. He has abandoned the Uchiha!"

The moment Ye Wuyue heard that, he knew this guy had to be some arrogant fool who had been blinded by the power of the Sharingan.

Sure enough, after he finished laughing, his face filled with fury.

"The Uchiha Clan is one of the greatest clans in the entire ninja world, yet what about Konoha? They drove us, one of the great clans that founded Konoha, to the very edge of the village! There has never even been an Uchiha among the village higher-ups!

"And what has Fugaku, the head of the Uchiha Clan, ever done? He has never fought for the interests we deserve. He repeatedly compromised even when Konoha made unreasonable demands, turning a deaf ear to dissent within the clan! The voices of resistance have already risen to such heights, yet he continues to evade the issue and never responds to it directly!

"What I never expected was for him to agree to Minato Namikaze's proposal to let other clans join the Konoha Military Police Force! Once again, he handed the clan's authority over to others! He is utterly unworthy of being the Uchiha Clan's head! He has completely lost the pride and backbone of an Uchiha!

"Only under my, Uchiha Setsuna's, leadership can the Uchiha Clan rise to glory! When that time comes, the Uchiha Clan will lead all of Konoha and become Konoha's true number one great clan!" Uchiha Setsuna's expression was crazed, and his words were astonishing.

Ye Wuyue had never heard the name Uchiha Setsuna before and did not know whether such a person had existed in the original story. Still, Setsuna had perfectly embodied the arrogance and conceit of certain Uchiha Clan members.

"Will killing me really let you achieve your goal?"

The enemy was far too powerful, so Ye Wuyue had no choice but to stall them and see whether reinforcements would arrive. At the same time, he wanted to learn their purpose.

Hearing Ye Wuyue's question, Uchiha Setsuna smiled sinisterly. He took out a short blade and an animal mask, then tossed them onto the ground. Both items were rather worn.

"You weren't killed by us. You were killed by Danzo's Root. No one else would believe that a six-year-old child could fight Root. But you aren't an ordinary six-year-old child, and besides... I only need the Uchiha Clan to believe it."

Holy shit! This guy was actually planning to pin the blame on Danzo! That was quite the move! Seeing the standard Root equipment on the ground, Ye Wuyue gained a new appreciation for Uchiha Setsuna.

The fact that he knew to shift the blame onto Danzo proved that he had a brain.

"Besides, all these questions—are you trying to stall for time?" Uchiha Setsuna continued, a hint of mockery in his gaze. "I advise you not to waste your effort. This is the very edge of the village. Even if I kill you, no one will know for quite some time. This... is the tragedy of the Uchiha Clan."

After saying that, the tomoe in Uchiha Setsuna's eyes spun as he glared at Ye Wuyue.

Sharingan Genjutsu!

Yet Ye Wuyue was completely unaffected.

Uchiha Setsuna:???

"I clearly used Genjutsu just now. How are you completely unaffected?" Uchiha Setsuna asked in shock.

Only then did Ye Wuyue realize that Setsuna's glare had been an attempt to use Sharingan Genjutsu on him.

Once he understood that, he almost wanted to laugh.

Genjutsu ultimately worked on a person's mind—or rather, their soul. Ye Wuyue had meditated for years and cultivated the Shinigami system. Both his soul and spiritual power had long surpassed those of ordinary people. Other than the Mangekyō Sharingan, every other Genjutsu was practically useless against him.

Ye Wuyue did not answer Uchiha Setsuna's question. He pointed the Asauchi in his hand forward. This was the perfect moment for a sneak attack!

"Shoot to kill! Shinso!"

As the Shikai command ended, the Asauchi rapidly extended and shot straight toward Uchiha Setsuna.

Uchiha Setsuna's eyes narrowed. It was his first time seeing such an attack, but his Jonin strength was no mere decoration. With his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he twisted aside and dodged Shinso's direct thrust.

"Fugaku's son truly cannot be underestimated. It seems that not only your brother Itachi, but you too are a monster. But... you must die here today! Kill him!"

Uchiha Setsuna said darkly, waving his hand. The several Uchiha Clan members beside him rushed at Ye Wuyue.

When his attack failed and he saw the situation, Ye Wuyue immediately turned and used Shunpo to flee toward home, tossing his shoulder bag directly onto the road.

Ye Wuyue's figure flickered continuously. Relying on Shunpo's speed, he temporarily kept them from catching up.

"Bakudo #21: Sekienton!"

A massive cloud of smoke appeared around Ye Wuyue, blocking Uchiha Setsuna and the others' vision.

A simple smokescreen—an indispensable tool for escaping pursuit.

Fortunately, the Sharingan did not possess the Byakugan's ability to see through things. Otherwise, this Kido would have been completely useless.

After blocking their vision, Ye Wuyue slipped into the dense forest.

"Bakudo #26: Kyōkō!"

A canvas formed from spiritual power covered Ye Wuyue's body, completely concealing his figure.

I hope they don't have any sensory-type ninjas!

Ye Wuyue prayed silently.

Kyōkō could only conceal his body and create visual invisibility. It could not hide his Chakra or spiritual power.