When Did You Start Thinking I Hadn't Used Genjutsu?

Kikaichū: Hurricane!

The Aburame Anbu controlled the insect swarm, sending it howling toward Uchiha Sōgetsu.

The enormous swarm instantly stirred up a massive gust, like a black tornado that crushed everything in its path.

"Foolish!"

Sōgetsu took two steps back to open the distance, his hands flying through seals.

Snake—Ram—Monkey—Boar—Horse—Tiger!

Hiss—

He drew in a huge breath, Chakra surging and gathering in his mouth.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!

A gigantic fireball nearly ten feet across, carrying scorching waves of blazing heat, shot straight ahead.

The insect swarm collided with the fireball and exploded.

Boom!

The smell of sizzling cooked flesh drifted through the air as the dense black swarm was incinerated.

"Releasing a large swarm at once to obstruct the Sharingan's vision was a good choice." Thick smoke rose from the burning insects as Sōgetsu searched around for his enemy, said in a deep voice, "But don't forget—the Uchiha Clan excels most at Fire Style!"

The Aburame Clan's Kikaichū could greatly disrupt and hinder the Sharingan's greatest advantage.

But likewise, the Aburame Clan, whose primary means of attack was Kikaichū, would suffer tremendous losses when facing powerful Fire Style ninjutsu.

And once their Kikaichū had been wiped out, Aburame shinobi were practically helpless.

"Heh heh, don't get too cocky, Uchiha brat." The Aburame Anbu said coldly, "With Fire Style at your level, you think you can burn all my insects?"

Secret Technique: Insect Cocoon!

Hundreds of Chakra insect cocoons that had been buried in advance answered their master's summons and shattered one after another.

Amid the crackling sounds of cocoons breaking open, Sōgetsu's expression changed drastically. In his sight, masses of Black Mist rose from every corner of the forest and gathered like dark clouds pressing down from above. The sunlight was obscured by the heavy insect clouds, and insects across the sky and ground surged in like a tide.

"This many..."

Sōgetsu's pupils trembled, horror flickering across his face as a thought flashed through his mind. "To control such an enormous swarm... you're the Aburame Clan genius, Ryoma!"

"Oh? An Uchiha brat actually knows me?" Aburame Ryoma was slightly surprised, but he readily admitted his identity.

"I heard Fugaku mention you." A trace of cold sweat seeped from Sōgetsu's forehead. The situation had clearly gone beyond his control. "A genius of the Aburame Clan, whose Insect Manipulation Technique is second only to the clan head's. Your infiltration skills rank among the best of every generation of Anbu, and you are one of Danzo's most trusted subordinates."

"Uchiha brat, surrender now, and I can spare your life."

Aburame Ryoma maintained his hand seals as he delivered his final ultimatum. "Otherwise, under Lord Danzo's orders, I have the authority to execute you on the spot."

"Damn it! Damn Root, you actually dared to do something like this!" Sōgetsu clenched his teeth, fury blazing from his eyes. "Don't forget, Lord Hokage assigned me to serve in the Anbu. If I die here, how will Danzo explain this to Lord Hokage?"

"Uchiha Sōgetsu attempted to control a Konoha jonin with genjutsu and conspired with the Uchiha Clan to plot rebellion." Aburame Ryoma's tone was icy, while a trace of mockery showed in his eyes. "What do you think of that reason?"

"You're framing me!" Sōgetsu seemed utterly shocked, staring at him in disbelief. "Lord Hokage won't believe you!"

"You're wrong, brat." Aburame Ryoma sneered. "Lord Hokage will believe it. No matter how ridiculous that reason is, he will believe it. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being born into the Uchiha Clan. Your bloodline is sin!"

Kikaichū: Cluster!

A vast black cloud of insects howled as it poured down from the air like an overturning ocean.

Facing an insect swarm far larger than the last one, Sōgetsu did not dare hold back even a bit. Chakra gathered in his throat before pouring out in full force.

Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!

Boom!

An expanse of searing flames burst from Sōgetsu's mouth like towering waves rising from the sea.

Though it was only a B-rank ninjutsu, empowered by an enormous amount of Chakra, it displayed a spectacle as if it could burn the heavens and boil the sea. The high temperature vaporized the air in an instant, filling the surroundings with dry, boiling heat waves. Grass, trees, and insects were swallowed up in the blink of an eye, and the area was completely transformed into a sea of fire.

After unleashing such a wide-range ninjutsu, Sōgetsu did not even look at the result. He turned and ran toward the edge of the forest.

I have to report this to Lord Hokage.

Chakra erupted beneath his feet, shattering the hard earth as Sōgetsu's speed surged once more.

"Trying to run?" Aburame Ryoma had somehow appeared in front of him. He summoned a huge number of Kikaichū with both hands, wrapping them around his arms before smashing them down. "Secret Technique: Insect Arm!"

Caught off guard, Sōgetsu could only raise his arms to block.

Bang!

What a heavy punch. The instant that thought crossed his mind, a sharp pain shot through the bones in Sōgetsu's arms, and he was sent flying backward by the blow.

He plowed a clear human-shaped furrow through the ground and spat out several sprays of blood. "Damn it. My attention was completely drawn to the insect swarm—I never noticed this guy's whereabouts."

Aburame Ryoma twisted in midair, kicked off a tree trunk, and charged at him in an explosive burst.

Sōgetsu forcibly flipped backward and sprang to his feet. As he adjusted his posture, he flicked several shuriken from his hand.

Buzz!

The shuriken traced agile arcs, shooting toward Aburame Ryoma from every direction.

Secret Technique: Insect Wall!

Yet Aburame Ryoma had no intention of dodging. He directly formed a wall around himself with the insect swarm.

The shuriken struck the Insect Wall and vanished as if sinking into the sea.

"Die, Uchiha brat!"

Just as Aburame Ryoma was about to reach him, Sōgetsu smiled. His right hand suddenly yanked backward, his teeth clamping down tightly.

Creak—

The charging Aburame Ryoma seemed to have been caught by something, abruptly stopping in place.

"These... are wires?" Aburame Ryoma's eyes narrowed. Only then did he see that more than a dozen thin, hairlike wires had somehow wrapped around his body. The wires were incredibly hard; even Kikaichū could not bite through them.

The image of the shuriken Sōgetsu had thrown flashed through his mind, and he suddenly understood. "The Uchiha Clan's Shuriken Manipulation Technique?"

"That's right."

Sōgetsu bit down on the wires, which were as hard as steel, while his hands rapidly formed seals. "The Uchiha Clan excels at more than just Fire Style and the Sharingan. You're the one who'll die, Aburame Ryoma!"

Snake—Dragon—Rabbit—Tiger!

Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!

Sizzle. Boom!

The intense high temperature condensed into a single line, and the wire shot out at incredible speed. Like a roaring flame dragon, it swallowed Aburame Ryoma in an instant.

The Dragon Fire Technique, renowned for its destructive power, even pierced straight through his Insect Wall.

"Arghhh!"

Aburame Ryoma was ignited and fell screaming from the air.

"I won." Sōgetsu panted heavily, glaring hatefully at the burning flames.

"Did you?"

The voice that suddenly sounded behind Sōgetsu the instant he relaxed made every hair on his body stand on end.

"You're celebrating too soon, Uchiha brat. Secret Technique: Insect Swamp!"

The next moment, the ground beneath Sōgetsu turned into a swamp, and a tremendous suction force dragged his entire body down.

A huge number of insects surrounded him, continuously devouring his Chakra. Soon, he felt weak all over, without even a bit of strength left to struggle.

"An Insect Clone..."

Only his head remained above the ground as Sōgetsu spoke with difficulty.

"The first lesson for a jonin: never let down your guard, no matter when." Aburame Ryoma slowly emerged from the grass, mockery glinting in his eyes. "Until you have confirmed the enemy's death, anything can happen. But there's no point telling you that now."

He looked down at Uchiha Sōgetsu buried in the soil, raising a hand to summon the insects. "Uchiha Sōgetsu, I'll take your eyes."

Just as Aburame Ryoma was about to gouge out the other man's Sharingan, he saw that Sōgetsu was actually smiling, wholly unlike someone trapped in a desperate situation. An inexplicable unease immediately rose in his heart. "What are you laughing at? Uchiha Sōgetsu!"

"Ah, nothing."

Sōgetsu smiled faintly, looking utterly relaxed and at ease. "Thank you for letting me watch such a good show, Aburame Ryoma."

Aburame Ryoma felt his head swell with pain, as though a layer of mud had been smeared over his vision. Then the mud receded.

The next moment, heaven and earth changed.

The forest that had been set ablaze was unexpectedly restored to lush greenery.

And all traces of battle had vanished as if they had been erased.

Uchiha Sōgetsu was not buried in the Insect Swamp, and Aburame Ryoma himself had never moved from start to finish. It was as though none of what had just happened had ever occurred.

"Was that... an illusion?"

An inexplicable chill raced up his spine and straight to his scalp. Aburame Ryoma's pupils constricted into needlepoints. "When... exactly when did you cast genjutsu on me?"

"That's an interesting question."

Under the forest's shadows, Uchiha Sōgetsu's shadow stretched long, like a wild beast hidden in darkness.

He adjusted the black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose. The corner of his lips curled into a faint upward arc as he smiled warmly and gently, then asked in return, "Then when did you start thinking I hadn't used genjutsu, Lord Aburame Ryoma?"

December 5th, sunny.

No recommendations, no follow-up reading, no investments. And I didn't win anything either. Damn it, at least let me win a hundred or two!