Defeating Uchiha Mikoto

In the courtyard, Natsuki, Nawaki, and Namikaze Minato were training.

Orochimaru stood nearby, occasionally offering guidance.

To him, having one more Namikaze Minato did not cause any trouble.

After all, he was quite skilled in Wind Release as well.

"Ten-minute break."

Orochimaru estimated the time and spoke.

The three immediately stopped training.

"Sensei."

Natsuki put away the Sword of the Thunder God, walked over to him, and said, "I plan to challenge Uchiha Mikoto."

"Then you'll need to learn how to deal with Genjutsu."

Orochimaru considered it after hearing this, then said.

Ninja of the Uchiha Clan could all be considered Genjutsu specialists.

The reason was the Sharingan.

The Sharingan had many functions, but its three most basic abilities were observation, copying, and hypnosis.

Observation meant that the Sharingan possessed perception far beyond ordinary people, allowing its user to clearly see a target's movements and even the flow of Chakra.

Copying meant that the holder of the Sharingan could quickly learn a target's Taijutsu and Ninjutsu, with Kekkei Genkai being the only exception.

In the original work, Hatake Kakashi had copied over a thousand Ninjutsu after obtaining the Sharingan, earning him the title of Copy Ninja.

Hypnosis referred to Genjutsu. The Sharingan could cast and see through Genjutsu.

"Mm."

Natsuki nodded and said, "I'd like to ask you to teach me how to break Genjutsu."

"I want to learn too!"

Nawaki raised his hand and said.

Although Namikaze Minato did not speak, the expression on his face revealed his thoughts. He wanted to learn as well.

In the Ninja World, Genjutsu specialists were often extremely troublesome.

One moment of carelessness could get someone caught in Genjutsu and lose the initiative.

"With your talent, you'll learn how to break Genjutsu in a month."

Orochimaru did not refuse and said directly, "For this month, the three of you will learn together."

Without any unnecessary words, he began explaining Genjutsu.

Genjutsu was, in essence, Yin Release.

It achieved mental attacks by manipulating the flow of Chakra in a target's cranial nerves.

Simply put, it disrupted the target's five senses to create illusions.

Genjutsu could therefore be divided into visual Genjutsu, auditory Genjutsu, tactile Genjutsu, and so on.

Among them, visual Genjutsu was the most common.

For example, Genjutsu related to the Sharingan was all visual Genjutsu.

When fighting Ninja of the Uchiha Clan, there was one golden rule: never look into their Sharingan.

There were two methods of breaking Genjutsu.

One was to break it yourself, while the other required help from a teammate.

However, the essence of both methods was the same: disrupting the flow of one's own Chakra.

Battling a Genjutsu specialist was all about speed. You had to break the Genjutsu before the Genjutsu specialist could launch an attack.

The next day at noon.

On the rooftop of the classroom building used by Second Grade Class A.

Natsuki, Uzumaki Kushina, Yakushi Nonō, and Namikaze Minato sat together and ate lunch.

"Natsuki."

Namikaze Minato spoke up. "I've already gathered information on Uchiha Mikoto."

"Who is Uchiha Mikoto?"

Uzumaki Kushina asked in confusion.

"She's the top student in sixth grade."

Namikaze Minato answered.

"Natsuki wants to challenge her?"

Uzumaki Kushina's eyes lit up as she asked, "When?"

Yakushi Nonō also looked at Natsuki upon hearing this.

"It hasn't been decided yet."

Natsuki shook his head and said, "Minato, go on."

"Uchiha Mikoto has a One-Tomoe Sharingan. Every student who fought her was defeated by her Sword Technique."

Namikaze Minato said solemnly, "Apparently, those students couldn't even touch the hem of her clothes."

"That sounds a lot like your style."

Uzumaki Kushina used her chopsticks to pick up a piece of chicken from Natsuki's lunchbox.

Her lunchbox had been prepared by Uzumaki Mito. Though it did not taste bad, it was nowhere near as good as the lunches Natsuki made.

"It really is a little similar."

Namikaze Minato nodded slightly.

Because his dynamic vision and reaction speed were strong, he could predict his opponents' movements in battle.

The most typical example was his fight with Uzumaki Kushina.

Uzumaki Kushina's Taijutsu was actually stronger than his, but she could not hit him, which naturally made it meaningless.

Natsuki was different. His Sword Technique was so fast that Namikaze Minato found it difficult to react and dodge.

"Has she never used Fire Release or Genjutsu?"

Natsuki thought for a moment and asked.

"She's used Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique."

Namikaze Minato answered, "But she's never used Genjutsu."

"Natsuki, are you confident?"

Uzumaki Kushina tilted her head and asked.

"Based on the information so far, she's weaker than me."

Natsuki pondered for a moment and said, "I'm only worried that she knows Genjutsu."

Uchiha Mikoto had never displayed her strength in the original work. All that was known was that she was a Jonin.

Since she had become a Jonin, her talent naturally could not be poor.

"Then I'll challenge her in a month."

Natsuki finally made his decision.

The month would be used both to learn how to break Genjutsu and to learn Uchiha Style Sword Technique.

Time always passed quickly, and October arrived in the blink of an eye.

A month later, students from Second Grade Class A and Sixth Grade Class A gathered on the Ninja Academy's training field.

Natsuki used the same method and went to ask Ishida Yu for help.

Familiarity made things easier the second time around. Ishida Yu readily agreed and went to arrange another Class Exchange Meeting with Sixth Grade Class A.

"The four-year gap really is too great."

Ishida Yu could not help shaking his head as he watched the battle on the field.

By this point in the exchange between the two classes, Third Grade Class A had only won two matches.

Those two matches had been won by Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato.

"Match twenty-seven: Natsuki versus Uchiha Mikoto!"

Ishida Yu perked up and shouted loudly.

This was undoubtedly the highlight of the Class Exchange Meeting, and students from both classes began discussing it.

Although Natsuki was Orochimaru's student, Uchiha Mikoto was an Uchiha and four years older.

Apart from a small number of people, most students believed Uchiha Mikoto had a high chance of winning.

Natsuki looked at Uchiha Mikoto.

She had long black hair and fair skin, and her entire presence exuded a quiet calm, like a gentle girl next door.

"Senior Mikoto."

Natsuki took the initiative to greet her.

"I heard your name a long time ago."

Uchiha Mikoto said softly, "I'm fortunate to spar with you today. Please go easy on me."

Natsuki nodded.

Most Uchiha were extremely proud and arrogant.

Uchiha Mikoto, however, was completely different. It was hard to associate her with the Uchiha Clan.

"Begin!"

Ishida Yu announced.

Uchiha Mikoto immediately raised both hands.

In an instant, dozens of Shuriken arrived above Natsuki's head.

Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

As expected of an Uchiha.

Her Ninja Tool Throwing was far beyond that of her peers.

Cast-Weight Magic: Gravity Reduction!

Reinforcement Magic!

Natsuki's body swayed and suddenly blurred as he charged toward Uchiha Mikoto at incredible speed.

The dozens of Shuriken immediately lost their target and fell to the ground.

So fast!

Uchiha Mikoto hurriedly activated her One-Tomoe Sharingan.

After locking onto Natsuki, she drew her Ninja Sword.

One Sword Style: Horse Demon!

Natsuki immediately recognized the Uchiha Style Sword Technique she was using.

He had been studying it during this time, so he instantly found her weakness.

Natsuki's Wooden Sword precisely blocked her Ninja Sword.

At the same time, he pressed down with his wrist, unleashing tremendous force.

Uchiha Mikoto's expression changed, and she could not help taking half a step back.

But her reaction was also quick. The Ninja Sword in her hand suddenly changed direction and stabbed straight at Natsuki's abdomen.

Golden Right Leg!

Natsuki kicked her Ninja Sword.

Uchiha Mikoto only felt her right arm go numb, and she nearly lost her grip on the Ninja Sword.

What incredible strength!

As she considered this, she retreated.

At that moment, she sensed danger.

One Sword Style: 36 Pound Cannon!

Natsuki gripped his Wooden Sword with both hands and slashed at her.

A tangible sword wave surged forth.

A sharp, piercing sensation enveloped Uchiha Mikoto, making it difficult for her to breathe.

At the critical moment, she threw out her Ninja Sword.

The Ninja Sword shattered within the sword wave.

After all, she was using a Wooden Sword as well.

But Uchiha Mikoto seized the opportunity and vanished from where she stood.

"Body Flicker Technique?"

Natsuki hurriedly looked around.

The next second, a scorching aura rolled toward him.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

The moment Uchiha Mikoto reappeared, she spat out a massive fireball.

One Sword Style: Iai: Lion Song!

Natsuki gripped his Wooden Sword, his entire body turning into a streak of light as he charged forward.

Uchiha Mikoto immediately reacted.

Natsuki's Sword Technique was already famous throughout the Ninja Academy, so she was not surprised upon seeing One Sword Style: Iai: Lion Song.

She used the Body Flicker Technique again and ran some distance to the left.

By the time she steadied herself, her fireball had already been split in two by Natsuki.

Without another word, Natsuki charged at her.

Now!

Uchiha Mikoto immediately formed hand seals.

Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!

This D-rank Genjutsu made the target see the scene they feared most in their heart.

But just then, Uchiha Mikoto froze slightly.

Because she saw Natsuki toss aside his Wooden Sword.

Non-System Magic: Phantom Strike!

Natsuki raised his hand.

At the same time, Uchiha Mikoto unleashed her Genjutsu.

Both of their bodies stiffened as they stood rooted to the spot.

Uchiha Mikoto felt as though someone had struck her head with a hammer, leaving her terribly dizzy.

Natsuki saw the scene he feared most: being captured by Root, with Shimura Danzō grinning viciously before him like Granny Rong.

Genjutsu Release!

Natsuki had anticipated it. The instant he fell under the Genjutsu, he dispelled it.

In a single stride, he reached Uchiha Mikoto and pressed a Kunai directly against her throat.

"I won!"

Uzumaki Kushina immediately looked excited.

Namikaze Minato, on the other hand, felt immense pressure.

What was going on with Natsuki?

What was that ninjutsu at the end?

When had he learned it?

Why had he become so much stronger again?

For a moment, countless questions filled his mind.