In June, the waters of the Naka River surged through Konoha and continued east.
Southwest of the village.
Lush vegetation lined both banks of the river. Wisps of water vapor rose into the air, bringing a hint of coolness to the sweltering heat.
On the rushing river, a boy dressed in white stood like a reef. The currents shifted beneath his feet, but he remained steady on the water's surface.
Anyone passing by would have been amazed by his exquisite chakra control.
[Host: Mo Jingxian] [Life: 21] [Sex: 15] [Skills: Uchiha Swordsmanship, Water Python Technique, Water Substitution Technique (Modified), Water Body Flicker Technique (Modified).] [Talent: Water Element Mastery (Beginner)] [Available for Trade: Vitality, Fortune, Soul, Water Substitution Technique, Water Body Flicker Technique.] [Reputation: 422]
Xian closed the panel and carefully sensed the water element.
Over the past two months, his "Sex" and "Life" attributes had naturally increased by one point.
Mo Jingxian had successfully learned the two C-rank ninjutsu, Water Substitution and Water Body Flicker. As his understanding of the water element deepened, he had also modified both techniques.
Unfortunately,
he still couldn't quite grasp Wind Release: Vacuum Blade, and had yet to learn it.
Perhaps that was because he had devoted most of his energy to understanding Water Element Mastery.
His efforts had paid off. Although the panel didn't show it, he could feel that his understanding of the water element had grown by leaps and bounds compared to two months ago.
Gradually,
a faint mist gathered around Mo Jingxian, covering an area five meters in every direction.
"Mist of Vitality."
This was a skill he had comprehended on his own. Though it hadn't been recorded on the panel, it had already begun to show its power.
It looked similar to Hidden Mist Technique, but its effects were completely different.
This was a sensory-enhancement ninjutsu.
As long as Xian remained within the Mist of Vitality, his cells would become highly active, keeping his body in peak condition.
He could also cast ninjutsu more fluidly.
As for its sensory effects, he hadn't had a chance to test them yet, so he couldn't say exactly what they were.
As his body rose and fell with the rippling water, Mo Jingxian's distinct pale-blue chakra gradually spread through the air.
"Mist of Vitality" began to expand outward.
One meter,
two meters...
When it reached a radius of fifteen meters, Xian felt his strength giving out.
"Ugh, my chakra reserves are still limiting its potential."
To be honest, his chakra reserves weren't low these days. Going by the numbers, he had more than many Chunin.
But who would ever complain about having too much chakra?
By the Ninja World's standard chakra measurements, he had about a third of a card.
Meanwhile, in a nearby forest,
two furtive figures were making their way toward the river.
"You're sure you saw him? That traitor's definitely by the river?"
Uchiha Tekka's eyes smoldered with anger. Still uneasy, he asked again to make sure.
"Absolutely. But are you really planning to teach him a lesson? I heard that traitor's gotten Minato on his side."
Uchiha Keitai sounded as if he were trying to talk him out of it, but in truth, he was egging him on.
The very mention of that traitor set Uchiha Tekka off. Like his name, his heart was always consumed by the fires of jealousy.
Why him?
It was one thing that the Great Elder had favored him before, but after he became a good-for-nothing, Minato Namikaze had started taking an interest in him.
Rumor had it the two of them had already started calling each other brothers. Wasn't that a slap in the face to the Uchiha?
They couldn't do anything to Minato, but beating this traitor to a pulp should be easy enough.
As for what came after?
Was Minato really going to attack the Uchiha? Tekka didn't believe he'd dare offend the Uchiha Clan.
At the thought, Uchiha Tekka sneered.
"Hmph! I'm going to make him pay today. Minato won't be able to protect him. You can count on it!"
The two used Body Flicker Technique and reached the riverbank in just a few breaths.
Uchiha Keitai arrived a step behind. The first thing he noticed was Mo Jingxian.
The man wasn't even hiding. He was standing openly on the river, training.
"You don't need to get involved. Just watch how I teach this rat a lesson. I hope he can hold out for a while."
Before Keitai could reply, Uchiha Tekka hurried off across the water.
Xian was practicing "Mist of Vitality" with his eyes closed when he sensed someone rushing toward him.
"Traitor! I heard you had the nerve to announce that you were abandoning the Uchiha name. Today I'll teach you that you're not worthy of it!"
His voice reached Xian before he did.
By the time the last word fell, Tekka had appeared ten meters away, right within the sensory range of the "Mist of Vitality."
The Uchiha Clan really did produce a lot of arrogant fools.
A mocking smile played at the corner of Mo Jingxian's mouth. "Hey, you... What was your name again?"
[Reputation +5 from Uchiha Tekka]
He hadn't expected to get something extra!
He'd been hoping to farm a little more reputation, but his opponent wasn't cooperating.
"Go to hell!"
A kunai came flying at him. Uchiha Tekka had completely lost it.
Xian easily tracked its path—not with his eyes, but through the information relayed by the "Mist of Vitality."
So that was how it worked.
The kunai hadn't slowed down. Rather, the frequency at which Mo Jingxian gathered information was continually pushing past its limits.
In other words, as long as he was within the "Mist of Vitality," all information would flow to and from him at lightning speed, as if he had a god's-eye view.
He tilted his head.
The kunai grazed his cheek and flew past without so much as nicking a hair.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A scorching fireball nearly a meter in diameter hurtled straight at him. Its several-thousand-degree heat sent clouds of mist billowing up from the river.
As a Chunin, Uchiha Tekka had never seen battle, but he was decent enough at choosing the right moment to use ninjutsu.
When the mist cleared, Mo Jingxian was nowhere to be seen.
Huh? It clearly hit him.
Before the question could fully form, Mo Jingxian's cold voice came from behind him.
"Looking for me?"
The scene was so familiar, as if history were repeating itself.
Only this time, Xian was playing Minato Namikaze's role.
"Water Body Flicker (Modified)." When used within the range of the Mist of Vitality, it was as silent and elusive as a ghost.
Uchiha Tekka was startled. He tried to push off the ground, but failed.
At some point, a giant serpent had coiled around Tekka, leaving him unable to move.
Tekka didn't even understand how he'd lost. Before he knew it, he was trapped in a hopeless situation.
A kunai slowly moved toward Tekka's chest.
Yes, slowly.
Mo Jingxian was doing it on purpose. He was testing whether a person could provide more reputation while in a state of fear.
"Don't! Xian, you can't kill me! If you kill me, the Great Elder won't let you get away with it!"
The kunai pierced the muscle, one centimeter, then two...
It sank in bit by bit. Uchiha Tekka's eyes were bloodshot, and he wailed without pause.
His fear was worse than the physical pain, constantly feeding Xian more reputation.
Suddenly!
Something unexpected happened.
The tip of a blade emerged from Mo Jingxian's chest.
Uchiha Keitai, who had been lurking nearby, had landed a sneak attack.
"Hahahaha... Kill him! Keitai, hurry and kill him!"
Tekka experienced the feeling of escaping death firsthand. To be honest, he never wanted to go through it again.
His emotions had swung from heaven to hell, then back to heaven. Tekka threw his head back and laughed.
Something was wrong!
Uchiha Tekka finally noticed what it was. Why wasn't there any sound?
He hadn't heard a scream.
The Mo Jingxian before him was like a melting candle, dissolving into streams of water that flowed along the blade toward Keitai.
Then he looked at Uchiha Keitai.
Blood was running from his eyes, ears, and nostrils.
The water seemed alive as it crawled into his mouth.
The horrifying scene unfolded right before Uchiha Tekka's eyes.
The sudden extremes of emotion came too quickly. Their enemy broke down.
"Monster! You're a monster! Stay away from me!"
"You're annoying!"
He sealed Tekka's mouth, drained his chakra, and hurled him to the ground like a pig bound for slaughter.
Ignoring the utterly terrified Tekka, he considered what to do next.
Now that they were enemies, he and the Uchiha were locked in a fight to the death.
There was no use being afraid.
He'd better think about how he could get more out of this.
Even if he couldn't bring down that colossus, he could at least collect some interest.
After all, it would all end up benefiting that unfilial brat in the end. He might as well collect some reputation first.
An idea slowly began to take shape in his mind.
On Konoha's busiest main street, the crowd parted like waves.
The pedestrians seemed to be avoiding some ferocious beast, leaving a wide path open for it.
A boy strode down the street in full view of everyone, dragging two members of the Uchiha Clan behind him.
One of those being dragged was barely breathing and clearly near death.
The other had vacant eyes, as if his mind had been stolen. He offered no resistance as he was dragged along.
Mo Jingxian had been walking for some time. The Anbu should have been alerted by now, but no one had come out to stop him.
It seemed he'd been right: there were always people who were happy to see the Uchiha targeted.
The main street was long, and the Uchiha Clan Compound wasn't far away. Their slow response was disappointing.
The bustle of the busy street faded behind him. This was the stage Mo Jingxian had chosen.
"Everyone, clear out!"
At last, the Police Force appeared at the end of the street. The main act was finally here.
The three arrived quickly, surrounding Mo Jingxian after just a few Body Flicker Techniques.
He recognized their leader: Uchiha Fufeng, one of Fugaku's staunchest supporters.
The three were clearly taken aback when they saw the scene before them.
Then a torrent of fury erupted like a volcano.
"You attacked your comrades! Even Lord Hokage can't protect you now!"
Three long swords slid from their sheaths.
Mo Jingxian showed no fear under the threat of their blades. He merely said in a calm voice:
"I'd like to ask Fugaku: how should Uchiha ninja who attack civilians without cause be dealt with?"
His voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard him clearly.
The crowd gathered around them, growing thicker and thicker. You didn't often get a spectacle like this, especially when it involved a feud between powerful clans.
"I think you've lost your mind. What right do you have to question the clan head?"
"Right? Don't civilians attacked by the Uchiha have that right?"
"Don't spout nonsense. What evidence do you have? You're the real murderer, if you ask me."
Uchiha Fufeng made a snap decision: he would capture Xian first. Whether what he said was true or not, it would seriously damage the Uchiha's reputation.
"Attack!"
All three charged at Mo Jingxian.
Several figures burst out from the crowd. They wore the same uniforms as the Anbu, but there was something sinister about them.
As expected, he'd been under surveillance ever since entering the main street.
Mo Jingxian suspected the newcomers were Root. They'd been waiting for the two sides to clash so they'd have a legitimate excuse to take the opportunity to eliminate them.
The three factions each had their own agenda. The Root ninja showed no mercy, every strike aimed at a vital point.
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