Although I Hate to Admit It

Above the unfathomably deep lake.

Facing attacks from a Chunin and a Genin had indeed dragged Anko and the others aboard the boat into a prolonged battle.

The ninjas from the Land of Earth didn't just use Earth Style techniques. With a Jonin supporting them with genjutsu, Anko and the others—including Obito—couldn't find the real enemy at all. They were just wasting chakra on thin air.

"Tch, is this ever going to end? They're all illusions!" Anko's Shadow Snake Hand struck the illusion of a ninja, and her face darkened.

Obito was in the same predicament. His Fire Style techniques, Phoenix Sage Fire and Fireball, crashed down and raised one column of water after another, but they couldn't even touch the enemy's shadow.

As a member of the Uchiha Clan, Obito had plenty of chakra. But without his Sharingan activated, it was all useless against genjutsu this powerful.

That wasn't even the main problem.

What put Obito in a foul mood was that he hadn't even come close to matching Yang Xing. Yes, even with the Fireball technique, he couldn't produce half its power.

"Damn it, why can't I do it? Why can't I even measure up to that guy?" Obito clenched his fists, his expression sour. Staring at the distant city wall, he couldn't help muttering, "He hasn't already... No, with his powerful Earth Style techniques and that Fireball, he can't be in trouble. Those ninjas won't be able to stop him."

For some reason, Obito had a nagging feeling that the ninjas might not be a match for Yang Xing. He didn't want to admit it, but the thought made his heart race.

His previously alert stance wavered for a moment.

The two Earth ninjas in front noticed at once.

"Hey, that kid's shaken."

"Yeah. Let's take him out first and teach these brats a lesson."

"Water Style: Exploding Water Impact!"

One of them formed Hand Seals, and several illusions followed suit.

The technique came so suddenly that it was impossible to tell which one was the real caster.

All Obito could see was the water ahead rippling, then a mass of water surged up with a roar, rising dozens of meters into the air.

The wave towered over the lake, cresting as high as a two-story building. It was a magnificent sight, but being hit by such a powerful wave would be no trivial matter.

Obito came to his senses, stunned by the technique.

"Fire Style: Fire—no, at that height, I can't break through it." He began forming Hand Seals, but before he'd even finished half of them, he realized something was wrong. The Water Style attack was too powerful; his technique couldn't possibly stop it. As soon as he understood, he spun around and tried to run without a second thought.

But when he turned, a ninja who had already rushed over at high speed was right behind him.

The ninja's swift movement kicked up a spray of lake water. Obito didn't notice him until it was too late. The enemy swung a roundhouse kick and struck Obito squarely in the face before he could defend himself.

Smack!

Obito flew through the air.

"Don't!" Rin Nohara cried, covering her mouth.

But there was no one who could stop Obito from crashing into the massive wave.

Splash!

Obito hit the wave like a cannonball and sank beneath the surface without a trace. He was nowhere to be seen.

"Obito!" Rin panicked. Seeing her teammate in danger, she hurriedly tried to rush over.

But after only a few steps across the water, the Chunin who had kicked Obito away blocked her path.

"You're next!" The Chunin clenched one fist, his expression vicious and his movements utterly merciless.

He swung at Rin's head, intending to hit her before she could dodge and send her plunging into the lake. Just then, a familiar voice, not particularly loud, made Rin's body jolt.

"Get down, Rin!"

At the sound of Yang Xing's voice, Rin moved without a moment's hesitation. She dropped into a crouch on reflex, just as Yang Xing shouted with force.

"Water Style: Water Wave!"

A narrow stream of water shot forward with a sharp, rushing impact.

It skimmed over the lake, carving a spray across the surface and splitting the massive wave in two.

As the wave parted, a figure hurriedly stumbled backward. His retreat was so clumsy that it didn't match his earlier, aggressive look at all.

The Chunin had barely dodged the attack. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he stared at the newcomer, his pupils trembling.

Rin was overwhelmed with excitement. She hurried over, nearly running as she called, "Yang Xing, Yang Xing! Obito, Obito, he..." She pointed toward the lake, where Obito was nowhere to be seen.

She was so frantic that she nearly burst into tears.

Yang Xing glanced calmly at the water, then met the kindhearted girl's eyes. "If you want me to, I can go down."

"Please, please, save him!" Rin grabbed Yang Xing's hand, her voice frantic. She knew Obito couldn't last more than a few minutes underwater.

"Sure, since Rin asked, I'd be happy to." Yang Xing smiled, released the chakra beneath his feet, and sank straight into the water. As he descended, though, he added something that made Rin press her lips together.

"But if it were Kakashi, I might not save him."

Splash!

Obito was sinking slowly, already unconscious. In the moment before he lost consciousness, he saw someone swimming toward him with the ease of a fish. When he recognized that face, a strange calm settled over him.

That was right. There was probably no one else who could save him.

Only now did he fully understand how weak he was. In their whole team, he was the weakest.

"Cough, cough..." When Obito came around again, he found himself at the water's surface. His stomach churned, and he clambered onto the boat and vomited up water.

Yang Xing was wringing out his soaked clothes. He'd dived down too quickly and hauled someone back up with him; his clothes were saturated and clung unpleasantly to his body. Worst of all, the guy in front of him hadn't said a word. "Hey, can't you even say thanks?"

"Thanks!" Obito actually thanked him for once.

Yang Xing pursed his lips. At least the kid was honest. He didn't need to say anything more.

Meanwhile, a Chunin from the Land of Earth, who had been watching quietly nearby, couldn't hold back any longer. "Hey, brat, where's my teammate?"

Yang Xing was the only one who had returned. The man had a bad feeling about it.

That feeling kept him standing still at a distance, holding back from attacking for the moment.

Yang Xing lifted his head and adjusted his damp clothes. His answer was simple. "Dead."

"Dead? Impossible. Who are you trying to fool?"

"They're all dead. You wouldn't believe me even if I told you. Why the hell are you asking me, then?"

"Damn it." The Chunin's expression darkened at the kid's retort. He clenched both fists. "I don't believe you killed Li and the others. Who are you trying to fool?"

The Chunin flew into a rage and charged over, practically rushing to his death.

Yang Xing was ready to use a Substitution Technique and finish him off with Fire Style the moment he charged. He'd already used the Sharingan to identify the real one among those dozens of illusions.

If the enemy came any closer, he'd be dead for sure.