The Serpent's Shadow Begins to Move

Nirvana Hermitage Technique, perhaps many readers have long forgotten this genjutsu.

It was an A-rank genjutsu used by Kabuto during the Chunin Exams, causing the spectators to fall into a deep sleep and serving as the signal for the joint assault by Orochimaru and the Sand Village.

When the jutsu is cast, phantom white feathers descend from the sky, which the caster uses to induce hypnosis; anyone who sees the phantom feathers falls into a deep sleep.

However, while this technique excels in its massive scale of control, its drawbacks are also quite obvious: the learning difficulty is not low, yet it can be dispelled by Jonin, Chunin, and even Genin who are proficient in genjutsu.

It is evident that although it is classified as an A-rank genjutsu, it may have minimal effect in one-on-one combat.

Using this as a gift shows the Hokage's regard without leaking more powerful ninjutsu, making it truly the most appropriate choice.

Lihuo instantly understood the pros and cons, but he did not make a scene.

After all, even a mosquito is meat, and besides, although this ninjutsu is of little use in one-on-one duels, it possesses immense strategic and tactical value.

Perhaps it would come in handy one day.

Lihuo accepted it gladly and thanked him again. Once the official business was concluded, the family returned to their harmonious state, chatting and laughing.

Before long, Lihuo took his leave, as it was getting late and he shouldn't overstay his welcome.

Lu Miao wanted to see Lihuo off, but Lihuo politely declined. If she saw him out, she would have to return home alone, so it was better for Lihuo to go alone, which was more convenient.

Lu Miao understood the logic and said, "It's rare for you to be so thoughtful, stay safe on the road."

Lihuo nodded in agreement, then bid farewell to Lu Miao's family and set off on the road home.

The Uchiha Clan Grounds and the Nara Clan Grounds are far apart, and since it was late, Lihuo did not want to waste time on the road.

Furthermore, Lihuo was eager to learn the Nirvana Hermitage Technique to further increase his strength.

Therefore, he sprinted at full speed, darting rapidly between buildings without disturbing the residents' rest.

Just as Lihuo was halfway there, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine, and a sense of crisis rushed to his head.

He subconsciously waved his hand across his ninja tool pouch, and a sharp kunai appeared in his grip.

Bang!

Sparks flew in the dark night; Lihuo had precisely deflected the kunai aimed at him.

I didn't expect the high-quality kunai I just obtained to come in handy so soon! Lihuo thought to himself, while shouting aloud, "In broad daylight—well, under the bright moon—who is launching a sneak attack in Konoha Village?"

"I advise you to come out quickly; the Anbu of Konoha are not to be trifled with!"

Lihuo appeared to be shouting aimlessly, but his mind was as clear as a mirror.

Launching a sneak attack in the middle of the night meant the assailant was likely prepared.

Moreover, a sneak attack, as the name implies, is a stealthy assault; how could the attacker reveal their position just because of two sentences?

Lihuo's words were purely to stall for time. While shouting, Lihuo's mind stirred.

"Simplified Sage Mode, activate!"

A gentle breeze spread rapidly from Lihuo as the center, and his aura surged abruptly.

Although Simplified Sage Mode activates quickly, it cannot last for long.

I must end this battle quickly!

In the darkness, the hidden attacker seemed to sense the change in Lihuo's aura and began to move rapidly.

"Hmph, trying to run? Where do you think you're going?"

"Yamanaka Secret Technique: Perception!" A trace of chakra, mixed with natural energy, spread rapidly into the surroundings in a special way.

Through this method, Lihuo perceived the surrounding movements clearly; even the high-speed moving figure could not escape his detection.

"Found you!"

Lihuo grinned, pushed off the ground with his feet, and his body shot toward the attacker like a cannonball.

It's sparsely populated at night, and I was moving at high speed. If it wasn't intentional, how could they have thrown such an accurate kunai?

Don't worry, I will definitely see who you are!

Two figures chased and fled; one ran, one pursued, and there was no escape.

Soon, Lihuo forced the figure into an abandoned training ground.

"Let's see where you can run now."

"Speak up, why did you deliberately ambush me!" Lihuo said loudly.

Hearing this, the attacker stopped stalling and walked slowly out of the shadows.

Upon seeing the attacker's face, Lihuo's pupils constricted, and he immediately assumed a combat stance!

The attacker was about twenty years old, with a slender build, wearing a Konoha Jonin vest, and his Konoha forehead protector reflected the moonlight slightly. His face was pale.

But what truly surprised Lihuo was not that, but the discovery that something unknown was stuffed inside the attacker's Jonin vest—judging by the size, it was another forehead protector!

This might be a ninja from another village! Alarm bells rang in Lihuo's heart! His muscles tensed, striving to react as quickly as possible.

"Hehehe, naturally, it's to take a look at you, the newly emerged Uchiha genius!"

Watching the opponent's seemingly relaxed yet flawless stance, Lihuo felt his wariness intensify.

"If you were just 'taking a look,' then why did you throw a kunai!" Lihuo demanded.

Privately, however, he pushed his Kage-level hand-seal speed and chakra control to their absolute limits.

He rapidly utilized the Shadow Clone Technique in tandem with the Earth Style: Headhunter Technique, coordinating the two solely to achieve a brief moment of underground travel.

As long as I can slip out of this ninja's sensory range, my shadow clone will be safe.

What? You ask where my shadow clone is going?

To the Konoha Military Police Force, of course—that's a proper, red-blooded Uchiha establishment.

What kind of sensible person would be foolish enough to fight an unknown ninja single-handedly?

Calling for reinforcements is the only way to go.

But to his surprise—

Poof!

Following a cloud of smoke, Lihuo's shadow clone dissipated in an open field a hundred meters away.

The clone's memories flooded back into Lihuo's mind, and the terrifying realization struck him: the person before him was unimaginably powerful.

Strong! The opponent was simply too strong!

It seems he lured me here on purpose!

"Heh heh heh, don't waste our time with such petty tricks."

The attacker remained as nonchalant as ever, but Lihuo knew that this battle would likely be the most difficult one he had faced since transmigrating.

He would have to pull out all the stops to have any chance of winning!

Seeing that the person before him still had no intention of attacking, Lihuo quickly pulled up his system to review his abilities.

"Host": Uchiha Lihuo
"Ninjutsu": Three Body Technique, Great Fireball Technique, Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, Great Waterfall Technique, Earth Style Wall, Telescope Technique, Shuriken Shadow Clone, Water Wall, Sensory, Rasengan...
"Taijutsu": Konoha Strong Fist Style, Senbon Throwing, Life Return, Uchiha Kunai Throwing Technique, Simplified Frog Kumite
"Genjutsu": None
"Chakra": One-tenth of a Kakashi (Elite Jonin Hatake Kakashi's chakra level; while you cannot unleash ninjutsu recklessly, you can cast 8-9 ninjutsu without exhausting yourself)
"Kekkei Genkai": Dark Release
"Strength": Chunin

That was right; after this period of training, Lihuo had gained a great deal.

Not only had he mastered the complete Konoha Strong Fist Style, but he had also sought guidance from Aotian and his private tutors on the Uchiha Kunai Throwing Technique.

Through Lihuo's unremitting efforts, he had finally mastered these two highly practical skills.

Furthermore, as his strength grew, his chakra reserves had increased day by day, finally allowing him to cast eight or nine ninjutsu without collapsing.

His overall strength had officially stepped into the level of a Chunin!

Looking at his attribute panel, Lihuo's eyes darted as a plan immediately formed in his mind.

First, he had to determine if the opponent was from Konoha and whether they were friend or foe. If they were from Konoha, peace talks would be the priority, and he could always find a way to cause them trouble later.

But if they were an enemy, a bloody battle was inevitable.

If he had to use every trick in his arsenal, he would make sure to leave the enemy behind for good!

Moreover, facing such a powerful opponent, Lihuo had already begun to imagine what kind of rewards he would receive if he managed to touch the man's head...

"How much longer are you going to space out? If you won't make a move, I will!"

The attacker's cold, biting words pulled Lihuo back to reality, but before he could react, the attacker moved!

Unexpectedly, he did nothing but walk slowly toward Lihuo.

Yet, from Lihuo's perspective, he felt as if he were staring into the greatest terror in the world.