In Lihuo's eyes, this wasn't a humanoid creature walking toward him.
It was the embodiment of every terror in the world. If there was such a thing as pure terror, then with nearly thirty years of experience from both his past and present lives, Lihuo could say with certainty that the "thing" before him was exactly that!
It was a feeling of murderous intent mingled with mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and a bone-chilling malice.
Lihuo trembled uncontrollably from head to toe. He felt that if he so much as moved in front of his opponent...
He would die!
How could he possibly win? How could anyone be this terrifying?!
Lihuo screamed inwardly, but fear had robbed his body of the ability to react. All he could do was watch helplessly as his enemy approached, one step at a time.
Think of something! Hurry, think of something!
Suddenly, Lihuo thought of Sasuke. When Sasuke first encountered Orochimaru during the Chunin Ninja Exams, Orochimaru's presence had terrified him so much that he couldn't move either.
How had he gotten out of that situation?
That was it! Pain! He'd stabbed himself with a kunai!
A glimmer of clarity flashed in Lihuo's eyes. He immediately bit the tip of his tongue, and the searing pain restored control of his body!
Then he sensed that the "Genjutsu Talent Amplification" he'd obtained earlier had taken effect. That meant his opponent had used genjutsu!
He'd used genjutsu to amplify his own presence! What a sophisticated technique!
Even so, Lihuo didn't move. He continued to feign terror, watching helplessly as his enemy drew closer.
The look of terror on Lihuo's face and the slight trembling of his body would've earned him an Oscar statuette.
The enemy before him hadn't noticed anything amiss, either. He continued to speak with a chuckle.
"Heh, so this is the newly recognized genius, Uchiha Lihuo? He's nothing special."
His every word and gesture was brimming with confidence!
Watching the enemy approach, Lihuo knew this was his best chance!
If he couldn't land a decisive blow now, the fight would only get harder.
Lihuo's mind raced as he tried to find the best way to attack.
In the end, he steeled himself and settled on a plan that was both the most "dangerous" and the most "reliable."
Just as the enemy was about to reach him, Lihuo moved!
He pushed off with both legs and sprang backward. He'd now completely mastered the Strength of a Hundred technique, and the tremendous recoil even cracked the ground.
As he flew through the air, Lihuo's hands moved at full speed. With his Kage Level chakra control and rapid Hand Seals working together, he unleashed several jutsu in an instant.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Poof!
Two identical clones appeared beside Lihuo. He didn't even give his enemy time to react before completing his preparations.
He kicked off the ground and charged straight at the enemy. His two clones didn't waste a moment, either. They quickly formed Hand Seals and spoke in unison.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
In an instant, a massive fireball, radiating scorching heat, hurtled straight toward the opponent.
If Sasuke and Aotian's Great Fireball was the normal level for Uchiha boys, then Lihuo's fireball was on the level of an elite Uchiha Chunin!
Close behind it came countless smaller fireballs, speeding toward the enemy along curving trajectories and seemingly sealing off every escape route!
Meanwhile, Lihuo deliberately slowed his approach and used the Uchiha kunai-throwing technique to harass his opponent!
"Oh? Interesting. You've organized an attack so quickly?"
Faced with Lihuo's formidable assault, even a Chunin would have to focus. Yet this enemy remained completely at ease.
Lihuo's kunai arrived first. Though he lacked the boost of the Sharingan, he'd long since polished this technique to perfection.
The kunai clashed and spun through the air, completely blocking every possible route the enemy could take to dodge.
But the enemy simply flipped his hand, and a kunai appeared in it. Without hesitation, he flung it toward Lihuo.
The kunai collided with Lihuo's in midair, disrupting the seemingly flawless trap he'd laid!
"Without the Sharingan, your kunai throwing looks a little stiff."
The man even had time to comment!
Then came the massive Great Fireball and the Phoenix Sage Fire. The two Fire Style techniques made an impressive show, but against such a powerful opponent, they were still easy to dodge.
With just a few swift steps, he was out of range of the jutsu.
Boom!
The massive fireball struck the ground, erupting in a blinding flash and a thunderous roar. Dust billowed everywhere, but it still failed to hit its intended target.
Lihuo wasn't disappointed by the result. His goal hadn't been to injure his opponent in the first place, but to use the firelight and noise to draw the attention of the security patrol and the Anbu once again.
After all, an opponent whose presence alone was so terrifying was no ordinary foe. Charging in blindly would only get him killed sooner.
The enemy landed lightly, wearing a careless smile.
"I suggest you give up on whatever little scheme you're planning. I've already put up a barrier here. No one outside can see in."
But to his surprise, Lihuo's original body, which had remained still until now, appeared behind him through the billowing smoke like a phantom.
"Now I've got you!"
Lihuo opened his hand, and a pale blue sphere of chakra appeared, radiating a dangerous aura!
This sudden jutsu that required no Hand Seals seemed to throw the enemy off balance.
Rasengan!
Without a moment's hesitation, Lihuo slammed the Rasengan toward his enemy.
But to his surprise, his opponent grabbed him by the wrist. With overwhelming strength that Lihuo couldn't resist, he forcibly drove the Rasengan into the ground.
Boom!
The Rasengan struck the ground. In an instant, smoke surged into the air and the earth cracked!
Lihuo was shocked by his opponent's reaction—and by that incredible strength.
"Who in the world is this guy?!"
But the enemy seemed determined not to let this hard-won opportunity slip by. He sprang forward and kicked Lihuo, sending him flying dozens of meters!
"Cough, cough!" The kick had badly injured Lihuo. In front of this enemy, his body—tempered by countless hours of training—seemed utterly fragile.
But Lihuo didn't give up. On the contrary, an endless fighting spirit surged within him.
"I sensed it just now. Just as he said, this place has been sealed off by a barrier. If I don't defeat him, there's no way out!"
Lihuo, who'd enjoyed almost nothing but smooth sailing since crossing into this world, was facing a challenge of this magnitude for the first time.
"This life-or-death feeling isn't so bad!"
Feeling his Simplified Sage Mode nearing its end, Lihuo knew he had to finish this quickly!
He had to come up with an effective strategy fast. Since he couldn't match his opponent's strength, he'd have to use his cheat ability!
Lihuo rapidly healed his injuries with Life Return as he quickly considered his options.
His eyes shifted slightly, and an idea came to him.
The only ability he hadn't revealed so far was Dark Release!
It was his greatest trump card. He had to catch his opponent off guard with Dark Release, then take the opportunity to touch his head!
Only by obtaining his opponent's power would he have even the slightest chance of winning!
Lihuo quickly devised a plan. By the time the thick smoke cleared, his body had healed most of the way.
The final battle began!
Before you continue