Execution

[Lightning Release: Lariat!]

Kazunosuke leaped into the air and swung his arm at Uchiha Genmei!

Crackle, crackle! A symphony of lightning and fire rang out around Uchiha Genmei!

BOOM!

The clash of blade and fist sent huge cracks spreading across the surrounding ground.

In an instant, the two clashed dozens of times.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Dust and rocks flew everywhere!

Kazunosuke retreated to one side, his face full of shock as he shouted, "What happened?!"

"Why are you completely different from before? And what's with your appearance?!"

Uchiha Genmei was wrapped in lightning and purple flames.

His scarlet Sharingan glinted brilliantly, making him seem like a god!

Of course he was different. He had used all his Aura to reach enlightenment.

The [Uchiha Style Ninjutsu-Taijutsu (Fire + Yin)] on his panel had changed into:

[Phantom Body Lucid Lightning Fire Chakra Mode (Fire + Lightning + Yin)].

"Phantom Body" referred to genjutsu woven into the chakra mode, making the enemy uncertain of what they were seeing when paired with the Sharingan.

"Lucid" meant that, through enlightenment, he had incorporated his Sharingan techniques into the mode. As for Fire Release chakra, that went without saying.

He had gained the Lightning Release nature by completely copying the way Kazunosuke's Nintaijutsu chakra mode worked during their battle.

All three elements worked together perfectly within his body.

He was terrifyingly strong now, even though the mode consumed a tremendous amount of chakra.

He still had more than half his chakra left—about three cards' worth.

That was enough!

Just then, Uchiha Chiri's reinforcements arrived. They spread out, blocking every possible escape route for Kazunosuke.

One of the Uchiha went over to Uchiha Sei and crouched down to check his injuries.

"Lady Chiri, he's still breathing."

"Good. Give him emergency treatment and get him to the hospital right away!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Uchiha Chiri walked over, her face full of concern. Genmei said solemnly, "Sister Chiri, please back me up."

"I'm going to kill him myself!"

"Don't be reckless, Genmei..."

Before she could finish, they heard—

BOOM!

Uchiha Genmei had already charged at Kazunosuke.

"Honestly! Good grief."

"Everyone, block off his escape routes and stay alert. I'll keep watch here."

"With all that noise, the village must know by now. Don't give them anything to criticize us for!"

It wasn't that Kazunosuke didn't want to run. He couldn't.

"Damn it! They've blocked every route."

Seeing several pairs of Sharingan staring at him, a shadow of dread settled over him.

Whoosh!

Uchiha Genmei flew toward him.

Kazunosuke glared angrily. "You're going to fight me alone? You really think too little of me!"

"I don't know what's going on with your appearance, but I'll teach you a proper lesson."

"Ninja have to be efficient, kid!"

BAM!

The two collided with a tremendous crash.

In an instant—

Their eyes met, and both released an undeniable killing intent!

I'll kill you!

Kazunosuke and Uchiha Genmei roared inwardly at the same time.

The two pulled apart again.

Uchiha Genmei watched his opponent calmly and settled into a stance.

Sorry for worrying you, Sister Chiri.

He slid a foot forward, bent his body, and gripped his sword hilt tightly. Not even the lightning and flames could conceal its cold gleam.

Kazunosuke formed hand seals and spat out a bolt of lightning.

[Lightning Release: Electromagnetic Murder!]

Uchiha faced the lightning head-on, his expression tightening.

But I'm fine now.

His figure vanished in an instant.

[Secret Technique: First Form: Lightning Flash!]

His lightning-wreathed blade carved more than a dozen streaks through the air.

The lightning bolt hurtling toward him was instantly sliced into more than a dozen pieces, which faded helplessly in midair!

"What?! He cut the lightning apart?!"

Kazunosuke was utterly shocked. What had happened to this kid? How had he changed so much?!

"Don't underestimate me, Uchiha!"

Wrapped in Lightning Armor, he charged forward with unparalleled confidence.

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

In the blink of an eye, the two clashed dozens of times at incredible speed.

The trees and ground within a hundred meters were reduced to rubble.

The Uchiha watching from the sidelines stared wide-eyed.

"They're both so strong! Who's that guy?"

"I think that's the Third Raikage's disciple, Guihao Kazunosuke."

"What? That kid Genmei can actually fight him? Guihao helped the Third Raikage restore order and killed Kinkaku and Ginkaku. He's a powerhouse!"

Hearing those around her praise Uchiha Genmei, the lovely figure watching the battle closely—

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly as a surge of pride welled up inside her.

That's Genmei, of course he's strong. But he wasn't like this this morning. What happened?

Was it because of Sei?

At the thought, her good mood turned a little awkward.

"Look! Those flickering sparks around Genmei are making him so hard to pin down while he's moving at Godspeed."

"Hm? What's going on? The Sharingan can barely make him out."

"What kind of Nintaijutsu is that? It's as fierce as fire, but so erratic it throws off the enemy's senses."

"I guarantee we don't have a secret technique like that in the clan!"

"So this is something that kid Genmei developed himself? The Uchiha are blessed. After gaining four Mangekyo, we've now got another ninja capable of matching a Kage!"

No matter what people outside the fight said—

Neither combatant dared let their guard down. At such high speeds—

Whoever lost focus would die!

Uchiha Genmei, surrounded by sparks and lightning, darted toward Kazunosuke from above.

CLANG!

Kazunosuke hurriedly raised his arm to block the lightning-and-fire blade.

BOOM!

The two pulled apart once more.

"Pant, pant..."

"Kid, I admit you're strong. You copied my Lightning Release Chakra Mode to get that appearance, didn't you?"

"What a genius. All the more reason I have to kill you here, even if word of this fight never gets out."

As he spoke, he raised his right hand and curled his thumb. Lightning gathered in great quantities around his four fingers.

"I'm going to show you what I can really do!"

[Lightning Release: Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite!]

Watching Kazunosuke charge at him, Uchiha Genmei sighed inwardly: You're strong, but I'm stronger now!

His scarlet Sharingan spun rapidly.

A great amount of chakra surged up, and the lightning and flames around him suddenly intensified!

He activated Phantom Body Lucid Lightning Fire Chakra Mode at full power!

[Secret Technique: Second Form: Nine-Fold Haze!]

Kazunosuke felt a powerful sense of wrongness rise within him!

He watched the enemy rapidly close in.

Something felt off.

What was it?

The image of the Sharingan appeared in his mind, then vanished at once.

Never mind. He would kill the kid first. Four-Finger Nukite was invincible!

BOOM!

The thrust collided with the blade!

The kid before his eyes vanished like a bubble. Kazunosuke had just been about to sneer that his opponent was no match for him when his expression changed.

No!

Something was wrong! Something wasn't right!

Kazunosuke came to his senses as if waking from a dream.

"Wait, kid, you—"

Before he could finish, nine streaks of cold lightning and fire flashed past.

All four of Kazunosuke's limbs were severed. The sensation of his torso floating in midair twisted his face into a snarl.

He roared:

"Guh! Impossible! It's absolutely impossible! Why did you suddenly get so much stronger? You weren't my match just moments ago!"

The lightning and flames surrounding them faded like bubbles.

His bewitching Sharingan shining with fierce killing intent, Uchiha Genmei walked toward him.

"Why did you think you were the only one who hadn't been serious?"

SWISH!

The gleaming blade sliced through the air.

Looking at the ninja now separated from his head, Uchiha Genmei flicked his hand to shake the blood from his blade, then slowly sheathed it.

"Curse your fate for not being born with the Sharingan, Kazunosuke. You were a worthy opponent. I'll remember you."

At that moment—

A middle-aged ninja with bandages wrapped around his head and an ominous aura about him entered the battlefield with a group of men.