Rasa's taunt was like a razor-sharp blade, ruthlessly stabbing into Uchiha Yan's proud heart. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, how could he tolerate such an insult to the Uchiha?
But as Rasa's Magnet Release Ninjutsu relentlessly assailed him, Uchiha Yan felt pressure and a challenge unlike any he had faced before. He began to feel overwhelmed. Rasa's Gold Dust was like an inescapable net, tightening around him and restricting his movements. Rage burned deep within him like a raging fire.
Uchiha Yan suddenly felt a searing heat in his eyes, as though flames were blazing inside his eye sockets. He abruptly opened his eyes, only to realize that the entire world before him had quietly changed.
Now, every movement Rasa made was exceptionally clear to him. Even the paths of individual Gold Dust particles seemed to slow down, as if everything were under his control. There was no doubt about it—this was the power the Uchiha Clan took pride in: the power of the Sharingan!
With his Sharingan awakened, Uchiha Yan's strength increased tremendously. This meant more than just enhanced vision; it also gave him extraordinary insight into the flow of chakra and his opponents' movements.
His distinctive Sharingan now shone a vivid red, with two Tomoe spinning rapidly around each pupil like nimble sprites, emanating a mysterious and powerful aura. This wondrous power allowed Uchiha Yan to read his opponent's intentions, predict the direction of their attacks with precision, and even resist the genjutsu they cast to some extent.
"I see it now! Your attacks are meaningless against these eyes. You don't stand a chance!" Uchiha Yan's voice rang with determination and confidence. The red glow of the Sharingan shone in his eyes, as if he could see through everything.
"Oh? So this is the Uchiha's Sharingan? It's certainly something," Rasa said, a hint of surprise in his voice. But he quickly regained his composure and confidence. "Still, thinking you can turn the tide with just that is underestimating me!"
Rasa increased his chakra output, and the Gold Dust storm grew even more violent. His figure flickered in and out of view behind the Gold Dust as he tried to evade the Sharingan's gaze.
Uchiha Yan kept his eyes fixed on Rasa's every move. The Sharingan's perceptive power let him follow Rasa's movements, and even amid the Gold Dust storm, Rasa's form was no longer difficult to track.
"Your Magnet Release is impressive, but you think this is enough to stop me?" Uchiha Yan sneered. His body suddenly accelerated, darting through the Gold Dust storm like a bolt of black lightning.
The short sword in his hand flashed with every swing, each cut slicing through the air as he aimed for Rasa's vital points. The Sharingan made his swordsmanship more precise and deadly, forcing even Rasa to take him seriously.
A grave look flashed across Rasa's eyes. He hadn't expected Uchiha Yan's strength to increase so dramatically after awakening his Sharingan. He reassessed his opponent, realizing he could no longer afford to underestimate him as before.
"Looks like I'll have to get serious, too," Rasa said gravely. His hands rapidly formed Hand Seals as he prepared to use a more powerful ninjutsu against Uchiha Yan.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Rain!"
The Gold Dust that had filled the sky transformed under Rasa's precise control. Each grain seemed to come alive, spinning in the air and gathering together as it gradually stretched and narrowed, until it became countless slender needles. It was a marvel of nature: the Gold Dust was no longer a heavy assault but had become light, sharp, and lethally beautiful.
The long needles formed from Gold Dust fell as densely as spring rain, covering the entire battlefield. Under Rasa's command, they flew along different paths at varying speeds, forming an almost inescapable web of attacks. In the sunlight, the needles reflected dazzling light, like countless glittering stars—beautiful, but dangerous.
Faced with this assault, Uchiha Yan felt a pressure unlike any he had known. He knew the needles' range and precision far surpassed those of the Gold Dust before. His Sharingan could track their paths, but the attack was so dense that even he could hardly dodge every needle.
He quickly adjusted his tactics, using the surrounding terrain to evade. Trees, rocks—any available cover became a refuge. At the same time, he began searching for patterns in Rasa's needle attacks, hoping to find a way to counter them.
As the tense duel continued, Uchiha Yan's Sharingan gradually adapted to the rhythm of the needles. He began to predict where they would be most concentrated and react in advance.
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"
Uchiha Yan shouted as a fierce burst of flame erupted from his mouth. The fire quickly spread through the air, setting the trees and vegetation ablaze and forming a wall of flames. It not only blocked the Gold Dust needles but melted them into harmless dust.
The heat and brightness of the flames created a spectacular scene on the battlefield. Their glow lit up Uchiha Yan's resolute face, making his Sharingan seem even more profound. The power of Fire Release Ninjutsu lay not only in its attacks but also in its ability to shape the battlefield to a ninja's advantage, offering more tactical options.
Rasa's eyes flashed with surprise. He hadn't expected Uchiha Yan to adjust his tactics so quickly and use Fire Release Ninjutsu to counter his Magnet Release attack. He realized that Uchiha Yan had more than powerful bloodline abilities; he also possessed exceptional battle intelligence and adaptability.
The wall of flames temporarily held back the Gold Dust needles, buying Uchiha Yan precious time. He didn't waste the opportunity. He immediately began searching for an opening in Rasa's defenses, preparing to counterattack. His Sharingan continued to survey the battlefield through the flames, looking for patterns and rhythms in the way Rasa controlled the Gold Dust.
As he continued using Fire Release Ninjutsu, Uchiha Yan began to feel his chakra running low. He knew that while Fire Release was powerful, sustained use consumed a great deal of chakra. He had to end the battle before he ran out.
Under cover of the flames, Uchiha Yan began moving quickly. His figure flickered in and out of view in the firelight, making it difficult for Rasa to pinpoint his location. At the same time, he searched for an opening, ready to use Fire Release Ninjutsu to deliver one final, decisive blow.
Although Uchiha Yan had used Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique to create a wall of flames and block Rasa's Magnet Release: Gold Dust Rain, Rasa's shifting tactics and extensive experience allowed him to find a countermeasure quickly. He calmly analyzed the wall of flames' weaknesses, knowing that a single Fire Release technique couldn't fully restrain his Magnet Release.
Rasa began gathering chakra and formed Hand Seals once more. "Magnet Release: Gold Dust Grand Funeral!" he shouted. At his command, the Gold Dust on the ground began to surge, turning into a golden torrent. It flowed around the flaming area and swept toward Uchiha Yan from an unexpected angle.
Uchiha Yan spotted the torrent of golden sand with his Sharingan, but by then, his chakra was nearly depleted, and maintaining the Fire Release technique had become a struggle. He tried to dodge again, but the torrent's speed and reach far exceeded his expectations. His movements began to slow.
The torrent finally caught up with Uchiha Yan. Gold Dust needles pierced through the flames and struck him mercilessly. A sharp pain shot through his body. He stumbled, then dropped to one knee, driving his short sword into the ground to keep himself from falling.
Rasa walked up to Uchiha Yan and looked down at the young ninja. There was no mockery in his eyes, only recognition of Uchiha Yan's courage and perseverance. "You're a worthy opponent. But every battle has a winner and a loser."
Uchiha Yan raised his head. The Sharingan still glimmered with defiance, and even in defeat, he refused to give up. "I... haven't lost yet..."
Uchiha Yan's defeat was like a boulder dropped into a still lake, stirring up a thousand waves. It sent the Nawaki Squad's situation into a sudden downward spiral, and an already tense situation became even more dire. Now they faced the immense pressure of being outnumbered two to three, and both of them felt the weight of it.
In such a difficult predicament, how could Nawaki and Hyuga Suzuran possibly turn the tables? Endless hardships and challenges awaited them ahead...
Before you continue