Kill

Gekko Hayate stared at Uchiha Gray with hostility.

Though the kid in front of him was hailed as a genius of the Uchiha Clan, he was only nine years old.

More importantly, Hayate was a Jonin!

Uchiha Gray was just a Genin. There was no comparison between them.

A ninja who hadn't grown into a strong fighter was bound to be a flash in the pan, no matter how talented he was.

"Yugao, leave him. He can't make you happy. He's only nine, and there's a seven-year age gap between you. Besides, the Uchiha Clan would never accept you. There's no future for the two of you!"

He looked confident.

Though he didn't know how Uchiha Gray had won over Uzuki Yugao, whom he'd pursued for years without success, he believed she was only confused for the moment.

Only he, a Jonin, was worthy of her.

"I won't leave Gray!" Uzuki Yugao's pretty face turned cold.

"And whether Gray and I have a future has nothing to do with you!"

But what Gekko Hayate said was exactly what she worried about most.

Uzuki Yugao felt conflicted.

"Yugao!"

Gekko Hayate's expression darkened.

You're just a nine-year-old kid, you haven't even grown hair yet. What makes you think you can compete with me!?

"Uchiha Gray, you and Yugao can never be together. If you know what's good for you, get lost right now. Don't make me teach you a lesson, you little brat who hasn't even grown hair yet."

A cold glint flashed in Uchiha Gray's eyes.

"Did a donkey kick your brain? If you want to die, I'll grant your wish."

Before the Uchiha Clan had openly broken with the Leaf, he hadn't wanted to get involved in its affairs. He'd been perfectly happy to stay out of it.

But that didn't mean he'd let anyone walk all over him.

"You think a little brat like you can take me on?"

Gekko Hayate's face lit up with delight. To him, Uchiha Gray was simply overestimating himself.

He looked down at Gray as if he were an insect.

"I can beat you senseless with one hand!"

Gekko Hayate's expression twisted. In his eyes, no matter how strong Uchiha Gray was, he was still just a Genin.

This was the perfect chance to teach the kid a lesson and show Yugao who was truly worthy of her.

"Fool." Uchiha Gray slowly spat out the word.

Ever since he'd gotten together with Uzuki Yugao, he'd known Gekko Hayate might come looking for trouble. He hadn't expected him to be so stupid, though.

Uchiha Gray vanished in an instant, like a flash of golden light.

Gekko Hayate didn't even see him move.

Their strength wasn't even on the same level.

"Bam!"

A thunderous crash rang out.

Uchiha Gray was completely unharmed, while Gekko Hayate flew backward like a shrimp.

His face contorted in pain as he curled up, feeling like a limp rag doll that had been kicked away.

He hadn't even seen his opponent. How could this kid possibly be so fast!?

"How can you move that fast? You're even faster than me, and I'm a Jonin!"

Gekko Hayate stared at Uchiha Gray in disbelief.

He was one of the Leaf's top ninjas and practically a Taijutsu specialist.

He was incredibly fast, yet Uchiha Gray was faster. Could Gray already be an Elite Jonin?

Gekko Hayate's pupils contracted.

An Elite Jonin at only nine years old? How was that possible?

Even Hatake Kakashi hadn't become a Jonin until he was twelve.

Gray wasn't even old enough to become an Elite Jonin.

How could this kid have even more terrifying talent than Hatake Kakashi?

"Since you're asking to die, I'll grant your wish today."

Uchiha Gray's voice was icy. He didn't consider himself a bloodthirsty person.

But if someone came after him, he wouldn't cower—especially not in front of his woman!

A Light Weapon appeared in his hand.

He sneered and glanced up at the sky. Someone was watching him.

Third, if you weren't pulling the strings behind this, then tell me—would I believe that?

But I don't care what role you played in this.

A flash of golden light streaked from the Light Weapon in his hand. In an instant, Gekko Hayate's entire right arm was sliced off as easily as a fruit knife cutting through modeling clay!

Gekko Hayate hadn't even reacted. Only after Uchiha Gray stopped moving did he realize his right arm was gone.

The unbearable pain made him cry out in agony.

"How can you be this strong?"

No matter what kind of strength this kid possessed, there was no doubt he was stronger than Hayate.

At that moment, Gekko Hayate felt the terror of death.

This kid really was going to kill him!

"What are you doing? Don't come any closer! Let me go! I was wrong, please!"

Gekko Hayate's teeth chattered.

At last, he panicked.

Who had told him Uchiha Gray was just an ordinary Genin with no real strength, someone he could easily beat?

He'd listened to that nonsense and tried to play the hero in front of Uzuki Yugao.

And now he'd ended up like this!

He hurriedly begged for mercy. "Gray, I was wrong. Please let me go. I'll never bother you again."

"I'll stay far away from you whenever I see you from now on."

Uchiha Gray's voice remained icy. He couldn't be bothered to listen to Gekko Hayate.

He wasn't a saint. How could he spare a man who coveted his woman?

No man could tolerate another man lusting after his woman.

"Die. Try to be a little smarter in your next life."

Uchiha Gray finished speaking, then swung the Light Weapon in his hand.

Gekko Hayate's head and body were instantly split apart.

Blood gushed from his neck like a spring.

Uchiha Gray looked down at Gekko Hayate's corpse, his expression calm.

This was Sarutobi Hiruzen's scheme, but he didn't care.

If he couldn't protect his own woman, what kind of man would he be?

Schemes or no schemes, I, Gray, stand here. I am the heavens!

"Heh!"

Uchiha Gray sneered.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, if this is all you've got, you've really disappointed me."

With that, he took Uzuki Yugao's soft hand and headed toward the Uchiha Clan.

He'd wondered what sort of tactics Sarutobi Hiruzen might use, but he hadn't expected him to make his move through Gekko Hayate.

He had to admit that Sarutobi Hiruzen was a skilled politician.

He'd found Gray's weak point in one stroke.

But Uchiha Gray didn't regret it at all. A knowing smile touched his eyes.

"Sooner or later, I was going to fall out with the Leaf anyway. This just moved things up a little."

More importantly, his strength had now reached its absolute peak.

In short, I'm invincible. Do whatever you want.

But Uzuki Yugao didn't know that.

Her eyes wide with alarm, Uzuki Yugao looked at Uchiha Gray with concern. "Gray, you killed Gekko Hayate! Let's run away! We'll never come back to the Leaf!"

"Otherwise, they'll definitely throw us in prison."

"And then we'll be trapped in eternal darkness."

Uzuki Yugao looked at Uchiha Gray with determination.

"