Chapter 11

Over the years, aside from the ninjutsu he had brought in at the start, he had also learned quite a few miscellaneous techniques from Might Guy. He had not neglected taijutsu either.

Bang!

Zabuza was kicked apart, exploding into a puddle of water. "Another Water Clone Technique?"

Uchiha Yi raised a brow. Without even thinking, he swung around and threw a punch.

Strong Fist: Great Strength Fist!

He shouted inwardly as chakra instantly wrapped around his right fist and blasted forward.

He had developed these Strong Fist techniques himself by studying the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist.

Killing intent pressed down from every direction. Zabuza's voice was muffled, as though it were rising from underground. "Pulling these little tricks, Zabuza, you really live up to the title 'Demon.'"

Uchiha Yi curled his lip, completely unconcerned. "Kid, you've got quite the mouth. Since you're in such a hurry to die, I'll send you on your way."

Boom!

A fierce gust exploded outward. Zabuza flashed forward and was suddenly right in front of Uchiha Yi, swinging the Executioner's Blade down in a full arc.

Slash—

One strike cut him in two. Yet the severed body immediately turned into a puddle of water. "Water Clone Technique?"

"Correct."

Uchiha Yi's voice drifted from behind Zabuza, followed by a high sweeping kick.

Leaf Whirlwind!

Over the years, he had not merely relied on the skills granted by the system. He had also trained in plenty of taijutsu under Might Guy, and this leg technique was one of them.

Bang!

Zabuza was kicked apart and turned into another puddle of water. "Another Water Clone Technique?"

A trace of disdain flashed through Uchiha Yi's eyes. Without even turning his head, he threw a backhanded punch.

Strong Fist: Great Strength Fist!

Chakra gathered around his fist, and when he launched the punch, it carried a dull roar through the air. Uchiha Yi had developed this Strong Fist by studying the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist. It had not fully taken shape yet, but its sheer chakra-powered force was already terrifying.

Thud!

Zabuza and his blade were sent flying. If he had not raised the Executioner's Blade across his chest in time to block the punch, he would have coughed up blood on the spot. "Kid, that strength of yours is rather surprising."

"Is that so? It feels pretty average to me."

"You're insanely arrogant. Don't think that having a bit more strength means you can stand on equal footing with me."

Zabuza's figure flickered and vanished again. The next instant, he appeared soundlessly behind Uchiha Yi.

Bang!

Without a second thought, Uchiha Yi spun and kicked. "You can see me?"

Zabuza frowned. He had used the Silent Killing Technique. The first time could have been a coincidence, but being seen through a second time was not right. "What made you think I couldn't see you? Or did you think this lousy mist would be of any use against me?"

Uchiha Yi turned around and opened his eyes. Three tomoe slowly rotated within them.

Sharingan. "The Sharingan? You're from the Uchiha Clan?"

"Ding dong, correct. Too bad there's no prize."

Uchiha Yi smiled calmly. "I see. I underestimated you. But kid, even with the Sharingan, you're still just a brat."

Body Flicker Technique: Mist Body Flicker.

Whoosh!

Zabuza appeared at Uchiha Yi's side, sweeping the Executioner's Blade at his waist. "Sigh. Why can't you just give up?"

Uchiha Yi lightly shook his head and stood still.

The blade passed through him, cutting his body in half.

He had succeeded. Yet Zabuza's heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong.

The next moment, the bisected Uchiha Yi vanished. Even the blood on the ground disappeared without a trace.

Was this... a genjutsu?

Zabuza's pupils suddenly contracted.

Then a cool voice rang out, seeming to come from all directions at once, with no source to be found. "Welcome to my world."

As the words fell, everything around them changed. "A genjutsu?"

"Yes."

Zabuza's vision blurred, and Uchiha Yi was standing before him. "I'd long heard that those red eyes of the Uchiha Clan had some wicked genjutsu. Today, I've finally seen it for myself. But you think a trick at this level can trap me?"

Zabuza roared and formed hand seals with both hands. "Release!"

Nothing happened.

He was still standing in that blood-red space, unable to move at all. "Tch, you really are slow."

Looking at Zabuza's bewildered expression, Uchiha Yi's lips curled in mockery. "Let me tell you the truth. This genjutsu of mine is called Illusion Realm. It was built on Tsukuyomi, then enhanced by the Extreme Sharingan in these eyes of mine.

It might not be as powerful as Tsukuyomi yet, but in terms of potential, Tsukuyomi would have to call me big brother. Maybe one day, I'll even upgrade this thing into Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Oh, you don't know what Tsukuyomi is, do you? You've probably never even heard of Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Let me put it this way. If Tsukuyomi were ranked among ninjutsu, it would at least be S-rank.

As for Infinite Tsukuyomi—it has already surpassed the very limits of ninjutsu. Once unleashed, there are fewer than five people in the entire ninja world who could withstand it.

My Illusion Realm may not be fully perfected yet, but it has barely reached the threshold of S-rank.

And you think you can break free from something at this level just by stockpiling chakra in advance and forcibly disrupting its flow?

The hell, do you think you've reached Kage level?

Tsk, tsk. When it comes to bragging, Zabuza, I, Uchiha Yi, acknowledge you as the strongest!"

That speech felt utterly satisfying.

Uchiha Yi let out a long breath, feeling incomparably refreshed.

He had held it in for too long. He clearly knew so much, yet could not say any of it. Now that he had finally caught an unlucky bastard like Zabuza, he poured it all out in one go.

That felt amazing!

Tsukuyomi? An S-rank genjutsu? Infinite Tsukuyomi? Something beyond ninjutsu?

Zabuza's mind had become a complete mess.

He had long been pinned down by an invisible force, unable to move even a finger.

His mouth said he did not believe it, but fear had already begun to creep into his heart.

Yet everything Uchiha Yi had said was true, especially about this Illusion Realm.

Though it was not fully perfected, with the Mangekyo Sharingan supporting it, it was not something an ordinary person could break.

At the very least, the current Zabuza had no chance.

From the moment he was caught in it, the outcome had already been decided.

Was he still waiting for Haku to rush out and save him? Waiting to fight him again later?

What a joke.

Uchiha Yi knew perfectly well that he would never farm someone like Zabuza a second time.

Not in this lifetime.

The thick mist around them gradually dispersed.

Kakashi frowned and swept his gaze across the battlefield.

Then he saw Zabuza kneeling before Uchiha Yi, utterly motionless.

What was going on?

The next second, his gaze landed on Uchiha Yi's eyes, and his pupils sharply contracted.

A genjutsu?

Sasuke was completely stunned.

Three... three tomoe!

That bastard had not only awakened his Sharingan, but had jumped straight to three tomoe?

Damn it!

He roared inwardly, unable to tell whether this anger was directed at Uchiha Yi or himself.

"Huh? Why isn't he moving?"

Naruto looked utterly confused, taking a long moment to process it. "Kakashi-sensei, why did Yi's eyes change? Look, look!"

"That's awesome! Those eyes are so cool! I want a pair too."

"Sensei, tell me, what do I need to do to become like Yi?"

Kakashi's mouth twitched. He could not be bothered to answer this idiot.

Hmm?

Suddenly, his expression tightened, and he looked toward a certain direction.

Whoosh.

Before long, a masked figure landed in front of them.

ANBU from the Hidden Mist Village?

Uchiha Yi immediately knew that Haku had arrived.

The instant he examined Haku, a faint trace of regret flashed through his eyes.

Ah... he really is a guy.

The moment the other person appeared, Yi sensed that the aura was definitely not feminine. The small bit of anticipation in his heart immediately died.

Such a beautiful character in Naruto, yet he was actually a man. What a... waste. "Ninja of Konoha, could you hand this missing-nin over to me for disposal?"

The voice was cool and emotionless, but Uchiha Yi still caught the concern hidden within it. "Of course. He's from your Hidden Mist Village, after all, so there's no one more suitable to handle him. Kakashi-sensei, don't you agree?"

At the end, Uchiha Yi turned toward Kakashi.

Kakashi nodded without saying much.

"Thank you."

That cool voice rang out again, and Haku took Zabuza away.

He came and went like the wind.

However, as Haku carried Zabuza away, a meaningful curve appeared on Uchiha Yi's lips.

He had no intention of replaying this plot a second time.

Though Zabuza was still breathing, there was already something wrong with his condition.

Kakashi could not help taking another look, his tone carrying some emotion. "I never expected you to be so skilled with genjutsu. Even Zabuza fell to you."

The Demon of the Hidden Mist, a man with so much blood on his hands, had been taken down by a single genjutsu from Uchiha Yi.

That genjutsu was formidable. "It was all right. To put it plainly, I just had the advantage of these eyes."

There was no need to say the word Sharingan aloud. Kakashi understood perfectly well.

He said nothing more and directly ordered them to continue on their journey.

Sasuke suddenly stepped in front of Uchiha Yi, gritted his teeth, and threw out a single sentence. "Yi, remember this. One day, I'll surpass you!"

The moment he finished speaking, he turned and left, with no intention of waiting for a response.

Surpass me?

Come say that again when you really become Sasuke.

No, that's not right. Even if this fool truly evolved into Sasuke, his Extreme Sharingan probably still wouldn't catch up to where I am now.

Kid, accept your fate.

Elsewhere, in an unknown corner, Haku supported Zabuza as they came to a stop.

Zabuza had already regained consciousness. "Zabuza-sama, how are you feeling now?"

"I'm fine."

Zabuza's voice was cold as a blade as he threw out a command. "Let's go. We're going back to find Gato."

"Yes."

Haku nodded obediently.

He vaguely sensed that Zabuza had developed killing intent toward Gato. But he had never thought to investigate further. After all, he saw himself as nothing more than a tool in Zabuza's hand.

What he did not notice was the faint tomoe pattern floating in the depths of Zabuza's pupils.

Uchiha Yi's Illusion Realm did far more than simply trap people in an illusion.

It possessed another ability—spiritual erosion.

Although it could not compare to the will-altering power of Kotoamatsukami, it was more than enough to influence someone's thoughts for a short time.

Uchiha Yi had given Zabuza an order.

Destroy the Gato Company.

After that, kill himself.

This day was destined to see bloodshed.

Not long afterward, Zabuza truly killed Gato, then immediately took his own life.