The Future of the Uchiha Clan

Under the moonlight, killing intent filled the air!

As Tobirama raced forward, he sensed the surging aura ahead and immediately grew wary, his focus sharpened to its limit.

Sure enough, when only thirty paces remained between them, Yan Hong abruptly stopped and turned around, red light flickering in his eyes!

"Eyes like Izuna's!" Tobirama came to a sudden halt, his feet scraping two deep grooves across the ground!

In the Shinobi World, aside from the Uchiha Clan themselves, no one understood the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan better than Tobirama. The moment he landed, he shifted his gaze away, refusing to meet Yan Hong's eyes directly!

Eye Technique: Kagami no Mitama!

"Just as expected, the side effects of the Mangekyō Sharingan are truly severe. As expected of Tobirama Senju—the ocular power consumed this time was nearly twice as much as when I used it on Ise!"

Bloody tears fell as Yan Hong endured the agonizing pain throughout his body and completed the theft of the ninjutsu!

On the other side, Tobirama's expression was grave. "Since it's the Mangekyō Sharingan, it should have developed a unique eye technique. Judging by his appearance just now, he must have activated it. But what was it?"

"Haa..." Yan Hong took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, they blazed with fighting spirit. "Here I come!"

Clap—

Yan Hong brought his hands together, and chakra surged skyward from his entire body!

Water Release: Water Shockwave!

Rumble—

A towering wave suddenly rose from the flat ground, forming a ring of floodwaters several yards high. Then the wind and waves began spinning around Yan Hong, gradually becoming a massive whirlpool hundreds of meters wide!

"Hmph! An Uchiha Clan member dares flaunt Water Release before me?" Tobirama formed hand seals, utterly unafraid. "Let me show you what real—hm?"

Tobirama had intended to use Water Release, but froze. The chakra within his body circulated normally, yet the ninjutsu would not activate!

Splash—

Losing focus in battle was a deadly mistake. In the next instant, Tobirama was swept up by the waves and spun through the raging waters. Forget using the current to maneuver—he could barely stabilize himself, like a drifting leaf at the mercy of the tide!

Having seized the initiative, Yan Hong naturally would not miss such a rare opportunity. Forming hand seals, he prepared to chain a full combo together and finish Tobirama off!

Water Release: Water Dragon Bite Explosion!

The water beneath Tobirama, who was tumbling amid the waves, suddenly sank. Then a Water Dragon surged up beneath him, carrying him into the air and forcibly propelling him backward dozens of meters in an instant!

Boom—

The Water Dragon exploded in midair, its unleashed chakra tearing wildly in every direction and instantly damaging Tobirama's meridians throughout his body. His face flushed red as he coughed out a mouthful of blood!

Water Release: Water Vortex Blade!

The instant Tobirama was injured by the blast, Yan Hong appeared before him. A water spear condensed from a rapidly spinning vortex hovered in his palm as it stabbed straight at Tobirama's face!

If that strike landed cleanly, Tobirama's entire head would be pierced through!

"Bastard! Don't underestimate me!"

Tobirama's eyes turned bloodshot. With a flick of his hand, a string of Explosive Tags appeared out of nowhere. Drawn by his chakra, they detonated simultaneously in a blinding flash of white light!

Ninja Art: Explosive Curse Tags!

Boom—

The deafening explosion echoed through the heavens. The violent shockwave instantly blasted the two apart, while the towering waves turned into a torrential downpour beneath the blast!

The two fell from the sky alongside the rain. Before Tobirama's feet could touch the ground, a sharp whistle of tearing wind sounded beside his ear. A stream of water sliced through the sky and shot toward him in the blink of an eye!

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

Rip—

Blood sprayed!

Tobirama swiftly leaped backward dozens of meters, leaving a bone-deep wound across his shoulder. Blood flowed down his arm, yet his expression did not change in the slightest.

"I understand. Your eye technique steals other people's ninjutsu, doesn't it? And not just one, but an entire series of them. So, how long can you keep it up?"

Yan Hong's expression remained calm as he formed hand seals again. "Long enough to kill you!"

Tobirama's gaze narrowed, and he lowered his body slightly. "Is it coming again? Wait... that seal is!"

Yan Hong's chest suddenly swelled, followed by a mouthful of overwhelming flames!

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

"Fire Release!" Tobirama's eyes lit up. "Looks like the theft duration is over!"

Whoosh—

Tobirama rapidly formed hand seals. "Water Release: Water Dragon... hm? I still can't use it! Damn it!"

Rumble—

The fireball exploded in the distance, instantly leaving a deep black circular crater in the ground. Residual flames burned across the scorched earth, crackling and popping.

"Hiss!" Yan Hong clutched his left eye in pain. Looking at the devastation before him, he let out a regretful sigh. "He still got away."

Yan Hong struggled to his feet. Only after confirming there were no other pursuers did he turn and head toward the Uchiha Clan camp.

After walking less than a mile, he spotted Izuna in the distance, standing quietly against a tree with his arms folded as he waited for him.

"Second Brother?"

Izuna smiled faintly. "How did it feel?"

Yan Hong seemed to understand something and gave a bitter smile. "No wonder Tobirama chose to run. So you'd been here all along, Second Brother."

Izuna walked over to Yan Hong and carefully examined his condition. Only after confirming that he was not seriously hurt did he speak. "After you left, Brother and I discussed it as well. We felt you were right. All this time, your talent has been the greatest among the three of us brothers. You truly shouldn't have been kept behind the scenes."

Then Izuna's tone shifted, becoming rather serious. "But right now, you're like a fledgling eagle that has only just taken flight. You still lack real combat experience. As your brother, all I can do is protect you until you can truly soar on your own."

Warmth filled Yan Hong's heart. This was the Uchiha Clan—proud, yet fiercely protective of their own. To the Uchiha Clan, the bonds between family were the most important thing. Yet Konoha's future Will of Fire, under Hashirama's influence, had become somewhat backward. The village's interests were placed above all else, leading to tragedies such as the Uchiha Clan's extermination and the Hyuga Clan being forced to hand over their clan head!

"Thanks, Second Brother," Yan Hong said sincerely.

"Why are you thanking me?" Izuna punched Yan Hong lightly on the shoulder in irritation. "How is it? Does your eye still hurt?"

"It's much better now." Yan Hong covered his left eye. "This time, I only managed to gain the advantage because of the information gap. But the ability of my left eye has already been exposed. The next time I face Tobirama Senju, it won't go so smoothly."

"You still have a long road ahead of you. And don't forget, you're not alone." Izuna said confidently, "Leave Tobirama Senju to your Second Brother."

"Uh... heh, right." Yan Hong smiled awkwardly. He did not have the heart to undermine Izuna's confidence, but with him around this time, he naturally would not let his Second Brother die at Tobirama's hands.

Noticing Yan Hong's sudden silence, Izuna assumed he was still troubled by his own strength. Smiling, he patted Yan Hong on the shoulder. "All right, don't think too much about it. Let's go. Brother is probably getting anxious waiting."

Yan Hong came back to himself and nodded. "Yeah. Perfect timing—I have something I want to tell both of you, about the future of our clan..."