Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique!

Uchiha ninja had always been proud!

But very few people would actually call them weak!

Yet when Uchiha Tianshui declared, "You've already lost," only to be knocked flat by a punch the very next second, even his fellow Uchiha Clan members had to admit, "Tianshui really does suck!"

"There's something strange about Uchiha Hui!"

Among the spectators, a passing Uchiha Jonin could not help making that remark.

He had not arrived particularly late.

He had returned from outside after the two began fighting. He had originally planned to stroll around before heading home, but seeing the commotion—and finding that one of the participants was the clan leader's younger brother—he had stayed to watch.

Of everyone present, only he had noticed Uchiha Hui's subtle move when he used the Clone Technique earlier.

After all.

Once the ninjutsu erupted, the resulting scene could easily obscure most people's vision.

Even for ninja like them, who possessed the Sharingan!

"Tianshui?!"

Someone expressed concern for Uchiha Tianshui, who lay on the ground, but did not immediately approach to check on him, merely calling out a question.

Judging by that.

Uchiha Temple seemed to have had the upper hand when it came to personal relationships.

"I'm fine!"

Uchiha Tianshui forced himself to his feet.

He shook his head and turned his gaze back toward Uchiha Hui, who stood a short distance away.

This time.

Uchiha Tianshui's eyes had become quite clear. Combined with his badly swollen cheek, they made him look comical and strangely incongruous.

"I lost!"

Uchiha Tianshui realized that he was no match for Uchiha Hui.

After resting a while, he could challenge him again, just as Uchiha Temple had earlier.

But.

Could he really defeat Uchiha Hui as he was now?

After considering everything.

Uchiha Tianshui conceded outright.

Still.

That did not mean he had given up. He had already found a way to deal with a brute like Uchiha Hui.

Next time, he would definitely win!

"Giving up that easily? You still look pretty good to me. Want to try again?"

Uchiha Hui took two steps forward and collected a ball of light that only he could see. This time, it was black, much like the one that had dropped a "trace amount of pupil power" not long ago.

After a quick check.

He found that, just as he had guessed, the reward this time was precisely the "trace amount of pupil power" he had hoped for.

"There's no need."

Uchiha Tianshui shook his head in refusal.

He did not want another taste of Uchiha Hui's iron fist without being confident of victory. It had felt so much like stone that he even suspected Uchiha Hui had coated his fist with Earth Release, like the Iwagakure ninja he had encountered in the past.

Yet through his Sharingan.

He had seen no sign of Uchiha Hui doing anything of the sort.

In the end, he could only conclude that Uchiha Hui had deliberately trained his taijutsu, making his fists that hard!

"You're nowhere near as weak as everyone said. Those old rumors were clearly false. Even among Chunin, your strength is certainly nothing to scoff at! I acknowledge your strength!"

Uchiha Tianshui spoke again.

This time, he seemed to be salvaging his dignity, praising Uchiha Hui to reduce the chances of being mocked himself.

Otherwise, was he supposed to go around with the label of someone who had "lost to that weakling Uchiha Hui"?

Absolutely not!

That was another way in which he was smarter than Uchiha Temple.

"All right."

Uchiha Hui did not insist on another fight. As long as someone was willing to fight him and he could get a reward, he did not care who his opponent was!

"Here's your money."

Uchiha Tianshui pulled a thousand ryo from his pocket and handed it to Uchiha Hui. Then, with his head held high and his chest out, he walked through the crowd and headed away.

However.

People still noticed his unsteady steps, and quite a few could not help talking about them.

"Who else?!"

Uchiha Hui noticed that the commotion had attracted the attention of some Jonin. Still, he had done nothing strange, and his sparring with his clansmen had stopped short of going too far. He had caused no trouble, so he had nothing to fear. Once again, he looked toward the large gathering of Chunin.

"I'll give it a try!"

Uchiha Hui swept his gaze around and found that no one answered for the moment. He was just about to pull out his cash again to tempt these clan ninja, whose incomes had recently been restricted.

The next second, a figure stepped forward.

Uchiha Ryuka.

He was someone Hui knew fairly well, or at least someone who had left a strong impression in his memories.

For no other reason.

Than that the two were the same age.

They had even graduated from the Ninja Academy within two years of each other.

Most importantly.

This fellow named Uchiha Ryuka had once viciously mocked Uchiha Hui.

And his specialty.

Was genjutsu, a field Uchiha Hui had yet to touch!

He was not someone to underestimate!

--

Name: Uchiha Ryuka

Identity: Uchiha Elite Chunin of Konohagakure, Land of Fire

Reputation: 5,500 points

Relationship: Dislike

--

His opponent's reputation had jumped from two thousand to five thousand, nearly doubling, and the relationship had deteriorated as well.

Thus, Uchiha Hui hesitated slightly.

"What's wrong, Uchiha Hui? Scared?!"

Uchiha Ryuka taunted him, folding his arms across his chest. He seemed to be looking down on Uchiha Hui, exuding an air of superiority.

"Hui has been fighting for so long. His stamina must have dropped. Ryuka, you're making things difficult for him!"

"Exactly! Exactly!"

"You're just taking advantage of him!"

"..."

Some people spoke up for Uchiha Hui from the sidelines.

Perhaps Uchiha Hui had not been welcome at this training ground before, but defeating two ninja in succession had earned him their recognition.

So.

When Uchiha Ryuka suddenly appeared and tried to put him down.

He naturally provoked everyone's anger at once.

Uchiha Ryuka's expression darkened. He stared fixedly at Uchiha Hui, seemingly trying to pressure him.

Weren't you supposed to be so strong?

Then why won't you fight me? Are you scared? If you are, stand up and admit you don't dare!

"Hui! If you're tired, get some rest! Everyone has already acknowledged your strength!"

A steady voice rang out.

Everyone looked over.

They immediately saw several upright figures.

Leading them was Uchiha Tekka.

He was also the one who had just spoken.

"No need!"

Uchiha Hui briefly assessed his condition and confirmed there were no major problems. He was also eager to fight Uchiha Ryuka and test his true ability. "Tekka, you're just in time. Why don't you referee this match? I'm afraid we might not be able to hold back once we get going."

"Since you've made your decision, I'll referee this match!"

Uchiha Tekka looked into Uchiha Hui's eyes, pondered for a moment, then nodded.

Across from him.

Uchiha Ryuka gave Uchiha Hui a somewhat sinister smile.

Soon.

The two stood facing each other.

"Begin!"

Uchiha Tekka swung his arm sharply, announcing the start of the fight.

"Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique!"

Uchiha Ryuka unleashed his jutsu the instant they faced off.

Unlike before.

What he used was genjutsu cast through the Sharingan.

This genjutsu could pin an enemy in place, then inflict pain on their body through the illusion, making them feel as though enormous stakes had nailed them to the ground.

Uchiha Hui truly had not expected him to open with his "ultimate move."

Wasn't everyone supposed to probe each other's limits first, then take things gradually?

He tried to will his body back into motion.

Unfortunately.

Genjutsu was not something that could be broken so easily.

Uchiha Hui knew something about this genjutsu called the Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique. In its most famous appearance, Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, had been frozen in place by a single glance from Uchiha Itachi, forced to cut off a hand to break free, and then flee for his life.

This was the very genjutsu Orochimaru had fallen under back then!

"He's going to lose..."

Uchiha Tekka looked at Uchiha Hui, then glanced at Uchiha Ryuka again from the corner of his eye.

Come to think of it.

Ryuka was a fairly close blood relative of his.

He was quite talented.

His mastery of genjutsu sometimes gave even Tekka, a Jonin, a headache.

Fortunately, Tekka's Sharingan was still more powerful than his!

But what about Uchiha Hui?

They both had two tomoe.

How was he supposed to break free?!

Uchiha Tekka was still somewhat surprised by Uchiha Hui's Two-Tomoe Sharingan.

As he remembered it, Hui had awakened his eyes years ago, but had never made any further progress!

He had never expected them to evolve so quietly...