Hunting Deidara!

"...I lost."

Jiraiya shook his head with a bitter smile.

"The younger generation really does...surpass the old..."

"Ye Chuan, your strength has already far exceeded my imagination. It's terrifying..."

He knew that if Ye Chuan had truly wanted to kill him just now, he would probably have died several times over.

"Then, as agreed..." Ye Chuan said calmly.

"I know."

Jiraiya sighed. Though reluctance lingered in his eyes, there was more acceptance.

"I won't go to Amegakure again. I'll stay in Konoha and properly...train that kid Naruto."

Losing to a little monster like this...didn't seem all that embarrassing, did it?

Only after hearing Jiraiya's promise did Ye Chuan slowly sheathe Wado Ichimonji.

Tsunade, who had been waiting in the distance, finally couldn't hold back and rushed over.

She first glared at Jiraiya, then immediately turned to Ye Chuan, her face filled with gratification and...lingering fear!

"You little brat! You scared me to death!"

Tsunade stepped forward, pulled Ye Chuan into her arms, and began ruffling his hair out of habit again, a hint of reproach in her voice.

"Well done! You actually beat Jiraiya! Just what I'd expect from the disciple I chose!"

Once again, Ye Chuan helplessly endured Tsunade's rough affection, feeling that familiar "pressure."

Watching this from beside them, Jiraiya immediately felt a little jealous. But after glancing at the perfectly calm Ye Chuan, he could only purse his lips.

"...Forget it. He's just a kid..."

Inside Ye Chuan's small house in a corner of Konoha.

Sitting cross-legged, Ye Chuan slowly opened his eyes and let out a long, stale breath.

He raised a hand and summoned the system panel with a thought.

[Inheritance template: "Hawkeye" Dracule Mihawk]

[Current Inheritance Progress: 92.6%]

"92.6%...I'm finally nearing the finish line."

That number meant he was now infinitely close to the peak condition of the World's Greatest Swordsman.

Both his swordsmanship and his Haki had now reached an inconceivable level.

With his current strength...

He could count on one hand those in the world of Naruto who could truly threaten him.

He mentally ran through the list of this world's powerful figures.

Uchiha Itachi's Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu were indeed troublesome, but as long as he avoided looking into his eyes, relying on Observation Haki and speed might give him a fighting chance.

What he really needed to worry about was something Itachi might possess...Shisui's Kotoamatsukami.

If he fell victim to that practically game-breaking genjutsu, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Then there was the Rinnegan.

Pain's Six Paths Technique, along with the Rinnegan that Obito Uchiha and Madara Uchiha might possess in the future...

That power involved a higher level, and he had to find a way to counter it.

Aside from those few beings with abilities that defied the rules...

He was confident he could fight and defeat the others, even those at the Five Kage's level, or even...kill them!

At this point, Ye Chuan could practically go wherever he pleased in the Shinobi World!

Ever since coming to this world, he had acted cautiously, planned every step, and quietly built up his strength, keeping his head down for ten whole years!

Now that his strength was nearing its peak, it seemed...the time had come to hold his head high.

His most pressing task was to fill that final 7.4% as quickly as possible and reach a perfect 100%!

Fully master all of Hawkeye's power, then unlock the second inheritance!

Only then could he ensure he had the absolute power to protect himself in the coming shinobi war.

And the fastest way to level up was undoubtedly to hunt powerful opponents.

The Akatsuki...was unquestionably the best source of experience!

A cold gleam flashed in Ye Chuan's eyes as he began choosing his target.

"Pain and Obito are off-limits for now. Itachi...his situation is complicated. I'll leave him for later. Then..."

He thought of the blond rogue ninja who called himself an artist.

"Deidara! You're the one!"

He knew that Deidara was currently working with Obito, who was disguised as Tobi.

And judging by the timeline, they would soon encounter Sasuke Uchiha, who had left Orochimaru and was searching for Itachi.

"I can't let Sasuke get to him first."

He hesitated no longer and set off immediately.

Several days later, in a barren stretch of rocky terrain near the Land of Fire's border.

"Hey! Tobi! Can't you be serious for once?! Art demands a serious attitude! Hmm!"

Atop a giant white Clay Bird, the blond youth Deidara shouted in displeasure at his teammate, who wore an orange spiral mask.

"Oh, come on, Deidara-senpai~ Don't be so mean~ I just thought the weather was nice and wanted to dance a little~" Tobi said in a deliberately silly voice.

"Idiot!" Deidara pursed his lips.

Just then, a calm yet oppressive voice suddenly came from ahead of them.

"Where are you two headed?"

Startled, Deidara and Tobi looked up at the same time.

At some point, a black-haired youth had appeared atop a huge boulder ahead.

Dressed in simple, close-fitting black clothes, with a pure white katana at his waist, he gazed down at them calmly.

"You?! That guy from Konoha..."

Deidara recognized Ye Chuan instantly.

After all, this black-haired youth had snatched away the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki and killed Kakuzu and Sasori. Intelligence about him had long since spread throughout the Akatsuki.

"You bastard! You actually dared to come looking for us?! Hmm!"

Unable to stand Ye Chuan's calm expression, Deidara instantly flew into a rage and plunged both hands into his clay pouches!

"Perfect! You got away last time, but now I'll show you my most perfect art!"

He attacked immediately! Several C1: Clay Spiders and birds shot toward Ye Chuan!

Ye Chuan watched the incoming Clay Bombs without the slightest flicker in his eyes.

Soru!

His figure instantly vanished from the spot, easily avoiding every explosion!

The next moment, he was already in front of Deidara!

"So fast!" Deidara's pupils contracted!

Without the slightest hesitation, Ye Chuan brought Wado Ichimonji, coated in pitch-black Armament Haki, down toward his head!

Deidara hastily blocked with a clay arm!

Crack! The clay arm was easily severed! The blade continued its descent without losing momentum!

At that critical moment, Deidara leaped awkwardly off the Clay Bird!

"Damn it!"

Shocked and furious, Deidara immediately put some distance between them and rapidly formed hand seals!

"Try this! C3 No. 18! Release!"

A giant clay doll hurtled toward Ye Chuan with a roar!

Ye Chuan's gaze sharpened, but he neither dodged nor retreated!

An even more concentrated, terrifying wave of sword energy erupted!

Boom-!!!

The C3 doll was slashed apart and detonated in midair!

"What?!"

Deidara was utterly horrified! Even C3 had been so easily...

"Are you finished? Is this all there is to your art?"

Ye Chuan's calm voice suddenly came from behind Deidara, like a demon's whisper.

Deidara turned his head stiffly, only to see that Ye Chuan had somehow appeared less than five meters behind him!

"Unforgivable!!"

Extreme fear and rage drove Deidara out of his mind!