For a moment, the two stood at loggerheads, but in the end, the Anbu's presence proved more imposing.
After all, the man behind the Anbu was the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, while the Konoha Military Police Force had only the Uchiha Clan's head behind it.
"Hmph, then we'll leave this for another time."
Uchiha Kan's expression was rather ugly. He could tell that this Anbu was determined to oppose him, and dealing with Uya today seemed unlikely.
But Uya was merely a brat from another village with no backing. If he really wanted to crush him, he could do it anytime. Could the Anbu protect Uya for his entire life?
Now, only killing Uya could dispel the hatred in his heart.
Making no attempt to hide his killing intent toward Uya, Uchiha Kan turned coldly and prepared to leave.
Seeing this, the people around them wore indignant expressions, but there was also a trace of pity in their eyes as they looked at Uya.
They found it hard to believe that Uchiha Kan had actually suffered a setback at Uya's hands, but there was absolutely no way Uya could withstand the Uchiha Clan's retaliation.
Given the Uchiha Clan's overbearing ways, Uya might suddenly "disappear" tomorrow.
Everyone couldn't help sighing inwardly.
But just then, Uya suddenly spoke.
He called out to stop Uchiha Kan.
"Wait."
Uchiha Kan stopped, a sneer appearing on his face. Even if Uya knelt down and begged him now, it was already too late!
But to his surprise, Uya's words were not a plea for mercy, but a challenge!
"Three months from now, do you dare face me in a duel to the death?!"
Uya spoke as he looked calmly at Uchiha Kan.
He was facing a dead end now. To break out of it, he could only use this method to buy time.
As long as Uchiha Kan agreed, he would have some breathing room.
The moment Uya said this, the entire crowd erupted.
Everyone looked at Uya as though he were mad.
A duel to the death with a Chunin in three months?!
What a joke!
Even though Uya had just used some bizarre power to make Uchiha Kan suffer a setback, once a Chunin got serious, even three to five Genin would struggle to match him, let alone a student like Uya who hadn't even graduated!
Besides, Uchiha Kan was a Chunin of the Uchiha Clan!
Everyone stared blankly.
Uchiha Kan even thought he had misheard.
Uya was challenging him?!
Did this brat really think that making him suffer a small setback with his strange kekkei genkai qualified him to fight him?!
"Heh... hehehe..."
Uchiha Kan laughed.
His laughter was filled with mockery and disdain.
He looked haughtily at Uya and said, "You're challenging me? Very well, I accept!"
Though he knew perfectly well that Uya meant to stall for time, how could Uchiha Kan refuse his challenge with everyone watching?
It wasn't just his own face at stake, but the Uchiha Clan's as well. He couldn't afford to lose it!
But a mere three months would never let a brat turn the tables!
As long as he took it seriously, he was confident he could instantly kill even two Uyas!
The next moment, Uchiha Kan couldn't be bothered to say anything more. His figure turned into white smoke and vanished in an instant.
Only then did the people around them come to their senses, as though waking from a dream.
Alongside their amazement, they all felt regret.
"This child really is impressive. He stayed calm in the face of danger and challenged a Chunin, using the opportunity to buy himself three months."
"But unfortunately, he's offended the Uchiha Clan. No matter how talented he is, he won't have a chance to grow. Beating a Chunin in three months is simply impossible."
"Yes, only three months left. Isn't that too cruel for this child..."
Sighing, everyone shook their heads and left. None of them dared get involved in the Uchiha Clan's affairs.
The Anbu also looked at Uya with pity. If reporting this incident to the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi could draw his attention, perhaps Uya's life could still be saved, but the chances were slim.
The Anbu walked over to Uya, patted his shoulder, and said, "Go enjoy yourself for three months without worry. Given the Uchiha Clan's style, you won't need to worry about danger during that time."
With that, the Anbu also vanished in a puff of white smoke.
Enjoy myself for three months?
Fuck!
The corner of Uya's mouth immediately twitched, his face darkening with exasperation.
Uya knew Uchiha Kan couldn't refuse his challenge under those circumstances, so he had seized those three months without hesitation.
But those three months weren't for playing around!
He walked along the street.
News of Uya challenging Uchiha Kan seemed to have spread throughout Konoha very quickly.
A Ninja Academy student challenging a Chunin was quite an oddity.
People were discussing it everywhere.
Many of the looks directed his way carried a trace of pity.
Even those who usually disliked Uya sighed and shook their heads when they saw him.
Uya felt a little strange at first, but eventually grew used to it and stopped paying attention to their looks.
He planned to take a look at Might Duy's training, then go home and continue his extreme training.
Less than two months had passed since he obtained the Quake Release kekkei genkai, and he already possessed his current strength, enough to face almost any Genin without fear.
Though there was a large gap between Genin and Chunin, it wasn't one that couldn't be bridged in a short time!
In the original story, Kakashi Hatake had become a Genin at five and a Chunin at six.
Uya likewise had the confidence and determination to raise his strength to Chunin level within three months!
Soon, Uya reached the place where Might Duy trained.
He had intended to leave after a quick look. After all, he hadn't seen Might Duy practice the Eight Gates Released Formation all this time, and he no longer held much hope.
Yet unexpectedly, this time, a single glance made Uya's gaze freeze.
The world gradually darkened.
The sun's lingering rays shone into the little grove, lending it a peaceful, tranquil air, but all of that was shattered by a powerful aura!
Boom!!
At that very moment, Might Guy stood in the center of the small clearing, green light surging all over his body.
An aura beyond words surged from him.
The Eight Gates Released Formation!
Uya stood there staring blankly at the sight, his eyes suddenly shining brightly. He couldn't help murmuring, "There's no mistake. This is that ultimate forbidden Taijutsu that amazed countless people."
At the thought of how Might Guy had used it in the original story to clash head-on with and even overwhelm Six Paths Madara, Uya couldn't help feeling his heart burn.
He had always wanted to secretly learn this technique, and today, he had finally seen it with his own eyes!
"Hah!"
Might Duy stood quietly in the clearing, then suddenly shouted and stamped one foot down on the earth.
Crack!!
Spiderweb-like cracks instantly appeared in the dirt beneath his foot, spreading in every direction.
"Fifth gate, Gate of Limit, open!!"
Boom!!
This time, he didn't need to stamp the ground. The aura surging from his body alone made the fragile dirt beneath him crack and crumble.