"Konoha Ninja Taijutsu Secret Technique!"
The familiar phrase made both Kazuyama Gekkō and Shisui Uchiha freeze for a moment.
Especially Shisui—he had just experienced it himself, and the spot under him still hurt a little.
Kazuyama's face, meanwhile, went stiff.
Because what happened next was exactly what he had feared.
"Front Lotus: One Thousand Years of Death!"
With a sudden pull, Obito yanked the bandages, slamming the bound Locust straight downward.
At the same time, Obito formed the classic tiger seal with both hands.
"Locust!"
"Damn it!"
Kazuma's heart tensed as he saw Obito form the tiger seal. That seal was often used for powerful Fire Release techniques.
Right now, Locust couldn't move. If he got hit with one, he'd be lucky to survive.
But something unexpected happened. Just as Locust was about to hit the ground, Obito tightened the bandages again, forcibly adjusting his posture mid-fall. His legs slammed straight into the ground.
His body remained taut, unable to absorb the impact, and the pain was severe.
And that wasn't the end of it. In the next moment, Obito appeared behind him. Without a shred of hesitation, the tiger seal struck straight at Locust's... rear.
"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
A gut-wrenching scream echoed across the entire arena, chilling everyone to the bone.
Every man who witnessed the hit instinctively winced.
Too brutal. That attack was just too brutal.
Who the hell would come up with such a technique?
"Ahahahahaha!"
"Had enough, old man?"
"Konoha's Taijutsu Secret Technique is just that amazing!"
"Sensei! I won!"
Obito stood proudly beside Locust, releasing the Eight Inner Gates. He looked a little tired, but his face was full of joy.
Locust, still flushed red from pain, couldn't even speak.
He could only lie there, letting Obito celebrate.
The Daimyō and his two advisors were utterly stunned by how the match had turned out.
"Did... did Locust lose? And like that?"
The Daimyō was visibly shaken. He knew how strong Locust was. Normally, no ordinary ninja could match him.
Even against an Uchiha, he shouldn't have lost so... absurdly.
Kazuyama was equally surprised, but before he could react, a familiar system prompt chimed in.
[Ding! The host has successfully trained his disciple Obito Uchiha into a ninja who uses underhanded tactics and passed on the One Thousand Years of Death technique. A true master produces a crafty student! Even this system has to give you a thumbs up!]
[Special reward: One Thousand Years of Death power increased by 1%! Current power boost: 42%!]
Kazuyama Gekkō: ...
That's it? Just 1%?
System, are you skimping on the rewards?
[Ding! Host, please don't make baseless accusations! This system is absolutely fair!]
[With this reward, from now on, any disciple you train to Obito's level will earn you similar rewards.]
Hearing that, Kazuyama's mood finally lifted.
Just then, the Daimyō stood.
"This match goes to Obito Uchiha."
"Kazuyama, if you don't mind, please open the barrier."
Kazuyama nodded and casually waved his hand.
A gap opened in the Crystal Release barrier.
"Someone, take Locust down and get him medical treatment."
Medical personnel rushed in and carried off the still-whimpering Locust on a stretcher.
Obito returned to Kazuyama's side, looking full of swagger.
Well, he won—it was fair to be a little proud.
Kazuyama glanced at him, eyes full of approval. Obito hadn't even used his full strength, but his current abilities had clearly improved.
"Obito, you did well today. But remember, even if these dirty tricks are effective, you can't rely on them. A true ninja's strength shows in direct combat."
Obito scratched his head and shot back,
"But sensei, that's not what the village says. I heard you used One Thousand Years of Death on the battlefield too."
"Back in the Land of Rivers, the villagers even gave you the nickname 'Flower Crusher'."
Kazuyama's face froze.
His tone turned cold.
"Very good, Obito... very good..."
"Shisui, your turn. Don't underestimate your opponent."
They were still in front of the Daimyō and everyone else, so Kazuyama didn't lash out, but his words alone were enough to make Obito break into a cold sweat.
Shisui, standing nearby, lit up when he heard he could fight.
He immediately dashed to the training ground.
"Who's next?!"
Shisui stood on the platform, Sharingan already active.
He was younger, but clearly more confident—and unlike Obito, Shisui was battle-ready the moment he stepped up.
"Mizukurai, you go."
"Mm..."
The man named Mizukurai had a gloomy look and no visible expression.
Unlike Shisui, who jumped onto the platform, Mizukurai walked up slowly, step by step.
One tall, one short—the two faced off in silence.
Kazuyama instinctively closed the crystal barrier again.
With the Daimyō's signal, the match between Shisui and Mizukurai officially began.
"Obito, watch carefully how a real Uchiha fights."
"You won your match, yes—but did you really use your Sharingan?"
"I'm not against you training in taijutsu, but you need to understand your strengths."
As the match got underway, Kazuyama continued lecturing.
Obito wanted to talk back, but remembering the earlier scolding, he kept quiet and listened.
"The Sharingan is a powerful dōjutsu."
"You've been through life-and-death battles—have you truly grasped its power?"
The true power of the Sharingan?
What did that mean?
Obito was intrigued. He'd always believed that awakening the three-tomoe Sharingan meant he had become a true Uchiha.
But now it seemed like there was more to it.
"Shisui is younger than you. But look at the way he fights."
"You still have a long road ahead."
Thinking of the Mangekyō Sharingan and Obito's unique ability—Kamui—Kazuyama felt he needed to take action.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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