Guren's hands flew through hand seals.
Crystal Release: Eight Trigrams Crystal Enclosure was an extremely powerful ninjutsu capable of sealing enemies inside massive crystals.
However, casting this technique required a long preparation period.
Fortunately, Mirai Uchiha appeared to have no intention of stopping her at all.
"Not worthy of being Lord Mirai. This level of confidence truly deserves my admiration,"
Guren murmured as she completed preparations for the Crystal Release: Eight Trigrams Crystal Enclosure.
She let out a sharp cry, and thick crystalline structures instantly encased Mirai Uchiha completely.
The multi-meter-thick crystal walls made the prison appear utterly indestructible.
"It should be over by now..."
Guren silently counted in her mind, preparing to release the Crystal Release: Eight Trigrams Crystal Enclosure's seal after a few seconds.
She never believed her strength could surpass Mirai Uchiha's.
She simply thought Mirai had allowed himself to be sealed merely to test her power.
Regardless, anyone sealed within the Crystal Release: Eight Trigrams Crystal Enclosure should have absolutely no chance of breaking free.
Just as Guren prepared to release the seal, a faint cracking sound rang out.
Then more sounds followed continuously.
Guren's pupils constricted. She saw countless cracks spreading across her proud crystalline seal.
Crack!
Before Guren's astonished gaze, the thick crystal shattered instantly.
Then, Mirai Uchiha casually pointed a finger: "Sage Art - Storm Release: Laser Bullet!"
A purple chakra sphere condensed at Mirai Uchiha's fingertip.
Guren immediately sensed an extremely dangerous aura.
If struck...
She would die for sure!
Guren poured all her strength into casting her ultimate defensive jutsu.
[Crystal Release: Ray of Divine Shield!]
A massive crystal formed before Guren, firmly protecting her.
As if waiting for her preparation, the purple chakra sphere gathered at Mirai's fingertip finally launched toward Guren.
In an instant, the purple chakra beam pierced effortlessly through Guren's crystal barrier,
as easily as passing through tofu.
The beam vanished mere centimeters from Guren's face.
Cold sweat soaked Guren's body.
Lord Mirai was far too powerful.
He not only broke free from her seal from within, but also effortlessly shattered her ultimate defense...
Recalling how Orochimaru himself had once praised her Crystal Release Kekkei Genkai,
claiming Ray of Divine Shield could potentially block even Tailed Beast Balls,
Guren always took great pride in this ability.
Surprisingly, even a defensive jutsu capable of blocking the Tailed Beast Ball had been easily broken through.
"Mirai Uchiha-sama, I admit defeat."
Guren knelt on one knee, quietly waiting for Mirai Uchiha's command.
[Ding! Congratulations, Master. You have successfully obtained the reward: Crystal Release Kekkei Genkai.]
Hearing the System's prompt in his mind, Mirai Uchiha slowly walked toward Guren.
From their short battle, he had already determined Guren's strength.
Roughly between Jonin and elite Jonin.
Crystal Release chakra did indeed have formidable defense. It had shown impressive feats in the original story, making it a valuable Kekkei Genkai worth serious research.
As he reflected, Mirai Uchiha spoke to Guren, "You will stay from now on as my personal guard."
"Guard?"
Guren frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled.
With Mirai-sama's power, would he really need guards?
Seeing Guren's confused expression, Mirai Uchiha didn't explain, simply continuing, "As for the duties involved, Yugao Uzuki will properly brief you about them."
Guren immediately nodded, saying, "Understood, Mirai Uchiha-sama."
"But who exactly are your current guards?"
Hearing this, Mirai Uchiha thought for a moment before calmly replying, "You, Yugao Uzuki, Anko Mitarashi, and Izumi Uchiha."
Guren silently nodded again, memorizing the names Mirai Uchiha had just mentioned.
She knew quite well about Mitarashi Anko. The other had once been Orochimaru-sama's disciple and later worked for some time as a researcher at Orochimaru's lab complex.
Eventually, due to a lack of aptitude in that area, she was reassigned by Orochimaru-sama.
Who would've guessed that Anko had also been chosen by Mirai Uchiha-sama.
As for Yugao Uzuki and Izumi Uchiha...
Guren hadn't heard anything about those two before.
——
Nighttime.
Inside a cozy barbecue restaurant.
Anko Mitarashi barged into the private room carrying dozens of Three Colored Candy Skewers.
"How can you have barbecue without these colorful candy skewers?"
"Nothing beats sweet snacks—they're the best food ever!"
Seeing Anko's bold manner, Yugao Uzuki couldn't help but say, "Anko, can't you act a bit more composed?"
Anko gave a light snort, "That kind of thing has nothing to do with me."
Saying that, she handed several Three Colored Candy Skewers to the girl beside her, "I'm Anko Mitarashi. Here!"
"Thank you," Izumi Uchiha smiled gently, "Izumi Uchiha."
She really loved sweets, and those colorful candy balls were her favorite.
Anko's earlier remarks made her feel like they'd met too late.
Long live sweet treats!
As the group chatted casually, Guren walked in through the door.
Having grown up under Orochimaru's tutelage, Guren simply gave a minimal introduction of herself when meeting Anko Mitarashi and the others, then fell silent.
Anko Mitarashi showed some impatience and said, "You mean that notorious senior? He's always late."
"Who knows what he wants this time by gathering us four together."
When Anko spoke, Yugao Uzuki didn't show much of a reaction, but Izumi Uchiha and Guren opened their eyes wide.
That notorious senior?
You mean referring to Mirai-sama?
Does she have any idea what she's doing?!
Just at that moment, Mirai Uchiha's voice came in: "Anko, speaking ill of others behind their backs isn't good behavior."
"And besides, you should know I never had a habit of arriving early."
Seeing Mirai Uchiha appear, Guren and Izumi Uchiha immediately stood up to bow respectfully.
Yugao Uzuki didn't stand but gave a glance as a sign of greeting.
Only Anko Mitarashi stuffed a whole Three Colored Candy Skewer into her mouth and muttered, "Notorious senior, what do you want us four for this time?"
Seeing Anko's disrespectful manner, Izumi Uchiha and Guren secretly felt cold sweat forming.
She really has no sense of self-preservation. How can she be so disrespectful to Mirai-sama?
With Mirai-sama's power and status, wouldn't everyone treat him with respect?
Doesn't she fear angering Mirai-sama at all?!
However, what surprised Guren and Izumi Uchiha was that Mirai Uchiha seemed completely indifferent to Anko's attitude. He simply sat down, picked up a skewer of Three Colored Candy Skewers from the table, and popped it into his mouth.
Then he finally spoke: "I assume you've all already gotten to know each other just now?"
"From now on, you four will form a team responsible for guarding me."
"The name of this elite team shall be..."
Mirai Uchiha thought for a moment, then slowly said, "The Emperor's Four Guardians."
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