Seeing his attack blocked, Yan Uchiha was slightly startled.
He had planned this tactic carefully, knowing that most ninjas from the Land of Wind specialized in Wind Release techniques.
But what he hadn't expected was that this Jonin from Sunagakure could use such a powerful Water Release technique.
Especially using a powerful Water Release in an area completely devoid of water required immense chakra consumption.
To put it simply, casting a B-rank Water Release in such waterless conditions could consume even more chakra than an A-rank Fire Release or other elemental techniques.
The [Fire Dragon Flame Bullet] had already drained nearly half of Yan Uchiha's chakra. Blocking it had been no easy feat.
"Hiss-crack!"
At the point where water and fire collided, a violent sound erupted.
Steam rose as the intense heat vaporized everything around them, forcing Yan Uchiha to leap back.
Although the [Water Release] neutralized the [Fire Release], the sudden surge of extreme heat from instant evaporation was unbearable for human skin.
Yan Uchiha kept his eyes locked on the gap behind the steam, but even with his [Sharingan], he couldn't clearly see what was happening inside.
"Ahhh!!"
Moments later, a scream echoed from within, followed by a shadow bursting out wildly, roaring as it lunged toward Yan Uchiha.
Yan Uchiha quickly stepped back. When he finally saw the appearance of this Hidden Sand Jonin, his heart sank slightly.
Most of the man's clothes were like they'd been corroded, while exposed skin on his face and body showed severe burns.
Though not yet charred, the wounds revealed writhing flesh — horrifying to look at.
Clearly, this condition brought him unbearable pain, and now his eyes were completely bloodshot, filled with red veins, as if he had reverted to primal instincts.
In that moment, there was only one target in his vision—Yan Uchiha.
To tear him apart completely.
Yet when he launched his first strike, Yan Uchiha immediately noticed the Jonin's movements were no longer as sharp as before.
Anger fueled him, but the insane chakra cost of summoning water from nothing had taken its toll. His strength, speed, even his reflexes—all had dropped dramatically.
Yan Uchiha realized this opponent was no longer someone he couldn't overpower directly.
Even though he himself was exhausted, he still had a natural advantage.
[Sharingan]!
Swish!
Without hesitation, he pivoted and charged straight at him—his crimson eyes spinning with tomoe at high speed.
"Boom!"
His other hand formed into a fist and smashed into the enemy's chest, sending him flying back five paces, spitting blood mid-air.
Yan struck precisely at the weakness identified by his [Sharingan]. Even the opponent himself likely couldn't react instantly to defend effectively.
"Ahh!"
The Jonin roared again, clearly unable to accept being pushed back in direct combat against Yan Uchiha.
He charged forward once more, yet in Yan Uchiha's eyes, his movements appeared somewhat sluggish.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
Thus, after several rounds of combat, the jonin was inevitably driven back, blood trickling from his mouth.
His already tattered clothing bore several fresh fist-shaped dents.
This naturally was all the doing of Yan Uchiha.
Though deeply reluctant, he had no choice but to admit that the balance of power had shifted—the once-weaker foe had grown stronger than him.
There was no doubt—he was no longer any match for Yan Uchiha...
All of this traced back to his initial carelessness and underestimation—an error that allowed his opponent to wrest control of the battlefield.
One misstep spiraled into a cascade of failure, dragging him into inevitable defeat.
Yan Uchiha's pitch-black eyes gleamed with raw delight as his fighting spirit surged.
At last, he understood why those who faced Minato Namikaze always seemed so powerless—sometimes they couldn't even release any ninjutsu before being killed outright.
Gaining ground gradually, pressing forward without pause—that was the key for any ninja.
That man crushed foes using sheer speed and initiative, locking them into an inescapable cycle of downfall from the very start.
Once pushed onto the defensive, you'd be trapped—beaten relentlessly until no comeback remained.
That was Minato Namikaze's fighting style!
The jonin, now driven back by Yan Uchiha, began weighing retreat. If he kept entangled in battle, today he might truly trip and fall in a shallow ditch—he could die by the hand of this young 'boy' before him.
Swish!
Yet before he could pull away, Yan Uchiha lunged forward again, launching a stormlike barrage of attacks without giving him even a breath of respite.
Understanding the core of this technique, Yan Uchiha would never let go of the advantage he'd seized.
The biggest difference between himself and Minato right now was this: at the start of battle, his enemy had been stronger than him. Thus, he needed to devise intricate plans just to flip the tide of battle.
But if even the smallest piece of the plan faltered—even slightly—or if the jonin hadn't underestimated him at the outset, he wouldn't have had the slightest chance.
However, Minato Namikaze himself had always begun battles already superior to his foes!
Therefore, for enemies weaker than him, the result was absolute annihilation!
'Boom!'
Another punch slammed into the jonin's abdomen—a blow powerful enough to seemingly shatter his internal organs. The opponent spewed blood violently, his body momentarily going limp.
Seeing this, cold light flickered within Yan Uchiha's dark eyes, as sharp and merciless as the black kunai in his hand.
'Pfcht!'
Hot blood splattered across his fair, handsome face, yet at this very moment, a faint smile slowly curved up the corner of his lips.
Yan Uchiha had slain a jonin!
As the unconscious corpse collapsed before him, he almost wished to throw his head back in triumphant laughter.
Because… he had finally crossed the vast gap existing between him and Minato over these past few months.
Finally… he had defeated a jonin!
"Good heavens, this Yan Uchiha is truly…"
Within the Combat Zone filled mostly with jonin, a Konoha ninja involuntarily gasped aloud.
Because not since Minato's era had Konoha seen a newcomer capable of slaying an enemy jonin.
Reaching this level at such a young age was undoubtedly astonishing!
"That damn Konoha brat!" his opponent growled, glaring at the body of his fallen friend.
First Minato, then Yan Uchiha—these young ninja of Konoha were really defying all expectations!
"In just a few months, this kid has already adapted to the Single-Tomoe Sharingan..."
Inside the combat zone, Fugaku Uchiha naturally noticed this as well.
For Yan Uchiha to awaken the Sharingan in such a short time and at his age was already considered genius-level, but how fast he had adapted to the Sharingan was even more unbelievable.
Because adapting to the Single-Tomoe Sharingan meant he already possessed the potential to evolve it further into Double-Tomoe.
When that happened, Yan Uchiha would undoubtedly experience yet another surge in power.
At that point, facing off against Jonin wouldn't be so exhausting anymore—he'd be able to go head-to-head with them directly!
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