For a moment, the two sides stood locked in opposition—but in the end, ANBU's authority clearly held the upper hand.
After all, ANBU stood behind the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Konoha Military Police Force, on the other hand, answered only to the Uchiha clan head.
The difference in backing was obvious.
"Hmph. Then we'll settle this another time."
Uchiha Han's expression darkened. He could tell this ANBU operative was determined to oppose him.
Today, dealing with Yuya was no longer possible.
But Yuya was just a backgroundless outsider.
If Han truly wanted him dead, there would be plenty of chances later.
ANBU couldn't possibly protect Yuya forever.
Only Yuya's death could erase the humiliation burning in his chest.
Han made no effort to hide the killing intent in his eyes as he turned to leave.
The surrounding onlookers watched with anger and helplessness—and more than a little pity for Yuya.
That Han had actually suffered a loss at Yuya's hands was shocking enough.
But the Uchiha clan's retaliation?
That was something Yuya absolutely couldn't withstand.
With the Uchiha's methods, Yuya might simply "disappear" tomorrow.
Many people sighed inwardly.
But at that moment—
Yuya spoke.
"Wait."
Uchiha Han halted, a cold smile spreading across his face.
Too late to beg now, he thought.
Yet what Yuya said next wasn't a plea—
It was a challenge.
"Three months from now," Yuya said calmly, staring straight at Han,
"do you dare fight me in a duel to the death?"
The words landed like thunder.
Yuya was facing a dead end.
The only way to break it was to buy time.
As long as Han accepted, Yuya would gain a three-month buffer.
The instant those words left his mouth, the entire street erupted.
Everyone stared at Yuya as if he had gone mad.
Three months…
A life-and-death duel with a chūnin?!
Was this a joke?!
Even if Yuya had relied on some bizarre power to gain the upper hand earlier, once a chūnin fought seriously—
Forget an Academy student.
Even three to five genin wouldn't be enough.
And Han wasn't just any chūnin—
He was an Uchiha chūnin.
Utter disbelief filled every face.
Even Han himself thought he'd misheard.
This brat… was challenging him?
Did Yuya really think that landing one lucky hit with some strange Kekkei Genkai meant he was qualified to fight a chūnin?!
"Heh… hehehe…"
Han laughed.
His laughter dripped with disdain.
"Very well," he said arrogantly.
"You want to challenge me? I accept."
Even knowing Yuya was buying time, Han couldn't refuse—not in front of so many witnesses.
This wasn't just his pride—
It was the pride of the Uchiha clan.
And besides—
Three months was nothing.
A child like Yuya couldn't possibly undergo a fundamental transformation in such a short time.
If Han fought seriously, he was confident he could kill two Yuyas instantly.
With that, Han stopped speaking.
His body vanished in a puff of white smoke.
Only then did the crowd finally snap out of their daze.
A mixture of admiration and regret spread among them.
"This kid's impressive—keeping his head under pressure, even daring to challenge a chūnin to gain time."
"But it's useless. Offending the Uchiha means no future. Three months isn't nearly enough."
"Yeah… three months is far too cruel."
Sighing, the crowd dispersed one by one.
No one dared interfere in Uchiha affairs.
The ANBU operative glanced at Yuya with faint pity.
If this were reported to the Third Hokage, perhaps Yuya might gain some attention—
But the chances were slim.
The ANBU stepped forward and patted Yuya's shoulder.
"Relax and enjoy these three months," he said calmly.
"With the Uchiha's style, you won't be in danger during that time."
With that, he vanished in a swirl of smoke.
Enjoy three months?
Yuya's mouth twitched violently.
The hell?!
He had secured these three months precisely because Han couldn't refuse the challenge.
But these three months—
Were absolutely not for relaxing.
Walking through the streets, Yuya could feel it.
News of his challenge to Uchiha Han had already spread throughout Konoha.
An Academy student challenging a chūnin was unheard of.
Whispers followed him everywhere.
Most gazes were filled with pity.
Even those who normally disliked Yuya sighed and shook their heads when they saw him.
At first, Yuya felt uncomfortable.
Soon, he stopped caring.
He planned to take one more look at Might Duy's training—
then return home and push himself into another round of extreme training.
He had awakened Vibration Release less than two months ago.
Yet he already possessed strength that made him nearly unbeatable against genin.
The gap between genin and chūnin was vast—
But not insurmountable.
In the original history, Kakashi Hatake became a genin at five and a chūnin at six.
Then Yuya—
With enough resolve—
Could also reach chūnin-level strength in three months.
Soon, Yuya arrived at Duy's training ground.
He hadn't expected much.
After all, he had never once seen Duy train the Eight Gates before.
But this time—
After just one glance, Yuya froze.
Dusk had fallen.
The fading sunlight bathed the small forest in calm, peaceful hues—
All of it shattered by a terrifying presence.
BOOM—!!
At the center of the clearing stood Might Duy.
Green chakra surged violently around his body.
An indescribable pressure rolled outward.
The Eight Gates.
Yuya stood there in a daze, eyes blazing as he whispered,
"That's it… there's no doubt about it.
The strongest taijutsu forbidden technique in history."
He couldn't help recalling how, in the future, Might Guy would use this very power to contend with—and even suppress—Six Paths Madara.
His heart burned with excitement.
He had wanted to steal this technique for so long—
And now he was finally witnessing it firsthand.
"Hah!"
Might Duy stood motionless, then suddenly shouted and stomped his foot into the ground.
Crack—!!
The earth beneath him split like a spiderweb, fractures racing outward.
"Fifth Gate—Gate of Limit—OPEN!!"
BOOM—!!
This time, Duy didn't even need to strike the ground.
The sheer pressure of his aura alone caused the fragile soil to crack and crumble.