Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!
Several earthen walls erupted from the ground in an instant. The razor-sharp leaves that had been shot toward him shattered into fragments the moment they struck the barriers.
In the next breath, multiple figures landed atop the newly raised walls.
"So the rats who prefer to crawl in dark burrows have finally shown themselves."
A cold smile curved across Uchiha Yuan's lips. All around him, shadows flickered into view one after another.
He was surrounded.
Dozens of killing intents locked onto him simultaneously.
Suddenly—
A purple light flared to life from four directions, rising into a square-shaped barrier.
"Ah… the Four Violet Flames Formation."
Yuan's tone remained casual as he glanced at the glowing curtain of chakra enclosing the area.
"So you vermin came prepared."
A Root shinobi wearing a mask etched with purple markings spoke coldly.
"Uchiha Yuan. You cannot escape."
Yuan let out a faint chuckle. His gaze sharpened instantly.
"You think a mere Four Violet Flames Formation can trap me?"
"In truth… the ones trapped are you."
A flicker of unease surged through the Root captain's chest.
He did not hesitate.
"Move! Kill him!"
But although his reaction was fast—
Yuan was faster.
Swish!
Before their eyes, Yuan's figure twisted and vanished.
Afterimage!
In the next instant—
A violent killing intent descended like heavenly thunder.
Yuan appeared before the Root captain as though teleporting, his palm blade slicing down like lightning.
Slash!
A spray of blood arced through the air.
A headless corpse collapsed to the ground.
Yuan held a severed head in one hand. After a brief glance, he casually tossed it aside.
Then—
His eyes shifted toward another direction.
There stood the real Root captain, protected by several subordinates, staring at him with grave tension.
"Impressive substitution technique," Yuan said lightly.
"To sacrifice your own subordinate so decisively… How very cold of you."
Moments earlier, the captain had swapped positions with another Root shinobi at the last second.
Even someone long immersed in darkness felt a chill under Yuan's killing intent.
Without responding, the captain gestured sharply.
Four figures leapt forward.
Shadow Possession Technique!
Shadow Gathering Technique!
Shadow Stitching Technique!
In an instant, the ground beneath Yuan's feet turned into a pool of pitch-black ink.
His shadow merged with it—
And his movements froze.
Dozens of black tendrils shot up, binding him tightly, constricting with crushing force.
Nara clan secret techniques.
Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then—
A piercing chorus filled the air.
Countless kunai, each already affixed with ignited explosive tags, flew toward him from all directions.
BOOM!
A continuous chain of explosions engulfed his position.
The blasts lasted over ten seconds.
When the smoke began to settle, a massive crater had formed where he once stood.
The Root captain glanced toward one of the Nara operatives, seeking confirmation.
But suddenly—
All four Nara shinobi shuddered and were thrown backward.
Their techniques shattered simultaneously.
"Captain! The target is still alive!"
Without hesitation, the captain waved again.
Another barrage of explosive kunai tore through the air.
Then—
The thick smoke split apart.
A streak of golden light burst outward in a sweeping arc.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Every incoming kunai detonated mid-air after being struck.
A fierce gust surged from the center of the explosions, scattering the smoke in an instant.
And there—
Stood a figure cloaked in blazing golden chakra.
The golden flames were Yuan's chakra, forming a mantle around him.
In his right hand—
A radiant golden blade formed entirely from condensed chakra.
The Root captain stiffened.
"So you have been hiding your true strength all along."
The golden cloak signified immense chakra reserves.
The shimmering blade demonstrated masterful chakra shape transformation.
This was nothing like the image Yuan had cultivated as a mere taijutsu specialist.
Yuan allowed the golden flames to dim slightly.
"You avoided close combat and relied on explosive tags."
"So you've studied my past battles carefully."
The captain replied coldly,
"Even if we fail to kill you, forcing out your true strength is sufficient. This intelligence alone has value."
Yuan's lips curved upward.
"You think you'll leave here alive?"
The golden blade in his hand extended suddenly, chakra flaring violently.
"You will all die here."
As his words fell—
A storm of flames erupted around him.
Fire dragons coiled and roared within the blazing inferno.
Inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, the temperature surged to terrifying heights.
Then—
Yuan stepped forward in a single explosive dash.
And swung.
Elsewhere, in the dark forest—
Yamazō and Qiichi sprinted from tree to tree. When they saw the faint glow of the campfire ahead, relief flashed across their faces.
"What?! You were attacked by rogue ninja?"
Inside a tent at the camp, Sarutobi Seijirō frowned at the two men before him.
"Captain Sarutobi, please dispatch reinforcements immediately! Yuan-sama is fighting them alone!"
Yamazō urged urgently.
Another escort shinobi spoke hesitantly.
"Captain… Rogue ninja daring to attack a Konoha convoy? Something feels off."
Seijirō held the man's gaze for several seconds.
Then he turned back to Yamazō.
"…Understood."
"You two may withdraw for now."
But his eyes—
Were unreadable.
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