Qianyu's response was simple—and effective.
He slammed his foot into the ground. His body shifted sideways in an instant, narrowly avoiding the Water Dragon Bullet's impact.
Then—
Without the slightest hesitation, he charged straight in, drew the katana at his waist, and slashed viciously toward Sarutobi Hiyū!
How terrifying was Qianyu when he truly released his killing intent?
Even Uchiha Fugaku did not know.
But at this moment—
Everyone saw it.
It was like a bolt of thunder tearing across the heavens in a single breath, blade light erupting violently!
The cold gleam of the katana sliced through the air, carving a brilliant arc as it hacked straight toward Hiyū!
Hiyū never expected his opponent to be this fast.
His face changed in shock.
But after all, he was the Sarutobi clan head—a veteran shinobi with decades of cultivation. His strength was anything but ordinary.
Though he had lived in comfort for years and his combat instincts dulled for just a split second, he still drew his blade in time and met the attack head-on.
Clang!
The two blades collided, sparks bursting forth along with a shrill screech of tearing metal.
Hiyū was forced backward, suppressed by Qianyu's overwhelming power—clearly falling into a disadvantage!
"Clan Head!"
Sarutobi clansmen cried out and rushed forward to help.
But Hiyū's fury exploded.
"No one comes closer!"
As he shouted—
Suddenly, Qianyu's eyes before him flared with a blood-red glow.
Click.
A strange, beautiful sound echoed softly.
Uchiha Qianyu had finally released the power of his Sharingan.
Hiyū's heart jolted violently. He immediately lowered his gaze, panic flashing across his face.
He didn't know whether Qianyu was skilled in genjutsu.
But he absolutely did not dare take that risk.
In the shinobi world, everyone knew—
In a one-on-one encounter with a genjutsu specialist, your only option was to retreat.
Unless you had a partner to break the illusion for you.
That was true for ordinary genjutsu users—
Let alone an Uchiha with the Sharingan.
However—
Qianyu did not release a genjutsu.
He merely used the instant activation of his three-tomoe Sharingan to force Hiyū into a momentary mistake—
And seized that opening.
The katana twisted sharply, cold light flaring as it violently knocked Hiyū's blade away.
Hiyū staggered back in panic—but it was already too late.
Thud!
A dull impact echoed.
Qianyu's katana had brutally pierced through Hiyū's lower abdomen.
Agonizing pain tore through his body.
Hiyū stumbled backward, forcibly wrenching the blade out, clutching his abdomen as blood poured through his fingers.
"Dodged a vital point…?"
Qianyu frowned slightly.
As expected of an old elite shinobi and clan head—despite years away from battle, he was still not that easy to kill.
"Bast… bastard…!"
Hiyū clenched his teeth, his body trembling violently as cold sweat streamed down his face.
Yet he suddenly released his grip.
His blood-soaked hands formed seals at blinding speed.
"Earth Release—Earth Dragon Bullet Technique!"
He slammed his palm into the ground.
The earth surged to life, erupting upward and forming a massive earth dragon that opened its gaping jaws, blasting dense projectiles forward!
Fugaku gasped.
"He even knows Earth Release…!"
But—
To Qianyu, whose three-tomoe Sharingan was fully active—
This attack was meaningless.
The faint crimson light spun gently as every trajectory and movement was laid bare.
He evaded effortlessly.
Then closed in again, katana flashing.
Hiyū panicked, slamming his hand down once more.
"Earth Release—Earth Flow Wall!"
Boom!
A towering earthen wall burst from the ground, intercepting Qianyu's advance and shielding Hiyū behind it.
Qianyu sneered.
One word at a time, he spoke:
"Lightning Release…"
"False Darkness."
The air screamed.
A terrifying, piercing roar erupted as a massive spear of lightning exploded forth!
It tore across the battlefield—
Boom!
In a single strike, it blasted straight through the earth wall, pulverizing it completely!
Fugaku's eyes widened in shock.
"When did Qianyu master such a powerful Lightning Release technique?!"
Hiyū was utterly terrified.
The lightning spear shattered the wall and continued without slowing, slashing straight toward him!
Too fast.
There was no time to dodge.
"AAAAAAH—!"
A shrill scream rang out.
Lightning engulfed Hiyū's body, violent currents ravaging him mercilessly, filling the air with the stench of scorched flesh.
"Clan Head!"
Sarutobi clansmen could no longer obey orders. They rushed forward desperately, unleashing ninjutsu to block Qianyu's advance.
"Fire Release—Great Flame Technique!"
"Wind Release—Wind Cutter!"
Fire and wind merged into a raging inferno, howling forward to block his path.
But—
The blood-red Sharingan gleamed coldly.
The three tomoe spun.
Qianyu weaved through the flames and blades like a specter, injuries appearing across his shoulders, arms, and waist—blood mist bursting forth—
Yet he did not stop.
Not even for a moment.
He crashed through the shattered earth wall, descended from above—
And arrived before Sarutobi Hiyū.
"Don't—!"
"Stop—!"
Cries rang out in despair.
But it was too late.
Hiyū, struck by the lightning, was already severely injured—his body numb, utterly unable to resist.
The katana's edge swept across his throat.
Lightly.
Cleanly.
His head tumbled into the mud by the riverbank.
Sarutobi Hiyū—
Dead.
The battlefield froze.
Uchiha Fugaku.
The Uchiha clansmen.
The Sarutobi clansmen.
Uchiha Shisui, who had just arrived.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke, ANBU captain and the Hokage's eldest son.
All stood stunned, speechless.
Then—
A cold system notification echoed.
[You have helped Sarutobi Hiyū and Sarutobi Jirō reunite as father and son. A family should be neat and complete. Good deed accomplished!]
[Merit points +100]
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