"Bang!"
With a single sword strike, the mountain split in two, revealing a jagged but navigable path.
Swish!
Uchiha Yoruki didn't hesitate. His body transformed into a streak of black light, shooting forward through the gap he had just created. Behind him, the sundered mountain began to collapse, the tremors rippling outward like a shockwave.
The violent quake reverberated across the battlefield, drawing the attention of both armies.
On the war-torn fields of the Land of Rain, the Konoha shinobi had grown accustomed to the raw destructive power of Rōshi. But Yoruki's sword splitting a mountain was a sight beyond even their hardened expectations. The sheer magnitude of the act left them stunned.
The mountain wasn't enormous, but the feat itself was monumental. It was a display of power that defied the limits of ordinary shinobi, something that could only be achieved by those wielding legendary abilities.
Gasps of shock rippled through both sides. Even the fiercest ninjas of Iwagakure, men and women who had faced countless battles, felt a pang of unease.
High above, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki and the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen momentarily ceased their clash. Both leaders turned their attention to the scene below, their eyes reflecting the weight of what they had just witnessed.
"Mangekyō Sharingan…" Ōnoki muttered softly, his voice carrying a trace of reverence and unease. His sharp gaze remained fixed on Uchiha Yoruki as the young shinobi moved through the battlefield.
Ōnoki's expression darkened. Though he was far from afraid of Yoruki's current power, the memory of another Uchiha with those same eyes lingered in his mind. The man who had once stood at the pinnacle of strength, wielding the Mangekyō Sharingan with terrifying mastery—Uchiha Madara.
Compared to that legend, Yoruki was still young, his abilities not yet fully realized. And yet, even in this incomplete state, his potential was undeniable.
If he gains full control over those eyes, Ōnoki thought grimly, Rōshi won't stand a chance.
Ōnoki clenched his fists. The Four-Tails inside Rōshi likely understood this as well. That was why Rōshi had unleashed such devastating power—an effort to eliminate Yoruki before he could become a true threat.
On the other side, Hiruzen's expression was complex. He had expected Yoruki to grow strong, but this level of power so soon was surprising, even to him.
Yoruki's progress is both a blessing and a curse, Hiruzen thought. He is Konoha's greatest weapon in this war, but it also makes him a target.
Without hesitation, Hiruzen made his move. He blurred forward, heading toward the battlefield where Yoruki and Rōshi were locked in combat.
"Earth Style: Rock Golem!"
Before Hiruzen could advance, a massive rock golem crashed down in his path, blocking his way. The towering construct raised a giant fist and brought it down with thunderous force.
"Bang!"
Hiruzen's reflexes were razor-sharp. With a swift motion, he swung the Staff in his hand, meeting the golem's fist head-on. The clash sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, and the rock fist shattered upon impact.
But before Hiruzen could press forward, another massive fist descended from above.
The Third Hokage's sharp eyes narrowed as he stepped back, maintaining his composure. He understood the true threat wasn't the golem—it was the man controlling it.
Sure enough, as Hiruzen retreated, he caught sight of Ōnoki hovering above, his hands clasped together as a faint light began to gather in his palms.
"Anyway," Ōnoki called down, his voice laced with disdain, "that boy is from the Uchiha clan. Why not just let him fend for himself?"
Hiruzen's response was cold and firm. "Regardless of his name or heritage, he is a ninja of Konoha. I will not abandon him."
Ōnoki sneered. "How noble," he said mockingly. "But we both know your so-called loyalty has limits. After all, wasn't it you who sent the Uchiha clan to the Kirigakure frontlines? Or was that merely coincidence?"
Hiruzen's face darkened, but he said nothing. The words struck a nerve. As a disciple of Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen was no stranger to Konoha's internal divisions. Ōnoki, having lived through those turbulent times, knew exactly where to aim his barbs.
Meanwhile, Yoruki had emerged from the split volcano, his body slick with sweat. Though the Rekka no Ken had carved a path for him, the journey through the superheated terrain had taken its toll. His chakra had shielded him from the worst of the heat, but even he couldn't escape unscathed.
Just as Yoruki caught his breath, a sharp pain shot through his head. His left eye ached unbearably, and the flame patterns of the Mangekyō Sharingan faded, leaving behind his natural black eyes.
His vision blurred, and for a moment, everything around him was a haze.
"Damn…" Yoruki muttered, his hand instinctively reaching for his face. The strain of using the Mangekyō had pushed his limits, leaving him temporarily vulnerable.
Through his hazy vision, Yoruki spotted a fiery blur rushing toward him. The unmistakable heat of Rōshi's Lava Release assaulted his senses. The Jinchūriki's four fiery tails extended, their clawed tips reaching out to ensnare him.
I can't dodge in time…
Yoruki's mind raced as he formed seals with trembling hands. At the same time, he hurled his weapon forward with all his might.
"Bang! Bang!"
The thrown weapon erupted into flames upon impact, creating a fiery explosion that momentarily halted Rōshi's advance.
But the reprieve was short-lived. Two of Rōshi's fiery tails had been destroyed in the blast, but the remaining two emerged from the aftermath, lunging at Yoruki once more.
At that moment, Yoruki's eyes burned with renewed intensity. His dark pupils turned crimson, and the three tomoe of the Sharingan spun rapidly, transforming into the intricate flame patterns of the Mangekyō.
His right eye throbbed, the pain sharp and overwhelming. But amidst the agony, Yoruki felt something new—a surge of power, raw and untamed, unlike anything he had experienced before.
The two fiery claws were mere moments away from striking. With no time to summon the Rekka no Ken, Yoruki focused all his energy on his right eye.
"Is this… the true power of the right eye?" Yoruki whispered.
The flame pattern in his right eye spun wildly, unleashing a force that would change the course of the battle.
==============================================
Support me at [email protected]/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
New fanfic : Marvel : The God Of Punishment System
=============================================