Chapter 125: Do You Still Want to Dance Like This? (Ten‑Thousand‑Word Chapter)

"Orochimaru, turn back; this is your last chance."

Leaf Village, Underground Laboratory.

The Third Hokage let out a light sigh; his gaze gradually grew resolute, and his aura underwent a monumental change at that moment.

"I'm sorry, but I fear I cannot agree to this."

Orochimaru's eyes grew heavy; he knew this was his teacher's serious demeanor.

"Is that so? It seems we have no choice but to act."

The Third Hokage shook his head, and his tone gradually became calm.

"Then I'll wake you up first; this may be the only chance to save you!"

Within the Third Hokage's indifferent tone lay a confidence beyond ordinary.

Now he has not fully aged; the momentum that has stood atop the ninja world for years erupted at this moment.

Yet the Kunai glinting with cold light before the Third Hokage was treated as nothing; he remained perfectly still, calmly allowing the Kunai to pierce his body.

Having witnessed Yuzhi's rampage, this level truly does not surprise him.

"Fire Release: Majestic Dragon Fire Technique!"

The white smoke faded slowly, and the instant the haze cleared, he had already used Body Flicker Technique to appear behind the Third Hokage!

The ANBU, watching the Third Hokage display his might, couldn't help but exclaim in awe.

"Ninjutsu: Shadow Serpent Hand!"

The mud surged swiftly, forming a vortex to prevent anyone trapped within from escaping, even Orochimaru included!

"Fire Release: Majestic Flame Technique!"

"You think this attack can hurt me? I really feel you've underestimated me."

Yet the instant the Kunai made contact, his body bizarrely dissolved, turning into mud that scattered across the ground.

In the blink of an eye, the ground beneath Orochimaru turned to mud, ensnaring him like a swamp.

"It's truly troublesome, but this alone is far from enough."

Clearly just a simple Fire Release, yet it gives an irresistible feeling—this is the power of the Third Hokage?

Orochimaru sneered, leapt backward, and in an instant he had vaulted out of the laboratory.

Orochimaru swung his right arm, summoning countless biting poisonous snakes that lunged toward the Third Hokage's neck, chest, arms, and other points.

However, his Sharingan slowly rotated; he knew Orochimaru would not be so easily defeated.

The moment he appeared, his hands began forming seals, Fire Release chakra surged and, under his precise control, became a slender fire snake.

The surrounding ANBU truly hadn't expected Orochimaru to act so hastily.

"As expected of a teacher, the power of ninjutsu still makes the heart race, so…"

Almost simultaneously, a figure rose from the mud, unmistakably the Third Hokage, unharmed!

"Lord Hokage!"

Without harming the surrounding ANBU, he instantly surged toward Orochimaru!

He silently searched for an opening, aiming to eliminate Orochimaru in one strike!

His judgment was correct; facing the roaring fire dragon, Orochimaru's gaze grew slightly stern, yet his hands instantly altered their seals.

Especially when he gets serious, he is undoubtedly one of the few strongest in the entire ninja world!

"Then let's act!"

"Is this the Third Hokage's power?"

Orochimaru lightly nodded, and at that instant a smile suddenly appeared on his face.

A moment later, the snake's head drooped, completely dead, and with a bang it turned into white smoke and vanished.

Accompanying his smile, behind the Third Hokage a Orochimaru burst from the ground; the Kunai in his hand glowed with cold light, aimed at the Third's neck!

The fire dragon surged, the giant serpent let out a mournful wail, its front instantly became a blur of blood and flesh, and the scent of charred remains kept drifting.

Yet the moment he landed, the Third Hokage clasped his hands together again, and chakra surged within him!

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Great River!"

Orochimaru let out a light laugh; his hands were ready to form seals, but the Third clearly would not give him that chance.

The roaring fire dragon howled toward them, its massive form not the slightest less than the one Yuzhi wielded!

"Truly worthy of a teacher, such confidence."

The scorching gust made every ANBU here struggle to breathe, and the colossal fire dragon instantly set the forest ablaze with towering flames.

With a booming sound, a terrifying giant serpent appeared, its boneless body coiling and instantly enveloping Orochimaru.

"Summoning: Great Serpent!"

Moreover, facing Orochimaru, they were already uneasy inside; after all, he is one of the Legendary Sannin!

Like a display of skill, the Third Hokage once again completed his seals; this time, with no ANBU nearby, he could freely unleash his Fire Release.

However, compared to others, Kakashi appeared unusually calm at this moment.

The distance was too short, and with the poisonous snakes' speed, the Third seemed unable to react, instantly being struck as the fangs pierced his body.

Bang—

At that moment, the Third's body turned into a dead log, while he himself simultaneously appeared far away.

He quickly formed seals on his hands, and raging fire‑type chakra gathered again!

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bomb!"

The raging fire dragon was spewed again, baring fangs and claws as it charged at Orochimaru.

But this time, the fire dragon suddenly split mid‑flight, dividing into three and attacking Orochimaru from different directions.

Seeing this, Orochimaru immediately withdrew, preparing to leave, but the instant the poisonous snakes in his hand were retracted, his expression changed in an instant.

Because the poisonous snake in his hand had, at some unknown time, been affixed with a series of trigger seals—

"It looks like the battle over there has already begun."

On a high utility pole in Leaf Village, Obito's gaze lingered toward the distance.

Even from far away, he could sense a faint chakra ripple, and that was his current opportunity!

Both the ANBU and even the Root members have already passed, and since Orochimaru is on the run, Minato Namikaze's focus is likely there as well.

"And that Uchiha Haori!"

Having drawn away all those people's attention, it is certainly a good thing for Obito.

Although he has no chance to reclaim Kakashi's eye, it doesn't mean he can't do other things.

For example, that false Lin in this world!

Severing the ties with this false world, Obito has been pondering for a very long time.

Though his heart still wrestles, he knows there are certain things he must do.

"This is a personal test; if I can't even do this, then what right do I have to forge a world of my own?"

The cold aura around Obito grew increasingly heavy, and he seemed to feel his Sharingan steadily strengthening.

"Rather than die in a future war, I'd rather lie dormant in my hands.

Forget everything of this false world, then be revived in my world; isn't that a form of mercy!"

Obito murmured softly, and his figure twisted and vanished at that moment.

"What… is this?"

Lin, who was reading at home, suddenly felt a flutter in her heart; she couldn't help but look up curiously at her surroundings.

She was supposed to study with Tsunade today, but for some reason Tsunade seemed occupied, granting her and Jingyin several days off.

And Kakashi doesn't have much time in the ANBU; although she wants to find Yuzhi and Hikari, she feels it's not right to bother others as she grows older.

So she quietly stayed at home, taking the time to study the materials Tsunade gave her.

"I must not disappoint Lady Tsunade, nor betray Yuzhi's sincere intentions."

A hint of resolve appeared on Lin's face; she doesn't expect to reach Tsunade's level, but she does yearn to become a better being!

Only then can she accomplish more.

Yet while she studied earnestly, that sudden inner tremor made her rather uneasy.

"What is that feeling, exactly? Is something happening?"

Lin thought to herself, stood up, and couldn't help but glance out the window.

Suddenly, her pupils dilated, and in the window's reflection she saw a twisted figure appear behind her.

The most terrifying part was that the twisted figure was already reaching out toward him!

"Is it him?"

Lin reacted quickly; she recognized exactly who the guy was, and she leapt forward without hesitation.

Ping—

Accompanied by the sound of shattering glass, she smashed through the window and fell onto the street.

She swiftly drew a kunai without looking closely, her gaze already fixed on the silhouette behind her.

"Is your reaction fast because of the glass's reflection?"

Obito was surprised he had missed, but years of failure had taught him to face this calmly.

"It's you again; what is your purpose this time?"

Lin stared coldly at Obito; the usually warm and gentle her eyes now harbored a rare murderous intent!

It's unclear whether she truly despises Obito to the core, after all she has heard Kakashi and Yuzhi repeatedly recount his misdeeds, filling her with genuine hatred.

Or perhaps back then, Ban, by employing Shadow Release, forcibly implanted an illusion that to this day cannot be reversed, even if Kakashi now possesses the Mangekyou Sharingan, it cannot be altered.

This illusion remains effective, and combined with Obito's actions, it instantly stirred turbulence in Lin's heart.

"Purpose?"

Obito naturally saw the murderous intent in Lin's eyes; even though he was convinced this was a 'false Lin', he still felt a pang in his heart.

Such pain made him depressed to the point of madness; he opened his mouth to say something, but in the end could not speak.

Sure enough, it was all fake; Lin would never show this side!

Obito took several deep breaths, his gaze growing colder; he stared at the Lin before him and finally spoke indifferently.

"Naturally, I will do what I must, naturally, to erase those who should not exist in this world."

As he spoke, Obito drew a black staff.

It seemed that after being reprimanded by his 'future self' last time, he had begun to change his fighting style.

When the black staff was clenched in his hand, Obito seemed to feel boundless power, his eyes fixed rigidly on Lin.

"Of course, this is also a trial for myself.

The world has changed; some stories should turn the page!"

Swoosh.

As the words fell, Obito's entire form turned into a lingering afterimage, lunging toward Lin at blinding speed!

——

"Strange, where are those people?"

On Hokage Rock, Senju Feijian's head, Yuzhi crossed his arms over his chest and surveyed everything around.

Although he received a mission, at present he still has no clear idea of Orochimaru's, nor Obito's, exact location.

Obito is like a rat in the sewers; through the power of Kamui he can be everywhere.

And when Yuzhi was in the Water Country, he had already exhausted the Flying Thunder God Seal that Minato Namikaze had left on him.

This also means that Yuzhi cannot precisely lock onto that guy right now; even relying on the little Nine-Tails is unrealistic.

After all, Yuzhi drained the little Nine-Tails the last time, and it hasn't fully recovered yet.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Yuzhi looked up and seemed to sense a chakra disturbance in the distant forest.

Moreover, although the faint explosion was hard for ordinary people to catch, Yuzhi still spotted the clue in an instant!

"In that direction?"

Yuzhi instantly made a judgment and immediately began sensing the Flying Thunder God Mark in that direction.

He must thank Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, who especially liked placing Flying Thunder God Marks in every corner of the Leaf Village.

Although Yuzhi finds it hard to evaluate what this practice really is, he must admit it gave him great convenience.

"Then..."

Just as Yuzhi instantly locked onto a relatively nearby Flying Thunder God Mark and was about to set off, he suddenly paused slightly.

Because he suddenly felt his own Flying Thunder God Mark being activated!

"Is this... Lin?"

Yuzhi doesn't usually leave Flying Thunder God Marks, and only two people in the Leaf Village have his Flying Thunder God Mark.

One is naturally Hikari; although Hikari always feels it's unnecessary, Yuzhi still left one for her.

Even though it's almost impossible to activate, she has kept this Kunai on her at all times.

As for the other, it's a Lin that Yuzhi casually forged as a gift and sent out!

"Lin's side has a problem, what's going on?"

Yuzhi doesn't quite understand; clearly Orochimaru caused trouble, so why did Lin activate the Flying Thunder God Mark?

Normally, today's incident shouldn't have anything to do with her at all.

"And directionally, it's also far off."

Yuzhi murmured, but after thinking it over he decided to go take a look first!

He can set Orochimaru's issue aside for a bit; this guy facing the still-not-fully-aged Third Hokage is unlikely to cause any trouble.

Moreover, Ziraiye and Gongshou are both in the Leaf Village, so Orochimaru's departure this time can't be easy.

Even if he has many plans, Yuzhi isn't worried; at worst Yuzhi can simply leave the village, assume the form of Obito, and have a proper talk with him.

The top priority is to first go see what's happening with Lin.

"It can't be Obito, can it?"

Yuzhi couldn't help but mutter inside, and at that instant his figure suddenly vanished above Senju Clan Feijian's head.

However, the moment his figure landed, he suddenly saw a black staff sweeping toward Lin.

And the person wielding the black staff was indeed Obito!

"What the hell?"

At that moment Yuzhi was genuinely stunned; he had considered several possibilities, but he never thought Obito would target Lin!

Fortunately, though dazed, Yuzhi instinctively drew his Kunai and pulled Lin toward his side.

"Why is it him?"

Obito was obviously stunned as well; he did sense a spatial disturbance, but never expected the newcomer to be Yuzhi.

He originally thought it would be Minato Namikaze, after all Lin is a disciple of the Fourth Hokage.

And compared to Minato, he was even more concerned about Yuzhi.

Minato deals with him using speed, but Yuzhi can truly break through his space!

Almost instinctively, Obito used Kamui, and the black staff and Kunai crossed each other.

The next second, they each stepped back, but at that moment Obito's face beneath the mask began to heat up!

"Are you okay?"

Yuzhi single‑handedly held Lin, his gaze still fixed on Obito, yet he quickly asked.

"Hm"

Lin slightly lifted her head, looking at Yuzhi in a daze, then gently nodded, but her eyes kept watching Yuzhi unchanged.

To Obito, this scene looked like a pure, clingy little bird; the two's relationship is far from shallow.

"Don't use Lin's face to do this!"

In that instant, Obito truly flushed; even in this false world, that face was still Lin's.

Using Lin's face, being so intimate with the person he despises most, this is him no—

"Indeed, only destruction and this world's false Lin, even destroying this damned Uchiha Haori, will set the world back on track!"

Obito's heart shouted; the one who had intended to leave now stayed.

His Mangekyou Sharingan had been upgraded, and he wanted to see exactly how!

"What the hell is this lunatic doing?"

Yuzhi now watched Obito alertly, but his mind remained bewildered.

He couldn't figure out what this lunatic was up to; normally, even if he were mad, he shouldn't attack a still‑alive Lin.

"Could it be..."

Suddenly, Yuzhi glanced at Lin, who was still staring blankly at him, recalling all of Obito's deeds.

In an instant, he too was struck with sudden clarity.

"He probably stopped accepting this world long ago, and in the original story Lin was taken out by Kakashi; at that moment Kakashi and Lin were both dead.

Moreover, he personally killed the Fourth Hokage couple, and all his bonds have been severed.

Even if Kakashi is still alive, he is the one who slew his beloved, making him a lifelong enemy.

After all, when he faced Kakashi, his strike was truly ruthless!

Obito facing Kakashi, his attack really went to the death, and Kakashi being alive is certainly not something he sympathizes with.

For someone like Kakashi, being alive is more torment than death.

He wants Kakashi to be constantly surrounded by guilt and loneliness, which is also why he doesn't kill Kakashi.

But now the situation is different; no one has died, and everyone has, in some sense, betrayed him.

The bond remains unbroken, yet the inner pain spreads, and he already has a goal, so he can indeed do such a thing!

"Truly a lunatic; if you just took off the mask, you wouldn't have ended up in this state."

Yuzhi felt a bit unable to hold back; he has no heroic streak, and on top of that he doesn't get along with Obito, so he has no reason to help Obito.

As a result, this fool can't even save himself, yet he whines about the world, which makes Yuzhi dislike him even more!

"Didn't expect it, you old rat again."

After figuring it all out, Yuzhi felt relieved that he had found Tsunade as Lin's teacher, and also that he gave her a Flying Thunder God Kunai.

Otherwise, who knows what would have happened!

What he cares about most is Hikari, but regardless Lin is his friend, and he won't allow Obito, that lunatic, to act recklessly.

"Uchiha Haori, I never expected it would be you."

Obito looked at the two still embracing, his face now completely flushed.

Especially when he saw the Kunai in Lin's hand, he was utterly broken.

He knows Yuzhi came here relying on that Flying Thunder God Kunai, but does that mean Yuzhi wants to find this 'false Lin' and can act as he wishes?

Then, what would happen when they meet?

"Die!"

Obito dared not think further; his mind now held only one thought: destroy everything at once!

Yuzhi is a thief; he stole everything he has in this world, and even a false world he won't accept!

"Lunatic"

Yuzhi watched Obito rush forward again, let out a cold snort and leapt out.

Obito's attack pattern is far too familiar to him, especially since he himself possesses divine might; in his view, dealing with it isn't that hard.

He kept his eyes fixed on Obito's move, and the instant he confirmed it was a solid attack, he suddenly accelerated.

In an instant, he dodged Obito's strike, and to his surprise, he actually pierced through Obito's body!

"This"

Yuzhi was slightly stunned; he really hadn't expected to pierce Obito, and most importantly Obito's attack landed on the ground.

Accompanied by a muffled thud, a small dent appeared in the ground, confirming Yuzhi's judgment was correct!

"This guy, his eyes upgraded?"

That's not exactly a great result, but he quickly realized something.

"Is it because he decided to cut the bonds and has already acted on it, so his eyes also gained a benefit?"

The Sharingan yields greater benefits the more extreme the emotion.

If Obito makes such a decision, then his relatively undeveloped Sharingan suddenly improving isn't really that surprising.

"Surprising?"

Obito saw Yuzhi instantly widen his distance; he didn't chase directly, but stared at Yuzhi with dead eyes.

"Kid, my power is beyond your reach; you're far from enough. Today you shall die!"

"Is that so?"

Yuzhi found it somewhat amusing, though surprised by the boost Obito gained from his downfall.

But thinking that this alone could handle him is underestimating him.

To put it bluntly, what Obito is playing with now are the leftovers of his own play!

He gently shook his head; Yuzhi's eyes glowed crimson as he looked at Obito, and his aura changed in that instant.

"Seems you've improved, and that gave you quite a confidence, huh?"

"But a rat is still a rat, forever just a creature hidden in a filthy gutter.

No matter how confident you are, it won't change anything; as a rat, the sunlight is not a place you can stay!"

"And you seem to have forgotten my methods."

——

"Truly worthy of a teacher, still vigorous in old age."

In the forest, Orochimaru was covered in slime and sprinted forward rapidly.

His battle with the Third Hokage wasn't particularly fierce, but it was definitely a fight where they gave their all!

The combination, usage, and control of techniques, as well as making absolutely correct choices at every moment, are also part of a ninja's combat.

Such battles drain a ninja's stamina enormously, and even though Orochimaru was displeased, he must admit he lost this fight!

He still hasn't figured out how the Third Hokage managed to place an explosive seal inside his Shadow Snake Hand at the instant of using Substitution Technique.

What kind of confidence and skill is required to achieve that?

Most importantly, a powerful ninja doesn't fear losing to a single strong technique.

What they fear most is losing in some basic contest; that is the most lethal!

"Fortunately, with Danzo's strong support, my 'Great Snake Substitution Technique' is completed; though it consumes a lot, it ensures safety."

Danzo's support is massive, giving Orochimaru ample resources to research everything he wishes.

With Danzo's resources, he not only clarified the 'Non-Body Reincarnation', but also refined the study of the integration of Uchiha and Senju powers.

Likewise, the 'Great Snake Substitution Technique' was also completed during this period!

Tuan Zang, he's a good person, huh?

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Just as Orochimaru was pondering, a rain of Kunai suddenly poured down from the sky toward him.

Orochimaru frowned, and in the next instant his whole body twisted rapidly in a bizarre posture, while a long sword appeared in his hand.

Chakra light flared, his body dodging the Kunai, and the long sword in his hand blocked the remaining Kunai with an impenetrable shield!

"Orochimaru, surrender now, you have nowhere to run!"

As countless Kunai were blocked, a cold voice slowly rose, and at the same time Orochimaru noticed a dense swarm of insects appearing all around.

Seeing this, he lightly licked his lips, and looking around realized he was surrounded by a large group of ninjas!

"Oil Girl Ryuuma?"

Orochimaru tilted his head, then a look of contempt appeared on his face.

"So it's you, huh? You also want to oppose me?"

"It's not me opposing you; it's you opposing the entire Leaf Village!"

Oil Girl Ryuuma stepped slowly out of the shadows, and, masked, spoke coldly.

"You betrayed Tuan Zang's trust, and used that trust to do as you please, to fulfill your own selfish desires.

Can you live up to Tuan Zang's trust in you, can you live up to the Leaf Village?"

"Oh?"

Orochimaru blinked, lightly licked his lips, and his gaze locked onto Itachi Uchiha, who was among the crowd at the root.

After a while, he shook his head helplessly, then said in a low voice.

"So the division is already done? Tuan Zang truly lives up to being the darkness of the ninja world!

But then again, others don't know about my dealings with Tuan Zang; haven't you heard?"

"You babbling liar, stop slandering Tuan Zang here."

Oil Girl Ryuuma's face darkened instantly; he forced himself to stay calm while gauging the distance of the Dark Area from here.

"Since you're so obstinate, don't blame us, act!"

"How boring."

Orochimaru shook his head, watching the root, now fully active under Oil Girl Ryuuma's command, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

He truly wasn't surprised that Tuan Zang would do such a thing; even Tuan Zang's desire to kill him runs deep!

"Although I must thank you, your actions also put me in a difficult spot, so..."

Orochimaru took a deep breath, and the next moment his entire body boiled with chakra.

"Then don't blame me!"

——

Ding, ding, ding—

In the main district of the Leaf Village, many ninjas had already kept a safe distance, watching from afar as the two figures continuously crossed paths.

The clanging of metal rose and fell, but that wasn't the key point; the key point was that one of the two was Yuzhi!

The other person seemed like a phantom, almost impossible to strike.

"What on earth is happening?"

The Leaf ninjas stared at each other, wanting to step forward and help.

But they weren't foolish; especially seeing the way the two fought, rushing forward would be tantamount to suicide!

When members of the Police Department arrived, they were immediately evacuated, each forced to watch the duel from a distance.

Meanwhile, on the scene, Yuzhi, locked in a fight with the lunatic Obito, grew increasingly strange‑faced.

Because he noticed something very odd—the familiar attack pattern, the way it made him feel dazed, the utilization of a localized Divine Might.

And most importantly, that black rod constantly swinging toward him, all of which seemed to point to one issue.

"This lunatic, copying me?"

Yuzhi had always wanted to ask, after the last time Obito was beaten by him using the same ability, what this guy thought.

Unfortunately he couldn't bring himself to say it, but now it seemed the impact was profound; otherwise this guy wouldn't have learned to imitate him so well!

Moreover, Yuzhi thought of another interesting point: perhaps this guy wouldn't consider his former self as his future self?

"Hiss, thinking carefully, it's not impossible; after all, that's a Dragon Vein."

Obito doesn't know about the Dragon Vein, but the Black Absolute behind him does.

In fact, whether the Dragon Vein truly traverses time or leads to a parallel world is hard to explain.

After all, once you return to the past, everything that happened there essentially becomes your future.

Thus, even if the past reaches the moment you traverse, it's no longer the same world, just as Yuzhi has crossed into this world.

"So, if you really traversed, it should count as a parallel world, right?"

Yuzhi, while dealing with Obito's attacks, let his mind wander.

Although he might have struck Obito a bit, in fact he was merely coping with Obito's attacks!

As he thought, Obito was merely playing with the leftovers of his own game.

But such an offensive could never trouble him at all!

"You bastard!"

How could Obito not see Yuzhi's absent‑mindedness? Yet even so, he dared not be careless.

Yuzhi was indeed too restrained, especially with that space‑penetrating eye technique; even a tiny opening was enough to pose a lethal threat!

Thus, although Obito seemed fierce, his attacks were actually very cautious.

And what frustrated him immensely was the huge gap in taijutsu between him and the guy before him.

Clearly this guy seems absent‑minded, but he can still leave him helpless!

"Why is it like this?"

Obito grew increasingly depressed, especially as he noticed the "fake Rin" already standing with a group of ninja in the distance, his eyes constantly watching Yuzhi with concern.

When he occasionally glanced at him, that look would instantly turn into anger and murderous intent, further twisting his heart.

"Very careful, huh?"

Yuzhi blocked Obito's black staff, and at that moment he no longer thought about it so much.

He still had more important matters to attend to, so swiftly ending the fight here became his top priority.

"But why do you come and go with only a few moves? Or are you actually just that few moves?"

Before Yuzhi finished speaking, his power suddenly surged; the Kunai in his hand pressed down, instantly driving the black staff into the ground.

"What's happening? Such a strong power!"

Obito was knocked and staggered, and Yuzhi at that moment leapt directly backward.

"I was just playing, seeing how far you could go, but you still disappointed me."

As he leapt, Yuzhi's both hands were already forming a seal, and a brief scorching aura began to spread!

"You can't even please me, so I'll see you off then."

Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique!

Chakra boiled for a moment, and with a roar a massive fire dragon surged toward Obito!

"What a joke, trying to use Fire Release against me?"

Obito's face turned extremely grim; he felt belittled!

Boom—

Unfortunately, Yuzhi ignored him; the flaming giant dragon at that moment slammed hard into Obito's position, and the surging flames instantly swept outward.

"Everyone step back, Lord Yuzhi should be serious now!"

The on‑looking Police Department members, though they also wanted to join the fight, had already seen Yuzhi's hand signal.

Therefore each of them did not advance, but stayed put, honestly maintaining order.

Only, each of them stared intensely at the battlefield; this was probably the first time they'd seen Yuzhi take action!

Buzz—

At that moment, several huge shuriken suddenly sliced through the flames, accompanied by a screeching sound, flying toward Yuzhi.

Yuzhi lightly tapped the ground with his foot, and in an instant he leapt, evading those shuriken.

"Die!"

But Obito's chakra also burst from the flames; he still appeared unscathed, and the black staff in his hand was hurled fiercely at Yuzhi.

Yet Yuzhi didn't dodge or flinch; he stared straight at the charging Obito, and the Kunai in his hand thrust forward instantly.

A twisted vortex appeared at the front of the Kunai, clearly the power of divine might piercing through!

"Is it coming?"

This move is Obito's greatest fear; he once used it to pull Yuzhi into his own space.

Later, within his world, he brutally beat him up!

But this time Obito didn't dodge at all, and a grim smile even appeared beneath his mask.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Yuzhi saw Obito extend his other hand, a surging force suddenly bursting forth!

Wood Release: Cutting Technique!

"Learned to be smart?"

Seeing the Wood Release charging straight at him, Yuzhi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

In an instant, his figure flashed, and he did not forcefully complete this attack.

When Obito saw Yuzhi evade, he felt a slight joy, then quickly turned and locked onto Yuzhi's position.

Wood Release: Hell Turmoil!

At the moment he landed, he had already completed the seal; he let out a booming roar as it erupted!

"This time, I will definitely prove myself!"

Boom—

As Obito completed the seal, tree after tree burst from the ground, soaring upward; these thorn‑laden giants spiraled up, crazily sweeping toward Yuzhi!

"Wood Release?"

"Impossible!"

"Damn it, why haven't the ANBU arrived!"

All the on‑looking Leaf Village ninja at that moment showed incredulous expressions; they knew exactly what Wood Release was.

Even if they had never seen this legendary technique before, the sight made them instinctively react.

But Yuzhi was momentarily stunned by the massive Wood Release, as he felt his own chakra being slightly drawn.

This tug gave him a strange feeling, watching the massive frenzy of trees bearing down on him, and he suddenly had an idea.

"Die!"

Yuzhi stayed still, but Obito's hand, wielding the black staff, struck instantly, accompanied by sharp vines surrounding him.

But at that moment, Yuzhi suddenly looked up at him, and a faint smile appeared at Yuzhi's mouth corner.

"What's going on?"

Obito's mind was confused; he suddenly got a bad premonition, but at that moment he had no choice but to act!

Boom—

Obito kept a safe distance and suddenly struck, yet again hit only air, and the vines around him roared fiercely.

The earth seemed to tremble at that moment, but Obito's complexion changed drastically!

Because Yuzhi had already vanished from the spot, Obito didn't know why he suddenly appeared above him.

"What on earth is going on?"

Obito glanced sideways, and he saw no Flying Thunder God Kunai.

But now was not the time to dwell on that; the vines had already caught up, and Obito's figure flashed and rushed out quickly.

"Where are you going?"

Yet, the words he most dreaded suddenly rang in his ear.

Bang—

He was kicked out in one bound, his body rolling toward the roadside; had the vines not stopped him, he would have crashed into a house!

"You're still that weak."

Just as Obito's expression grew dazed, Yuzhi silently appeared before him!

Hum—

The Kunai, swirling with a strange vortex, thrust fiercely toward Obito's head, and his complexion changed abruptly.

Fortunately, the vines kept protecting Obito; just as Yuzhi's strike landed, the vines were already in front of him.

This gave Obito a chance; when he activated his Divine Might, he landed on a massive tree, but his mind was clouded and he had no idea what was happening.

"Why is this happening, where is this guy's mark?"

Obito felt bewildered; truly he saw no mark at all, yet Yuzhi seemed always able to lock onto him precisely, launching deadly assaults constantly.

But before Obito could figure it out, Yuzhi suddenly appeared before him, and the Kunai bearing a vortex scar lunged toward him!

"Damn!"

Obito pressed down and swung a black staff fiercely, and with the clang of metal, he blocked the attack.

In the next instant, his Divine Might shifted again, and he flashed onto another vine.

He still needed the vines to protect him, but he hadn't steadied himself, and a space‑piercing force surged from behind!

Puff—

The pain instantly jolted his brain, followed by a massive surge of force.

He shot out into the air, then crashed heavily onto the ground!

"Is this what you call progress?"

Obito endured the pain, quickly rose to his feet, and at that moment Yuzhi's voice rang out.

Looking back, he saw Yuzhi standing back to the moonlight atop the Wood Release he had unleashed.

The darkness concealed Yuzhi's face, but his blood‑red eyes were so penetrating!

"Sorry, you still want to dance like this?"

That cold voice stimulated Obito's brain; hearing Yuzhi's words, Obito's heart was filled with shame and fury.

Yet he had no way out; he didn't understand why, despite his great progress, he was still beaten like this.

Moreover, he still didn't know how Yuzhi kept pursuing him by constantly traversing with the Flying Thunder God.

"Could it be?"

Suddenly, he recalled the battle with Hikari, and also remembered Minato Namikaze.

Unconsciously, his gaze drifted toward his hand.