The clash between the two sides lasted for a moment, but in the end, the ANBU held the upper hand. After all, behind the ANBU stood the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, while the Konoha Police Force only answered to the Uchiha clan leader.
"Hmph, we'll settle this another time."
Uchiha Jin's expression darkened. It was clear to him that the ANBU were determined to stand in his way. It seemed unlikely he'd be able to deal with Shigure today.
But Shigure—just a no-name kid from another district, with no clan backing—could easily be crushed later. Could the ANBU protect him for the rest of his life?
The only way to vent his fury now… was to kill him.
Jin didn't bother hiding the killing intent in his gaze as he turned away coldly.
The onlookers stared, tense and uncomfortable. Though many still couldn't believe Uchiha Jin had been humiliated by Shigure, they also knew the wrath of the Uchiha clan was not something a boy like Shigure could survive.
With the clan's brutal reputation, it wouldn't be surprising if Shigure mysteriously "disappeared" tomorrow.
People sighed inwardly, already mourning his fate.
But just then, Shigure's voice rang out.
"Wait."
Jin stopped. A cruel smile played across his face. Even if the brat begged on his knees now, it was far too late.
But what he didn't expect was that Shigure wasn't begging—he was issuing a challenge.
"Three months from now. Do you dare face me in a duel to the death?"
Shigure looked him dead in the eye, his voice calm and steady.
It was a gamble, but his only path forward. If he couldn't win now, he needed time. And if Jin agreed, he'd gain exactly that—three months of breathing room.
The crowd was stunned.
Everyone stared at Shigure like he'd gone mad.
Three months? A death match against a Chunin?
Absurd.
Even if Shigure had pulled off a surprise earlier, once a Chunin fought seriously, not even a group of Genin could match him—let alone an Academy student who hadn't even graduated.
And this was no ordinary Chunin. This was an Uchiha.
People whispered in disbelief.
Even Jin thought he misheard.
Was this brat seriously challenging him?
Just because he managed to land a lucky blow with his bizarre bloodline—did he really think that made them equals?
"…Heh…hahahaha."
Jin laughed, a twisted mix of sarcasm and contempt in every note.
Staring Shigure down, he said arrogantly, "A challenge? Fine. I accept."
He knew Shigure was stalling for time—but how could he refuse in front of everyone?
It wasn't just his pride at stake. It was the pride of the Uchiha clan.
And three months was nothing. He could kill Shigure in seconds if he wanted to.
Without another word, Jin's form vanished in a puff of smoke.
Only then did the crowd seem to snap out of their daze.
Some were impressed. Some were regretful.
"That kid… he's got guts. Calm under pressure, challenges a Chunin, buys himself time…"
"Yeah, but after crossing the Uchiha? No matter how talented he is, he's finished. Three months won't change that."
"Poor kid. Three months just to die anyway…"
With heavy sighs and shaking heads, the crowd began to disperse. No one dared get involved in Uchiha affairs.
The ANBU operative still standing nearby looked at Shigure with pity. Reporting this to the Hokage might help—but it was a long shot.
He walked over, patted Shigure on the shoulder, and said, "Enjoy yourself for the next three months. No Uchiha will touch you until then."
And with that, he too disappeared into white smoke.
"Enjoy myself?"
Shigure twitched, dark lines forming across his face.
Like hell he would.
He knew Jin couldn't afford to reject the challenge under the circumstances. That's why he'd thrown it out without hesitation.
But these three months weren't for fun—they were all he had.
Word of the challenge spread like wildfire across Konoha.
A student from the Academy had challenged a Chunin to a death match?
Unheard of.
Everyone was talking about it.
Wherever Shigure went, people looked at him with disbelief, pity—even those who usually disliked him couldn't help but shake their heads and sigh.
At first, it was uncomfortable. But eventually, Shigure got used to it. He stopped caring.
He headed toward the forest clearing where Might Duy trained, planning to watch for a bit before going home to continue his extreme training.
It had been less than two months since he awakened his Lightning Shock Kekkei Genkai, but it had already made him one of the strongest among Genin-level fighters.
Yes, the gap between Genin and Chunin was huge—but it wasn't insurmountable.
In the original story, Hatake Kakashi had made Genin at five and Chunin at six.
Shigure believed that with enough drive and discipline, he could do it too.
Eventually, he arrived.
He hadn't expected much—he hadn't seen Guy train in the Eight Gates in a while, and hope was thin.
But then his eyes widened.
The forest was quiet, the golden sunlight filtering through the trees in peaceful shafts.
That peace was shattered by a burst of overwhelming power.
Boom!
There, in the center of the clearing, stood Might Guy, bathed in a glowing green aura.
The energy radiating from him was fierce and pure.
The Eight Gates.
Shigure stood frozen, stunned.
His eyes sparkled.
So this is it… the forbidden taijutsu technique that once stunned the entire shinobi world.
He remembered the original story—Guy opening the gates, going toe-to-toe with Madara of the Six Paths.
His heart pounded.
He had always dreamed of learning this in secret—and now, he was seeing it with his own eyes.
"Haaah!"
In the center of the field, Might Duy let out a mighty roar and stomped the ground.
Crack!
The earth beneath his feet shattered in a web of fractures.
"Fifth Gate—Gate of Limit… OPEN!!"
BOOM!
He didn't even need to stomp again.
The sheer momentum of the energy within him split the fragile ground apart.