"Kid, fighting isn't about chanting a few words and expecting your enemy to fall over."
Watching Uchiha Ran draw his blade in a reverse grip, the tip pointed toward the ground, murmuring something under his breath, Osōi found it laughable.
A ninja battle wasn't child's play.
In his eyes, this Uchiha brat was nothing more than a rookie fresh out of the Academy—pitifully lacking in real mission experience. Did he really think a chakra blade alone could turn the tables?
…Though, to be fair, the sword did look rather elegant.
That thought flickered through Osōi's mind as he spoke again, seeing Ran still unmoving after drawing his weapon.
"What's wrong, Uchiha brat? Too scared to make the first move?" Osōi sneered.
"Where's your Sharingan? Show it to me. If I like what I see, I might let you die with a little less pain."
"Is that so?" Ran replied calmly.
"Since Osōi-sama is so eager to witness the power of the Uchiha, I'll oblige. You'll be the first to see it—so when you lose later, you can resent yourself for not having Sharingan."
"Three tomoe…?!"
Osōi's pupils shrank.
The moment Ran's eyes turned crimson, three tomoe spinning clearly within, Osōi was genuinely shocked.
This polite-looking, scholarly Uchiha kid—so young—had already awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.
Three tomoe meant far more than simple perception. Enhanced dynamic vision, chakra flow analysis, genjutsu casting and dispelling, and even the ability to copy taijutsu and non–kekkei genkai ninjutsu.
An Uchiha with three tomoe rarely lacked techniques. Combined with the clan's refined combat instincts, such a person already possessed at least special jōnin–level combat power.
And this kid had achieved it at this age.
"…Even three tomoe won't save you," Osōi said coldly, forcibly averting his gaze. He had no intention of meeting the Sharingan's eyes.
"Fire Release—Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Ran's hands blurred through seals, and multiple fireballs shot toward Osōi in rapid succession.
"Don't get cocky, brat."
Osōi answered instantly.
"Lightning Release—Lightning Sphere!"
Lightning collided violently with flame, detonating into a thick cloud of smoke.
Using the cover, Osōi drew his blade and surged forward.
Clang!
Steel met steel.
The moment their blades clashed, the forest erupted into motion.
The two figures weaved rapidly through the trees, sparks flying as swords struck again and again. Osōi's slashes were heavy, ruthless—each swing packed with lethal force. Ran responded with fluid footwork, evading by the narrowest margins while countering with precise, economical strikes.
Ran's Sharingan tracked every movement.
Every slash.
Every shift in weight.
Osōi's swordsmanship was being copied in real time.
Ran's body twisted and spun through the exchange, dodging at angles that defied intuition.
So this is the Sharingan's dynamic vision, Osōi realized grimly.
If we only trade blades, killing him won't be easy.
He suddenly smashed his sword down with full force, then leapt back, widening the distance.
Ran did not pursue.
Instead, holding Life Is But a Dream in a reverse grip, he formed seals.
"Fire Release—Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Water Release—Water Encampment Wall!"
A surge of water erupted, swallowing the flames and filling the forest with dense steam. Visibility plummeted—Ran's Sharingan sight severely hindered.
"Lightning Release—Gratitude Wave."
Lightning surged through the water, racing straight toward Ran.
Ran vanished in a Body Flicker, narrowly escaping the combined technique.
"Storm Release—Laser Circus."
Black lightning curved through the air, homing in relentlessly.
Ran couldn't evade in time.
The black lightning struck his body.
"Aaagh—!"
"Got you," Osōi said coldly.
"Feel it. The terror of black lightning."
—
"…Yeah. You really did."
Ran's voice suddenly came from behind him.
The "Ran" Osōi had struck exploded into smoke.
Substitution?!
A blade whistled past.
Osōi twisted violently, throwing himself backward to avoid the slash. Ran's figure flashed past him, their positions crossing in an instant.
For a brief moment—
Osōi saw them.
Crimson eyes.
Three spinning tomoe.
"Damn it!"
"Demonic Illusion—Binding Stakes Jutsu."
Osōi's world shattered.
In the constructed mental realm, massive iron stakes pierced his limbs, pinning him in place. His body wouldn't respond—and searing pain flooded his senses.
"So this is it?" Osōi roared.
"Don't underestimate Cloud Village's elite jōnin! I won't be controlled by something like the Sharingan!"
His chakra surged violently. His will smashed against the illusion.
In what felt like an instant, the genjutsu cracked.
A blade lunged toward his abdomen.
"Useless," Osōi barked.
"Without genjutsu—and outside your illusion—you won't last long against me!"
Another Laser Circus tore through the forest, dust and smoke exploding outward as Osōi retreated several paces.
No blood.
No wound.
Ran emerged calmly from the smoke.
Instead of attacking, he simply smiled.
"Giving up already?" Osōi sneered.
"Ready to accept your death, Uchiha brat?"
Victory felt close—so close he could taste it.
"Giving up?" Ran dusted ash from his clothes and adjusted his glasses, smiling faintly.
"No. You're just pitiful."
"What did you say?"
"Cloud Village uncle," Ran said softly,
"you're about to die—and you don't even realize it."
Osōi laughed cruelly.
"Sharp tongue. I don't even need to know your name. Your genjutsu can't threaten me. As thanks, I'll take your Sharingan."
Ran's smile widened just a little.
"Poor Cloud Village uncle," he said gently.
"When did you ever get the feeling… that you hadn't fallen into Life Is But a Dream?"
—
Pain exploded in Osōi's chest.
He looked down.
A blade had pierced straight through his heart.
Blood spilled across the ground.
"…Ah…?"
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