https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-468-When-in-Doubt-Consult-Mu-Yue/12558645/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-470-Still-Water-s-Life-Mission-Settlement-6k-/12558647/
Chapter 469: Instant Kill with Genjutsu
Chapter 469: Instant Kill with Genjutsu
After leaving Mu Yue's house, Itachi went home first and wrote down his rebuttal to Uchiha Moriya's proposal. He then headed to Uchiha Fugaku's residence.
With the clan meeting just a week away, Itachi wanted to ensure he had enough time to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.
"Itachi, have you encountered some trouble?" Uchiha Fugaku asked.
It was almost ten o'clock in the evening, and a visit at this hour was certainly not for casual greetings.
"Uncle Fugaku, Elder Moriya's proposal is doomed to fail, and I intend to stop him at the next clan meeting," Itachi said, getting straight to the point.
Based on Itachi's observations and Mu Yue's analysis, Uchiha Fugaku could be a great help, so Itachi didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.
"Elder Moriya's idea indeed lacks consideration from a certain perspective, and its feasibility is very low," Uchiha Fugaku said diplomatically.
"It's good that you have this concern, Itachi, but you don't need to worry about such matters yet. Your focus now should be on cultivating and becoming stronger," he added.
Uchiha Fugaku didn't want Itachi to get involved in the dispute between the dovish and hawkish factions. Whether dovish or hawkish, they were all Uchiha, and a genius like Itachi should concentrate on training and growing stronger. That way, he could give back to the Uchiha clan instead of getting entangled in internal strife.
"Uncle Fugaku, please hear me out," Itachi said calmly, not becoming anxious or eager to prove himself due to Fugaku's words.
Looking at Itachi's composed expression, Uchiha Fugaku's mind conjured the image of Uchiha Miro. A strange emotion stirred within him, and he finally closed his mouth, choosing to listen quietly to Itachi.
Even if Itachi's plan was unrealistic, the worst that could happen was wasting a mere ten minutes or so of his time, which wasn't much of a loss.
"I know that my status as a genius is not enough to rival Elder Moriya, but our Uchiha clan respects strength above all. So, I intend to defeat Elder Moriya fairly in combat and gain an equal standing with him," Itachi said, revealing the first step of his plan.
This was a crucial step, not only for stopping Uchiha Moriya's actions but also for Itachi's future influence within the Uchiha clan.
"You want to challenge Elder Moriya? Setting aside whether you can win, even if you do, it might not necessarily lead to..." Uchiha Fugaku shook his head slightly.
Elder Moriya's position as an Uchiha elder meant he was undoubtedly powerful, a veteran Uchiha jonin with a three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Uncle Fugaku, please let me continue," Itachi interrupted.
He understood Fugaku's skepticism. After all, Elder Moriya was a revered figure among the Uchiha clan, with far more experience in both ninjutsu and life than Itachi could match. On paper, it seemed almost impossible for Itachi to defeat and refute Elder Moriya's proposal.
However, Itachi had full confidence in the plan he had refined with Mu Yue's help. The only potential hiccup he could foresee was if he failed to defeat Uchiha Moriya.
"As a young junior, if I challenge Elder Moriya directly and lose, it won't tarnish my reputation. But if he loses to me, he will lose face, and this will sharpen the internal conflicts within the Uchiha clan," Itachi explained. "That's why I need your help, Uncle Fugaku."
Seeing that Fugaku didn't interrupt, Itachi continued, laying out Mu Yue's plan for a sparring contest.
Uchiha Fugaku was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Itachi to be so thorough in his considerations, taking into account how a direct challenge would cause Elder Moriya to lose face and exacerbate tensions within the Uchiha clan.
The sparring contest idea further impressed Fugaku and caused him to reevaluate Itachi. Where had this child learned all these cunning strategies? He was starting to seem less and less like a typical Uchiha.
At this point, Uchiha Fugaku began to seriously contemplate the feasibility of Itachi's grand plan.
"After everything leading up to it is in place, I will officially refute Elder Moriya at the clan meeting," Itachi said, handing over the documents he had prepared in advance to Fugaku.
As Fugaku finished reading the documents, his gaze toward Itachi shifted once more.
"If Itachi doesn't meet an untimely end, the Uchiha clan might truly be able to reclaim its glory from the Warring States period," Uchiha Fugaku thought to himself.
The impact Itachi had on him today was immense, even surpassing the awe he had felt upon hearing about Itachi's impressive feats on the battlefield.
From a broader perspective across the ninja world, every era produced numerous geniuses, and Itachi was just one among them.
But what Itachi demonstrated went beyond mere strength. His knowledge and thoughts were not what one would expect from an average eight-year-old Uchiha boy.
To be frank, the eight-year-old Uchiha Fugaku wouldn't have been able to devise a plan as meticulous and feasible as Itachi's, nor would he have considered Elder Moriya's reputation.
"Uncle Fugaku, that's all I have to say," Itachi concluded.
"Apologies for interrupting earlier," Fugaku Uchiha said, not offering his opinion right away but apologizing for cutting Itachi off earlier.
The current him understood that Itachi was truly thinking about what was best for the Uchiha clan and had given it serious thought, rather than coming to him on a whim.
"You don't need to worry about anything from now on, just focus on being ready for the fight," Fugaku Uchiha said in a low voice.
With such a detailed plan laid out before him, Fugaku Uchiha only needed to exercise his authority as the clan leader.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself, Itachi. Even if you lose, I have a backup plan," Fugaku Uchiha added after some thought.
Itachi needed to defeat Uchiha Moriya to gain an equal standing with him, but Fugaku's plan didn't need to be that complicated.
Fugaku Uchiha was concerned that if Itachi lost, he would be dealt a heavy blow and never recover, which would be a huge loss for the Uchiha clan, even greater than if Uchiha Moriya's infeasible proposal was submitted.
"I will win," Itachi said firmly.
This battle held great significance for him, and he had to emerge victorious.
Fugaku Uchiha could only nod in encouragement. Since Itachi was so determined, it would be impolite to keep consoling him.
The next day, Fugaku Uchiha summoned the Uchiha clan's high-ranking members to discuss the details of the martial arts tournament.
The Uchiha clan had always valued martial arts, and although Fugaku Uchiha's proposal was sudden, none of the elders objected.
Uchiha Moriya, in particular, was very supportive and offered to be the sole mentor if the other elders were busy.
Of course, the other elders wouldn't agree to that, as having Uchiha Moriya in charge would be a disaster.
"As long as I showcase my strength and magnanimity, more of our clansmen will support me at the time," Uchiha Moriya calculated.
While Fugaku Uchiha was taking action, Itachi was also making his moves.
He found Mu Yue and underwent intensive training before the battle, making a final push for the plan's success.
It was challenging to achieve a breakthrough in raw power within a few days unless one comprehended the essence of the Breathing Technique. Otherwise, it was impossible to suddenly increase their strength.
However, comprehending the Breathing Technique was the pinnacle of the art, and among Mu Yue's disciples, only Kakashi had mastered it. Thus, Itachi wasn't aiming for a raw power boost. Instead, he wanted to enhance his overall combat capabilities.
Over the next few days, Itachi engaged in battles with Mu Yue's true body. After each fight, they would heal and rest simultaneously.
In just one day, Itachi unlocked a plethora of injured poses—being continuously killed by Flying Thunder God instant transmissions, crushed by Mu Yue's powerful ninjutsu, and pummeled by her taijutsu.
If it weren't for Mu Yue's ability to transform into Tsunade and provide healing, Itachi's body would have been scarred beyond repair.
The consecutive days of high-pressure training honed Itachi's resilience. A day before the tournament, he challenged Might Guy once more.
He lost, but he felt he had improved.
"Teacher Mu Yue, thank you for your trouble," Itachi expressed his gratitude sincerely.
He genuinely felt that he had caused Mu Yue a lot of trouble, as this training not only tested his endurance but also demanded a high level of control from Mu Yue.
She had to maintain a level of strength that exerted immense pressure on Itachi without completely overwhelming him and adjust her attacks to inflict severe damage without killing him instantly.
Maintaining this balance and controlling her strength and attacks would undoubtedly tax Mu Yue's mental energy, perhaps even more so than a regular battle.
"A teacher guiding a disciple is never a trouble," Mu Yue replied with a gentle smile. She then took out a metal spoon from her ninja tool pouch and handed it to Itachi.
"This is a ninja tool that enhances the effects of Yin Release techniques. During combat, infuse chakra into it, and the amplification effect will become more evident the more chakra you infuse. Use it wisely."
This was the reward Mu Yue had drawn when Itachi advanced to a jonin.
The reason she hadn't given it to him earlier was that the other disciples had only received eggs as rewards, while Itachi had received a ninja tool in addition to an egg, making his reward seem more unique. Thus, she had waited until now.
Itachi curiously examined the curved spoon in his hand, surprised to discover that this unassuming utensil was, in fact, a ninja tool with such a unique effect.
"I must not disappoint Teacher Mu Yue's teachings!" Itachi's desire for victory intensified.
Having troubled Mu Yue so much, he felt he had to win the battle, or he wouldn't be able to live up to her efforts.
[You have gifted the ninja tool, Curved Spoon, and your disciple is extremely grateful. As a reward, you receive Critical Hit, and gain the Earth Release: Mountain Earth Technique (Proficiency Level).]
Mu Yue nodded slightly, pleased. The Mountain Earth Technique was an advanced earth jutsu capable of restraining powerful beings like tailed beasts and inflicting severe damage on humans.
...
On the day of the martial arts tournament, Uchiha Fugaku, along with several other high-ranking Uchiha members, stood before all the Uchiha participants to give a speech about the tournament.
"For a ninja, the most important thing is strength. Strength will help you overcome all obstacles," Uchiha Fugaku said solemnly. "Today, we will be holding the first Uchiha martial arts tournament. The battles will be determined by drawing lots, and the top eight will receive rank rewards. The top four will also have the opportunity to receive guidance from the elders right here and now."
"Whether it's for the sake of becoming stronger or for the rewards, give it your all in the battles ahead."
Uchiha Fugaku didn't speak for too long; he simply introduced the rules of the tournament and offered a brief word of encouragement before concluding. The Uchiha clan wasn't one for lengthy speeches before events.
Even with such a short opening address, the Uchiha ninjas present displayed extraordinary enthusiasm, all of them brimming with fighting spirit.
The shortest and youngest among them, Itachi, received the most attention.
No one dared to underestimate Itachi. They all viewed him as the strongest opponent, as he was not only one of the few Jonin among the participants but also had a record of facing the Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist in battle.
"As long as I can defeat Itachi, I will be the best in this tournament. No one else will be my match," thought Uchiha Yakumi as he scanned the crowd.
While the Uchiha clan had no shortage of Jonin, a significant portion of them were from the same generation as the clan's higher-ups. Even if they weren't as strong as the elders, they wouldn't lower themselves to participate in the tournament and be guided by their contemporaries.
Therefore, the number of Jonin participating in the tournament was actually quite small, with only three in total. Most of the participants were Chunin, and there weren't many Genin either.
Another Uchiha Jonin that Uchiha Yakumi recognized was someone he had defeated before. So, Uchiha Yakumi believed that his only real opponent was Itachi.
After a swift drawing of lots to determine the battle order, the tournament began without delay.
"Fight one: Uchiha Itachi versus Uchiha Inabi!" the referee shouted after glancing at the battle order.
Upon hearing his opponent's name, Uchiha Inabi's expression turned slightly disappointed. His goal had been to win against two people, but he never expected to face Itachi in the very first round.
Itachi was an enemy he had no hope of defeating; the gap between their strengths was simply too vast.
"What a pity for Inabi. He actually encountered one of the three Jonin in the first round," said a fellow Uchiha ninja who was acquainted with Uchiha Inabi, feeling sorry for him.
With Uchiha Inabi's abilities, if he hadn't drawn one of the three Jonin, he could have put up a good fight and possibly won against most of his opponents.
"Itachi, let me witness the strength of a true Uchiha genius once more," Uchiha Inabi said with a smile.
His thoughts were simple: since they had been drawn to face each other, he wanted to test the fruits of his labor from this period of hard work.
Itachi nodded slightly in response. For the sake of having a say in future matters, he would crush his opponents decisively and leave no room for doubt.
"Begin!" shouted the referee.
Itachi gathered chakra in his eyes, and a dense crimson color appeared, with three tomoe patterns manifesting within.
Itachi then infused some chakra into the spoon to enhance his Yin Release, and finally, he turned his gaze toward Uchiha Inabi.
An endless crimson color filled Uchiha Inabi's vision, causing him to lose consciousness before he knew it.
Thud!
When Uchiha Inabi came to, he found himself lying on the ground, with Itachi, holding a kunai, standing beside him.
—Silence—
The entire place fell into a hushed silence. Whether it was the fighting ground, the watching elders, or the other tournament participants, everyone was utterly quiet. Even the soft sound of the wind brushing against the grass seemed unnaturally loud.
It was a given to everyone present that Uchiha Inabi was no match for Itachi. No one expected Uchiha Inabi to win.
However, no one anticipated that Itachi would defeat Uchiha Inabi, a somewhat well-known Chunin within the Uchiha clan, with just a glance, using genjutsu.
"I thought Itachi specialized in Fire Release and Body Flicker Jutsu. How is he so strong in genjutsu?!" Some Uchiha members found this turn of events unbelievable.
Many of them had witnessed Itachi's Chunin exam, where he had overwhelmingly crushed his opponents with Fire Release techniques. And on the battlefield, he had earned the title "Body Flicker Itachi," which had nothing to do with genjutsu.
"This guy is too freakish," Uchiha Yakumi muttered, breaking into a cold sweat. He felt that his chances of coming out on top in this tournament were slim.
He, too, possessed the Sharingan, but only a two-tomoe Sharingan, which was far from being able to pull off what Itachi had just done with Uchiha Inabi.
"Uchiha Itachi wins!" The referee finally regained his wits and promptly announced Itachi's victory.
PS: There will be another chapter coming in a few hours, which will conclude this arc.
(End of Chapter)
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