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Uchiha Madara's expression flickered with surprise, doubt, elation, and, most of all, confusion.
With his powerful chakra perception, there was no mistaking what he felt. It was unmistakably his younger brother's chakra, the closest person who had been with him throughout the first half of his life. The ruthless essence of that chakra was undeniable.
"How could this be?"
Madara froze in place, his body stiff with disbelief. For a moment, even the feared Shura of the Ninja World, who alongside Senju Hashirama had suppressed the entire world, felt uncertainty and confusion.
Taking a deep breath, Madara's face hardened with resolve.
"No matter who it is, if someone dares to desecrate Izuna's soul, I'll kill them!"
Muttering to himself, Madara vanished from his spot, rushing at full speed toward the source of the chakra disturbance.
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Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the water surged violently.
It was an ordinary B-rank Water Release jutsu, but in Hanzō of the Salamander's hands, it held the power of a Forbidden Technique.
The area around them had turned into a small lake, yet the water didn't spread out—it was unnaturally contained within a fixed boundary. The most alarming feature, however, was the thin purple mist rising from the surface, clearly laced with deadly poison.
Fortunately, all the Amegakure shinobi, like Hanzō, wore respirators. Without them, just inhaling the mist would have been fatal.
As for Ishigami Hara, his body was now surrounded by light red chakra flames, a clear sign of chakra being pushed to its limits. The surrounding toxic air couldn't touch him; any poison that approached was instantly neutralized.
With Uchiha Izuna controlling his body, this poison was trivial. A warrior who had survived the bloody Sengoku era would not be troubled by such minor toxins.
Not far away, Hanzō of the Salamander had been observing the boy before him. However, the sudden change in Ishigami Hara's eyes startled him, especially the triangular lock pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan, which filled Hanzō with a sense of unease.
"So, that's it... Mangekyō Sharingan," Hanzō muttered, his voice heavy. "It's been a long time since those terrifying eyes have appeared in the ninja world."
Hanzō then locked his gaze on Ishigami Hara, his tone serious. "Kid, are you from the Uchiha clan?"
"Hehehe..."
The response was low, suppressed laughter that slowly grew louder until Ishigami Hara threw his head back and let out a roaring laugh, filled with pure joy.
"Yes, this feeling! That's it! The feeling of being alive... it's truly... wonderful!"
Lowering his head, Ishigami Hara fixed his gaze on Hanzō of the Salamander, studying him closely before raising the short blade in his hand.
"You seem to be a master of swordsmanship. Shall we warm up with a little swordplay first?"
Despite his words, Uchiha Izuna didn't give Hanzō a choice. The moment the words left his mouth, Ishigami Hara's body shot forward.
Whoosh!
He moved like fire and lightning. In just a single dash, he cut a half-meter-deep gully into the surface of the water, sending waves splashing in all directions.
So fast!
Hanzō's eyes narrowed as he swiftly raised his hand, swinging his curved sickle in a diagonal slash. The blade gleamed coldly as it sliced toward Ishigami Hara.
Clang!
The short blade intercepted the blow perfectly. Ishigami Hara's body was momentarily frozen, and sparks flew where the short blade met Hanzō's sickle.
Bang!
A muffled sound echoed as a wave of air surged outward from the two warriors, sending large ripples across the water.
"Tsk!" Ishigami Hara snorted coldly. "Is it because of age?"
Locked in a test of strength, the contrast between them was stark—Hanzō tall and imposing, Ishigami Hara still smaller and younger, though not lacking in power. Even though Ishigami Hara had trained to extraordinary levels of physical strength, height alone put him at a disadvantage.
While Uchiha Izuna could sense that height was a slight handicap, Hanzō was suddenly surprised by the young man's strength. The sheer force behind Ishigami Hara's resistance was remarkable, making Hanzō realize that the boy in front of him could actually contend with him.
Murderous intent flashed in Hanzō's eyes. He twisted his wrist, pushing the sickle forward, aiming to slash at Ishigami Hara's neck.
Ishigami Hara's reaction was quicker. He leaned back, and with an agile move, kicked at Hanzō's waist.
Bang!
Clang!
The sickle was deflected by the short blade once more, and Hanzō caught Ishigami Hara's toes with his free hand.
"I've got you," Hanzō declared, but he quickly released his grip.
A burst of fire erupted from Ishigami Hara's toes.
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
Hanzō's eyes narrowed in shock. He hadn't even noticed when Ishigami Hara performed the seal—a truly unbelievable feat.
Huh!
Flames shot into the air as Hanzō leapt back, creating distance between them. But before he could catch his breath, the water below him exploded, and Ishigami Hara lunged forward, short blade aimed ruthlessly at Hanzō's neck.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Metal clashed repeatedly, sparks flying as the two exchanged over ten rapid strikes in succession.
Throughout the battle, Ishigami Hara's movements were swift and precise, each strike with the short blade crisp and fluid. His body moved with an elegance that radiated lethal intent, his swordsmanship filled with a mysterious grace.
"Indeed, this is the Uchiha style," Hanzō muttered to himself, solidifying his resolve. The young man before him must be eliminated—there could be no other outcome.
The longer the fight went on, the more unnerved Hanzō became. At certain moments, a chill crept over him. The thought of what would happen to Amegakure if this young shinobi were allowed to grow up filled him with dread.
Hidden behind a thick tree a few hundred meters away, a figure watched the battle, frowning at first, then looking utterly shocked.
"Slanting cassock slash... reverse cross slash... Ichimonji secret killing technique... These are all Izuna's sword techniques. How is this possible?"