Chapter 18: A New Genius Is Born
Uchiha Dali made his decision, and in that instant, his gaze turned cold.
Just moments ago, he had dismissed the fleeing enemies as too weak to be worth his attention. But now, with a swift turn, he vanished from his spot using an advanced Body Flicker Technique.
"If you do not eradicate the roots, the weeds will grow again with the spring breeze."
The highest form of peace is achieved through war.
Only by inflicting true pain on Kirigakure, by eliminating as much of the vital forces of the other ninja villages as possible, would the daimyo and the Kage behind them feel the sting of loss.
Only then would they be willing to sit down and negotiate sincerely.
In no time, Uchiha Dali caught up with the fleeing enemies and easily took down a portion of them.
Meanwhile, the other Uchiha were still playing a game of cat and mouse with the enemy, chasing and being chased.
When the Uchiha clansmen saw Uchiha Dali take action once again—effortlessly disposing of the fleeing enemies—they couldn't help but reassess this powerful clansman who had suddenly emerged out of nowhere.
"Uchiha Dali… I remember that kid is a descendant of Uchiha Shinzan, right?"
"You mean that Uchiha Shinzan, the one known as 'The Strongest Three-Tomoe'?"
"Ah… that so-called 'strongest' title was just sarcasm. As a Chunin-level Uchiha with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he was the only one of his kind. Who would've thought that his descendant would turn out to be this strong?"
"Especially his Body Flicker Technique—it's already at Shisui's level, isn't it?"
"The Shisui of the Body Flicker…? Judging by his performance just now, it really does seem that way!"
The murmuring discussions of the surrounding Uchiha clansmen were clear.
Uchiha Dali chose not to respond.
His ancestor, Uchiha Shinzan, bore the title "The Strongest Three-Tomoe", but in truth, that title was mocking in nature.
At first, it was Shinzan himself who claimed to have awakened a Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Over time, the name stuck.
Yet according to the memories in Uchiha Dali's mind, his ancestor had only ever awakened a single tomoe.
Furthermore, he remained a mere Genin, never advancing to a higher rank.
Out of pride, he had lied and boasted to everyone.
Among the naturally arrogant Uchiha clan, such behavior was seen as a disgrace.
So behind his back, his clansmen had given him this ironically mocking title.
A descendant of an inferior clansman was, of course, assumed to be inferior as well.
This had long since become a widely accepted truth within the Uchiha clan.
The reaction of those around him now—their surprise, their speculations—was therefore understandable.
However…
"Soon, you will look at me with even greater awe."
"From today onward, the descendant of 'The Strongest Three-Tomoe' no longer exists. I am me—Uchiha Dali!"
With this silent vow, he cast aside those pointless memories. With a single leap, he landed beside Uchiha Tekkō.
Tekkō had just taken down two Kirigakure Chunin who had abandoned their escape attempt and chosen to fight to the death instead.
"So, your strength is truly that great," Uchiha Tekkō remarked, turning to give Uchiha Dali a deep, meaningful look.
"Yeah, no wonder he was able to drive back the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Now I believe it!"
Uchiha Dōka also leaped over, nodding in agreement.
The previous doubt and disdain he had held toward Uchiha Dali were gone.
Deep in his eyes, one could even see a trace of admiration.
Even within the Uchiha clan, the principle of strength above all held firm.
Uchiha Dali remained unfazed by their praise. He was calm, composed—almost as if this was only natural.
"As long as we're already on a killing spree, we might as well make the most of it."
"There are more enemies in that direction."
Uchiha Dali extended his hand, pointing toward the forest ahead.
With his enhanced sensory abilities, he had already locked onto a small enemy force several kilometers away, moving through the trees.
The moment his words fell, he took the lead and charged toward that direction.
Uchiha Tekkō and Uchiha Dōka exchanged stunned glances.
"He can sense the enemy's presence?"
Tekkō muttered in disbelief.
Dōka closed his eyes briefly, focusing his own senses, then shook his head.
"I can't sense anything at all."
As he said this, uncertainty flickered in his heart.
Both of them were fully-fledged Uchiha Jōnin, wielders of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
If neither of them could detect the enemy's presence, then there were only a few possibilities—
Either Uchiha Dali was wrong…
Or their sensory abilities were vastly inferior to his.
"Let's follow him and find out!"
Equally unsettled, Uchiha Tekkō took the lead and followed.
Uchiha Dōka quickly called for the rest of the Uchiha to give chase.
…
As it turned out, Uchiha Dali was right.
At a location roughly 3.5 kilometers from the battlefield, they encountered another squad of Kirigakure ninja.
Naturally, Uchiha Dali was the first to engage.
Neither side hesitated before launching into a fierce battle.
On the way, Uchiha Dali had overheard their conversation.
This group consisted of fresh recruits. Due to shifts in the battlefield situation, their Jōnin leader had been forced to leave them behind to support a more crucial mission elsewhere.
This was similar to how Namikaze Minato had to leave behind Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and Nohara Rin in a past battle.
Facing a group of stranded Chunin and Genin alone, Uchiha Dali's victory was all but guaranteed.
By the time the other Uchiha arrived, they were met with a devastating scene.
A vast scorched area stretched before them.
Charred trees were still smoldering.
Within a burnt-out zone of over 1,500 square meters, more than twenty Kirigakure ninja lay strewn about, their bodies unmistakably incinerated.
Seeing this, the newly arrived Uchiha were shaken.
"He… he took them all out by himself?"
"Just like before… he's too strong."
"It seems our Uchiha clan has produced yet another genius. The battlefield is truly the ultimate forge."
"I saw him use the Sharingan just now—when did he awaken it?"
The murmurs of the surrounding Uchiha reached Uchiha Tekkō's ears.
"He awakened his Sharingan?"
Tekkō's eyes widened in shock as he turned to gaze at Uchiha Dali's back.
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