Chapter 20: Kirigakure Backs Down
Uchiha Shisui had clearly not yet heard about Uchiha Dali.
So when he faced Ao's question, he looked slightly puzzled.
He had only vaguely heard of that clansman's name and had a blurry impression.
"Seems to be a descendant of 'The Strongest Three-Tomoe,' Uchiha Shinzan..."
Of course, even so, Uchiha Shisui would never reveal information about his clan to an enemy fighting to the death.
Instead, the first thing that came to his mind was that ironic joke circulating among the Uchiha clan.
"Looks like you're unwilling to answer, huh..."
Ao was actually quite nervous.
After waiting for a while without getting a response from Uchiha Shisui, he was already starting to waver, preparing to retreat with his men.
However, just before leaving, he couldn't help but say:
"It's said that man's Body Flicker Technique has already surpassed yours, Uchiha Shisui."
"As a worthy opponent, I really hope to hear your confirmation of this rumor."
Even with Ao's probing, Uchiha Shisui remained silent.
Despite his young age, his intelligence wasn't as simple as it appeared on the surface. Such a low-level tactic wouldn't work on him.
However, Ao's words had indeed planted a question in Uchiha Shisui's mind.
Seeing that there was no way to extract any valuable intelligence from this tricky opponent, Ao fully committed to retreating.
He remained vigilant, using his Byakugan to keep an eye on Uchiha Shisui, wary of a sneak attack.
At the same time, he signaled his subordinates to withdraw.
"We're leaving!"
Soon, Ao and his squad disappeared from sight.
Only after they left did Uchiha Shisui breathe a sigh of relief.
He began trying to recall everything he knew about the name Uchiha Dali.
"A presence that surpasses me, huh..."
"If another genius has really emerged, that's actually a good thing."
Although he couldn't find any useful information in his memory, Uchiha Shisui still felt reassured.
For an Uchiha ninja to be so highly regarded by an enemy Jōnin, he must indeed be exceptional.
If given the chance, he would like to meet that man.
With that thought, Uchiha Shisui turned and vanished from the treetops.
---
Ever since Uchiha Dali had become more adept at utilizing his own power, he had been dominating the battlefield.
His three-tomoe Sharingan had reached a perfect level of synchronization with his body.
Combined with his advanced Body Flicker Technique and extraordinary sensory abilities, he was practically unstoppable against Kirigakure's forces.
Even enemy Jōnin were helpless against him unless they held an overwhelming numerical advantage.
As a result, the title "The Man Who Surpassed Shisui of the Body Flicker" had become inseparably linked with the name Uchiha Dali.
At this point, nearly everyone on the battlefield—both ally and enemy—had heard of that name.
And it seemed that because of the tremendous losses Uchiha Dali had inflicted on Kirigakure, things were changing.
By the third day of battle, the number of active Kirigakure ninja on the battlefield had decreased drastically.
It was as if they had all retreated from the Land of Fire overnight, vanishing without a trace.
"Just got intel from the village."
"The Daimyō of the Land of Water, along with the Third Mizukage, has agreed to peace talks."
"But precisely because of this, we must remain vigilant to prevent Kirigakure from pulling any tricks and making a comeback..."
Uchiha Tekkō approached Uchiha Dali and reminded him.
At this point, the dynamic between them had subtly shifted.
After three days of fighting side by side, both Uchiha Tekkō, Uchiha Dōka, and even Uchiha Hachidai had gradually realized the vast disparity in strength between themselves and Uchiha Dali.
But the difference wasn't just in raw power.
In tactical application, combat coordination, personal charisma, and leadership ability, they were also far inferior to Uchiha Dali.
So, even though Uchiha Tekkō was officially the squad leader, everyone had tacitly acknowledged that the real "leader" was now Uchiha Dali.
Even Uchiha Tekkō himself had come to accept this in his heart.
That was why, at this moment, he took on the attitude of a subordinate reporting to a superior.
"Everything is within expectations," Uchiha Dali replied calmly.
Though his tone carried a hint of arrogance, no one found it off-putting.
Because time and again, real combat had proven that he truly had the ability to back it up.
"Any further instructions from the higher-ups?"
Uchiha Dali suddenly asked.
"A few squads will remain here for defense, while the rest of our forces are being sent to reinforce the southern border against the forces from Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning..."
Uchiha Tekkō answered.
"Got it. You guys go ahead and rendezvous with Captain Fugaku."
Uchiha Dali nodded.
"What about you?"
"There are still a few pests lurking on the battlefield. I'm going to deal with them."
Hearing this, Uchiha Tekkō nodded without hesitation.
He trusted Uchiha Dali's strength completely.
Since he hadn't requested backup, it meant he was more than confident in handling the remaining enemies alone, and there was no need to interfere.
Soon, Uchiha Tekkō led dozens of Uchiha clansmen to link up with Uchiha Fugaku's forces.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Dali turned his gaze toward another part of the battlefield before vanishing in a flicker.
---
Kirigakure had truly been battered into submission.
They no longer dared to send large forces into the Land of Fire.
Instead, they shifted their strategy—deploying elite squads to operate secretly, launching surprise attacks on Konoha's forces.
Each of these elite squads was composed of Jōnin-level shinobi.
However, they deliberately targeted Konoha's weaker units for ambushes, aiming for asymmetrical retaliation against Konoha and the Uchiha clan.
One of the primary forces assigned to this mission was none other than the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
The last time they encountered Uchiha Dali, they had suffered a bitter defeat—injured by his explosive tag formations and his "hundred steps, hundred hits" level of kunai-throwing precision.
After a brief recovery, they were active once again.
This time, they avoided the previous battlefield and were now maneuvering through the southeastern borders of the Land of Fire, flanking Konoha's defenses.
By now, they had already ambushed and wiped out multiple Konoha defense squads.
"With Konoha's main forces redirected elsewhere and no more powerful enemies blocking us, we can do whatever we want here! Hahaha!"
One of the Seven Swordsmen, Kushimaru Kuriarare, sneered.