Chapter 27: Not All Uchiha Are Difficult to Get Along With
As Uchiha Dali recalled the hand seals for using Lightning Release, a system prompt sounded in his mind.
[Ding! You are about to use basic Lightning Release jutsu and have comprehended the entire Lightning Release jutsu series!]
[The full series includes all Lightning Release jutsu and secret techniques from D-rank to S-rank.]
Along with the system's notification, a massive influx of information surged into his mind.
A knowing smile slowly crept onto his lips as he playfully shifted his gaze back to the three approaching Kagura Karata clones.
It seemed he was about to deal with those three water clones.
However, in the next second, Uchiha Dali's figure vanished.
A burst of lightning erupted in his wake.
With a deafening "Boom!", the ground suddenly shattered, rocks flew in all directions, and dust filled the air.
Kagura Karata, who had been lurking underground in an attempt to ambush Uchiha Dali, was caught off guard. The moment she launched her sneak attack, Uchiha Dali's Lightning Release struck her directly, leaving her in a completely broken state, reduced to a puddle of liquid splattered on the ground.
Faint arcs of electricity continued to flicker across her liquefied body.
She was undoubtedly in a state of total paralysis, utterly incapable of movement.
"D-Damn it…"
"Damn Uchiha!" Kagura Karata growled unwillingly.
"It seems you're not the kind of person willing to cooperate obediently either."
Uchiha Dali casually picked up Kagura Karata's Hiramekarei, and examined them closely. Finding them satisfactory, he decided to keep them with a smirk.
Only then did he shift his gaze toward the immobilized Ameyuri lying in the crater.
"Wait!"
Just as Uchiha Dali was about to finish off his opponent, Might Duy suddenly shouted to stop him.
"Hm?" Uchiha Dali turned to look at him.
"This guy might be useful to the village. We can hand him over to the Intelligence Division to extract information from her," Might Duy explained.
Though he was merely a "perpetual Genin," he still possessed the fundamental qualities of a ninja. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to develop the Eight Gates Released Formation, an extraordinary taijutsu technique.
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Dali glanced down again at the paralyzed Kagura Karata in the crater and then nodded.
"In that case, I'll leave her to you."
With that, Uchiha Dali turned to leave.
"P-Please wait!"
Might Duy called out to him again.
"What now?"
Uchiha Dali stopped and turned back once more.
At that moment, Might Duy, along with Might Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma, approached him.
Standing before Uchiha Dali, Might Duy bowed deeply.
Then, gently placing a hand on his son Might Guy's head, he bowed again. "Thank you so much for saving us!"
"I am Might Duy, and this is my son, Might Guy!"
As he spoke words of gratitude, tears streamed down Might Duy's face.
Young Might Guy, having inherited his father's passionate and sincere nature, was also crying uncontrollably.
"Thank you so much!" Might Guy looked at Uchiha Dali and said earnestly.
"I just happened to be passing by," Uchiha Dali replied indifferently.
"Besides, we're all Konoha shinobi. There's no need for gratitude."
With that, he turned and walked away without looking back.
Watching the young Uchiha prodigy treat the entire ordeal so lightly—neither dwelling on the battle nor making a big deal out of saving them—Might Duy, Might Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma were all momentarily stunned.
After a brief moment of silence, Might Duy suddenly burst into laughter, tears still glistening in his eyes. He turned to his son and said, "Guy, did you see that?"
"I did, Father!"
"What a noble-hearted warrior! Hahaha! You must always maintain that same passion and sincerity. No matter how much you have to sacrifice for the village, never complain, Guy!"
"I understand, Father!"
Might Guy clenched his fists tightly, his lips pressed together, his tear-filled eyes fixed on Uchiha Dali's departing figure with unwavering determination.
Meanwhile, Shiranui Genma muttered to himself in a low voice, "Aren't the Uchiha supposed to be difficult to get along with? He doesn't seem that way at all…"
"Well… maybe exceptions like Uchiha Shisui exist, but still, it seems he really did save us. I suppose we owe him one," Ebisu replied casually.
—
Fire Country, Konohagakure, Hokage Office
Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was holding a meeting with several senior advisors. Reports from the battlefield had just arrived.
The latest casualty list was among them.
Alongside these reports were documents from the daimyo offices of various participating nations.
"The Daimyo of Water Country has sent an envoy with a letter proposing peace talks. They are willing to sit down and negotiate with us."
"However, Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning, Iwagakure of the Land of Earth, and Sunagakure of the Land of Wind still refuse to engage in peace discussions."
"Their forces continue to cause trouble along our borders, launching attacks on our active units. Hiruzen, I believe it's time to adjust our strategic deployment."
"We should recall all ninja under eighteen years old and those below Chunin level."
Homura Mitokado suggested this to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Puffing on his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the battle map in deep thought, remaining silent.
Danzo Shimura, the leader of the Root organization, was equally quiet. His half-lidded eyes appeared lifeless as he sat there in contemplation.
After a brief pause, Hiruzen finally spoke.
"Since Kirigakure's forces have retreated and pressure on the eastern front has lessened, we must take this opportunity to redirect more troops toward combating the other three villages."
"But if we do that, our casualties will increase even further. The number of fallen shinobi is already too high…" Koharu Utatane reminded him.
Hiruzen took a slow drag from his pipe before responding calmly.
"The Uchiha Clan's performance on the eastern battlefield has been exceptional. Aside from Shisui, there's another ninja named Uchiha Dali, who has also struck fear into the enemy with his Body Flicker Technique."
"Sending them to reinforce other battlefronts may lead to even greater victories."
"Besides, let's not forget—while Konoha has suffered heavy losses, the other villages have not fared much better. If we compare population sizes, even combined, the other nations don't necessarily have more manpower than the Land of Fire."
"At this rate, within a month, the war will be over. And this time, it will be them begging us for peace."