Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Defeating Uchiha Mikoto

In the courtyard, Natsuki, Nawaki, and Namikaze Minato were training.

Orochimaru stood nearby, occasionally offering guidance.

For him, having an extra student in Minato wasn’t an inconvenience.

He was also highly skilled in Wind Release.

"Take a ten-minute break."

Orochimaru estimated the time and spoke up.

The three immediately stopped their training.

"Teacher."

Natsuki sheathed the Sword of the Thunder God and approached him. "I plan to challenge Uchiha Mikoto."

"Then you must learn how to counter genjutsu."

Orochimaru considered briefly.

Ninjas of the Uchiha clan could all be considered genjutsu specialists.

The reason lay in the Sharingan.

The Sharingan possessed many functions, but its three most fundamental were observation, copying, and hypnosis.

Observation meant the Sharingan possessed extraordinary visual acuity—able to clearly perceive a target’s movements and even their chakra flow.

Copying meant a Sharingan user could rapidly learn a target’s taijutsu and ninjutsu, excluding Kekkei Genkai.

In the original story, after Hatake Kakashi obtained his Sharingan, he copied over a thousand techniques and earned the title "Copy Ninja."

Hypnosis referred to genjutsu. The Sharingan could both cast and see through illusions.

"Understood."

Natsuki nodded. "I’d like Teacher to instruct me in genjutsu dispelling."

"I want to learn too!"

Nawaki raised his hand.

Namikaze Minato didn’t speak, but his expression made his thoughts clear. He wanted to learn as well. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Because in the ninja world, genjutsu specialists were notoriously difficult to handle.

A single moment of carelessness could mean falling under an illusion—and losing all initiative.

"With your talent, you can master genjutsu dispelling within a month."

Orochimaru didn’t refuse. "For this month, you’ll train together."

Without further preamble, he began explaining genjutsu.

Genjutsu was fundamentally Yin Release.

It achieved mental attacks by manipulating the chakra flow in a target’s cranial nerves.

Simply put, it disrupted the target’s five senses to create illusions.

Therefore, genjutsu could be categorized as visual, auditory, tactile, and so on.

Among them, visual genjutsu was the most common.

Sharingan-based genjutsu, for example, were all visual in nature.

When fighting Uchiha ninjas, there was one golden rule: never look into their Sharingan.

There were two methods to break a genjutsu.

One was breaking it yourself. The other was with a teammate’s assistance.

But the essence of both methods was identical: disrupting your own chakra flow.

Fighting a genjutsu specialist was all about speed. You had to dispel the illusion before they could launch their follow-up attack.

The next day at noon.

On the rooftop of Class 2-A’s building.

Natsuki, Uzumaki Kushina, Yakushi Nonou, and Namikaze Minato gathered for lunch.

"Natsuki."

Minato spoke up. "I’ve gathered intelligence on Uchiha Mikoto."

"Who’s Uchiha Mikoto?"

Kushina asked, confused.

"First place in the sixth year."

Minato replied.

"Natsuki wants to challenge her?"

Kushina’s eyes lit up. "When?"

Nonou also looked toward Natsuki.

"Haven’t decided yet."

Natsuki shook his head. "Minato, go ahead."

"Uchiha Mikoto possesses a one-tomoe Sharingan. Every student who’s faced her was defeated by her kenjutsu."

Minato’s voice was serious. "Apparently, none of them could even touch the hem of her clothes."

"That sounds a lot like your style."

Kushina reached over with her chopsticks and snatched a piece of chicken from Natsuki’s bento.

Her own lunch was prepared by Uzumaki Mito. It didn’t taste bad—but it was far inferior to Natsuki’s cooking.

"It is quite similar."

Minato nodded slightly.

Because of his exceptional dynamic vision and reaction speed, he could anticipate opponents’ movements during combat.

The most typical example was his fight against Uzumaki Kushina.

Kushina’s taijutsu was actually stronger than his—but she couldn’t land a hit, so her advantage was meaningless.

Natsuki was different. His kenjutsu was simply too fast, making it difficult for Minato to react and dodge.

"Has she ever used Fire Release or genjutsu?"

Natsuki asked after a moment’s thought.

"She’s used Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique."

Minato replied. "No genjutsu on record."

"Natsuki, are you confident?"

Kushina tilted her head.

"Based on current intelligence, her strength doesn’t exceed mine."

Natsuki considered carefully. "My only concern is whether she knows genjutsu."

In the original story, Uchiha Mikoto had never displayed her combat abilities. The only known fact was that she had reached Jonin rank.

To become a Jonin, her talent couldn’t have been lacking.

"Then I’ll challenge her in a month."

Natsuki made his decision.

That month was for both mastering genjutsu dispelling and learning Uchiha-Style Kenjutsu.

Time passed quickly. October arrived in the blink of an eye.

A month later, on the Ninja Academy training grounds, the students of Class 2-A and Class 6-A gathered together.

Natsuki used the same approach as before—asking Ishida Yu for assistance.

Having done it once, Ishida Yu agreed readily and arranged another inter-class exchange meet with Class 6-A.

"The four-year gap really is too large."

Ishida Yu shook his head as he watched the matches unfold.

So far, Class 2-A had won only two fights.

Those two victories belonged to Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato.

"Twenty-seventh match: Natsuki versus Uchiha Mikoto!"

Ishida Yu gathered his energy and announced loudly.

This was undoubtedly the main event. Students from both classes buzzed with discussion.

Although Natsuki was Orochimaru’s student, Uchiha Mikoto was an Uchiha—and four years older.

Except for a few, most students believed Mikoto had the advantage.

Natsuki observed his opponent.

Long black hair. Fair skin. A quiet, gentle demeanor—like the girl next door.

"Senior Mikoto."

Natsuki greeted her first.

"I’ve heard your name for quite some time."

Uchiha Mikoto spoke softly. "I’m honored to spar with you today. Please, let’s have a good match."

Natsuki nodded.

Most Uchiha were proud and arrogant.

But Uchiha Mikoto was completely different. It was hard to associate her with the clan’s typical temperament.

"Begin!"

Ishida Yu announced.

Uchiha Mikoto immediately raised her hands.

In an instant, dozens of shuriken flew toward Natsuki’s head.

Natsuki raised an eyebrow.

As expected of an Uchiha.

This level of ninja tool throwing far exceeded her peers.

Gravity Mitigation!

Reinforcement Magecraft!

Natsuki’s form blurred. He charged toward Mikoto at extreme speed.

The dozens of shuriken instantly lost their target and clattered to the ground.

So fast!

Mikoto hurriedly activated her one-tomoe Sharingan.

After tracking Natsuki’s position, she drew her practice sword.

One-Sword Style: Lion Strike!

Natsuki immediately recognized it—Uchiha-Style Kenjutsu.

He had been studying the style recently. He instantly identified her opening.

His wooden sword accurately intercepted her blade.

Simultaneously, he pressed down with his wrist, unleashing massive force.

Mikoto’s expression shifted. She couldn’t help but stumble back half a step.

But her reaction was equally fast. She twisted her blade and thrust straight at Natsuki’s abdomen.

Golden Right Foot!

Natsuki kicked the sword aside.

Mikoto felt her right arm go numb—she nearly lost her grip.

What incredible strength!

While processing this, she retreated backward.

At that instant, she sensed danger.

One-Sword Style: 36 Pound Phoenix!

Natsuki gripped his wooden sword with both hands and slashed.

A materialized flying strike surged outward.

The sharp pressure enveloped Mikoto, making it difficult to breathe.

At the critical moment, she threw her sword.

The wooden blade shattered within the flying slash.

But Mikoto used that opening to vanish from her position.

"Body Flicker Technique?"

Natsuki quickly scanned his surroundings.

In the next instant, scorching heat rolled toward him.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

The moment Mikoto reappeared, she exhaled a massive fireball.

One-Sword Style: Iai — Lion’s Song!

Natsuki gripped his wooden sword and transformed into a beam of light, charging forward.

Mikoto reacted immediately.

Natsuki’s kenjutsu was already famous throughout the academy. She wasn’t surprised to see Lion’s Song.

She used the Body Flicker Technique again, darting several meters to the left.

By the time she steadied herself, her fireball had already been split cleanly in half.

Without a word, Natsuki charged toward her.

Now!

Mikoto immediately formed hand seals.

Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!

A D-Rank genjutsu. Its effect was making the target see the scene they feared most.

But then—Mikoto paused.

Because she saw Natsuki throw away his wooden sword.

Non-Systematic Magic: Phantom Blow!

Natsuki raised his hand.

At the same moment, Mikoto’s genjutsu activated.

Both of their bodies went rigid—frozen in place.

Mikoto felt as if a hammer had struck her skull. Dizziness overwhelmed her.

Natsuki saw his greatest fear: captured by Root, with Shimura Danzo grinning at him like a sadistic torturer.

Genjutsu Dissipation!

Natsuki had anticipated this. He dispelled the illusion the instant it took hold.

He lunged forward—and pressed a kunai directly against Mikoto’s throat.

"We won!"

Uzumaki Kushina immediately burst with excitement.

Namikaze Minato, on the other hand, felt a mountain of pressure.

What just happened?

What was that last technique?

When did he learn it?

Why has he gotten so much stronger again?

For a moment, questions flooded his mind.

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