In an instant, shadows burst from hidden spots, racing toward the Iwagakure Ninja with swift, precise movements. Fugaku himself lunged at one of the Chunin, his Sharingan glowing. The rest of his team moved in perfect coordination, each one focused on their chosen target.

But as they approached, the two tall leaders of the Rock Ninja remained calm and unfazed, as though they’d anticipated the ambush. One of them quickly formed a hand seal, his fingers flashing through the sequence before slamming his hands to the ground.

“Doton: Doryūheki!”

A tall earthen wall shot up around the nine Rock Ninja, blocking Fugaku’s team from reaching them. At the same moment, the second Rock Ninja leader made his own hand seals.

'Tiger, Ox, Monkey, Dragon, Rat.'

“Doton: Doryūdan!”

Outside the wall, a massive dragon made of solid earth erupted from the ground, twisting and rising into the air. Its scales looked disturbingly lifelike, almost as if it were a real creature. The dragon’s mouth opened, launching rock projectiles straight at Fugaku.

It was clear the enemy saw Fugaku as the main threat, likely targeting him after recognizing his Sharingan. But Fugaku wasn’t one to be intimidated. Moving swiftly, he formed his own hand seal.

“Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!”

A blazing stream of fire shot from Fugaku’s mouth, colliding with the dragon’s rock projectiles mid-air. Embers and rock fragments scattered across the battlefield. Realizing the ambush had failed, Fugaku regrouped his team.

“Nozawa, Ichisuke, and Koda Maru—focus on harassing and distracting six of their Chunin. The rest of you take them one-on-one. Ning and I will handle the two leaders.”

The Chunin team members nodded, moving quickly to their positions. Although they weren’t expected to defeat their opponents outright, Fugaku knew they could hold their own and prevent the enemy from overwhelming them.

One of the tall Ninja sneered.

“So, Konoha now sends both Uchiha and Hyuga clansmen on patrols. A bit unusual, don’t you think, Heiyan?” he said to his comrade. “Capturing one of them alive could give us valuable information.”

Fugaku narrowed his eyes, noting the confidence in the enemy leader’s voice. This wasn’t mere bluffing; this Ninja was skilled and determined. Fugaku realized his team was facing a seasoned opponent.

Without hesitation, Fugaku threw several kunai at one of the Iwagakure Jōnin. The kunai curved mid-air, changing directions at odd angles to strike from unexpected sides.

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The ninja, known as Chiyan, smirked. “I’ve heard about the Uchiha clan’s famous throwing techniques. Let’s see if they live up to the hype.”

“Don’t get cocky, Chiyan,” warned the other Iwagakure leader, Heiyan. “Remember, the Uchiha’s Sharingan can cast genjutsu. Stay alert.”

Chiyan’s eyes were sharp, his expression tense. Fugaku could tell he was prepared for a tough fight, despite his earlier confidence. The Jōnin launched two kunai back, moving with surprising speed for someone his size.

Fugaku rushed forward, closing the distance. Only in close combat could he fully use his Sharingan’s advantages. His sharp vision allowed him to read every twitch of Chiyan’s muscles, each subtle movement revealing potential openings. With his Sharingan active, he could cast brief illusions, creating momentary lapses in his opponent’s defenses. Chiyan seemed to know this well, forming another seal with impressive speed.

“Doton: Doroku Gaeshi!”

A thick wall of stone rose between them. Chiyan’s arms bulged with power as he punched through the wall, sending chunks of rock flying toward Fugaku. Fugaku dodged swiftly, keeping his distance. He suspected Chiyan was waiting for him to get closer, possibly with another trap ready. The earth jutsu of the Rock Ninja were too strong to approach recklessly.

Instead of charging, Fugaku threw several shuriken with precise, unpredictable angles, each aimed to test Chiyan’s defenses. Chiyan dodged, leaping out of their path. While in mid-air, he began forming another seal.

'Tiger, Snake, Rat, Dog.'

“Doton: Sunamichi!”

Fugaku’s Sharingan caught the movements instantly. He recognized the signs of a jutsu forming beneath him. In a blur, he activated the Body Flicker Technique, vanishing and reappearing beside Chiyan just as the quicksand appeared.

Caught off guard by Fugaku’s sudden shift, Chiyan’s concentration slipped. Fugaku’s Sharingan glinted as he launched a kunai straight at Chiyan’s heart. Realizing the danger, Chiyan snapped out of the illusion Fugaku had cast just in time to deflect the kunai, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow.

Fugaku pressed on, refusing to give Chiyan a chance to recover. His kunai struck rapidly, each blow backed by the precision of his Sharingan, forcing Chiyan to remain on the defensive.

In a moment of intensity, Fugaku used his Sharingan to cast a subtle illusion. What Chiyan saw wasn’t real: instead of Fugaku’s throat, he aimed at his arm. The illusion created a critical visual mistake, giving Fugaku the perfect opening. His kunai pierced Chiyan’s heart.

Fugaku struck again, this time slashing Chiyan’s throat, delivering a final blow. Blood poured from the wound as Chiyan staggered back, disbelief filling his eyes. His last thoughts were a bitter acknowledgment of how he had underestimated the Uchiha’s Sharingan.

As Chiyan fell, Fugaku felt a surge of energy in his eyes—a reward for his victory, strengthening his own vision. A cry of anguish shattered the silence. “Chiyan!” Heiyan’s voice was thick with grief and fury.

Though he and Chiyan weren’t related by blood, they had grown up, trained, and fought side by side, forming a strong bond over the years. In an instant, Heiyan’s rage transformed into a cold, focused determination.

Fugaku sensed Heiyan’s desperation and his willingness to fight to the end. But Heiyan’s experience kept him grounded, knowing that a reckless attack would only lead to disaster for his team. Suddenly, a flare shot into the sky, lighting up the area. One of the Iwa Chunin had managed to set it off despite a deep wound to his ribs, signaling for reinforcements.

Fugaku realized they had to act fast. “We’re pulling back,” he ordered. “Ning, locate Inuzuka.”

Heiyan, still shaken by grief, shouted, “You’re not escaping! I won’t let Chiyan’s death be for nothing. Hold them here until reinforcements come—I’ll make them pay!”