Chapter 18: Genjutsu Control

Akira looked at Hiruko with a strange expression. Was this guy a little unhinged? Have rogue ninja really grown this arrogant? Does he not understand his own limits?

"With your Sharingan, my Chimera Jutsu will finally be perfected. Surpassing the Sannin and achieving true immortality won't just be a dream anymore!" Hiruko's eyes blazed with fervor as he spoke, his gaze fixed on Kakashi.

A chill ran down Kakashi's spine. He looked at Hiruko oddly. Was this rogue really so out of touch?

"You want a Sharingan? The guy standing right next to me is a full-blooded Uchiha. Why focus on me?" Kakashi asked, giving Hiruko a look as if he were crazy.

"Because your Sharingan was transplanted. That means your adaptability is extraordinary—a perfect match for my Chimera Jutsu," Hiruko replied, surprisingly patient.

Watching this, Akira quickly realized just how clueless Hiruko was about the situation. His smug confidence made Akira inwardly laugh.

"Chimera Jutsu?" Kakashi glanced at Hiruko, puzzled.

Seeing Kakashi's confusion, Hiruko chuckled smugly.

"The Chimera Jutsu is my masterpiece. It's too early to reveal its full effects to you, but you'll understand soon enough." His gaze shifted to Akira. "I must be lucky today—a real Uchiha, right here. What a coincidence."

"You really don't know who he is?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow at Hiruko, as if watching a fool perform.

"Does it matter who he is? Under my Chimera Jutsu, what could he possibly do?" Hiruko scoffed dismissively.

"He's just a young Uchiha, hardly Uchiha Fugaku. What threat could he be?"

Akira responded calmly, "I hear you were close with the Sannin. But how much of their strength do you really measure up to?"

At Akira's words, Hiruko's face darkened. It was a wound that never healed. During the Second Shinobi War, the Sannin's fame had spread across the world, but he was just an ordinary jonin of the Leaf. He couldn't even keep up with their shadows. That frustration drove him to experiment with forbidden techniques, leading to the creation of the Chimera Jutsu—a means to steal others' kekkei genkai.

Hiruko's expression turned cold. "Young Uchiha, you'll see my strength soon enough."

"I'll leave it to you, Akira," Kakashi said, looking to Akira.

In the next moment, a streak of blue lightning lit up the dark forest.

With a heavy thud, Hiruko barely had time to raise his hands in defense as Akira's attack struck him head-on, sending him flying back into the forest.

Sizzle…

Akira moved like lightning, shrouded in a blinding blue aura, diving into the darkness of the forest after Hiruko.

Kakashi glanced briefly in the direction Akira had disappeared, then relaxed. He had full confidence in Akira's abilities.

Though Hiruko had been a jonin during the Second Shinobi War, experience alone didn't guarantee strength. Kakashi himself was proof of that—he had become a jonin at twelve and, with his mastery, was already considered one of the stronger jonin.

Akira, on the other hand, could take on tailed beasts in direct combat. Even the Sannin would struggle against him, let alone a mere rogue ninja like Hiruko. Confident in Akira's victory, Kakashi heightened his vigilance.

"Kakashi, what's going on?"

Roused by the sounds of battle, Hyuga Homon fully armed, approached Kakashi.

"Not sure if it's good or bad luck, but a rogue ninja decided to show up," Kakashi replied casually.

"A rogue ninja?" Homon activated his Byakugan and saw Hiruko locked in fierce combat with Akira in the forest.

"Hiruko—the former friend of the Sannin," Kakashi explained.

"A friend of the Sannin? Is Akira going to be alright? Should we go back him up?" Ryuu asked Homon.

Homon shook his head. "No need. That rogue, Hiruko, won't last long. Under Akira's attacks, he'll fall soon."

"A friend of the Sannin, yet he's this pathetic?" murmured. "Seems like he hasn't made much progress in all his years on the run."

"What made him think attacking us was a good idea?"

"Remember, this is a battlefield. Without underground channels like the black market, information for rogues can be delayed, often by quite a bit," Homon shrugged, chuckling. "Looks like Hiruko just signed his own death warrant."

"Any updates, Homon? Has Hiruko been dealt with yet?" Ryuu asked, glancing back at him.

Homon shook his head. "Turns out I underestimated him a bit. His jutsu is unlike anything I've seen before—he's fused with a summoned creature."

Then Homon's voice rose in surprise. "He's escaping! Hiruko merged with his summoning creature and is fleeing. Akira's chasing him, but they've disappeared from sight…"

A hint of regret crossed his face.

"Maybe we should go check on them, just to be sure," Kakashi suggested.

"It won't be necessary," Homon replied nonchalantly. "Hiruko's already injured. Ten minutes, tops, and Akira will finish him off."

The rivalry between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, so Homon's reluctance to go was understandable.

"Suit yourselves." Seeing Homon's indifference, Kakashi shrugged, not pushing the matter. He had faith in Akira's abilities and doubted that Hiruko could pose any real threat.

Elsewhere, Hiruko was in a desperate state. Fused with his summon, he had transformed into a monstrous beast tearing through the forest, but Akira moved like a blue flash, darting around the towering, winged creature.

Streaks of blue lightning crackled from Akira, striking the giant beast to keep it grounded.

Inwardly, Hiruko was furious. He never expected to encounter someone so powerful right off the bat. He had come to this Konoha-Kirigakure battleground specifically to find worthy kekkei genkai for his Chimera Jutsu.

After searching for days without finding a suitable target, he'd stumbled upon Kakashi—a rare chance. He planned to place a curse on Kakashi, making him easier to capture later to complete his Chimera Jutsu.

The Sharingan was already high on his list of desired kekkei genkai.

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