The two locked eyes, the tension between them thick as a blade's edge. However, in the end, it was the Anbu who held the upper hand.
After all, behind the Anbu stood the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Meanwhile, the Konoha Police Force had only the Uchiha clan backing them.
"Tch, we'll settle this another time."
Uchiha Han's expression was dark. He could see that the Anbu was dead set on standing in his way. Trying to deal with Yoru today was impossible.
But Yoru—just a brat with no background from an outside village—if he wanted to crush him, he could do it anytime. Did the Anbu think they could protect Yoru forever?
Only by killing Yoru could he relieve the hatred festering in his heart.
Han didn't bother hiding his murderous intent as he turned to leave.
The onlookers, while indignant about the situation, couldn't help but look at Yoru with a hint of pity.
That a mere academy student had forced Uchiha Han into retreat was shocking, yet what followed would be the Uchiha clan's vengeance—something Yoru could never withstand.
Given the Uchihas' nature, Yoru might just "disappear" by tomorrow.
Many could only sigh in their hearts.
But just as Han was about to leave, Yoru suddenly spoke.
"Wait."
Han stopped in his tracks, a cold smirk forming on his lips. Did this brat finally understand his situation? Even if Yoru knelt and begged for mercy now, it was already too late.
Yet, Yoru's words were not of surrender. Instead, they were a challenge!
"Three months from now—do you dare have a life-and-death duel with me?"
Yoru's voice was calm as he stared at Han.
Right now, he was facing a dead end. And the only way to break it was to buy himself time.
As long as Han accepted, he would gain three months to prepare.
The moment Yoru's words fell, the entire street erupted in an uproar.
Everyone looked at Yoru as if he had lost his mind.
A mere three months? Against a Chunin in a death match?!
Was this a joke?!
Even if Yoru had somehow caught Han off guard using a strange Bloodline Limit, a serious Chunin was on a completely different level.
Not to mention, Han was a member of the Uchiha clan!
The crowd was stunned into silence.
Even Han thought he had misheard.
This brat was challenging him?!
Did Yoru seriously believe that just because he had some bizarre ability that let him take advantage of the moment, he could stand against him?
"Heh... hahaha..."
Han laughed.
His laughter was filled with mockery and disdain.
Looking down at Yoru with arrogance, he sneered, "Challenging me? Fine, I accept!"
Even if he understood that Yoru was merely trying to buy time, how could he refuse in front of so many people?
Not only was it his pride on the line—it was the Uchiha clan's. There was no way he could back down.
But three months?
Did Yoru think that in such a short time, he could bridge the gap between them?
Even if there were two of him, Han was confident he could crush them both with ease!
Without wasting any more words, Han's figure flickered, dissolving into white smoke as he vanished from sight.
It was only after his departure that the onlookers snapped out of their daze.
Amazement was quickly replaced by pity.
"This kid is really something. He stayed calm under pressure and managed to buy himself three months."
"But it's a shame. He offended the Uchiha clan. No matter how talented he is, he won't get the chance to grow. There's no way he can defeat a Chunin in just three months."
"Yeah… giving him only three months is just too cruel..."
One by one, people shook their heads and left. No one dared to involve themselves in Uchiha matters.
Even the Anbu glanced at Yoru with a hint of sympathy. Reporting this to the Third Hokage might help, but would Hiruzen really intervene?
The Anbu placed a hand on Yoru's shoulder and said, "Well… at least you can enjoy these three months. With how the Uchiha operate, you won't have to worry about them making a move before then."
And with that, the Anbu disappeared as well.
Enjoy three months?
Are you kidding me?!
Yoru's lips twitched in exasperation.
He had known that Han wouldn't be able to reject the challenge under those circumstances. That was why he seized the moment to claim these three months.
But he wasn't going to waste them!
Walking through the village streets, Yoru could tell that news of his challenge had already spread throughout Konoha.
A mere academy student challenging a Chunin was practically unheard of.
Discussions buzzed everywhere.
Many looked at him with pity.
Even those who normally disliked Yoru merely sighed and shook their heads when they saw him.
At first, Yoru felt a bit awkward. But soon, he got used to it and ignored their gazes.
His next stop was to check on Might Duy's training before heading home for his own intense regimen.
It had been less than two months since he awakened the Tremor Release Bloodline Limit, and yet, he had already reached a level where no Genin could pose a threat to him.
The gap between Genin and Chunin was massive, but it wasn't impossible to bridge!
In the original timeline, Kakashi became a Genin at five years old and a Chunin at six.
So why couldn't he do the same?
He had confidence. He had determination.
In three months, he would reach the level of a Chunin!
Soon, Yoru arrived at Might Duy's training grounds.
Initially, he only intended to take a quick look before heading home.
After all, despite visiting several times, he had never seen Might Duy train in the Eight Gates.
He had nearly given up hope.
But today, with just one glance, his eyes locked onto something astonishing.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the forest was bathed in a golden glow. The air was calm, peaceful.
But then—
BOOM!
That tranquility was shattered.
Right in the center of the clearing, Might Duy stood, his entire body wrapped in a radiant green aura.
An overwhelming presence radiated from him—an aura impossible to describe with mere words.
The Eight Gates!
Yoru stood frozen, his eyes shining with excitement.
A technique that had once stunned the entire world.
The technique that let Guy go toe-to-toe with Six Paths Madara!
He had long wanted to steal this technique for himself.
And now, for the first time, he was witnessing it with his own eyes!
"Haah!"
Might Duy let out a thunderous shout and slammed his foot onto the ground.
CRACK!
The earth beneath him splintered like a spider web, cracks spreading outward.
Then—
"The Fifth Gate—Gate of Limit, OPEN!"
BOOM!
This time, he didn't even need to stomp.
The sheer force of his aura alone shattered the ground beneath him.
Yoru's heart pounded wildly.
His chance had finally come!