Deter Uchiha Itachi!
Xu Fan vaguely remembered that Naruto, as the protagonist, once said that ninjas could feel each other's emotions through battle.
Would Uchiha Itachi be able to sense his true intentions?
Xu Fan stood atop the wooden golem's shoulder, gazing down at Uchiha Itachi, who lay on the ground. A mere physical attack of this level wouldn't be enough to render him unconscious.
As expected, Itachi quickly rose to his feet, his crimson Sharingan eyes locking onto Xu Fan. But something had changed in his demeanor. He hadn't anticipated that the one who found him was merely Xu Fan's Wood Clone. The real body remained hidden.
Not only that, but even the clone had been avoiding direct eye contact, a clear sign that Xu Fan knew the power of the Sharingan's genjutsu.
"He came prepared."
Itachi realized he had underestimated the man before him. Not only had he inherited Hashirama Senju's Wood Release, but he might also possess the First Hokage's strategic brilliance. Based on the previous attack, Xu Fan had yet to reveal his full strength.
"You should understand now," Xu Fan said, noticing Itachi's silence. "I'm not just spouting an unrealistic dream. Diverting the Uchiha clan's internal struggle through external battles is a feasible strategy. Whether it's the warriors of Kumogakure or the Uchiha and their Sharingan, their strength amounts to less than one ten-thousandth of mine."
Itachi's fists clenched involuntarily.
"Do you think I'm bluffing, Itachi?"
Itachi remained silent. Ever since he uncovered the Uchiha clan's coup attempt, the weight of responsibility had been suffocating. Shisui had been his only hope, but Danzo had intercepted him, stealing one of his Mangekyō Sharingan eyes. Unable to change fate, Shisui entrusted his remaining eye to Itachi before taking his own life, delaying the inevitable coup.
No one had truly understood him. No one had been on his side.
Until now.
Xu Fan had come wielding the immense power of Wood Release. For the first time, Itachi hesitated.
"Konoha's period of vulnerability is over," Xu Fan declared, his hands forming a seal.
A surge of chakra erupted from him, forcing Itachi to instinctively retreat. Even those observing from the shadows—Kakashi, Root operatives, and Uchiha clan members—were shaken by the overwhelming display.
The earth rumbled violently as countless wooden tendrils sprouted from the ground, rapidly thickening and intertwining. Within moments, an endless forest stretched across the battlefield, blotting out the sky and swallowing the land in an emerald sea.
Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!
Unlike his previous restraint near the Hyuga compound, this time, Xu Fan unleashed the jutsu at full strength, expanding its reach and power exponentially.
Itachi's face betrayed his shock. His mouth opened slightly, his Sharingan spinning wildly as he took in the surreal sight.
"This..."
Kakashi stood frozen. He had always thought Yamato's Wood Release was impressive—capable of constructing an entire house within moments. But this...
This was on an entirely different level.
"I've seen Tenzo use the same jutsu before," Kakashi muttered. "But the scale... this is at least ten times greater."
Xu Fan had gathered his chakra in an instant, effortlessly surpassing Yamato's best efforts. And yet, he showed no signs of exhaustion. The breeze brushed his face, and he remained completely at ease.
"If he were to unleash his chakra without restraint... how terrifying would it be?" Kakashi swallowed hard. "This guy's chakra reserves must be a hundred times greater than mine..."
Root operatives immediately began moving, their only priority being to deliver this information to Danzo. Konoha had gained a new powerhouse—a true master of Wood Release.
"We are invincible ahead of us."
Itachi struggled to maintain his composure, but his mind was in turmoil. The sheer force of Xu Fan's jutsu had likely alerted the entire Uchiha clan. Security forces would arrive soon.
More importantly, Xu Fan was no mere braggart.
Despite unleashing such an immense technique, he remained unfazed. His chakra reserves... they were beyond comprehension. Comparable to a Tailed Beast.
At that moment, Itachi realized the truth: his Fire Release and shuriken techniques would be meaningless against this opponent.
"Susanoo."
Xu Fan's voice cut through the chaos, sending a shiver down Itachi's spine. How much did this man know?
Itachi's thoughts were in turmoil.
"Forget it."
Xu Fan shook his head, his interest seemingly waning. "All you need to know is that I am the only one who can help you."
"You don't have to answer me now."
With those words, Xu Fan vanished, leaving only a vast forest in his wake.
The Uchiha coup was still some time away. Xu Fan knew that after witnessing his power, Itachi would realize what had to be done.
Furthermore, he was well aware that others had been watching. Kakashi. Root. The Uchiha clan.
Tonight's events would soon reach the ears of Konoha's key figures—Fugaku Uchiha, the Third Hokage, and Shimura Danzo.
And that was exactly what Xu Fan had planned.
Konoha's era of weakness was over.
From this moment on, the Land of Fire would stand at the very pinnacle of the Shinobi World!