Family Portrait (First Update)

Whether it was the Fourth Hokage or Kakashi’s team, they had all suffered greatly when facing Obito’s abilities. Unfortunately, Xu Yue skipped all the probing and intelligence-gathering entirely and directly understood every one of Obito’s methods of attack.

That sudden Heavy Strike seemed to have knocked Obito awake somewhat, as though it had reminded him of the fear of being dominated by that man.

"He just tried to take your eye. He must have noticed something special about it. This enemy is troublesome, and he may be the hardest opponent for you to deal with."

Tobi’s spiral-faced mask seemed deeply wary of Xu Yue. He had been guarding against him with all his strength; otherwise, he would not have been able to stop Xu Yue’s follow-up move immediately.

Xu Yue and Obito completely ignored the Mist ninja around them, clearly infuriating everyone else.

"That Konoha ninja hit his opponent just now. He must have a way."

"Kill them!"

Xu Yue glanced at the Mist ninja whose eyes glowed red, but did not pay them much attention. An Illusion Technique? It seemed Madara had not merely interfered with the Mizukage. He also wanted these cannon fodder to let Obito slaughter to his heart’s content.

It seemed White Zetsu had noticed him during the Tree World incident. Otherwise, they would not be this wary of him.

With his first ambush having failed and Tobi providing support, it seemed Obito’s eye would have to be put aside for now.

Unfortunately, the refinement of space had made his Kamui Space independent, leaving him completely unable to do anything to the other side.

Once Xu Yue realized he could not obtain Obito’s eye, he immediately abandoned all such thoughts and switched to his backup option.

He had already obtained the Flying Thunder God anyway. Getting Obito’s eye would naturally be best, but failing to get it would not matter much. After all, every Mangekyō Sharingan possessed an absurdly powerful ability. Replacing it with another would not be a loss.

Raising his hand, Xu Yue flung Kunai all around him, yet kept his eyes fixed on Obito as he asked, "That was the Sharingan just now, wasn’t it? Was it a Mangekyō Sharingan eye technique? Who exactly are you?"

Xu Yue’s identity was already shielded by the Uchiha Clan, and he had also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. White Zetsu might well have noticed, so he did not overdo his disguise. He kept the balance just right.

That way, he could reduce their suspicion over his initial actions, creating the impression that he had attacked after discovering the Mangekyō, rather than specifically coveting the eye.

The moment he finished asking, Xu Yue used the terrifying movement of the Flying Thunder God and cleared out the remaining Mist ninja beside them in an instant.

Before his final words had even faded from the air, Xu Yue had completed the killings and returned to his original spot.

Only then did the Mist ninja collapse into pools of blood, still frozen in their initial poses.

Spinning a Kunai in his hand, Xu Yue glanced at the branches growing from the other man’s back, a puzzled expression appearing on his face. "And you seem capable of using Wood Style as well. That technique just now seemed to be the Cutting Sprigs Jutsu."

"Who I am is neither important nor meaningful. But I must take her away!"

Obito’s heavy, hoarse voice rang out. Then he walked toward Xu Yue step by step. Xu Yue made no further move, allowing the intangible Obito to pass through his body and head toward Rin.

"Is it you, Obito?"

Only now did Xu Yue, with his back to Obito, finally speak the answer he had known all along.

Only one Sharingan, such concern for Rin, and a build not all that different from Obito’s. Even if his voice and appearance were completely hidden, if Xu Yue could not reach the answer through "normal" deduction, he would be overacting.

He had always presented himself to outsiders as a qualified ninja. He could not act too stupidly.

Obito did not answer Xu Yue’s question directly. "There is no Obito in this world anymore. Names no longer matter."

As he spoke, he crouched and reached out as if to touch Rin. Yet overwhelmed by emotion, he could not dispel his intangibility at all, and his hand kept passing through Rin’s body.

"If it’s you, then take Rin with you. Don’t forget what I told you back then."

Still facing away from Obito, Xu Yue spoke in a calm tone.

"Also, I will definitely uncover who saved you, who used you, and what that thing on your body is. After all, you are my beloved junior…"

Xu Yue slightly turned his head, looking at Obito with one eye over his shoulder.

"I will definitely bring you back…"

After using Talk no Jutsu to take advantage of Obito’s weakest moment and plant a seed, Xu Yue gave Obito no time to react before vanishing from the spot with the Flying Thunder God.

Madara, consider that a warning in advance…

Elsewhere, Might Guy’s team, who had just separated from Xu Yue, now encountered the greatest crisis of their lives.

Leaning exhaustedly against a tree trunk, the three of them looked at the seven figures before them, some standing and some crouching, each carrying a different weapon. Their eyes were filled with helplessness and despair.

"We can’t do this. We won’t escape this time."

"Aren’t those the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist? Why are they here?!"

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were all ninja with their own renowned titles, and they were nothing like their captain’s perfunctory Black Little Flash title!

The weakest among them were all Jonin! Several were even elite Jonin!

Among them, Suikazan Fuguki, wielder of Samehada, and Juzo Biwa, wielder of Kubikiribōchō, were the very best, both nearing the threshold of Kage-level!

When these seven joined forces, even Kage-level powerhouses had to avoid their edge.

Yet now, three insignificant Chunin had run into them. There was not even the slightest possibility of survival!

"Oh? Even little brats from other villages know us now. Looks like we’ve become famous."

Juzo Biwa looked teasingly at the three children before him, then stroked his Kubikiribōchō.

"Oh dear, there’s still a little nick in it. I’ll use your blood to fill it in."

Bloodsucking self-regeneration was one of Kubikiribōchō’s greatest traits.

Yet at that moment, a figure rushed out from behind and appeared before the three.

It was Might Guy’s father, the eternal Genin, Might Duy!

"I finally caught up."

"Father?"

Guy could not believe his father had appeared here. His father was a Genin—he was even weaker than Guy himself!

"Don’t ask questions. You three, run. I’ll buy you some time."

Might Duy stood in front of them, his face filled with solemnity.

"Father! Do you know who they are?! They’re the Seven Ninja Swordsmen! You can’t possibly stop them! You can’t even buy us time!"

Not only Guy, but even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen across from them began laughing, their eyes full of mockery.

What had they just heard?

This guy was a Genin?

And this Genin was shamelessly claiming he would stall for time?

"Haha, this is quite an entertaining way to pass the time. Kid, is this your father? He’s right. He really can buy you time. For example, one second?"

Raiga Kurosuki clutched his stomach, seeming on the verge of laughing himself to tears.

Yet in the face of such ridicule and mockery, Might Duy showed no expression. He merely took a deep breath and slowly assumed a fighting stance.

At the same time, his right thumb pressed against his heart.

Guy, seeing that movement, stared in shock.

"Father, you’re…"

"Self-imposed restriction."

With his finger pressed down, Might Duy turned his head toward his son and revealed his final smile.

"Now is the time…"

"Even if I die, I will protect what matters most to me!"

Eight Gates Released Formation!

The sudden eruption of red vapor blasted all three of Guy’s team away.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, who had been treating this as casual entertainment, had never expected such a development. Struck by that terrifying aura, even Raiga Kurosuki, who had been boasting moments ago but was relatively weaker, could not keep his footing. The pressure of that aura alone forced him back several steps!

Xu Yue, who had been standing atop a nearby treetop and coldly watching everything, looked toward the Seven Ninja Swordsmen without much expression. The raging Chakra currents whipped his clothes and hair, making them sway together with the leaves.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen’s final family portrait.

"And there is a great father as well. How moving…"

Though he murmured those sentimental words, Xu Yue made no move at all, seemingly having no intention of appearing to intervene just yet…

—

This is an extra update to thank everyone for the 2,300 average subscriptions~ There are still two guaranteed updates today~

Note: Juzo Biwa once joined Akatsuki and was ultimately killed by the Mizukage. He could go head-to-head with Kage-level opponents. Suikazan Fuguki was killed by Kisame, but his sword was good, and he was also one of only three people to survive Might Duy’s Eight Gates. Thus, these two stood at the top among elite Jonin. As for the other survivor, he was at the bottom of the seven and survived purely by running away and getting lucky.