Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 151: Beating Ebizō! Awakening a Lion!

As Uchiha Ci's palm slammed into the ground, the Curse Seal of Heaven greatly amplified his control over his body. With only a single hand seal for assistance, he could manipulate his chakra into predetermined paths, forming networks that materialized into ninjutsu.

Intricate runic patterns spread outward rapidly, and in an instant, a faint red barrier rose from the ground!

The desert quaked violently, as towering red walls lifted the sand, trapping Uchiha Ci and Ebizō firmly within the barrier.

Ebizō stopped abruptly, furrowing his white eyebrows deeply as he scanned his surroundings.

Approaching the edge of the barrier, he swung his hand, unleashing a Wind Release: Wind Blade that slashed at the barrier.

The sharp wind blade sliced through the barrier with ease, leaving a smooth opening that shot outward.

Yet, the gap swiftly regenerated at a visible speed, seamlessly closing as though it had never been there.

"Is this the regenerative barrier technique from Uzushiogakure? I recall it being taken by Kumogakure, but I didn't expect the Uchiha to meddle in this as well,"

Ebizō muttered, his white eyebrows furrowing further.

"My full-powered Wind Release can cut through it, but... it takes time."

Exhaling slowly, his expression hardened as he turned his icy gaze toward the youth grinning wickedly, with half of his body covered in jet-black markings.

It was clear that Uchiha Ci had no intention of giving him that time.

"Ah," Ebizō sighed, straightening his posture and flexing his shoulders. His gaze turned sharp as he raised his chin, looking down at Uchiha Ci.

"I'm an old man now and would prefer not to take lives.

But since you're so eager to die, I'll humor you. Don't worry—it won't take long."

[Warning! Sunagakure Elder and Chief Commander Ebizō has developed a killing intent toward you.]

As Ebizō stood upright, Uchiha Ci was stunned to discover that this seemingly frail elder was actually taller than him!

Once Ebizō shed his outer robe, revealing a bare upper body, he stood at a towering 1.8 meters, his muscles densely packed and rippling with definition. His pectoral muscles in particular were so well-developed that they rivaled the dancing ones of Shinnō, a ninja doctor Uchiha Ci had previously encountered.

This… was not the physique of a dry, withered old man!

Uchiha Ci's brow twitched slightly as he suppressed his surprise. Without hesitation, he drew the Kusanagi Sword, forming a Serpent seal.

Instantly, flames ignited along the blade, transforming it into a fiery katana.

Without a word, a deafening sonic boom erupted as Uchiha Ci vanished from his position, his figure becoming a blur!

He charged forward, legs pumping like the wheels of a train. Closing the distance, he leaped high, gripping his sword with both hands and slashing downward at Ebizō's neck.

The strike, moving faster than the speed of sound, burned through the air, leaving a blazing arc of fire.

Flowing Flames lit the battlefield, reflecting the murderous intent in Uchiha Ci's crimson snake-like Sharingan.

Unlike his own nearly indestructible body, most shinobi were high-offense but low-defense.

If they were struck by such an attack, death would be inevitable!

However—

Ebizō's expression remained calm. As the blade descended, he casually drew two kunai from his robe, coating them with a yellow gust of wind.

In an instant, Wind Release: Vacuum Blades enveloped the kunai, transforming them into dual wind longswords.

The weapons clashed violently as sparks and flames exploded upon impact.

Ebizō then countered with a powerful kick aimed at Uchiha Ci's abdomen.

Reacting swiftly, Uchiha Ci twisted his body, evading the blow while flipping upward to deliver a counter-slash aimed at Ebizō's back.

Ebizō sneered and sidestepped, hurling the two wind-coated kunai at Uchiha Ci midair. Exploiting the momentary opening, Ebizō grabbed a handful of Uchiha Ci's hair and slammed him violently into the ground.

Uchiha Ci's eyes narrowed in astonishment—this old man was a taijutsu master!

Previously, such an assault might have left him defenseless, riddled with kunai before being pummeled into submission.

But now, with the enhanced control granted by the Curse Seal of Heaven, his recently refined swordsmanship and taijutsu, and the Curse Seal Sharingan providing a 360-degree infrared-like awareness, Uchiha Ci had evolved beyond his past self.

In the critical moment, he severed the captured strands of his hair, plunged the Kusanagi Sword into the sand, and used the taut wire attached to the hilt to swing himself gracefully through the air. Avoiding the incoming kunai, he descended swiftly.

Landing firmly, he coiled his body and unleashed a ferocious punch directly into Ebizō's wrinkled face.

"Argh!"

The punch dislocated Ebizō's jaw with an audible crack, sending two of his remaining teeth flying.

Spitting blood, Ebizō let out a pained cry. His pupils contracted as he struggled to comprehend how this boy's control and taijutsu could be so advanced.

The intelligence he'd received suggested Uchiha Ci's physical skills were subpar, yet now, he found himself overpowered!

Uchiha Ci glanced at his own fist, a flicker of excitement lighting up his eyes.

The sheer satisfaction of pummeling an elder into submission filled him with an almost tearful joy.

Years of enduring abuse from older, more experienced opponents were finally being repaid. His eyes gleamed with vicious intent.

Before Ebizō could recover, Uchiha Ci stepped forward, trapping Ebizō's ankle and sending him stumbling. Seizing the moment, he launched a brutal uppercut followed by a savage elbow strike to Ebizō's face.

The elder's face became a bloody mess as Uchiha Ci rained down relentless attacks.

"Ora ora ora ora ora ora ora!"

Fists, kicks, and slashes landed in a blinding flurry, each blow breaking down Ebizō's defenses.

Finally, Uchiha Ci used the wire of the Kusanagi Sword to manipulate it upward, pressing Ebizō's head down as the sword's tip gleamed menacingly.

Realizing the imminent danger, Ebizō's eyes widened in sheer terror.

"No… I can't die here!"

With a roar, Ebizō clasped his hands together, summoning a surge of wind:

"You've awakened the lion of Sunagakure! Wind Release: Gale Palm! Air Current Chaos!"

Hurricane-force winds erupted, propelling both fighters high into the air.

Reclaiming the advantage mid-flight, Ebizō prepared a devastating Compound Technique: Wind Release—Thousand Faces of the Blade!

The technique merged two powerful wind jutsu into an S-rank combination, unleashing an overwhelming barrage of invisible, razor-sharp wind blades.

Uchiha Ci's crimson eyes narrowed as he braced himself for the deadly storm.