Qianyu's response was simple—and lethal.
He stomped hard against the ground, his body sliding sideways in an instant, narrowly avoiding the Water Dragon Bullet as it tore past him.
Then—
Without the slightest hesitation, he charged straight in.
Steel flashed.
He drew the katana at his waist and slashed brutally toward Sarutobi Hiyū!
How terrifying was Qianyu once he truly unleashed killing intent?
Even Uchiha Fugaku had never known.
But now—everyone saw it.
It was like a bolt of lightning ripping across the sky.
In an instant, the blade split the air, cold and ruthless, carving a brilliant arc straight toward Sarutobi Hiyū!
Hiyū never expected such speed.
Shock flashed across his face.
But he was still the Sarutobi clan head—decades of cultivation gave him formidable strength.
Though years of comfort had dulled his instincts for a split second, he still managed to draw his blade and meet the strike head-on.
Clang!
Steel collided with steel.
Sparks exploded outward, accompanied by a screech that made teeth ache.
Hiyū was forced backward, completely suppressed—clearly at a disadvantage!
"Clan Head!"
Sarutobi clansmen cried out, about to rush in.
"Don't interfere!"
Hiyū roared furiously.
But then—
Qianyu's eyes bloomed crimson.
Buzz.
A strange, beautiful hum echoed.
Uchiha Qianyu finally released the power of his Sharingan.
Hiyū's pupils shrank.
He hurriedly lowered his gaze, desperately avoiding eye contact.
He didn't know whether Qianyu specialized in genjutsu—
But he wouldn't risk it.
Everyone in the ninja world knew:
Against a genjutsu expert in single combat, there was only one option—retreat.
Unless you had allies to break the illusion.
And against a Uchiha with the Sharingan?
That danger multiplied tenfold.
But—
Qianyu never cast genjutsu.
He merely used the instant of activation—the pressure of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan—to force a flaw.
And seized it.
His blade twisted sharply, cold light flashing as he knocked Hiyū's katana flying.
Hiyū panicked and tried to retreat—
Too late.
Shhk!
The katana pierced straight through his abdomen.
Agony exploded through his body.
Hiyū staggered back, ripping the blade free as blood poured through his fingers.
"Missed the vital point…"
Qianyu frowned slightly.
A veteran jōnin, a clan head—even after years without combat, he wasn't easy to kill.
"Y-you beast…"
Hiyū gritted his teeth, trembling as cold sweat streamed down his face.
Then—he released his wound and formed seals with blood-soaked hands.
"Earth Release — Earth Dragon Bullet!"
He slammed his palm into the ground.
The earth surged alive, rising into a massive earthen dragon that fired shell after shell!
Fugaku gasped.
"He even commands Earth Release…"
But to Qianyu—
This was nothing.
With the Three-Tomoe Sharingan active, every trajectory was laid bare.
He dodged effortlessly, then closed the distance again.
Hiyū didn't dare let him approach.
"Earth Release — Earth Wall!"
Rumble!
A massive earthen barrier erupted upward, shielding him completely.
Qianyu sneered.
"Lightning Release—"
"False Darkness."
The air crackled violently.
Hair stood on end.
A massive spear of lightning erupted forward—
BOOM!
The Earth Wall was annihilated in an instant.
The lightning spear continued unabated, slamming directly into Hiyū!
"Aaaargh—!"
Electricity engulfed his body, burning flesh and filling the air with the stench of charred meat.
"Clan Head!"
Sarutobi ninja rushed forward, launching jutsu to stop Qianyu.
"Fire Release — Blazing Flame!"
"Wind Release — Wind Cutter!"
Flames and gales fused into raging fire blades.
But Qianyu moved through them.
Even as his shoulder, arm, and waist were sliced open—
Blood spraying—
He did not slow.
He descended from above.
Right before Sarutobi Hiyū.
"Stop!"
"Please—!"
Too late.
Two voices shouted simultaneously.
One was Uchiha Shisui.
The other—
Qianyu already knew.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke, ANBU commander, eldest son of the Hokage.
Either one alone was a heavyweight.
Together?
Unstoppable.
Yet—
They could not stop the blade.
Qianyu slashed.
A thin line appeared across Hiyū's throat.
Then—
His head rolled onto the muddy riverbank.
Sarutobi Hiyū—
Dead.
Ding!
[You helped Sarutobi Hiyū and Sarutobi Jirō reunite as father and son. A family should be whole and complete.]
[Good deed accomplished. Merit Points +100]