Chapter 9
"What's wrong? Weren't you so cocky just now? The second you see me, you're running away? Is the great Uchiha Mad actually this spineless? Maybe you should change your name to Uchiha Coward!"
Ling Yu kept taunting as Mad tried to leave.
Mad's footsteps halted. He spun around, face dark with fury, pointing at Ling Yu through gritted teeth.
"Senju Ling Yu! Don't push it! Keep provoking me, and don't think just because you're Tsunade's little brother I'll be scared of you!"
The clan head had warned them to avoid trouble with Tsunade and Ling Yu—things could spiral out of control if it escalated.
But Ling Yu's relentless jabs had finally snapped Mad's usual arrogance into blind rage.
"Heh, 'don't push it'? You didn't think it was too much when you were bullying my friend?"
Ling Yu laughed coldly, walking slowly toward the trio with clear disdain.
"If I report how you used your clan's influence to bully fellow villagers, threatened them, and insulted them—backed by the Senju clan's word and all these witnesses—do you really think you'll escape punishment from the Hokage?"
He gestured toward the crowd of onlookers, voice ringing with righteous indignation.
"Damn you, Senju Ling Yu!"
Mad's face twisted, dark as storm clouds, glaring murderously.
"Big bro, how about we…"
One of his lackeys leaned in and whispered something.
Mad's eyes lit up. A sinister smile spread across his face as he turned back to Ling Yu.
"Senju Ling Yu! How about a bet? One-on-one duel. If you win, I'll apologize to them. If you lose, we call it even. Deal?"
"Think about it—you've got nothing to lose."
A faint flicker of surprise crossed Ling Yu's eyes. After a brief pause, he nodded.
"Fine. Let's do it."
Not bad—he's got some brains. But trying to play dirty against me? I'll crush you.
With that thought, Ling Yu strolled casually toward the door.
Mad followed, face twisted in smug triumph.
"Is Ling Yu gonna be okay? That guy's an upperclassman…"
Choji watched worriedly. Ling Yu was sticking up for them, but the opponent was taller and older—half a head bigger. The odds didn't look great.
"If Ling Yu gets hurt because of us…"
"He'll be fine. Ling Yu isn't reckless. He must be confident."
Shikaku pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Yeah. I believe in him too."
Minato nodded firmly. From every sparring match where Ling Yu had instantly overwhelmed him, he knew just how strong Ling Yu really was. One arrogant upperclassman? Easy.
"Then let's hurry—they're about to start!"
The group rushed outside with the crowd.
"Ling Yu… you have to win!"
Mikoto followed along, worry clouding her small face as she whispered a quiet prayer.
…
Inside the Hokage Tower
A middle-aged man in a cloak sat at his desk, handling paperwork—the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In an instant, a black shadow appeared on the floor.
"Report, Lord Hokage: Conflict between younger members of the Uchiha and Senju clans at a barbecue restaurant."
"Hm? Explain."
Hiruzen looked up gravely.
The ANBU recounted the events.
"Senju Ling Yu… Tsunade's brother? She reported his strength as elite genin level."
Hiruzen mused for a moment.
"Let them fight. It's a good chance to rein in the Uchiha—they've been getting too arrogant lately."
(Tsunade had actually understated Ling Yu's strength as chunin to avoid attention.)
"Keep watch. Ensure their safety. Intervene if necessary."
"Yes, sir!"
The ANBU vanished.
"Hm… paperwork's mostly done. Might as well see how Tsunade's little brother has grown."
Hiruzen pulled out a crystal ball from under the desk, activated the technique, and began watching.
…
Outside the Barbecue Restaurant
Ling Yu and Mad stood several meters apart, tension thick in the air. The surrounding crowd held their breath.
"Senju Ling Yu! This duel is already mine! Today I'll show you just how strong Uchiha Mad really is!"
Mad broke the silence with a taunt, then activated his Sharingan.
"One-tomoe Sharingan!"
He charged straight at Ling Yu.
"Go, big bro! Beat that arrogant Senju brat senseless!"
His two lackeys cheered excitedly, already picturing Ling Yu getting pummeled.
Mad had the arrogance to back it up—awakening the Sharingan at his age was no small feat.
"Sharingan?!"
Minato and the others gasped. They hadn't expected Mad to have it.
"Ling Yu… be careful…"
Mikoto's worry deepened. She stood in the corner, silently praying.
"He's stronger than we thought… I hope Ling Yu has a way to handle this."
Even Minato's earlier confidence wavered slightly.
"Sharingan, huh? Not bad. Guess I'll take this seriously."
Ling Yu adopted a defensive stance, battle spirit igniting.
He hadn't expected Mad to have the Sharingan already. This was a perfect chance to test his Rinnegan.
The fight erupted in mere breaths.
"Provoke me? Kneel!"
Mad feinted, then dropped low, sweeping at Ling Yu's legs with a vicious spin kick.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
A sudden shift—most genin would be caught off guard and finished instantly.
But against Ling Yu? Far from enough.
Ling Yu leaped backward, dodging cleanly, then flipped mid-air and landed gracefully.
"Damn it!"
Mad didn't give up. His Sharingan spun wildly as he pressed the attack again.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
He created one clone, both rushing Ling Yu with increased speed and ferocity.
Even with the Sharingan predicting movements, every strike met only air.
Ling Yu's Rinnegan was superior—perfectly reading and evading each attack.
He moved like a butterfly in a storm—light, elegant, untouchable—drawing screams of excitement (especially from the girls in the crowd).
"Why?! I saw his next move—how is he still dodging?!"
Each miss fueled Mad's rage. His attacks grew wilder, more frantic. He'd lost all reason—only wanted to land one hit.
"Is this all you've got? Too weak. Time to end this."
Ling Yu had fully mastered the Rinnegan's perception. Playing around was no longer fun.
"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"
Hands flashed through seals. A razor-sharp torrent of water erupted from his mouth, instantly shredding the clone.
"Got you!"
Mad seized the opening created by the jutsu, darting behind Ling Yu with a triumphant grin.
He swung a fist toward Ling Yu's back.
Bang!
Ling Yu's body burst into smoke—a substitution.
"Substitution Technique?!"
Mad realized too late and leaped back—but Ling Yu was already waiting at his landing spot.
"Come here!"
Ling Yu smirked, hands shooting forward to grab Mad's arm and yank him off-balance.
"What—?!"
Mad stumbled, shock flashing across his face.
"This ends now. I win."
"Super Strength Fist!"
Twisting Mad around, Ling Yu channeled monstrous power into a single punch to the gut.
"Gah—!"
Mad had no time to defend. With a wretched cry, his body flew backward four or five meters, crashing hard.
One-shot.
==============================================================
Support me Read 100+ Chapters Ahead of webnovel!:
patreon.com/inkshield
LIMITED 2026 PROMO – 20% OFF
Use code: LOOT20 at checkout
Get instant access for less — this discount won't last.
Join now and stay far ahead of WebNovel readers.
==============================================================