Mukai took a moment to express his disdain for the village's practices, particularly the use of young ninja like Yuta in high-stakes missions.
It’s appalling," he said, his gaze intensifying as he locked eyes with Yuta. "You’re what, barely a teenager? Thrust into the darkness of the ANBU, no less."
"Age isn’t the measure of a ninja's ability or his duty," Yuta replied confidently, adjusting the grip on his weapon slightly. "I’m here because I’ve proven myself capable, not because of my age."
Mukai scoffed at this, shaking his head as he assumed a more defensive stance. "Capable or not, it's a tragedy that the village exploits such young spirits, turning you into weapons before you've had the chance to live. You should be training, learning... not out here on the edge of life and death."
"Perhaps," Yuta conceded with a slight nod, "but here I am, and here we stand. We both know what must be done, regardless of our views on the matter."
With a final nod, Mukai's expression hardened.
Yuta raised a hand, signaling for Shisui and Itachi to fall back. His voice, though firm, carried a note of resolve as he addressed his teammates.
" Itachi, Shisui" Yuta said, his tone unwavering behind his mask, "I'll handle Mukai. Fall back.
Shisui and Itachi nodded.
"Be careful otouto" Itachi
Shisui and Itachi distanced themselves from the battlefield.
The battle commenced as Yuta, wielding his katana charged with cursed energy, lunged towards Mukai.
Mukai dodged his strikes, countering with a swift series of jabs aimed at Yuta’s chakra points, seeking to disrupt his chakra network.
Yuta, undeterred, tapped into his immense cursed energy reserves. As Mukai's palms came within inches of critical points, Yuta’s Reverse Cursed Technique activated, healing any disruptions almost instantaneously. This cycle of attack and instantaneous recovery baffled Mukai, who had not anticipated such resilience.
Mukai then employed his Fire Release, sending a stream of flame towards Yuta. Yuta countered with a blast of Water Release, the two elements colliding in a sizzling fog that blanketed the immediate area. Through the mist, Yuta’s form flickered multiple times, utilizing the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Mukai, realizing the trick, launched a fiery sweep that dispersed the clones in a burst of steam and smoke.
As Shisui and Itachi observed the battle unfolding between Yuta and Mukai, a sense of awe enveloped them. They watched with keen interest, knowing full well the depth of Yuta's arsenal, especially with the formidable presence of Rika, his ultimate weapon.
Mukai activated his Byakugan’s full potential, the veins around his eyes bulging. He tracked down Yuta through the fog, and launched the Eight Trigrams Sixteen Palms, a barrage of precise strikes designed to shut down Yuta's chakra system. Each hit resonated with a chilling precision. Undeterred Yuta healed himself and kept on fighting.
As the fog cleared, Yuta utilized his Sky Manipulation technique, distorting the space around them. The atmosphere thickened, becoming almost tangible, forcing Mukai to slow his assault, puzzled by the sudden change in the battlefield. Seizing the moment, Yuta executed the Thin Ice Breaker technique, striking the sky and sending a shockwave that shattered the ground beneath Mukai’s feet, throwing him off balance.
Mukai recovered swiftly, countering with his Fire Release, sending a wave of flames towards Yuta. In response, Yuta summoned a curtain to shield him.
Yuta and Mukai met each other blow for blow, their clash a testament to their unwavering determination and skill. Mukai's mastery of the Gentle Fist style clashed against Yuta's versatile combat techniques, each strike echoing through the forest with resounding force.
It's time I ended this Domain Expansion: Authentic Mutual Love." Yuta said as made the handsigns for his domain
Authentic Mutual Love: The domain is a field of cross-like structures littered with countless katanas and encircled by ropes tied together in a fashion symbolic of love. Yuta can wield any of the katanas and activate copied techniques without any restrictions. A copied cursed technique also serves as the sure-hit effect of the domain. Yuta is unable to tell which ability will activate when he chooses a katana.
In the heart of Yuta's domain, the air crackled with tension as Mukai attempted to halt Yuta's advance. With determination etched into his features, Yuta forged ahead, undeterred by Mukai's resistance.
As Yuta reached for a blade within his domain, a surge of power coursed through him, activating the wood release technique he had copied from Tenzo, wooden spikes erupted from the ground, converging towards Mukai with deadly intent.
Mukai's eyes widened in shock as he realized he was unable to evade the onslaught of wooden projectiles. With a sickening thud, the spikes pierced through his defenses, leaving him wounded and vulnerable.
Undeterred by Mukai's plight, Yuta seized another blade, channeling Sukuna's Dismantle technique. With each strike, the air hummed with energy as Yuta unleashed a barrage of slashes, each one cutting deeper than the last.
Mukai staggered under the relentless assault, his body bearing the brunt of Yuta's fury. Blood stained the ground as the onslaught continued, leaving Mukai teetering on the brink of death.
Yuta stood victorious, Mukai lay battered and broken, his once formidable strength reduced to nothing more than a mere shadow of its former self. With a heavy sigh, Yuta surveyed the aftermath of the battle, his expression solemn yet resolute.
The domain dissipated. Yuta sheathed his katana.
As Mukai layed defeated. The only thing he could think of was, what was going to happen to his family.
Yuta restrained Mukai. He healed him using his reverse curse technique a little bit.
The three Uchiha's interrogated Mukai. He explained the reason for his betrayal. His son had become ill. Mukai struggled to afford his treatment. In order to make the needed money, he began spying on Konoha for Kirigakure.
Tbc
