CHAPTER 68

The calmer the atmosphere, the more dangerous the storm when it erupts.

Yan stepped forward and squatted beside the bloodied form of Uchiha Ryoichi.

Ryoichi, almost unrecognizable, blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth, muttered weakly, "Captain, I'm sorry... I..."

His expression was filled with pain and regret. He had fought to defend the Uchiha name—his family had been insulted, and he had taken action on his own. He lost, but not without effort. Liangyi bore guilt and unwillingness, but he had done what he could. His strength just hadn't matched up.

"Tell me. What happened?"

Beside him, Asuma shrugged carelessly, looking indifferent. The incident had already occurred. At worst, he'd get a scolding or minor punishment—he was used to it.

So what if he beat up a Uchiha kid? He didn't believe the Uchiha dared retaliate, not in front of Tsunade.

"It's all because of that bastard Asuma."

Ryoichi gritted his teeth, forcing out words. "Yakumo and I came here to eat. We just sat down next to them. Then this bastard started insulting the Uchiha. I couldn't stand it. I argued, and he kept pushing. So I fought."

"I understand."

Yan nodded slowly. He understood enough—there was no need for more words.

He rose from his crouch and gave Shizune a brief nod. "Thanks for your work."

Not bad at all. Young Ryoichi had courage. He'd stood up for the clan. That counted for something.

Then Yan turned and walked toward Asuma.

Chapter 95 Note: Yan: That's it? The special jōnin of the Sarutobi clan... is this what passes for strength?

Tsunade had already walked out of the barbecue restaurant. She didn't want to see blood, and the scene inside was only getting bloodier.

Yan stopped in front of Asuma. Outside, Tsunade grew anxious and yelled:

"Yan, don't do anything stupid! Asuma, I'll deal with him myself!"

Yan didn't acknowledge Tsunade. He waved behind him.

Immediately, a crowd of Uchiha emerged, unable to suppress their rage any longer. They formed up behind Yan, eyes cold, fixed on Asuma and his companions.

The sake haze quickly lifted from Asuma's group. While Asuma remained arrogant, his companions weren't so bold. They could see what the Uchiha were capable of. They were scared.

Seeing the rising tension, Asuma hesitated for the first time. His bravado wavered.

Yan smiled coldly and addressed the clan behind him.

"Remember their faces. Send me their profiles later. We won't deal with this now—but when we return to the village, we'll settle accounts. Slowly. One by one."

"Uchiha Yan! What do you think you're doing?!"

Tsunade paced frantically outside, unable to step inside because of her acute hemophobia.

Yan ignored her completely.

Shizune, still tending to Ryoichi's injuries, glanced at the situation and frowned. The disgust in her eyes when she looked at Asuma was clear.

Asuma had been her classmate. She knew the kind of person he was. He hadn't changed from the arrogant bully he was as a child.

"You're lucky your father's the Hokage," Yan said coldly.

Asuma flinched. He'd heard the rumors about Yan. This Uchiha was infamous—not just for his power, but for his defiance. He'd dared strike clan elders. He'd insulted Danzō to his face in the Police Force headquarters.

He was fearless.

Next to him, Asuma looked like nothing.

"What do you want?" Asuma forced a brave front. "If I did something wrong, the village will handle it. Not you, Uchiha Yan—"

He didn't finish.

Yan's slap was so fast and sudden that Asuma didn't even get the chance to blink.

"SLAP!"

A loud crack echoed. Asuma crashed to the ground, stunned. Everyone nearby froze, caught off guard.

"Is that it?" Yan blew the sting off his palm and scoffed. "I'm starting to think the examiner who passed you in the special jōnin trials took a bribe."

"I don't care what the village does. But you picked the fight. You assaulted my clan."

"You think it's fun to bully the weak? Feels good beating up Uchiha kids?"

Ryoichi was only fourteen. His strength was average. Chūnin level. His teammates weren't much better.

Asuma and his companions were far above them—completely mismatched. It wasn't a fight. It was abuse.

Others could wait for their consequences. But not Asuma.

Yan removed his coat, tossed it to Shiyan, and rolled his shoulders.

"You say I bully people? You're older than me by five years. You're a special jōnin. So am I."

"You hate Uchiha, right? Good. Today, I'll give you a chance—come hit me."

He hooked his finger, beckoning mockingly.

"Don't make me look down on you, Sarutobi clan trash."

Insulting someone's clan? Yan had mastered it.

"Mute! Stop him!!" Tsunade screamed from the doorway.

She was seething, but her hemophobia kept her frozen in place.

The worst part? She wasn't even sure she could stop him if she did step in.

Yan's official rank might be tokubetsu jōnin, but in battle strength, he was leagues beyond.

He simply hadn't taken the jōnin exams. On paper, he and Asuma were equal.

Reality said otherwise.

Shizune raised a hand to stop him, but as Yan activated his Sharingan—three tomoe spinning—she froze. Her hand trembled, and she lowered it automatically.

"You're so arrogant, Uchiha Yan," Asuma snarled, his face swollen. "So what if I beat your clan member? So what if I insulted your family?"

Yan's gaze sharpened. He met Asuma's eyes.

Asuma should have looked away.

His heart sank.

"SLAP!"

The second hit crashed into the other side of Asuma's face. He crumpled again.

Yan placed his foot on Asuma's chest and said, bored, "This is it? This is the Sarutobi clan's 'elite'? The examiner who passed you really should be investigated."

"I'll recommend a full audit."

Laughter erupted from the Uchiha. Even Shisui, usually stoic, couldn't hide a twitch at the corner of his lips.

Yan's words cut deep. He humiliated Asuma, mocked the Sarutobi clan, and accused the examiners of bribery—all in one breath.

"Uchiha Yan, kill me if you dare!"

"SLAP!"

Another sharp blow knocked two teeth from Asuma's mouth.

"I don't kill villagers. I don't bother with trash. You, Sarutobi Asuma—you're nothing but trash to me."

"A disgrace to your clan. And you're the Hokage's son? Disgraceful. Shameful."

Yan continued, slapping Asuma repeatedly, targeting his face.

"I won't break your bones. I won't kill you. I'll just ruin your pride."

"Uchiha Yan, that's enough!!"

One of Asuma's companions stepped forward.

Yan turned and met his eyes.

"Urgh..."

The man gasped, clutching his chest, face pale. The illusion hit him instantly—heart pressure rising. It felt like his heart stopped.

"Yan! That illusion puts immense strain on the heart!" Tsunade was losing her mind outside.

Asuma, you idiot! Why couldn't you keep quiet?

Of all the people to provoke, you chose him?!

"Trash."

Yan kicked Asuma aside. The jōnin's brain felt like static. More than a dozen slaps later, he was dazed and broken.

There were many types of illusions. Shisui preferred manipulating the mind subtly.

Yan preferred a more direct route—forcing the body to crush its own heart through chakra stimulation. The pain was unforgettable.

He gestured for his clan to carry the wounded.

Then his Sharingan scanned the crowd.

"Uchiha has suffered long-standing prejudice. There's a wide gap between us and the villagers."

"But don't ever forget... Uchiha is not to be insulted by just anyone."

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