Naruto:The System's Shadow

Uchiha Kaito's decision not to immediately assist Madara stemmed from careful calculation. He knew that even with their combined strength, while they might suppress the opposing jonin, eliminating them was virtually impossible.

Kaito understood that B-rank ninjutsu would fall short of killing a jonin; only an A-rank technique held the potential.

Therefore, he needed to learn one on the spot. He recalled that the system offered A-rank ninjutsu for 5000 points. Eliminating the elite jonin yielded 2000 points, meaning he needed to dispatch another elite jonin and a chunin to amass enough points for an A-rank technique, thus gaining a chance to kill the jonin.

"Fire Style: Flame Severing!"

The elite jonin, embroiled in a fierce exchange with Uchiha Hayate, was caught off guard by Kaito's sudden assault from the flank. He was struck squarely by the Flame Severing technique. Fortunately, he activated his Rotation at the last possible moment, preventing the flames from engulfing him.

Kaito swiftly moved to Hayate's side, simply stating, "Finish this quickly. I need the kill."

Hayate, however, was transfixed by Kaito's Sharingan, his mind reeling. He was aware of Kaito's prodigious talent, rivaling even Uchiha Madara. However, even Madara had awakened his Sharingan at the age of five and still only possessed single tomoe. How could Kaito have suddenly manifested three tomoe?

Hayate remained rooted to the spot, feeling as though he were in a dream. How could anyone awaken a three-tomoe Sharingan at the age of five? Such a feat was unprecedented in the Uchiha clan's history.

Kaito, oblivious to Hayate's inner turmoil, viewed the opposing elite jonin as a walking point source. As Rotation concluded, he closed in on his target, his three-tomoe Sharingan spinning wildly, unleashing his self-created Fox Decapitation genjutsu.

The Hyuga elite jonin's vision blurred, and he felt himself abruptly transported from the battlefield to a desolate desert. Surrounded by nothing but sand, he felt a pang of dread, realizing he had fallen prey to an enemy genjutsu.

In reality, Kaito saw the confusion in his opponent's eyes and the stiffness in his posture. He swiftly attached an explosive tag to the Hyuga and retreated, triggering a violent explosion that obliterated the elite jonin.

"Elite jonin of the Hyuga clan eliminated. Reward: 2000 points."

The system's voice echoed promptly in his mind.

Kaito took a few breaths, feeling a slight strain on his Sharingan. Two consecutive uses of the Fox Decapitation genjutsu, even for the Sharingan—the eye of illusion—were taxing.

The Fox Decapitation technique had two major drawbacks: excessive strain on the eyes and limited effectiveness against opponents of significantly greater strength. If the skill gap was too wide, the opponent could break free and even inflict a backlash.

"1000 points remaining."

Uchiha Kaito mused, calculating the time. He had held nothing back this time, eliminating the elite jonin in just two minutes.

Approaching the dazed Uchiha Hayate, he gestured toward the distant chunin, saying, "Go assist them. Eliminate the three chunin who are holding them back, then help the children."

Without waiting for a response, he headed toward Izuna, sensing the final thousand points beckoning.

"Yes, Lord Kaito."

Uchiha Hayate hastily replied. As an elite jonin, he would not usually be so deferential. But in this world, strength was universally revered, and Kaito's instantaneous dispatch of the opposing elite jonin had left an indelible impression on his mind. Subconsciously, he had elevated Kaito to the position of a powerful figure, hence his respectful tone.

Moreover, the moment he saw Kaito's three-tomoe Sharingan, he had already regarded Kaito as an individual worthy of respect within the clan. In the Uchiha clan, the level of one's Sharingan was a symbol of status.

Izuna was panting heavily, his right hand, gripping the katana, throbbing with pain and devoid of sensation. His bones creaked ominously, threatening to disintegrate at any moment. His chakra was depleted, unable to yield even a trace more. His vision was blurring, and he could only unconsciously parry the enemy's attacks. He felt that his demise was imminent.

Just as he was gritting his teeth and forcing himself to endure, a figure materialized before him—Uchiha Kaito.

Kaito deflected the opponent's katana with his kunai and glanced at Izuna behind him. Seeing him stubbornly holding on, he nodded inwardly. No wonder he would awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan in the future. Even if his talent was inferior to Madara's, his perseverance and endurance were remarkable.

But this was not the time for such thoughts. He needed to dispatch this chunin swiftly. Every second he delayed increased the danger to Uchiha Madara.

Instantly closing in on the Hyuga chunin, he unleashed a barrage of shuriken, followed by "Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Each shuriken was engulfed in roaring chakra flames, hurtling toward the chunin.

The Hyuga chunin, a veteran of the battlefield, activated his Byakugan and managed to evade every single flame.

A kunai flew straight toward him. Under the all-seeing gaze of the Byakugan, he easily tracked its trajectory and dodged.

"You think you can hit me with this kind of projectile?" The Hyuga chunin thought triumphantly, when he suddenly noticed something tied to the end of the kunai.

"This is?... Chakra strings?"

A jolt of surprise ran through him. Looking back, he was horrified to find himself surrounded by a web of chakra threads.

Kaito clenched his fist, tightening all the chakra strings. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Technique!" A massive wave of flames surged along the threads, engulfing the chunin entirely.

"Chunin of the Hyuga clan eliminated. Reward: 1000 points." The system's monotonous voice announced. Kaito exhaled deeply, relieved that he had finally amassed enough points for an A-rank ninjutsu.