Slash!

A year ago, Fugaku had defeated Shen Huo and become the strongest of the Uchiha Clan.

To become the Uchiha clan head, he had no weaknesses in ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu.

Clang!

With a single Fine Steel Kunai, he suppressed Sode no Shirayuki. Tremendous force surged through it.

"Kagami, you're a genius, but even geniuses need time to grow!"

Clink—

The kunai snapped, leaving behind a smooth cross-section.

Fugaku's pupils suddenly contracted. He knew that Kagami Uchiha possessed a special secret technique that could fire invisible wind blades from his fingertips.

But he had not expected him to unleash them through a weapon as well!

Fortunately, the Sharingan's powerful perception allowed him to barely evade the slash that had severed the kunai.

Touching the bloodied skin split open on his neck...

"You really are ruthless. Do you have to show so little mercy to your clan head?"

"Cut the nonsense." Kagami Uchiha raised his blade and charged forward.

If not for Sasuke's future birth, he could have secretly struck Fugaku a few times. He might even have been able to kill him.

Invisible slashes were truly most terrifying when used for surprise attacks and assassinations.

Fugaku began to take this fight seriously as well, gripping a kunai in both hands.

Their attacks separated at the instant before they made contact, creating an indescribably bizarre sight.

Fortunately, the spectators were all Uchiha clansmen, and quite a few had already activated their Sharingan.

"They... are constantly predicting their opponent's next move!"

Though this appeared to be a taijutsu clash, it was actually a contest of perception between dōjutsu users.

The longer Fugaku fought, the more alarmed he became, because he realized...

In terms of perception, his Sharingan was still a notch inferior to Kagami Uchiha's.

What terrifying talent...

He could not continue competing with him in swordsmanship.

With that thought, Fugaku broke away from the fight and rapidly formed hand seals.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Kagami Uchiha swung his blade and split the fireball apart.

Dozens of blazing fireballs shot toward him head-on.

The Fireball Jutsu was merely an opening move, intended to obscure his vision. The Phoenix Sage Fire Technique that followed was the true attack.

All the flames were controlled by chakra, making them difficult to evade completely.

Amid the dancing flames, Kagami Uchiha spotted shuriken controlled by chakra as well.

Was that Uchiha Itachi's Phoenix Sage Flower Claw Crimson...?

No, how could I say a father resembled his son?

As the most destructive nature transformation, Fire Release was best countered by Water Release in conventional combat.

If one was not familiar with Water Release...

Kagami Uchiha rapidly formed hand seals, ending with the Tiger seal.

"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

A fire dragon burst from Kagami Uchiha's mouth. After smashing down the fireballs, its remaining force did not diminish.

Compared to its range, this technique placed greater emphasis on power and accuracy.

The fire dragon soared high into the air, its blazing radiance nearly scorching people's eyes. The intense heat made breathing difficult, as if they had been thrown into a furnace.

Everywhere it passed, the air warped and twisted from the heat.

Everyone knew that every Uchiha could use Fire Release.

Using the fire dragon's momentum, Kagami Uchiha swiftly closed in on Fugaku. He extended his palm toward Fugaku's face.

Compared with the imposing fire dragon, Kagami Uchiha's gesture made Fugaku's heart pound even harder.

Fugaku knew very well that this youth possessed an ultimate secret technique comparable to a Kekkei Genkai.

"Dismantle."

Screech—

The air was instantly torn apart, producing a piercing howl.

Dense slashes fell upon Fugaku's body.

Boom!!

A Shadow Clone...?

Kagami Uchiha was not particularly surprised as he watched the smoke explode outward.

The Sharingan in his sockets swept from side to side, then suddenly paused.

Above!

Kagami Uchiha abruptly raised his head and saw a sea of flames.

Like blazing infernal fire, it swept down with overwhelming force, as though it intended to swallow the entire world in an endless sea of flames.

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"

The strength of a ninjutsu depended on its user. Fugaku's Fire Release was far inferior to Uchiha Madara's, but this move still shocked many clansmen.

Shen Huo frowned tightly as chakra gathered at his feet. He was already prepared to rescue Kagami Uchiha at any moment.

"Big brother!!"

Little Shisui cried out in terror. If a clansman had not held him back, he would have rushed into the battle zone.

Facing the overwhelming flames, Kagami Uchiha remained expressionless.

His body slowly rose into the air, while the ground beneath his feet was shaved away layer by layer by invisible blades.

Within the spiritual space.

Separated by the Seal, Sukuna's four eyes stared intently at the outside world.

"Brat... you really are something..."

Screech—screech—screech—

Harsh cutting sounds rang out without end, gradually drowning out the roar of the sea of flames.

Azure blades revolved around Kagami Uchiha, faster and faster, like a storm.

Every blade gleamed with a cold edge. Sword energy crisscrossed through the air, cutting it apart, while the ringing of blades wove together into a soul-stirring symphony.

"What kind of ninjutsu is that..."

"What terrifying pressure..."

The sea of flames closed in, illuminating Kagami Uchiha's smiling face.

He extended two fingers, then flicked them upward.

I named it...

"Ninja Art: Slash—Thousand Blade Flowing Scenery Severity."

Whoosh—

Endless streams of azure blades howled forward, destroying and annihilating the sea of flames!

Utterly unstoppable!

Fugaku, leaping high into the air, was filled with disbelief.

Having witnessed Kagami Uchiha's ferocity, he had gone all out with this technique. Yet it had been broken so easily!

Facing the endless streams of blades rushing toward him, Fugaku gritted his teeth and formed hand seals.

Great Dragon Fire Technique!

Three fire dragons roared forth, circling around him to form a ring.

Using offensive Fire Release for defense showed just how powerful his control over ninjutsu was.

The fire dragons were erased layer by layer, but the blade streams that had shattered the sea of flames were exhausted as well.

Just as Fugaku relaxed, a silver-blue glow flashed before his eyes.

What was that...?

Kagami Uchiha held a rapidly spinning ball of chakra in his hand and fiercely pressed it against Fugaku's chest.

Rasengan!

Boom!!!

The powerful impact was like a cannonball being fired, blasting Fugaku out of the air and raising a huge cloud of dust.

"Clan head!!"

"Fugaku!"

"Captain!"

Many clansmen hurried toward the dust-filled area.

A clansman quickly used Wind Release to disperse the smoke.

Within a huge crater marked by spiraling patterns, Fugaku stood with difficulty, his clothes in tatters and one hand braced against his knee.

The Rasengan's power lay not only in its tremendous impact, but also in its sustained destructive force.

After striking a target, it could continuously inject energy into it, triggering a chain of explosions and destruction that caused massive area damage.

A vicious spiral wound covered Fugaku's chest. After sensing it, he found that even the chakra within his body had been thrown into disorder, making it difficult to mobilize.

Ignoring the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, he stared fixedly at Kagami Uchiha as he descended.

"A powerful technique... Kagami... you truly are a genius..."

Kagami Uchiha's breathing had grown somewhat ragged as well. His chakra consumption had reached its limit.

Both possessed Three-Tomoe Sharingan, so the Sharingan could not offer much of an advantage. In a direct clash, his chakra reserves could not compare to Fugaku's.

He could only pour out chakra at maximum power and settle the battle quickly.

Kagami Uchiha raised his eyes and sneered. "Just as expected of you... always using that same rhetoric."

He knew clearly that his talent could not compare to monsters like Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Itachi, nor did he possess the Six Paths cheat-like advantages of Naruto and Sasuke.

The Sukuna within him could never become a companion.

Everything he wanted could only be fought for with his own hands.

Since the age of two, for nearly two thousand days and nights, he had not dared stop training for even a moment.

He simply did not want to face something unbearable and be left with nothing but resentment toward his own inadequacy.

The excessive chakra output made his hand tremble slightly.

Gripping Sode no Shirayuki tightly, Kagami Uchiha slowly walked toward Fugaku.

Fugaku adjusted his breathing as well. Though his injuries were severe, he still had the strength to fight.

Tap—

Shen Huo's towering figure stepped between them.

"This sparring match has gone far enough."

If they continued, one wrong move could decide life and death. Shen Huo did not want to see either of them die.