Hyuga vs. Uchiha, Part One

Hyuga Kagami was in a good state of mind. In the current setting, Shisui definitely would not use the Mangekyō Sharingan or any ocular techniques related to it.

That meant they would be competing in the fundamentals!

Hyuga Kagami possessed more chakra than Shisui, as well as the Tenseigan, which had extremely strong resistance to Genjutsu. Whether it came to Taijutsu or Ninjutsu, he was not at a disadvantage.

Therefore, he had a good chance of winning this battle.

Shisui slowly stepped onto the Sparring Platform, bowed to Hyuga Kagami, and replied, "Senior, I'll do my best."

"The match begins!"

The referee below the platform gave the signal at just the right moment.

The instant the referee finished speaking, Hyuga Kagami and Shisui on the platform entered combat mode.

Shisui struck first. In less than two seconds, he fired more than a dozen Shuriken in succession.

Clang...

Clang...

Clang...

The dozen or so Shuriken collided with one another in midair, changing their respective trajectories. Some went forward, some behind, some left, some right, spreading like a vast net that blanketed Hyuga Kagami from every direction.

Although he had witnessed Itachi's skill with ninja tools before, Shisui's Shuriken throwing still made Hyuga Kagami's heart tighten.

Neither the angles nor the force behind them had any flaws. Even with the Tenseigan, Hyuga Kagami could not spot a single opening. He could only return fire with ninja tools and seek room to evade.

Setting aside his impatience, Hyuga Kagami immediately seized an opportunity and launched eight Shuriken.

Cling, clang, clang...

In an instant, the sounds of Shuriken intercepting one another rang throughout the entire arena.

Watching the dazzling exchange of ninja tools on the platform, the Chunin below held their breaths. Those who had made it this far were all skilled at throwing ninja tools, so they could naturally see just how fierce the battle above was.

Suddenly, Guy cried out from the crowd, "Look! The Shuriken Kagami knocked away are moving again!"

Asuma's face darkened as he said in a low voice, "Steel Wire. Shisui connected those Shuriken with specially treated Steel Wire. You wouldn't notice it without looking closely!"

The cries of alarm from below did not affect Hyuga Kagami on the platform.

He had long known how formidable Uchiha ninja tool techniques were. How could he possibly fail to watch for a follow-up attack? While counterattacking, he had deliberately targeted the Steel Wire connecting the Shuriken.

However, the Steel Wire had clearly undergone special treatment. Not only was it tough, but it did not reflect light at all. Even with the Tenseigan, Hyuga Kagami could not identify every strand while moving at high speed.

Moreover, Shisui's technique was highly practiced. After a prolonged struggle, Hyuga Kagami still missed several strands of Steel Wire.

The consequence of that mistake was that he quickly fell into a disadvantage.

Part of it was due to Hyuga Kagami's inferior throwing technique, and part was due to his inadequate preparation. After only a brief exchange, his Ninja Tool Pouch was already empty.

He had thought Shisui had little left as well, but to his surprise, Shisui took out a Scroll. He spread it open and pressed it lightly, and countless Shuriken immediately sprang forth amid a cloud of smoke.

Linked by Steel Wire, the Shuriken bobbed and weaved through the air as though they possessed a will of their own.

At first glance, Hyuga Kagami even thought Shisui was controlling those Shuriken with his mind!

Seeing this, only one thought remained in his heart: You can use ninja tools like that!?

Below the platform.

Asuma shook his head and sighed. "Kagami is probably going to lose. This Shisui is even more troublesome than I imagined!"

Guy stared fixedly at the two fighters on the platform and said without turning his head, "Don't worry. This is only the warm-up. Kagami hasn't gotten serious yet."

Just as Guy said, once Hyuga Kagami fully realized that ocular power alone could not make up for the gap between their ninja tool throwing skills, he decisively abandoned that exchange and charged straight at Shisui.

Taijutsu was Hyuga Kagami's true advantage!

Seeing Hyuga Kagami rush at him with overwhelming momentum, Shisui's fingers danced lightly as they controlled the Steel Wire, as though he were playing a famous melody. Under his control, the countless Shuriken circling around him immediately shot toward Hyuga Kagami.

"Kaiten!"

After nearly several months of training, Hyuga Kagami had become exceptionally proficient in using Kaiten. He could activate it anywhere, anytime, entirely at will.

Clang, clang, clang...

The impacts of countless Shuriken striking Kaiten were painful enough to make everyone's eardrums ache. The Shuriken deflected by Kaiten shot in every direction.

"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"

The quick-reacting Third Hokage immediately used Earth Release, raising four earthen walls along the edge of the Sparring Platform and barely blocking the Shuriken sent flying by Kaiten.

The Chunin watching nearby also hurriedly retreated more than ten meters.

Asuma wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered, "Those two idiots!"

Guy seemed entirely unconcerned and laughed. "Being able to watch such an amazing duel means taking some risks is unavoidable!"

On the platform.

Using the opening he had fought for with Kaiten, Hyuga Kagami finally closed in on Shisui. Both palms shot out, and his entire body surged forward like a tiger unleashed from its cage, unstoppable!

Shisui did not retreat in fear. He immediately drew the Short Blade from his back, the three Tomoe in his eyes spinning continuously.

In an instant, the two became entangled in battle, competing in Taijutsu.

Before long, a Chunin below the platform asked uncertainly, "Why is their Taijutsu... so strange?"

Many of the Chunin watching nodded in agreement.

Hyuga Kagami and Shisui did indeed look strange as they fought fiercely. Their attacks repeatedly stopped midway through execution. A palm strike would suddenly be withdrawn halfway through, or a blade that had just slashed out would abruptly change direction.

After grappling for quite a while, neither of them had completed many full attacks.

Most of the time, they repeatedly shifted between launching moves, changing moves, and forcibly withdrawing moves. Since both of them attacked and withdrew with astonishing speed, their Taijutsu exchange appeared deeply strange to the spectators.

Guy, who was deeply versed in Taijutsu, seemed like a different person now. He explained with unusual seriousness, "It's prediction. They're both constantly predicting the other's attacks, which is why it looks so strange."

Asuma said in disbelief, "Such frequent predictions and adjustments!? Their perception is far too ridiculous. Are they even human?"

Asuma seemed to voice the thoughts of everyone present. They all arrived at the same thought: Can ninja with ocular bloodline limits really do whatever they want?

The Third Hokage's eyes flickered as he pondered something unknown.

The Anbu standing beside him asked softly, "Lord Hokage, are they deliberately competing in ocular power?"

After nodding, the Third Hokage had intended to explain another thing or two, but at that moment, the two fighters on the platform suddenly separated and retreated to opposite corners...