Where Talent Lies

Chapter 18: Where Talent Lies

Shisui was silent for a long time, and finally nodded.

"I understand. I'll be careful."

Half a month later.

At Kagami's house, Uchiha Takashi looked at a piece of paper for a while and smiled with satisfaction.

"You got first place in all subjects this semester. Is there anything you want?"

Kagami shook his head.

"Not for now, Father."

Uchiha Takashi chuckled lightly.

"You said so yourself."

Kagami arrived at the training grounds, and Shisui stood up.

"Oh, you're here."

Beside Kagami was Itachi, dressed in Anbu attire.

Shisui tossed a ninja tool pouch to Kagami.

"You're done with your final exams at the academy, so now it's time for my final exam, hahaha."

Kagami nodded seriously.

"Mm."

The Ninja Academy's final exams were a piece of cake for Kagami, and Shisui knew this. Therefore, to truly test Kagami's progress over the past six months, Shisui decided to personally test him.

With a slight turn of his hand, four kunai suddenly appeared in Shisui's previously empty palm.

"Alright, let's start with the kunai. This time, I'll use four kunai, and you'll use two. I want you to completely nullify my attacks."

Kagami didn't speak, but silently turned his hand. Similarly, two kunai suddenly appeared in his previously empty hand. Shisui had already taught Kagami this ninja technique.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The four kunai in Shisui's hand shot towards Kagami. To nullify four kunai with two, one would need to find an intersection point. That is, at the moment the opponent's kunai intersect, striking with a kunai at that time would allow one kunai to knock down multiple kunai.

But obviously, Shisui didn't intend to give Kagami such an opportunity. The four kunai showed no signs of intersecting, each flying towards Kagami.

"Then..."

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Since there was no intersection point, the only option was to use the opponent's kunai to change the trajectory of his own kunai.

"Clang! Clang!"

The two kunai thrown by Kagami collided with two of Shisui's kunai simultaneously. Then, a dazzling scene unfolded. Shisui's two kunai were knocked to the ground, while Kagami's two kunai, as if borrowing power, instantly changed direction and, in an arc, intercepted Shisui's other two kunai.

Shisui smiled slightly and gave Kagami a thumbs-up.

"Next, it's hand seal speed and ninjutsu. Use your fastest hand seal speed to unleash a Great Fireball Technique at me and Itachi."

Kagami nodded and began to form hand seals.

Snake - Monkey - Rooster - Boar - Horse - Tiger.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A fireball about one meter in diameter appeared and rushed towards Shisui and Itachi.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique."

Itachi's clear voice rang out, and then a water dragon appeared, quickly extinguishing Kagami's fireball.

As water and fire met, a lot of steam was produced. After a while, Shisui and Itachi emerged from the steam, and Itachi exclaimed in admiration.

"Three seals per second. Very impressive."

Kagami scratched his head.

"No, I'm still far from it."

Kagami remembered that in his past life, people often said Itachi's hand seal speed was seven seals per second. Kagami didn't know if it was true or not because he simply couldn't see when Itachi formed the seals. But even seven seals per second was by no means achievable for Kagami. While Kagami's current three seals per second might seem close to seven, in reality, hand seal speed, the further you go, the harder it gets.

Kagami had also tried to see if he could do four seals per second, and the conclusion was that it was incredibly difficult. At Kagami's current level, adding even one more seal per second was extremely challenging. Kagami couldn't even imagine what kind of monster could achieve seven seals per second.

"Alright, next is..."

Shisui said this, and all three present became serious. They knew that what followed was the most important part.

"The Body Flicker Technique."

Shisui stated.

Yes, how could someone taught by Shisui the Body Flicker not be tested on the Body Flicker Technique?

"I will observe you closely. My requirement is that you must at least make it blurry for me to track your movements."

Kagami couldn't perform Shisui's Body Flicker Technique, which was similar to a Shadow Clone, at the moment. Therefore, this test was more about speed.

Concentrate your chakra in your legs, then, Body Flicker Technique!

His figure vanished, stirring a slight breeze.

The next moment, Kagami appeared behind Shisui.

Everyone was stunned. Shisui stared blankly ahead, unable to track Kagami's movements!

Itachi turned his head, staring at Kagami behind Shisui in disbelief. His eyes had evolved into the Three Tomoe Sharingan. Yes, Kagami's current speed could only be perceived by the Sharingan!

He took a deep breath.

"It seems Kagami's talent lies here."

Everyone has their own exceptionally proficient ninjutsu; this is true even for geniuses. Even those who are all-rounders have certain areas where they excel. For Shisui, while his moniker is Shisui the Body Flicker, is his greatest strength in speed? No, Shisui's greatest strength is genjutsu! Of course, Shisui's Body Flicker Technique is also formidable, but his strongest skill is genjutsu.

Take Itachi, for instance. Itachi's Body Flicker Technique is not bad, and he knows Water Style ninjutsu, but are these his strongest abilities? No, they are not. Itachi's strongest are Fire Style and genjutsu. Among these, his genjutsu was likely taught by Shisui, while his Fire Style is where his innate talent lies.

Shisui couldn't help but clap and praise, his Two Tomoe Sharingan slowly disappearing.

"This must be it. Kagami's abilities, whether it's kunai or ninjutsu, are quite average compared to yours and mine. Only his Body Flicker Technique, reaching this level at his age... his talent in this area, Kagami surpasses me, and should be the strongest talent I've ever seen."

Kagami, however, paid no mind to Shisui's words, looking at the Three Tomoe Sharingan in Itachi's eyes.

"Is this the Three Tomoe Sharingan?"

Itachi blinked. Past memories surfaced in his mind. He closed his eyes, deactivated his Sharingan, and then reopened them, offering a sincere blessing.

"Kagami, I hope you never possess these eyes. Although you are pessimistic about the situation in Konoha and the Uchiha clan, I still want to resolve this perfectly. That way, in the future, you and Sasuke can live happy and carefree lives. Truly, I would never wish for you and Sasuke to possess these eyes."

Kagami lowered his gaze, remaining silent. What are the conditions for awakening the Sharingan? What does it take to progress from One Tomoe to Three Tomoe? Honestly, if he had a choice, Kagami also wished he would never awaken those crimson eyes.

Yes, if only he could...

Shisui gently ruffled Kagami's hair.

"Don't be discouraged. Those eyes aren't suited for you. I believe you can become very strong even without them."

Kagami looked up, asking with a hint of reluctance.

"Brother Shisui, how did you awaken yours?"

Shisui shook his head, not answering, but instead speaking with determination.

"I will not let you awaken those eyes."

At this moment, Kagami suddenly recalled the scene of Shisui's death in the original story. If Shisui died... No! He wouldn't let that happen. Kagami extended a fist and said.

"Then you have to keep your word. It's a deal."

Shisui bumped his fist against Kagami's, smiling faintly.

"It's a deal."