Uchiha Shisui's Body Flicker Technique was certainly powerful, but it clearly wasn't anywhere near as impossible to counter as Minato Namikaze's!
Otherwise, Shiba Seika's blade, which had just swept around him, wouldn't have landed.
Shiba Seika had now completely figured out the real secret behind Shisui's afterimages.
His opponent's Body Flicker Technique was actually being used in conjunction with Sharingan Genjutsu!
The afterimage Shiba Seika's first slash had hit was a creation of the Sharingan Genjutsu.
It was meant to implant misleading information in his mind, making him think Shisui's Body Flicker Technique was so fast it couldn't be countered, fast enough to leave afterimages!
Perhaps those unfortunate Kirigakure Ninja in the original story had believed that right up until their deaths. They must have thought they'd encountered an unbelievably fast fighter who could come and go without a trace!
But Shisui was an Uchiha—and one who would awaken the Mangekyo in the future. How could he possibly give up his strongest weapon, the Sharingan, and rely only on his footwork to fight?
Shisui's visual prowess ranked among the very best in his clan. In the future, he would even grow to become the clan's greatest!
Clones, Body Flicker, and ocular techniques—a trinity. That was the true "Body Flicker Shisui"!
This style of combat had given Shiba Seika plenty of inspiration. He felt he might be able to borrow some of its tactics himself in the future.
As expected, sparring with a high-level opponent could bring plenty of insights and inspiration!
This duel had been well worth it! he thought happily.
Compared with his delight, however, Uchiha Shisui was in a much more complicated state of mind.
This was the first time young Shisui had seen someone see through his combo technique so easily.
The Uchiha's natural competitiveness had been roused in full, and the three tomoe in his eyes spun rapidly with frustration!
At this point, though, Uchiha Shisui hadn't awakened the Mangekyo.
He hadn't even been to the battlefield yet, let alone experienced the pain of losing a comrade.
Shiba Seika had ways to deal with the misleading Genjutsu of an ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan!
From the start of the fight, he'd never let his gaze rise above Shisui's chin. When it came to understanding the Sharingan, Shiba Seika might even surpass the Uchiha!
Shisui darted around, the three tomoe in his eyes spinning as he unleashed one misleading illusion after another.
Yet he still couldn't shake Shiba Seika's pursuit!
"Clang! Clang! Whoosh!"
After two more crisp metallic clashes, Uchiha Shisui was ready for him this time. He immediately leaped backward, and while airborne, flung a huge number of Shuriken with both hands!
The gust of wind came right on cue!
This time, Shiba Seika went back to the traditional upward Rising Dragon Slash. A rising whirlwind sprang from the tip of his blade and raced forward in a straight line.
It swept away every Shuriken Uchiha Shisui had thrown!
But Shiba Seika, who had been focused on sensing the patterns in the wind, noticed something strange in the sounds carried through it, even without looking up!
Sure enough, in the next moment, Uchiha Shisui yanked both hands inward!
The Shuriken attached to steel wires changed course in midair and flew back as one, shooting at Shiba Seika from every direction!
The Uchiha Clan's signature Manipulated Shuriken Technique!
Sasuke had also used this move during the Chunin Ninja Exams in the original story. Shisui, at this age, wielded it no less skillfully than Sasuke would in the future!
But Shiba Seika just smiled, not the least bit flustered.
He immediately threw the katana in his hand!
"Whoosh!"
The thrown katana cut through several wires, while also forcing Shisui, not far away, to dodge sideways. His control over the Shuriken slowed for a moment.
So, as Shuriken rained down from all directions, Shiba Seika managed to form Hand Seals by the narrowest margin!
"Poof!"
The target pierced by the Shuriken and tangled in wires turned out to be nothing but a dead tree stump.
Substitution Technique!
"Damn it!" Uchiha Shisui cursed under his breath.
Before he could even dwell on his frustration, the crack of thunder suddenly rang out behind him!
"Lightning Release: Lightning Pull!"
Shiba Seika had learned a new move, but he hadn't forgotten his old ninjutsu either.
What shocked Uchiha Shisui even more was this: How could anyone use the Substitution Technique to attack?!
Shiba Seika used the short-range shift from the Substitution Technique to move behind Shisui. He hooked his foot under the katana he'd just thrown and kicked it back into his hand.
Then he turned his wrist and immediately slashed!
His pressure and aggression were both at their peak!
Uchiha Shisui felt a sharp killing intent bearing down on him. His opponent gave him no chance to catch his breath!
"Clang!"
The Kenjutsu was still as unstoppable as a pair of fangs, making it difficult for Shisui to block with his Kunai.
The pressure was overwhelming. One slash was followed immediately by another, leaving him no chance to form Hand Seals!
His attempts to mislead Shiba Seika with Genjutsu were like stones sinking into the sea. One after another, they came to nothing.
"Clang!"
After blocking two more slashes in succession, Uchiha Shisui saw Shiba Seika suddenly retreat half a step and draw his sword to his waist, readying another upward Rising Dragon Slash. In a panic, his eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets!
"Whoosh!"
But in the end, the slash stopped just in front of Shisui's chin. The tip of the katana was a mere fraction of an inch away.
Uchiha Shisui didn't suspect a thing. He instinctively assumed Shiba Seika had deliberately held back at the last moment, and immediately said, "I surrender."
Shiba Seika smiled, looking rather sly. "You were a worthy opponent, Shisui."
What Uchiha Shisui didn't know was that he'd been tricked!
Shiba Seika had only recently developed Wind Rest Three Flash. One set of Hand Seals could summon at most two whirlwinds, empowering a total of six slashes.
He was still trying to figure out how to extend the technique's duration. That would probably take some time and effort.
He hadn't stopped because he was holding back out of sportsmanship. He'd stopped because he'd run out of wind.
But Uchiha Shisui clearly had no idea. He knew nothing about Shiba Seika's Self-Created Ninjutsu.
Shiba Seika had deliberately kept up an overwhelming assault, fighting with fierce aggression, all to create the illusion that his technique hadn't run out.
Who said only Genjutsu could deceive people?
And who would have guessed that someone could scheme so much even during a simple private spar?
Innocent Uchiha Shisui had ultimately been played like a fiddle by the cunning Shiba Seika.
Putting away his sword, Shiba Seika held out his hand and said with a gentlemanly air, "Let's form the Reconciliation Seal, Shisui."
Uchiha Shisui didn't suspect a thing. He reached out and formed the seal with him, still unable to help expressing his admiration.
"Blue Dye, you really are amazing."
After the spar, Shiba Seika could clearly tell that Uchiha Shisui felt much closer to him, almost as if he were completely convinced.
Seizing the moment, he said, "You're impressive too, Shisui. For your age, your strength is already outstanding—not inferior to that of many well-known ninja.
"With your abilities, you shouldn't have anything to worry about, even on the battlefield. Is something troubling you?"
Uchiha Shisui lowered his head. His Sharingan, which had clearly been deactivated when they formed the Reconciliation Seal, had opened again without him realizing it, revealing his turbulent state of mind.
After some hesitation and inner struggle, he finally looked up at Shiba Seika, a hint of hope in his eyes.
"Blue Dye, you're so strong and so wise. I doubt you'd have problems like this, but lately... I've been really troubled."
At that moment, Shiba Seika smiled from the heart. His expression was gentle and kind as he coaxed him along.
"Shisui, what's troubling you? Tell me. Maybe I can offer a few unpolished suggestions."
As expected, dealing with the Uchiha Clan meant showing off your strength at the right time!
After this fight, Shisui had finally been willing to open his heart to him.
All that scheming for one little private spar hadn't been in vain!
Innocent Uchiha Shisui had, in the end, been putty in the hands of the cunning Shiba Seika.
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