Recruiting Senju Nawaki

"Welcome back anytime."

Senju Nawaki dragged Shangguan Yue away from the barbecue restaurant as if fleeing.

"Slow down, why the rush?"

"A duel. I've rested enough."

"Fine, consider it after-dinner entertainment. Do your best to amuse me."

"Hmph, I'm getting serious this time. Watch yourself."

The two returned to Senju Mansion shortly after and stood facing each other in the training grounds.

Nawaki looked as if he were facing a formidable enemy, while Shangguan Yue stood casually, looking indifferent.

"Look, that's Young Master Nawaki. Who is that opposite him? Are they going to duel?"

"No idea, never seen him before."

"Quiet, everyone. It's starting."

Nawaki quickly formed hand seals and slammed his hands onto the ground. With a "poof" and a cloud of smoke, a sword appeared on the ground.

"Wow, is that the Sword of the Thunder God? So cool."

"Watch out, this is the weapon of my granduncle, Senju Tobirama."

"Hah!"

Nawaki pulled a long face, lunged forward with a few steps, leaped, twisted his hips, tucked his left side in, and swung the long sword down with his right hand.

"Why isn't he dodging? Is he trying to block it with his bare body?"

Clang!

A crisp sound of metal clashing rang out, and everyone stared intently.

"Huh? Where did that sword in his hand come from?"

"I don't know, I didn't see it a moment ago."

"Clang, clang, clang."

Sparks flew as the two swung their weapons at each other.

"Hmm, Young Master Nawaki's Senju Sword Style and taijutsu are becoming increasingly refined. That young man opposite him uses unconventional methods, but his reactions are quite fast."

"So, in your opinion, Young Master Nawaki should win, right?"

"No! Not necessarily. Look."

Although Nawaki's attacks were methodical and he kept Shangguan Yue on the defensive, he hadn't managed to land a single scratch on him.

Nawaki leaped back to create distance, and as they stood facing each other, he felt a sense of gravity seeing that Shangguan Yue wasn't even out of breath.

Shangguan Yue felt bitter inside, Sigh, it seems my body really is trash.

Shangguan Yue hadn't been dodging for any other reason than to see if he could "steal" the techniques; after all, taijutsu was something one could try to learn since it didn't involve the flow of chakra.

However, even with his divine sense observing, he remained completely clueless about how to execute the taijutsu movements; he couldn't grasp them, so how could he learn?

"Temporary challenge recording successful." Hearing the prompt from the Balance of God, Shangguan Yue finally let go of his obsession. Good thing I have the system.

It's just that recording is too troublesome; I have to spar, and the stronger the opponent, the slower the recording.

Nawaki formed seals and released his grip, causing the Sword of the Thunder God to vanish. He formed seals again, "Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

Nawaki spat out an earth dragon that smashed toward Shangguan Yue, leaving him feeling incredibly envious.

"Void Step."

Shangguan Yue stepped off his own foot and took to the air, dodging the attack in an instant.

"Void Step: Explosive Flash."

Shangguan Yue's figure shot toward Nawaki like a cannonball.

"So fast."

Sensing Shangguan Yue suddenly appearing behind him, Nawaki formed hand seals.

"Substitution Technique."

A log appeared in the spot where Nawaki had just been, and with a slash, the log was split in two.

Shangguan Yue sensed Nawaki's position and unleashed another "Void Step: Explosive Flash."

The two chased each other across the training grounds. Although Shangguan Yue didn't know ninjutsu, his speed was immense.

Before you can even finish your hand seals, my blade will be at your throat. Nawaki didn't dare to be careless; unable to complete his seals, he could only scramble away.

"What kind of ninjutsu is this? To be able to move so quickly in mid-air."

Shangguan Yue, moving rapidly through the air, wasn't having an easy time either.

This won't do. If this continues, it will be to my disadvantage. The berserk mode is still too crude, and the burden on my body is too great.

Feeling the pain radiating from every part of his body under the dual pressure of spiritual energy and chakra, he gritted his teeth.

"Well then, I'll use this move. Might as well test it out, since I haven't tried it yet."

Shangguan Yue struck a pose in mid-air. "Void Step: Draw-Sword Strike."

His back, thighs, ankles—his entire posterior chain felt as if it had been fitted with thrusters, erupting with immense energy in a single instant.

Shangguan Yue seemed to teleport, appearing directly in front of Senju Nawaki before the latter could even react.

"Draw-Sword Strike."

The two crossed paths; Shangguan Yue stumbled to a halt, leaning on Longque as he gasped for air.

This feeling is unbearable. It feels like my internal organs are trembling. The physical load is immense; I can't even move.

It's a good thing I have the Sage Body. I'll just rest for a moment. I wonder how Nawaki is doing.

Nawaki turned around, looking at Shangguan Yue's dashing, imposing pose. "Hey, can you—hm?"

Nawaki felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down, he realized there was a blade mark across his torso. As his body collapsed, he watched Shangguan Yue still holding that pose and felt a surge of irritation.

What a show-off. Still, I lost again.

Hm? What is he doing? Is he going to humiliate me further?

Under the reinforcement of the Sage Body, Shangguan Yue had regained his ability to move. Dragging his exhausted body, he walked slowly toward Nawaki.

"Nawaki, as long as you haven't beaten me, you'll always be the little brother."

Ten thousand horses galloped through Nawaki's mind. You're the little brother! Your whole family is little brothers! Wait, he's my brother-in-law... I'd be insulting myself.

"You should be grateful I used the back of the blade. Otherwise, you would have been dead already. Yo, still unconvinced? I'll be waiting for you to challenge me again."

Shangguan Yue pressed both hands against Nawaki's chest. As his chakra surged, Nawaki's wound slowly began to heal and fade away.

"You—how do you know Healing Jutsu? My sister really gave you everything!"