Devouring the Senju Bloodline

"Initiate Normal Duel, select Senju Nawaki."

"Battle start."

The two appeared in the dueling arena once again.

"I must seize the opportunity this time. Challenge chances can only be obtained through real-world combat, and it seems I must win this.

However, reality is not a drill; a single failure could mean everything is gone.

Therefore, every challenge opportunity is hard-won. If I want to survive a life-or-death battle, I must obtain all information about the opponent in Normal mode.

With careful planning against an unprepared foe, the odds of winning are quite high."

"Water Style: Water Bullet Barrage," "Water Style: Water Whip," "Earth Style: ..."

Senju Nawaki unleashed a barrage of firepower from the very beginning, while Shangguan Yue continued to dodge.

"I lacked experience the first time. As long as I activate the God-Slaying Art at full power, with the reinforcement of my spiritual energy, he won't be able to lock down my speed.

Come on, Nawaki, let me see how many ninjutsu you know."

Under Shangguan Yue's constant dodging, Senju Nawaki's ninjutsu came one after another, covering the sky.

In this confined dueling space, it truly felt like a natural disaster had descended, with constant booming sounds echoing out.

A while later, "Hm? Why did you stop?"

Shangguan Yue looked at Nawaki opposite him and noticed the opponent was motionless, no longer casting ninjutsu.

He expanded his spiritual perception, "Haha, is that it? Out of mana? So, the first time, I only needed to hold on a little longer, and you would have been finished."

Shangguan Yue took a step, "Explosive Flash: Draw-Blade Slash, within the system, die for me."

"Battle victory, obtained Water Style: Water Bullet Barrage."

Shangguan Yue's figure vanished, reappearing at the Central Control Console.

"Hoo, hoo, hoo. Don't rush, let me think."

"I don't know the specific details of this life-or-death duel. Is the strength the same?

Could there be changes? What if I lose..."

After a long while, "Damn it, the bold starve to death, the timid die of hunger. I'll risk it. I've already died once; it's worth a shot."

"Start, Life-or-Death Duel."

"Select challenge target."

"Senju Nawaki!"

"Hmph, I don't believe it. Without subjective consciousness and only combat instinct, I can't win.

Your combat rhythm has already been seen through by me. Come, Nawaki."

Stepping onto the dueling platform again and looking at the Senju Nawaki opposite him, Shangguan Yue was completely stunned.

"No way, his expression, his movements? He's become a real person? Damn, I was too reckless."

"Crack, crack, crack."

Senju Nawaki cracked his joints, looked at Shangguan Yue, and formed the dueling seal.

Shangguan Yue followed suit and formed the seal. As he lowered his hands, Senju Nawaki clasped his hands behind his back and sprinted forward.

Seeing Nawaki closing in, Shangguan Yue crouched, Longque appeared in his hand, he drew the blade, and struck, "God-Slaying: Draw-Blade Slash."

"Although I don't know the Draw-Blade Slash, with the reinforcement of spiritual energy, the speed and power of this strike far exceed a normal one."

Shangguan Yue's blade struck the charging Nawaki, "Bang," and a piece of wood was split in two.

"I knew it wouldn't be that simple. When did you prepare the Substitution Technique?"

Spiritual perception expanded instantly. Sensing chakra suddenly appearing behind him, Shangguan Yue hurriedly used Void Step to leave his spot.

"Boom."

Senju Nawaki, who had formed seals at some unknown moment, finished his substitution and unleashed another Water Style: Water Bullet Barrage.

The spot where Shangguan Yue had just been standing was blasted into a large crater, sending sand and debris flying.

"Hm? Where is he?"

Shangguan Yue scanned and perceived frantically, but couldn't find where Senju Nawaki was.

"Earth Style: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique."

A hand suddenly reached out from beneath Shangguan Yue's feet, grabbing his ankle with a powerful force that dragged his body into the ground.

"Damn it, danger."

A sense of impending death surged into his heart. Shangguan Yue erupted with spiritual energy, combining it with chakra to form a storm several meters around his body.

Shangguan Yue blasted himself out, soaring into the air just as Senju Nawaki closed in.

Nawaki was blown away by the sudden explosion, his head ringing. Shangguan Yue did not waste the opportunity.

"Flash Draw Slash."

"This time it wasn't the blunt side, Nawaki."

Battle victory, obtained Senju Bloodline, Gift of Senju Hashirama.

The two figures vanished, and Shangguan Yue returned to the Central Control Console.

Nawaki definitely possessed intelligence just now, though he didn't speak. His attack rhythm was different too; he started looking for my openings and formulating a combat tempo.

Shangguan Yue's contemplation was destined to remain unanswered; with only a single sparring session to go by, he couldn't analyze anything concrete.

Shangguan Yue exited the space directly, his consciousness returning to his body, and the next second.

"Ah!!! It hurts."

Shangguan Yue felt as if his body were being sliced by blades, the pain unbearable. "My body... what is happening..."

Just as Shangguan Yue felt the agony becoming intolerable, outside Konoha, Tsunade was moving at high speed, weaving through the forest.

"Why did Teacher have Sakumo take my place and call me back?"

Carrying her doubts, Tsunade soon arrived at the Hokage Building. Without knocking, she kicked the door open and strode in swaggeringly.

"Teacher, why did you call me back?"

"Ah, Tsunade, you're back."

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a smoke ring, his face full of awkwardness as he hid the crystal ball he had been covering with a lid behind his back.

"That disciple of yours, Shangguan Yue, is causing quite a stir. I wanted you to come back and guide him properly. Even Nawaki lost to him today, and also... never mind, you'll understand once you get home, Tsunade."

"Hm? Shangguan Yue?"

Tsunade turned and left, heading straight for her home.

It shouldn't be anything serious, right? Forget it, I'll see when I get there. I'll have a good wash when I get back. I thought it was something major, making me rush back in such a panic.