"Sasuke, your Body Flicker speed is so fast that it's almost caught up to my ninjutsu Body Flicker!"
After taking a deep breath, Shisui announced the result with a sigh.
Of course, Sasuke had done this without taking off his weights. If he'd shed them, his speed might have been even more terrifying.
Sasuke wasn't surprised by the result. In the Naruto anime, he'd always been an agile ninja. On top of that, he'd spent the past six months diligently training his Body Flicker Technique, so it was only natural that Shisui would praise him so highly.
"Now that I've learned the Body Flicker Technique, teach me a Nintaijutsu move too, Shisui. I've realized I don't have enough ways to attack when fighting someone!"
Thinking back to his battle with Iwayano, Sasuke rubbed his forehead and said through gritted teeth.
"Nintaijutsu?"
Shisui was taken aback. He hadn't expected Sasuke to know about that, too.
Ordinarily, using ninjutsu required first molding chakra and then performing Hand Seals. Taijutsu required neither chakra nor Hand Seals.
Nintaijutsu, on the other hand, required molding chakra but not performing Hand Seals. Of course, there were exceptions among certain special Nintaijutsu techniques.
Sasuke smiled brightly. "You're an elite ninja, Shisui. You must know plenty of Nintaijutsu."
"You don't have to butter me up, you know."
Shisui shook his head helplessly, looking amused.
After a brief silence, Shisui suddenly drew the long sword from his back and said softly, "Sasuke, I think Uchiha Style: Gale Sword would suit you well, especially paired with your Body Flicker Technique."
"Uchiha Style: Gale Sword? That sounds awesome!"
Sasuke said eagerly.
Shisui didn't answer. He pushed off with one foot, and his figure appeared in midair in an instant. Then he swung the long sword in his hand with tremendous force toward a massive tree, though the blade never touched it.
"Why didn't Shisui hit the tree?"
Seeing that the sword was still some distance away, Sasuke asked in confusion.
"Boom!"
As soon as Sasuke finished speaking, an explosion rang out. Before his eyes, a massive Flame Blade appeared in front of the sword, cleaving the tree into a charred stump.
"This..."
Staring at the blackened stump, smoke still rising from it, Sasuke swallowed and exclaimed, "That's incredible!"
"What do you think? Want to learn it?"
Shisui landed and smiled at the dumbfounded Sasuke.
"Of course I do!"
Sasuke nodded excitedly. Gale Sword wasn't a ninjutsu, but its power was probably comparable to an A-rank technique.
"The key to Gale Sword is channeling fire-nature chakra into the Ninja Blade, then using it to release Fire Style and create a massive Flame Blade." Shisui explained patiently, smiling. "Gale Sword has a wide range. Use the Body Flicker Technique to catch your enemy by surprise, then follow up with this. It'll be hard for them to dodge."
"It's an incredible Nintaijutsu technique. I have to learn it!"
After hearing Shisui's explanation, Sasuke was eager to master Gale Sword as soon as possible.
"Then get started!"
Shisui handed Sasuke the long sword he was holding and smiled.
Sasuke took it and immediately leaped into the air, copying Shisui's earlier move as he swung hard at a tree.
His form was perfect, but the result was disappointing. No massive Flame Blade formed around his sword. Only a thin layer of fire clung to the blade before quickly going out.
"Sasuke, you're not channeling enough fire-nature chakra into the sword!" Shisui immediately called out, having figured out why he'd failed.
"I understand!"
Sasuke nodded. He knew that gaining power was never going to be easy.
He pushed his feelings aside and gradually calmed his mind. A moment later, he molded fire-nature chakra, leaped into the air again, and swung hard.
He failed a second time, but the experience from his first attempt helped. The flames around the sword had grown much stronger.
Seeing that he'd made some progress, Sasuke trained even harder. Whenever he failed, he simply tried again without complaint.
Time passed quietly at the Training Ground. From the moment Sasuke entered his training state, Shisui never interrupted him, giving him an exceptionally peaceful environment in which to practice.
"Gale Sword!"
No one knew how many times he'd practiced. As Sasuke shouted, fierce flames surged over the long sword in his hand. Just as he hoped they would form a Flame Blade, they vanished in an instant, like a flower blooming and fading away.
"What a shame," Shisui said, watching from the side.
Sasuke landed and shook his head helplessly. Then he dropped onto a rock, panting heavily. Gale Sword consumed so much chakra that even he couldn't keep practicing without a break.
After swallowing a few Military Ration Pills, Sasuke grabbed the long sword and prepared to continue.
"Sasuke, looks like you've made a full recovery!"
Just as Sasuke was about to leap into the air, a familiar voice came from behind him. He turned and saw Itachi, back from a mission.
The moment he saw Sasuke, a warm, radiant smile—rarely seen on his face—appeared.
"Big brother... thank you!"
Seeing Itachi's warm smile, Sasuke hurried over and hugged him tightly, his voice trembling.
If not for Itachi, Sasuke might have died.
"It's all in the past now. No matter what difficulties you face in the future, I'll always protect you."
Itachi patted Sasuke on the shoulder and smiled.
"Mm."
Sasuke nodded happily.
Itachi removed the Anbu sword from his back and said, "Sasuke, the Nintaijutsu you're practicing requires a sword. Take this one."
Itachi had seen Sasuke practicing Gale Sword earlier. Knowing that the long sword Sasuke was using belonged to Shisui, he'd decided to give Sasuke one of his own.
"No, I can't take your sword, big brother!"
Sasuke shook his head and immediately refused.
Anbu missions were dangerous, and a sword was extremely important to an Anbu member. Sometimes, it could make all the difference in a battle to the death.
"Sasuke, it's fine. Don't worry about it. Itachi can always get another sword from the Anbu!"
Before Itachi could reply, Shisui came over and said with a smile.
Itachi didn't have to give Sasuke his sword. Shisui had already planned to give Sasuke his own long sword after he finished training.
"Really, big brother?"
After hearing Shisui's words, Sasuke looked at Itachi.
"Yes."
A gentle smile appeared on Itachi's face, and he nodded.
"Hehe, then I'll take this sword as my birthday present from you this year!"
Sasuke returned Shisui's long sword, accepted the one from Itachi, and smiled.
Shisui and Itachi exchanged glances, then smiled, too.