The Test (2)

Chapter 17: The Test ()

Actually, Uchiha Shinichi had wronged Uchiha Hana...

You had to know that although Uchiha Hana was born into the Uchiha Clan, both her parents were actually civilians.

So naturally, Uchiha Hana's parents knew nothing about things like ninjutsu training.

All of Uchiha Hana's knowledge about training came from the Uchiha Clan's family instruction.

And the Uchiha Clan's family instruction was, in plain terms, just large-group lessons. Naturally, the material taught was similar to the public classes from his previous life.

Unlike Uchiha Shin, Uchiha Hana didn't have a clan leader for a father who could give her one-on-one instruction in training whenever she wanted.

On top of that, Uchiha Hana's talent as a ninja was only average among her peers in the Uchiha Clan.

With average talent and only large-group training in ninja arts, it was no surprise that the things Uchiha Hana could show in battle were rather mediocre.

As you could see, in any world and in any era, if someone—or a ninja—truly wanted to change their fate...

Then, beyond their talent and hard work, their background was also an important factor.

One person had excellent talent and received an elite education...

The other had average talent and received ordinary lessons in a large group. The difference in their strength was only to be expected.

Watching Uchiha Hana charge straight at him without a care, Uchiha Shin, who had high standards, secretly shook his head.

That straightforward way of throwing shuriken...

That heedless, head-on fighting style. The only reason this girl had safely passed the clan trial back then was that she'd been lucky.

Uchiha Shin held his kunai in a reverse grip in his right hand and gave it a light swing.

After three sharp clangs,

the three shuriken Uchiha Hana had thrown were easily knocked away by Uchiha Shin.

"Tch. No wonder he's such a powerhouse. He knocked away all three of my shuriken so easily. He's way stronger than me."

But Uchiha Hana wasn't discouraged.

How could someone who'd come up with such an unconventional way to repay a debt be a fool?

The trouble was, Uchiha Hana knew far too little.

Apart from the basic Three Body Techniques, the basic Fire Release: Fireball Technique, basic throwing skills, basic swordsmanship, and basic Taijutsu taught within the Uchiha Clan, she really hadn't learned anything else.

Still, Uchiha Hana understood that even if she couldn't use ninjutsu or Taijutsu now, she'd have chances to train in them later.

The main purpose of today's test was probably for Lord Shin to see her fighting spirit and courage.

So if Uchiha Hana wanted to pass today's test, she had to display everything she'd learned perfectly before Uchiha Shin.

And in the future, all she could do was become the perfect blade in Uchiha Shin's hand.

She would carry out Uchiha Shin's orders and demands to the letter.

For a blade in Uchiha Shin's hand, strategy and cunning were completely unnecessary.

After all, for someone like Uchiha Shin, who was destined to become the Uchiha Clan's leader and shine brightly in this era, nothing mattered more than a willing heart and loyalty.

Thinking this, Uchiha Hana narrowed her eyes and pushed her speed to the limit once more.

She knew that the only thing she could rely on to do well in this test was her Taijutsu.

After all, compared with Lord Shin, she was far behind in both the number of ninjutsu she knew and her Chakra reserves.

So Taijutsu was the strongest trump card she could bring out.

Uchiha Hana's sudden burst of speed threw Uchiha Shin's rhythm off and made his defense lag for an instant.

But her speed also made Uchiha Shin's eyes light up, even as the disruption threw off his defense.

It seemed this girl had something going for her after all.

Perhaps the fact that she'd safely passed the clan trial meant she really was no ordinary person.

Maybe I'd reached my conclusion about her too soon.

Uchiha Shin's eyes shone brightly. Even as he thought, his defensive movements caught up with Uchiha Hana's pace once more.

"Too late!"

Uchiha Hana saw Lord Shin's defense catch up with her in an instant, but the corners of her mouth still lifted into an especially confident smile.

Just before she reached Uchiha Shin at full speed, Uchiha Hana threw the kunai in her hand at close range, leaving him no chance to dodge. He could only block it and knock it away.

Just as Uchiha Shin moved to block and deflect the kunai...

Uchiha Hana lowered her body again. Using the opening in Uchiha Shin's chest as he blocked the kunai, she suddenly kicked hard at his chin.

"Shadow Leaf Dance!"

"Holy crap!"

Uchiha Shin recognized the opening move at once. He hurriedly pressed both hands down, trying to stop Uchiha Hana's full-force flying kick.

"Bang!"

Although Uchiha Shin brought his hands down in time, the force of Uchiha Hana's right foot still sent him flying.

"This girl..."

"She's no ordinary person!"

"It's not over yet!"

Uchiha Hana accelerated again and flashed behind Uchiha Shin, who was still airborne.

Her arms wrapped around his waist like iron chains, locking him in place in an instant.

"She's strong..."

Uchiha Shin struggled in midair, but couldn't break free with a single strike.

"Heh!"

Uchiha Hana smiled faintly at Uchiha Shin as he struggled in her arms. Then, still holding him, she arched backward and threw him over her.

Feeling how familiar and fluid Uchiha Hana's movements were, Uchiha Shin thought, She's definitely practiced this move a lot.

If he hit the ground like that, even if Uchiha Shin's head were made of iron, he'd still end up with a big bump.

"But if that's all you've got, you're underestimating me, Uchiha Shin!"

"Bang!"

The instant Uchiha Shin hit the ground, the body Uchiha Hana was holding was replaced by a section of wood.

"Substitution Technique!"

That's right. In that split second, Uchiha Shin had used the Substitution Technique.

Since you're so good at Taijutsu, I'll use Taijutsu to make you admit defeat.

Uchiha Shin was starting to get a little fired up.

The moment Uchiha Hana realized her sure-kill move, "Shadow Leaf Dance," had failed, she knew things were about to go badly.

Just as Uchiha Hana tried to get up and prepare an emergency defense...

Uchiha Shin suddenly raised his left foot and brought it down in a powerful axe kick, aiming straight at Uchiha Hana.

In that critical moment, Uchiha Hana had no time to think of anything else. She simply rolled away like a lazy donkey...