Trial (2)

Chapter 17: The Test

In truth, Uchiha Shin had misjudged Uchiha Hana.

One must understand that although Uchiha Hana was born into the Uchiha Clan, her parents were both commoners.

Consequently, her parents naturally knew nothing about ninjutsu training or similar disciplines.

Therefore, every bit of knowledge Uchiha Hana possessed regarding training came solely from the Uchiha Clan's standardized training program.

The clan's training was, to put it bluntly, a large-scale lecture; what they taught was essentially the equivalent of public courses from a past life.

Unlike Uchiha Shin, Uchiha Hana did not have a clan leader for a father who could provide her with private, one-on-one instruction at any time.

Add to that the fact that Uchiha Hana's ninja talent was merely average among her peers in the Uchiha Clan.

With average talent and an education limited to large-group training sessions.

It was only natural that the performance she displayed in combat would be quite mediocre.

It is evident that in any world, in any era, if a person or a ninja truly wishes to change their own destiny...

Beyond talent and hard work, one's background is actually a crucial link.

So, one side has excellent talent and receives elite education...

While the other has average talent and receives only standard, large-group instruction; the gap in their strength is, naturally, easy to imagine.

Watching Uchiha Hana charge over recklessly, Uchiha Shin, who possessed quite high standards, shook his head inwardly.

This straightforward, linear shuriken throwing technique...

With such a reckless and direct combat style, the fact that this girl managed to pass the clan trial safely could only mean her luck at the time was truly excellent.

Uchiha Shin held his kunai with a reverse grip and gave it a light flick.

With three distinct "clangs," the sound echoed out.

The three shuriken thrown by Uchiha Hana were easily swatted away by Uchiha Shin.

Tch, as expected of a big shot. He swatted away my three shuriken so easily; his strength is far superior to my own.

However, Uchiha Hana was not discouraged.

Someone who could come up with such an unconventional way to repay a debt could hardly be a fool.

But Uchiha Hana simply knew too little.

Aside from the basic Three Body Technique, the basic Fire Release: Fireball Technique, and the fundamentals of throwing, swordsmanship, and taijutsu taught within the clan, she had truly never learned anything else.

Yet, Uchiha Hana understood clearly in her heart that ninjutsu and taijutsu were things she could practice later if she didn't know them now.

The main point of today's test was likely that Lord Shin wanted to see her fighting spirit and courage.

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

And what she could do in the future was to become a perfect blade in Uchiha Shin's hand.

To execute Uchiha Shin's orders and requirements with one hundred percent loyalty.

For a blade in Uchiha Shin's hand, schemes and deep-seated cunning were entirely unnecessary.

Otherwise, for someone like Uchiha Shin—who was destined to become the future leader of the Uchiha Clan, or a superior being destined to shine brightly in this era—sincerity and loyalty were the best traits.

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

She knew that if she wanted to achieve good results in this test today, the only thing she could rely on was her taijutsu.

After all, compared to Lord Shin, the gap between them—whether in the number of ninjutsu mastered or their respective chakra reserves—was simply too vast.

Thus, only taijutsu was the strongest trump card she could bring to the table.

Uchiha Hana's sudden burst of speed instantly disrupted Uchiha Shin's rhythm, causing a momentary lag in his defense.

However, this speed also made Uchiha Shin, whose defensive rhythm had been broken, brighten with interest.

It seems this girl still has a few tricks up her sleeve.

Perhaps the fact that she could pass the clan trial safely was proof in itself that she was not ordinary.

I may have jumped to conclusions about her too early.

At this moment, Uchiha Shin's eyes were startlingly bright. While he pondered, his defensive movements caught up to the rhythm of Uchiha Hana's speed once again.

"Too slow!"

Uchiha Hana saw Lord Shin's defensive speed instantly match her own, yet the corners of her mouth curled upward, revealing a smile of extreme confidence.

In the split second before she reached Uchiha Shin at high speed, she threw the kunai in her hand at close range, forcing Uchiha Shin to parry it instead of dodging.

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

Uchiha Hana lowered her stance, and taking advantage of the opening in his chest created by his parry, she suddenly kicked out, aiming a fierce strike at Uchiha Shin's chin.

"Shadow Leaf Dance!"

"What the—!"

Seeing Uchiha Hana's move, Uchiha Shin was far too familiar with this opening sequence, so he hurriedly pressed his hands downward, attempting to pin down her full-force flying kick.

"Bang!"

Although Uchiha Shin pressed his hands down in time, the sheer power behind Uchiha Hana's right foot still sent him flying into the air.

"This guy..."

"She's no ordinary opponent!"

"It's not over yet!"

Uchiha Hana accelerated once more, flashing instantly behind Uchiha Shin while he was still airborne.

Her arms locked around his waist like iron chains in the blink of an eye.

This girl has incredible strength.

Suspended in mid-air, Uchiha Shin struggled, but he couldn't break free with a single move.

"Heh!"

Uchiha Hana offered a faint smile at the struggling Uchiha Shin in her arms, then proceeded to arch her back, slamming him toward the ground in a suplex.

Feeling the familiarity and fluidity of her movements, Uchiha Shin thought to himself that she must have practiced this move countless times.

If this impact landed solidly, even if his head were made of iron, he would still end up with a massive lump.

"But if you think this is enough, you're looking down on me, Uchiha Shin!"

"Bang!"

The moment Uchiha Shin hit the ground, the figure Uchiha Hana was holding instantly transformed into a wooden log.

"Substitution Technique!"

That's right; in that split second, Uchiha Shin had hurriedly activated the Substitution Technique.

Since you're so skilled at taijutsu, I'll use taijutsu to make you concede.

A flicker of irritation began to rise in Uchiha Shin's heart.

Seeing that her finishing move, Shadow Leaf Dance, had failed to land, Uchiha Hana knew instantly that things were going south.

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

Uchiha Shin suddenly raised his left foot and brought it down in a powerful axe kick, aimed directly at her.

In this critical moment, Uchiha Hana couldn't afford to hesitate and immediately resorted to a desperate roll to dodge...

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