Silly Big Brother, You're Already Dead

Uchiha Izuna watched the two of them go back and forth, matching each other blow for blow, and couldn't help smiling.

As expected, the book had described Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi as geniuses. But after Uchiha Izuna crossed over, the first time he went out for morning training, he saw Uchiha Shisui sparring with Uchiha Itachi.

Every move—the Fire Release Ninjutsu, the Taijutsu clashes—could only be learned through years of practice. True geniuses didn't become strong through talent alone.

Their talent simply made it easier for them to reach the level of the strong. But if they relied on talent alone and did nothing, thought about nothing, then...

They'd be no more than another Zhong Yong from a different world.

When Uchiha Itachi saw his Shuriken Technique had been countered, he narrowed his eyes. A flash of white, and he used Uchiha Style Swordsmanship to thrust straight at his opponent.

Uchiha Shisui's expression remained calm. Watching the katana thrust toward him, he shifted slightly to the side and dodged. The blade's back was smooth and polished like a mirror, reflecting Uchiha Shisui's face.

But it wasn't over! Uchiha Itachi held the katana with its edge pointed at Uchiha Shisui. Gripping the hilt with both hands, he brought it down. Just as Uchiha Shisui moved to defend, Itachi swiftly raised his blade!

Swallow Reversal!!!!

The blades clashed, neither able to gain the upper hand! The two katanas locked in place as the pair stared each other down, neither giving an inch.

Uchiha Izuna felt his hands itching. The corners of his mouth lifted as he drew his katana from his waist. Then he assumed a ninja's stance, leaned forward, gripped the sword in his right hand, and charged at them.

The two were still locked in their clash when Uchiha Izuna used the Body Flicker Technique. Rising Dragon! He spun 180 degrees, planted his right foot, and swept his blade upward.

Clang!

A burst of sparks exploded where all three katanas met! Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui's pupils contracted, and they staggered back several steps.

But their eyes were fixed on Uchiha Izuna. He was suspended in midair, both hands gripping his sword as he slashed upward, traced a half-moon through the air, and landed steadily on his feet.

"Two masters," Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi thought. He had forced them both back with a single Rising Dragon while they were locked in a duel, without disrupting his own movements. That was enough to show how formidable his swordsmanship and strength were.

"You two know each other's swordsmanship inside out. If you keep practicing together every day, you won't improve much. How about we train together?" As he spoke, Uchiha Izuna flipped his wrist and raised his right hand high, the sword's tip pointing down and to the left.

His left hand slid the scabbard back. His right hand suddenly exerted force, and he sheathed the katana with a sharp swish.

Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui exchanged a glance. Uchiha Shisui nodded. "Sure. Should I go first?"

Uchiha Itachi shook his head. "Shisui, he's my little brother. If an older brother is going to beat his little brother, you'd better stay out of it."

Both of them seemed quite interested in Uchiha Izuna's swordsmanship.

Uchiha Izuna sneered. "Did you misunderstand me? I meant we should train together. I'll take on both of you!"

Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui froze, then exchanged a glance. They thought of Uchiha Izuna's strength the day before. They'd already seen his ninjutsu, so today they could see his swordsmanship.

After all, Uchiha Style Blade Technique was one of Konoha's two great sword styles, alongside Hatake Swordsmanship.

The Uchiha Clan had also existed for much longer, and over time, Uchiha Style Blade Technique had split into different schools. Uchiha Itachi belonged to the Assassination School.

Uchiha Shisui belonged to the Intercept School.

The Assassination School was easy to understand: every strike was a critical hit, every slash aimed at a vital point. Most Uchiha shinobi learned this school, because in the shinobi world,

everyone had high attack and low defense, so the idea of killing with a single blow was highly regarded.

The Intercept School, on the other hand, was different. It was like clearing a path through mountains and building a bridge over rivers: meeting every move with a counter, and striking after the enemy but before they could act. It was also known as the gentleman's sword.

Its defining feature was interception: stopping an enemy's attack and preventing their retreat.

Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui were not only gifted shinobi in their clan, but also representatives of the two great Uchiha sword schools.

Uchiha Itachi felt that Uchiha Izuna might be able to win if he challenged just one of them. Facing them both, he'd probably lose badly.

Uchiha Shisui said nothing, but readied himself. His expression grave, he said, "Itachi, don't hold back."

"Don't worry, Shisui. I'll spar with Izuna as if my life depends on it." Uchiha Itachi nodded, then drew his katana.

Uchiha Izuna looked at them with a smile. The Intercept School, the Assassination School—these were merely offshoots chosen by later generations of Uchiha who couldn't fully master the complete Uchiha Style Blade Technique.

They had developed two branches of the technique in opposite directions, creating the two great schools. Their lineages were incomplete.

Uchiha Itachi moved. His figure vanished from Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Izuna's sight.

Uchiha Izuna looked at the ground three meters in front of him and sneered. "Idiot." With that, he flashed to the spot where Uchiha Itachi was hiding.

Then he raised his foot high and slammed it into the ground in front of him.

Rumble!

The ground collapsed. Uchiha Itachi raised his right arm to shield himself from the rocks and dust, keeping any stones from getting into his mouth.

By now, how could he not understand? He'd been found! And once the Assassination School's swordsmanship was exposed, its effectiveness dropped sharply.

Uchiha Izuna drew his katana and slashed at him! Uchiha Itachi had no time to react. He watched as Uchiha Izuna's katana came down.

The Mangekyō Sharingan appeared in his right eye, and a trail of blood slowly ran from its corner.

"Tsukuyomi!" The pattern in Uchiha Itachi's right Mangekyō Sharingan shifted as he stared straight at Uchiha Izuna.

Then, relieved, he lay back in the collapsed crater. His Tsukuyomi might not be as overbearing as Shisui's Kotoamatsukami,

but as a Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu, it could still drag someone into an illusion in an instant.

But the next second, Uchiha Izuna's lips curled upward. "So this is what it feels like to be under a genjutsu? Nothing seems different."

"Ding. System notification: Uchiha Madara's left Mangekyō Sharingan increases Nintaijutsu power dramatically, and raises all five attributes by 50%."

"His right Mangekyō Sharingan grants immunity to all genjutsu. It can also cast genjutsu instantly, control a target's body, imprison their consciousness, and plant a seed in their mind. If the controlled target doesn't behave, the seed can be detonated."

"Ding. Host detected under attack by Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu, Tsukuyomi. The right eye's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan ability has activated automatically, granting immunity to genjutsu."

Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyō genjutsu, Tsukuyomi, powered by Yin Release Chakra, dissipated without a trace.

Little did he know, Uchiha Izuna was watching his exhausted state with amusement. He rested his katana against Itachi's neck and said, "Silly big brother, you're already dead."