The Uchiha Clan's Blind Swordsman

"Interested in a spar?"

This invitation came from none other than the man known as Body Flicker Shisui.

Before Chiba could even react, Koizumi beside him pouted.

Although she didn't say it out loud, her displeasure was evident.

Isn't this just bullying?

After all, this was the legendary Body Flicker Shisui, a monster who had carved out a fearsome reputation even in the Mist Village.

Seeming to notice Koizumi's annoyance, Shisui offered an apologetic expression.

"It's alright, just lend me your little boyfriend for a moment!"

"Who's a little boyfriend--!?"

Koizumi stuck her tongue out at Shisui, her face turning bright red.

That grimace seemed like a desperate attempt to hide her shyness.

She didn't continue to complain, seemingly accepting Shisui's label—and perhaps even secretly liking it.

Having cleared the hurdle with Koizumi, Shisui looked back at Chiba.

"Well?"

"Well, I don't mind."

As it happened, Chiba also wanted to test just how far he could fight when facing a true master.

After all, Chiba's previous sparring partner had been Itachi Uchiha.

And Itachi's growth rate couldn't quite keep up with the progress of his system.

As for Asuma and Yugao Uzuki, they were even less of a challenge.

"In that case, shall we head to the Uchiha clan's training grounds?"

Shisui signaled to Chiba with his eyes.

Chiba then stood up, leaning on his crutches.

Beside them, Itachi followed along, whispering into Chiba's ear.

"Chiba-kun, be careful. Shisui-nii... is very strong!"

Itachi's exaggerated shuriken jutsu had been learned directly from Uchiha Shisui.

Without Asuma's pestering, Kurenai Yuhi had been much more relaxed lately.

During this peaceful time without missions, she had hoped to enjoy the bustling streets.

However, she had been forcibly dragged along by her companion.

Yugao Uzuki, the girl who had challenged Chiba last time and suffered a crushing defeat.

"Yugao... I really think we shouldn't go."

"Isn't it a bit inappropriate for the two of us to just sneak into the Uchiha clan's territory?"

Although the Uchiha clan didn't necessarily intend for it to be that way.

The village still held a certain sense of awe and wariness toward the Uchiha clan.

"No, it has to be today. I've had a new realization regarding my swordsmanship during recent training. This time... I must challenge Chiba again!"

"Today is the Uchiha clan's festival, and people from other clans are attending too, so it'll be fine."

The young girl knew.

The one at the Ninja Academy was merely Chiba's Shadow Clone.

If she wanted to find Chiba, she could only do so within the Uchiha clan's grounds.

Kurenai Yuhi hadn't spoken to Yugao Uzuki about what happened that night.

However, Yugao, having been soundly defeated by Chiba, had spent the next day sobbing in her arms.

She felt guilty.

She believed that Yugao Uzuki had only gone to provoke Chiba because of her, leading to that defeat.

Therefore, she truly couldn't find a reason to refuse Yugao Uzuki at this moment.

"Alright, fine then..."

Kurenai Yuhi sighed.

The two headed toward the Uchiha clan's territory.

Because of the festival, the Uchiha clan invited friends from various other clans to attend.

To avoid drawing attention, the two specifically chose to enter from the direction of the training grounds.

After all, on a day like this, no one from the Uchiha clan should be training.

The sight of blooming cherry blossoms every so often left the two girls wide-eyed.

Just like sweets, flowers held a powerful attraction for girls.

Not to mention cherry blossoms that bloomed only once a year.

"The Uchiha clan grounds are truly beautiful..."

Yugao Uzuki, however, had no time to admire the blossoms; her heart was set on finding Chiba as soon as possible to challenge him once again.

This time, she would certainly not end up as disheveled as she had that day.

Definitely!

However, as they approached the training ground, they saw figures flickering about before they had even entered.

Kurenai Yuhi hurriedly tackled Yugao Uzuki to the ground, terrified of being discovered.

"How is this possible?"

"On the day of the Uchiha Clan Ceremony, someone is actually here training?"

Parting the grass, the two saw a back that had once left a deep impression on their hearts.

"Is that... Uchiha Chiba?"

"I never expected him to come training even on the day of the ceremony."

"Wait, hold on—who is that person opposite him?"

"Is that... [Body Flicker Shisui]?"

They were given a massive fright.

They quickly buried their heads in the grass, fearing they might be spotted.

Kurenai Yuhi clamped her hand tightly over Yugao Uzuki's mouth, terrified she might do something reckless.

After all, this was a girl whose mind was filled only with swordsmanship.

Heaven knew what she might do.

"Chiba and Shisui... what are those two doing?"

Yugao Uzuki couldn't help but peek out.

The drawn katana and the overwhelming fighting spirit being released.

A single word instantly surfaced in Yugao Uzuki's mind.

—Sparring.

Meanwhile, Kurenai Yuhi, who had also peeked out, saw another girl standing outside the training ground, watching Chiba.

"Is that... the Izumi Uchiha that Chiba mentioned?"

Chiba and Shisui stood facing each other.

All their attention was focused solely on one another.

However, Chiba's Observation Haki had already captured the presence of onlookers who didn't belong there.

How did these two end up here?

At this moment, Itachi Uchiha was also quietly watching this spar.

Although such sparring was a daily occurrence for him and Chiba.

Itachi knew, however, that Chiba had never once revealed his true strength.

He did not know where Chiba's limits lay.

No matter how much he improved, Chiba was always able to stay a step ahead.

It might appear as though the other was progressing faster than him.

But Itachi knew that it was simply because Chiba had traveled much, much further.

As for how far, he had no concept of it.

And today, he suspected he would soon have an answer.

When Chiba drew his cane sword.

Even the Uchiha genius who had carved out the name [Body Flicker Shisui] during the Third Shinobi World War was taken aback.

That hair-raising sensation actually reminded him of the thrill he felt when he first stepped onto the battlefield.

He was truly worthy of being someone held in high regard by the Hokage.

"Come, Chiba!"

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Chapter 32

"Isn't he just bullying people..."

Kurenai Yuhi whispered.

The opponent was a renowned Jonin, a capable subordinate of the Hokage.

A genius known throughout the ninja world as Body Flicker Shisui.

For such an existence to be fighting Chiba face-to-face.

If this wasn't bullying, what was?

Not to mention that Chiba couldn't even see.

"Kurenai, the outcome isn't set in stone yet!"

Yugao Uzuki murmured, her eyes fixed intently on the training ground.

"If it's just a pure test of swordsmanship, I don't believe Chiba will lose to Shisui!"

Hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi was completely bewildered.

Are you freaking brainwashed?

The opponent is that Body Flicker Shisui; how could there possibly be a chance of winning?

Even a pure test of swordsmanship would be a stretch.

After all, Uchiha Shisui was also highly skilled in swordsmanship.

The katana strapped to his back was no mere decoration.

Seeming to notice Kurenai Yuhi's shock, Yugao Uzuki glanced at her.

"What? What is there to be surprised about?"