More importantly, Chiba was even stronger than Itachi, and yet he still couldn't see.
That was terrifying.
"Thank you for the guidance, Shisui."
"So, do you understand now?"
"My [true]... strength."
Those words seemed to carry a deeper meaning.
Shisui understood almost instantly and scratched his head sheepishly.
"Did you figure it out?"
"Yeah. I knew when you used your Sharingan."
Chiba was very confident in his swordsmanship.
But with their basic abilities so completely outmatched, there was no way Shisui couldn't handle him.
Using the Sharingan felt like overkill.
And considering Shisui had sought him out right from the start, his purpose was obvious.
After all,
even Danzo had sent Orochimaru to observe him.
There was no way Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't take action.
"Your formidable swordsmanship, and your ability to analyze like this... Lord Hokage really did choose well!"
"Chiba, would you be interested in joining the Anbu someday?"
"With a talent like you in the Anbu, Konoha could grow even stronger!"
"That way, we could protect Konoha even better."
Protect Konoha?
Was it Konoha he wanted to protect, or Sarutobi Hiruzen's Konoha?
It seemed Shisui had a great deal of faith in Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Was this what it meant to be a successor to the Will of Fire?
Was this the Uchiha Shisui who would one day even tell the Konoha High Command about his own [weapon]?
He was a little too trusting.
"The Anbu, huh?"
"Who knows?"
"Who can say what the future holds?"
Chiba smiled.
He gave no definite answer.
Shisui understood and soon headed back.
He had to report to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
With the sparring match over,
both the girl watching from the shadows and the stunned best friend left.
Uzuki Yugao ultimately hadn't stepped out to challenge Chiba.
"Yugao... you were right. Chiba really... didn't lose!"
This was terrifying.
Today's battle had completely changed Kurenai Yuhi's view of Chiba.
And her strange impression of the Hokage.
He had effortlessly defeated Sarutobi Asuma.
He even had a secret, undisclosed relationship with Orochimaru of the Konoha Sannin.
This Uchiha boy was only five years old.
What other secrets could he possibly be hiding?
In that moment, Kurenai Yuhi really wanted to learn more about Chiba.
She wanted to know what other treasures this blind Uchiha boy might have hidden within him.
"Yugao, let's go!"
Uzuki Yugao was reluctant.
"You're not going to challenge him?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"I... already have my answer."
Just then,
Koizumi came rushing over, fussing over Chiba and patting him all over.
"Chiba, are you hurt?"
"No, you're worrying over nothing."
"Phew!"
"Good!"
Koizumi breathed a sigh of relief, then grew excited.
"Chiba, you actually fought against that 'Body Flicker Shisui'!"
"That's amazing!"
At that, Chiba ruffled her hair.
"What? I thought you'd have more confidence in me."
"Of course I have confidence in you, Chiba! But, but... I was still surprised!"
"That's my Chiba!"
Meanwhile, Itachi watched Chiba in silence.
His friend had displayed strength beyond anything he'd imagined.
He was happy, and thrilled.
"Chiba!"
"You're even stronger than I imagined!"
"It really won't be easy to surpass you."
"And you've even earned the Hokage's recognition!"
Shisui's visit was the Hokage's highest form of recognition.
That surprised Chiba a little.
"You know?"
"Shisui told me right from the start."
"He said it was because you're my friend."
Chiba quietly watched Itachi, who was so happy for him.
He didn't want to dampen the mood just then.
But he still had to say it.
Chiba quietly stepped up to Itachi and gently placed his right hand on his shoulder.
Then he whispered in his ear.
"Itachi..."
"Does the recognition of a useless person..."
"Really matter?"
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Chapter 35
"No one understands swordsmanship better than he does!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen read the report Uchiha Shisui had submitted and nearly thought he'd misread it.
He knew Chiba was a swordsman skilled in swordsmanship.
But wasn't this praise a little excessive?
Or was Shisui showing favoritism toward a fellow Uchiha?
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head.
Uchiha Shisui wasn't the sort to do something so pointless.
That was precisely why Sarutobi Hiruzen was so astonished by the assessment.
At present,
the pinnacle of Konoha's swordsmanship belonged to the man who had once astonished the Second Shinobi World War.
Hatake Sakumo.
His Hatake Sword Technique was peerless throughout the Shinobi World.
During the Second Shinobi World War, everyone had trembled at the mere mention of him.
If that description had been used for Hatake Sakumo, Sarutobi Hiruzen would have had no objections.
He was the pinnacle, so there could be no exceptions.
Yet Shisui had given Chiba that very same praise.
Interesting.
As if he had noticed Sarutobi Hiruzen's confusion,
Uchiha Shisui, kneeling on one knee, immediately spoke up to explain.
"Lord Hokage!"
"I know you may not believe me!"
"But there isn't a single word of favoritism in my report."
"If there's anyone who could reach the pinnacle through swordsmanship in the future, that person will definitely be Uchiha Chiba."
It was practically the highest honor one could give a swordsman.
To reach the pinnacle through swordsmanship.
"Is that so? I understand. You may leave."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved a hand, and Shisui vanished.
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent over Shisui's assessment.
He walked to the window, lit his pipe, took a deep drag, then slowly exhaled.
"I don't think we can believe everything Uchiha Shisui says!"