"Substitution Technique!"
While Uchiha Itachi was musing, the Fire Dragon Yun Xi had unleashed had already reached him.
The scorching heat interrupted Uchiha Itachi's thoughts.
Seeing it, Uchiha Itachi didn't try to dispel Yun Xi's jutsu with a counterattack. Instead, he used a perfectly timed Substitution Technique to evade it.
"As expected of Uchiha Itachi..."
Looking at Uchiha Itachi, who had appeared atop a tree, Yun Xi praised him.
From the very beginning of their spar, Yun Xi hadn't expected to defeat Uchiha Itachi, even though Itachi had suppressed his strength to the level of a Chunin.
But Yun Xi hadn't expected that, even under these conditions, Uchiha Itachi would handle his attacks so effortlessly...
And with such ease...
"When fighting anyone, the difference in strength between the two sides only determines the outcome of a direct confrontation. What matters most is tactics and controlling the pace of the battle."
Seeing Yun Xi stop beneath the tree, Uchiha Itachi didn't attack. Instead, he calmly shared his combat experience with Yun Xi.
"I understand, but I think that in the face of absolute strength, no tricks can help!"
Unfortunately,
Yun Xi didn't agree with Uchiha Itachi's view!
Indeed, Uchiha Itachi's combat skills were a great help in battles below Kage Level.
At that level, what mattered most was controlling the pace of the battle. Fights were often decided through close-quarters combat.
In practice, not many jutsu were used...
That was why extensive combat experience was so important.
But...
When it came to battles above Kage Level,
all this so-called combat experience seemed rather useless.
Especially in the later stages of Shippuden. Even if you were skilled at assassinations and knew how to keep your distance and maneuver in battle...
What if your opponent was a powerful member of the Uchiha Clan who simply activated Susanoo...
In that situation,
all your combat experience would seem so fragile...
"Is that what you think?"
Hearing Yun Xi's thoughts, a flicker of curiosity crossed Uchiha Itachi's eyes, and his usually aloof expression turned slightly puzzled.
Although Yun Xi's earlier words had sounded strange, Uchiha Itachi thought it over...
And realized they did make sense...
If you came across an enemy weaker than you,
you could simply steamroll them. There was no need for any schemes.
And if you encountered an enemy stronger than you...
These so-called techniques wouldn't help at all!
"Heh, the kind of combat experience you're talking about is only useful for ambushes."
While Uchiha Itachi was thinking, Yun Xi launched his second attack!
"Like this?"
Facing Yun Xi, who had appeared behind him, Uchiha Itachi showed no signs of alarm. After teasing him, he formed Hand Seals!
His hands moved through a series of seals as fast as a blur...
Uchiha Itachi, who had been standing in front of Yun Xi, vanished!
"That reaction speed..."
Compared to other Chunins, Yun Xi was fast.
But Uchiha Itachi's speed...
Was absolutely top-tier!
"Spacing out during a fight isn't a good idea."
Before Yun Xi could react, Uchiha Itachi appeared behind him again...
In just a few seconds,
Yun Xi, who had been on the offensive, had suddenly fallen into a passive position.
"So this is Uchiha Itachi's strength?"
Feeling the cold metal at his neck, Yun Xi was surprised.
From beginning to end,
Uchiha Itachi hadn't used a single offensive jutsu against him. He'd attacked using only a few kunai and shuriken.
And yet, under these circumstances...
Yun Xi had been suppressed to this extent.
It took him by surprise.
Before asking to spar, Yun Xi had already known how it would turn out...
But he hadn't expected it to be this one-sided...
"Give up. If this weren't a spar but a real fight, you'd be dead."
When Yun Xi remained silent for a while, Uchiha Itachi spoke up and urged him to surrender.
"Under normal circumstances, I did lose."
Realizing the outcome of the fight, Yun Xi smiled.
If this had been an ordinary spar,
Yun Xi might have given up.
But he couldn't this time!
If he gave up now, Uchiha Itachi would never agree to let Yun Xi join the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
"But everyone has their own trump cards..."
Having made up his mind, Yun Xi stopped hiding his true trump card.
As soon as Yun Xi finished speaking,
a strange, burning aura slowly welled up from inside him...
Uchiha Itachi, standing beside Yun Xi, also sensed a faint trace of flames!
"It's so hot!"
In just a few seconds, the sharp kunai at Yun Xi's neck began to heat up.
Realizing something was wrong, Uchiha Itachi immediately dropped the kunai. Then, with concern in his voice, he said to Yun Xi, "Yun Xi, don't do this. This is only a spar!"
Uchiha Itachi had clearly sensed something unusual about Yun Xi's body.
But he thought Yun Xi might be trying to force a burst of power to win the fight, so he urged him to stop.
He intended to end the spar then and there.
But...
That wasn't what Yun Xi had in mind!
Seeing that Uchiha Itachi wanted to end the spar, Yun Xi hurriedly said, "Wait. This is my true strength, and it won't harm my body!"
"Really?"
Looking at Yun Xi, who was now covered in smoke, Uchiha Itachi still wasn't convinced.
"Really!"
Seeing that Uchiha Itachi was still worried, Yun Xi spoke up at once. Then he put some distance between them and explained, "Just think of this state as a unique Kekkei Genkai."
"Hmm..."
Only after hearing that explanation did Uchiha Itachi slowly nod.
Then he slowly activated his Sharingan...
"What!"
The moment he looked, Uchiha Itachi felt as if his entire understanding of the world had been turned upside down!
Through his Sharingan, he saw that Yun Xi's whole body was shrouded in a strange, fiery red glow, and a powerful mass of chakra covered his skin.
At that moment, Yun Xi could hardly be called human.
He looked like a mass of chakra...
"Yun Xi, what exactly is going on?"
After hearing Yun Xi's explanation, Uchiha Itachi had simply assumed that it was a fire-based Kekkei Genkai.
But in reality...
That clearly wasn't the case...
"This is called Elementalization. It's one of my Kekkei Genkai's abilities."
Seeing Uchiha Itachi's astonished expression, Yun Xi's face took on a peculiar smile.
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