"Elementalization?"
After hearing Yun Xi's explanation, a flicker of curiosity crossed Uchiha Itachi's face.
Clearly, Uchiha Itachi hadn't understood what Yun Xi meant by Elementalization.
But...
He knew that the Yun Xi before him had changed beyond recognition from the one he'd known before!
"Although I don't know exactly what Elementalization means."
As Yun Xi slowly approached him, Uchiha Itachi decided not to dwell on it. Watching Yun Xi with a serious expression, he spoke slowly. "But I think I understand why you're so confident!"
"Heh, my confidence doesn't come from that alone!"
Yun Xi grinned, then immediately picked up speed!
His hands crossed, forming the Hand Seals!
In the blink of an eye...
Yun Xi had successfully unleashed the ninjutsu he'd been preparing!
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
As the chakra in Yun Xi's mouth turned into an orange-red fireball, an incredibly intense heat spread throughout the area, reaching nearly twenty meters in every direction...
And because the Great Fireball Technique Yun Xi released was so hot,
the leaves on the surrounding low shrubs withered and turned yellow in an instant...
It was clear that...
In this state, Yun Xi's strength...
Was terrifying...
"A Fire Release Ninjutsu like that..."
"It would take at least a Jonin-level ninja to use it."
If Yun Xi had surprised Uchiha Itachi before,
then now he felt only one thing!
Terror!
As the most outstanding prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Itachi was intimately familiar with the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique. It was one of the Fire Release Ninjutsu he knew best.
He was even more familiar with it than with the Sharingan...
After sensing the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique Yun Xi had unleashed, Uchiha Itachi found it impossible to believe.
A boy who was only around Chunin level had managed to do something even he couldn't!
Although...
In most people's eyes,
the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique was merely a basic fire-style ninjutsu, created by using fire chakra and Hand Seals to produce a fireball.
But in reality, using this technique required more than just talent.
More importantly, one had to pay attention to the details while releasing it to bring out its full power...
And Yun Xi...
had unleashed the Great Fireball Technique in a completely unreasonable way.
Uchiha Itachi had watched Yun Xi's Hand Seals earlier.
There had been no technique to them at all.
But...
Yun Xi had relied on the strange fiery energy inside him. As he converted his chakra into fire, he had forcibly infused the flames surrounding his body into the Great Fireball Technique.
As a result, the Great Fireball Technique Yun Xi had released merely looked like the Great Fireball Technique.
Everything else—the method of release, its power, and how difficult it was to perform—was completely different from the normal Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!
"Your technique is powerful!"
Having realized how different Yun Xi was, a serious look flashed through Uchiha Itachi's eyes.
But when Yun Xi heard Uchiha Itachi's praise, an embarrassed look crossed his face.
Because...
At its core,
this so-called Great Fireball Technique only used the Hand Seals from Naruto.
The real reason it was so powerful was the Flame-Flame Fruit Yun Xi had used...
It was also Yun Xi's greatest trump card right now!
"This is just one of my abilities."
After a moment's thought, Yun Xi decided not to tell Uchiha Itachi about the Flame-Flame Fruit. He gave him only a brief explanation.
"Then let me see just how powerful this ability of yours is."
Seeing that Yun Xi wasn't going to elaborate, Uchiha Itachi didn't press him.
Instead, he stood still and formed Hand Seals at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow!
"Fire Style!"
"Great Fireball Technique!"
This time, Uchiha Itachi chose to use the same ninjutsu as Yun Xi!
However...
The Great Fireball Technique Uchiha Itachi released was slightly different from Yun Xi's.
Yun Xi's Great Fireball Technique was purer.
Its flames were also orange-red.
The color alone was enough to reveal the energy contained within them.
Uchiha Itachi's Great Fireball Technique, however, was different.
Although its flames weren't as hot as Yun Xi's,
its fireball was both larger and faster!
In simple terms,
Uchiha Itachi's Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique was more refined, while Yun Xi's was nothing but pure fire energy!
"Boom!"
As the two Great Fireballs collided, a tremendous roar rang through the sky.
A vast sea of flames followed.
The two powerful flames, unleashed in different ways, merged together.
The resulting force rivaled that of some large-scale fire-style ninjutsu!
"You really do have a special talent for fire-style ninjutsu."
Watching his Great Fireball Technique clash with Yun Xi's until both were extinguished, Uchiha Itachi gave a rueful smile.
Then he continued, "If we were the same age, I wouldn't stand a chance against you."
"Itachi, don't say that. I only had the advantage because I used a trick."
Hearing Uchiha Itachi praise him so highly, Yun Xi looked a little embarrassed. Although the Flame-Flame Fruit gave him an advantage with fire-style ninjutsu,
when it came to overall strength...
Yun Xi definitely wouldn't be a match for Uchiha Itachi at the same age!
As a once-in-a-century genius of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Itachi knew far more than just Fire Release Ninjutsu!
Even if Uchiha Itachi limited his strength to Chunin level, Yun Xi would still fall short in overall combat ability...
Unless...
Yun Xi activated the Sharingan...
But.
That was basically impossible...
His other abilities were easy enough to explain, but as for having the Sharingan...
He really had no idea how to explain that to Uchiha Itachi.
"No."
Looking at Yun Xi, Uchiha Itachi seemed to remember what he'd once been like.
Diligent...
Brave...
And a little stubborn...
"Fighting you today was the most astonishing experience I've ever had."
"You're strong. Even an ordinary Jonin who fell victim to your surprise attack might not be able to defeat you. Given enough time, it wouldn't be impossible for you to reach Kage Level."
"But the enemy I have to face is beyond what you can handle right now, so I can't agree to your request..."
To Yun Xi's utter surprise, after their sparring match had gone so well,
Uchiha Itachi actually turned down his request!
Before you continue