After all, compared with how effortlessly Uchiha Izumi had dealt with everything, Kurotsuchi's sweeping movements hardly looked as impressive.
They had exchanged only two moves, yet the spectators were already talking excitedly. All they seemed to say was that Uchiha Izumi showed tremendous promise despite her young age.
By comparison, Kurotsuchi had failed to shine at all. She had wanted Uchiha Yin to notice her, and that only made her angrier.
At this rate, she would lose all face. Her gaze turned even more hostile as she looked at Uchiha Izumi, as if she wanted to tear her apart.
Watching from the side, Uchiha Yin was startled too. In his memory, Kurotsuchi had always been calm. He had almost never seen her this volatile.
Her behavior made him frown. He wanted to give her a word of advice, but with so many people gathered around, this was no time for it. He could only hold back and keep watching.
Uchiha Izumi heard the crowd's comments after dodging that move, but she did not relax in the slightest. Her expression remained focused.
In that respect, Uchiha Izumi was doing far better than Kurotsuchi. She never underestimated an opponent, whatever their apparent skill level, and stayed alert at all times. That was what mattered most in a fight.
But cautious as she was, some things could not be achieved through defense alone. She wanted a clean victory in this match, not merely to avoid defeat.
At that thought, Uchiha Izumi's expression hardened. "Now it's my turn!" she said quietly.
The instant she finished speaking, Izumi moved. She lowered her body and shot forward like an arrow from a bow, covering a great distance in a flash.
There was no elaborate footwork. Her target was clear: Kurotsuchi, standing right there. She took the