Chapter 29: Shisui…. is annoyingly OP.

Author Note: Nothing of importance, just enjoy the chapter, and if you have any questions, make sure to comment!

And like always, remember if you want to read up to 12 chapters ahead go to https://www.patreón.com/cornbringer

I'm currently updating the novel 2-8 chapters a day in patreeeeon. On chapter 38 so far, though by the end of today it will be chapter 40-42

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Enjoy you sexy bastards.

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[Third Person POV.]

Under the dense forest of Konoha, far in the northeast corner, the sound of clashing metal, explosions, and the swift movements of two young shinobi echoed throughout the otherwise expected silence. Takeshi and Itachi clashed, their bodies blurring in and out of sight as they engaged in one of their usual intense yet friendly sparring sessions.

Takeshi initiated the attack with a swift downward strike, his training katana slicing through the air with lethal grace. Itachi met the attack head-on with his kunai, their weapons clashing with a sharp ring before they pushed each other off, creating space before launching back into their fight.

Without a moment's pause, Takeshi pivoted on his heel, swinging his katana horizontally. Itachi ducked, feeling the rush of wind above his head as the blade missed him by mere inches. He countered with a rapid series of shuriken throws, each aimed with deadly precision. Takeshi spun his blade, deflecting the projectiles with a skillful twirl.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Blade," Takeshi intoned calmly, forming a series of quick hand seals before infusing his training katana with wind chakra.

Seeing this, Itachi leapt high into the air, landing on a branch as he formed his own seals. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" A massive fireball erupted from his mouth, hurtling towards Takeshi with incredible speed.

Takeshi smiled faintly at the sight, then swung his wind-infused katana, cleaving the fireball in two and sending the flames off course in an explosion of smoke.

As the smoke cleared, Takeshi saw Itachi descending from the branch with a flurry of kicks. Takeshi blocked and parried in a blur of coordinated strikes before Itachi took a step back, attempting a leg sweep, which Takeshi avoided by jumping above the attack, flipping in mid-air and landing behind him with a faint smile.

With a burst of speed, Takeshi aimed a powerful slash at Itachi's back. Itachi barely managed to dodge, the blade grazing his shirt. He retaliated with a spinning kick, which Takeshi caught, using the momentum to hurl Itachi into a nearby tree.

Hurt but not out of the fight, Itachi landed gracefully, immediately creating three shadow clones that surrounded Takeshi. The clones attacked simultaneously, trying to force Takeshi to fight on all sides and give an opening. Takeshi's blade weaved in a deadly dance, cutting through two of the clones with precision and ease.

The last remaining clone managed to land a punch on Takeshi's side, but he absorbed the blow, using the opening to deliver a devastating elbow strike that dispelled the clone. The real Itachi emerged from the shadows, launching a barrage of shuriken. Takeshi deflected them with ease with his blade, but Itachi used the distraction to close the distance.

They clashed once more, their weapons sparking with each impact. Takeshi feigned a low strike with his blade, then pivoted into a high kick that caught Itachi completely off guard, hitting him in the chin, giving Takeshi the opening to end the fight with a direct strike to his chest, pushing Itachi to the ground.

"That makes it eighteen to eleven in my favor," Takeshi smirked, extending a hand to help Itachi up from the ground. Itachi grunted, wiping a mix of dirt and sweat from his forehead before accepting the offered hand.

"Rub it in, why don't you," Itachi sighed, smiling at his friend.

"Now, how about we greet our little fan?" Takeshi said, a faint smile on his face as he turned around.

Itachi looked around, his eyes scanning the trees. "Someone was watching?"

"Of course," Takeshi replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "He's been watching us since we started."

At this, a figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the light with a relaxed, confident stride. He had a friendly smile on his face, his dark hair, onyx eyes, and fan crest on the back of his uniform, marking him unmistakably as another member of the Uchiha clan. He raised a hand in greeting. "Hello there. Impressive sparring session, got my blood pumping and all."

"Who are you?" Itachi asked, narrowing his eyes slightly as he assessed the newcomer.

The young man chuckled, scratching the back of his head in a sheepish manner. "Ah, where are my manners? I'm Shisui Uchiha. And yes, I know I was being a little creep watching you two fight, but I just couldn't help but watch your spar. You two are quite the pair of geniuses."

"Shisui Uchiha?" Takeshi repeated, his curiosity piqued. "I've heard that name before. You're the one they call 'Shisui of the Body Flicker,' right?"

Shisui nodded, his smile widening. "That's right. But please, no need for formalities. Just call me The Most Awesome Shinobi, Senpai, or Mr. Shisui."

"I won't call you any of that," Takeshi replied, raising an eyebrow.

Itachi, on the other hand, inclined his head slightly in respect. "It's an honor to meet you, Shisui. I've heard stories about your skills. Your Body Flicker Technique is said to be unmatched."

Shisui waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, those are just rumors. Which are one hundred and twenty-five percent true."

Takeshi chuckled. "You were watching us for a while. Any tips or critiques you might have?"

"Ah, I see, already trusting your good senpai to give you advice," Shisui's expression turned thoughtful as he considered the question. "Your techniques are solid, and your coordination is impressive. But remember, speed and power are not everything. Sometimes, the key to victory lies in unpredictability and adaptability. Always be ready to change your strategy mid-fight."

"I will keep that in mind," Takeshi nodded.

"You're a genin?" Itachi asked, his eyes on Shisui's headband.

"Yep, but not for long. I will take the Chunin exam in a few months," Shisui replied, a confident glint in his eyes as he puffed his chest.

"Ok… good luck," Itachi nodded before turning his attention back to Takeshi. "Mom invited you to dinner tonight, are you coming?"

"I wouldn't miss your mom's cooking for the end of the world," Takeshi replied, nodding, both completely ignoring Shisui now.

"Can I come?" Shisui asked, completely unbothered he was being ignored by the two.

"No," Itachi replied. "We don't know you."

"How about this… let's spar. If I win, you guys become my friends?" Shisui suggested, his eyes gleaming with a youthful challenge. Itachi and Takeshi glanced at each other, the idea of a friendly match stirring their competitive spirits.

Itachi was the first to respond. "And if you lose?" he asked, a small smirk playing on his lips.

Shisui's response was confident and resounding. "I'm not going to lose."

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[Arata Takeshi - POV.]

...

I got my ass kicked.

There was no other way to explain or describe what happened, I got my ass tossed and handed back to me on a silver platter.

Even with the help of Itachi, I couldn't land a single hit on Shisui, and the entire experience was both frustrating and enlightening. There was a level of skill and finesse that Shisui possessed that was leagues beyond what Itachi and I had.

It was almost like fighting a phantom.

In our defense, the guy is known as "Shisui of the Body Flicker," despite being a genin, so it wasn't like we were fighting a run-of-the-mill shinobi. Still, the fact that he dodged every single one of our attacks like it was nothing—yeah, my pride took a hit.

But man, was it something to watch.

At one point, I swear he must have split into twelve afterimages, all solid but at the same time… not. I was dodging one Shisui while another was flipping Itachi, and a third was just chilling in a tree, eating a snack, probably thinking about what he was going to have for dinner with us at Mikoto's house. And then, just as quickly as they appeared, they vanished, leaving Itachi and me flailing at thin air.

I tried using the Phantom Mirage, thinking I could catch him off guard by using a technique similar to the Body Flicker in terms of use. The only thing I caught was a lesson in how to look like an idiot. Shisui sidestepped my attack with a playful smirk that said, "Nice try, kid," before he tapped me on the shoulder and sent me sprawling to the ground.

Itachi didn't fare much better. I had never seen Itachi eat more dirt in my life than I did today. Hell, Shisui threw poor Itachi to the ground so much that I was starting to think he was keeping a score or something.

By the end of the spar, we were both on the ground, panting and bruised, while Shisui stood there without a single scratch, looking like he had just taken a leisurely stroll through the park.

And you know what the worst part was? It wasn't that Shisui had that easygoing smile on his face, like he was just having fun the whole time. Like he wasn't even trying. It wasn't that I was getting my ass kicked.

It was that for the entire match, Teresa was enjoying herself, watching me struggle with an amused smile, the only thing she was missing was some popcorn.