As Yusuke completed his hand seals, the flames he spewed transformed, turning a vivid crimson.
This Fire Release, fueled by the power of his Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka, burned far hotter than ordinary flames. In an instant, it consumed Uchiha Fugaku's Great Fireball Jutsu and engulfed Fugaku himself.
"Father!" Itachi, watching from the sidelines, cried out.
But he quickly relaxed as Fugaku, swallowed by the flames, vanished with a "poof" into a wooden log, which then burned to ash.
Fugaku had used the Substitution Jutsu to evade Yusuke's fiery attack.
Yusuke swiftly extinguished his flames and crossed his arms defensively to his side, just in time to block a powerful whip-like kick from Fugaku, who had suddenly appeared.
The force of Fugaku's kick sent Yusuke staggering back several steps.
Seizing the advantage, Fugaku pressed forward with a relentless series of attacks.
Neither used weapons, engaging in pure taijutsu. Their movements were blindingly fast, each strike heavy and precise, showcasing their mastery of physical combat.
For high-level ninjas, taijutsu was never a weakness.
Without sufficient physical prowess and reflexes, one couldn't counter the myriad techniques of other ninja disciplines.
The Uchiha clan, with their Sharingan's enhanced dynamic vision, placed great emphasis on taijutsu training to keep up with the visual disparity it created.
The two traded blows, probing each other's taijutsu skills.
During the exchange, Yusuke noticed Fugaku's initial anger seemed to fade, replaced by a look of appreciation. But the fast-paced combat left no room for deeper thought.
Suddenly, Fugaku switched tactics, leaping upward and delivering a heavy downward kick toward Yusuke.
Yusuke raised his arm to block, and Fugaku used the force to spring backward and upward, forming hand seals midair.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!" Fugaku spewed a dozen fireballs, then flung a flurry of high-speed shuriken into the flames, which shot toward Yusuke.
Facing the incoming Phoenix Sage Fire, Yusuke quickly formed seals, summoning a purple, glass-like barrier before him.
"Flame Release: Single Purple Flame Formation!"
The flaming shuriken struck the purple barrier, raising thick black smoke and hissing like red-hot iron plunged into cold water. They burned to nothing, leaving no trace, consumed by the barrier's extreme heat.
This Flame Release: Single Purple Flame Formation was Yusuke's adaptation of Orochimaru's Four Purple Flame Formation. Though Yusuke had shared it with Orochimaru, the Sannin couldn't perform it.
The reason? Orochimaru couldn't independently achieve the chakra nature transformation from Fire Release to Flame Release, while Yusuke could, thanks to Ryujin Jakka's power.
Fugaku, well-versed in combat, saw the purple barrier was nearly impenetrable and circled to Yusuke's side, attacking with a kunai. His strike pierced Yusuke's chest.
But Fugaku sensed no solid impact, realizing Yusuke had evaded through some means.
Yusuke's body split into a flock of crimson-flamed crows, which flapped toward Fugaku.
Fugaku retreated, slashing at the crows with his kunai.
But striking them, he found they weren't solid. Worse, the flames on their bodies ignited his kimono's wide sleeve.
With a swift cut, Fugaku sliced off the burning sleeve. His battle experience told him these weren't ordinary clones but a blend of genjutsu and elemental chakra.
"Well done, Uchiha Yusuke. Let's see what else you've got," Fugaku thought, his face impassive. His hands flashed through seals, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan spinning slowly.
"Binding Chains Jutsu!"
Suddenly, dozens of iron spikes appeared, pinning the flying crows in place. The impaled crows froze instantly.
The crows vanished, and Yusuke's form reappeared, now pierced by several iron spikes, seemingly unable to move.
"To defeat genjutsu with genjutsu—impressive, Clan Leader. I thought my Fire Phantom Crow Technique was nearly unbreakable, yet you countered it so easily," Yusuke said, immobilized.
Though his expression remained calm, his tone carried genuine admiration.
The Binding Chains Jutsu Yusuke was caught in was a genjutsu. The iron spikes were illusory, visible only to Fugaku and Yusuke. To Itachi, watching from the side, Yusuke simply stood motionless.
"Yusuke-kun, you're truly our clan's greatest genius. So young, yet you've achieved such strength without relying on the Sharingan. And as the 'Flame Blade,' you haven't even drawn your sword, suggesting you're holding back," Fugaku said.
His stern demeanor softened, replaced by an appreciative gaze.
To Fugaku, he'd won the spar. Whether Yusuke held back out of respect or arrogance, he was now firmly under Fugaku's control, unable to continue fighting.
Moreover, Fugaku hadn't used his greatest trump card.
"I didn't take your conflict with Ryuya and the others to heart. This was just a test of your strength. I had high expectations, but I still underestimated you," Fugaku continued.
Watching Fugaku speak confidently, Yusuke understood his mindset. Fugaku believed him incapacitated, addressing him as the victor.
Seeing Yusuke silent, Fugaku frowned slightly. "Young man, don't dwell on a single loss. Victory and defeat are common in battle, especially against the Uchiha clan leader!"
"Clan Leader, my apologies. I was just wondering if this spar is over," Yusuke said.
Fugaku chuckled, a rare smile breaking through. "What do you think?"
"If it's not over, I may have to draw my sword," Yusuke said calmly, meeting Fugaku's gaze.
"All things turn to ash!" Ryujin Jakka, Shikai release!
Before the words faded, Fugaku saw a fiery glint in Yusuke's eyes. A surge of powerful fire chakra erupted, instantly breaking the Binding Chains Jutsu.
Fugaku's attention was drawn to Yusuke's right hand, now holding a magnificent long sword wreathed in flames.
Yusuke swung Ryujin Jakka, its flames tracing a crimson arc through the air, like a dazzling fiery trail.
Stunned, Fugaku sighed, "Truly worthy of the 'Flame Blade.' The young are formidable."
Deactivating his Sharingan, Fugaku instinctively tried to tuck his hands into his kimono sleeves, only to find his right sleeve missing, burned by the Fire Phantom Crows.
With a wry smile, Fugaku sighed again. "I didn't expect this. By sparring rules, with my sleeve destroyed, I suppose I've lost."
Seeing Fugaku had no intent to continue, Yusuke recalled Ryujin Jakka.
From this fight, Yusuke deduced Fugaku's specialty was genjutsu.
The Binding Chains Jutsu wasn't advanced, yet Fugaku wielded it masterfully, not only countering the Fire Phantom Crow Technique but also briefly controlling Yusuke.
Without Ryujin Jakka, Yusuke couldn't have broken free quickly.
Of course, "unbreakable" wasn't just about the jutsu but the caster. If someone like Kurenai used the same jutsu, they'd struggle to hold Yusuke even momentarily.
Yusuke shook his head. "Clan Leader, you jest. I've used all my tricks. I'm not arrogant enough to think I can defeat the Uchiha clan leader now."
This wasn't humility. Yusuke knew Fugaku possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan. Its unpredictable abilities would overwhelm him at his current level.
Fugaku nodded, pleased. "Yusuke, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go to the meeting hall."
Impressed by this talented, level-headed junior, Fugaku warmed to him, even addressing him more familiarly.
The three entered the meeting hall, Fugaku and Yusuke sitting across from each other, while Itachi brought a cushion and sat beside his father.
The spar had given Itachi his first glimpse of high-level ninja combat.
With his innate battle intellect, he felt a spark of aspiration.
Like boys on Earth dreaming of martial arts or superhero prowess, most boys in the Naruto world dreamed of becoming powerful ninjas.
Looking at Yusuke's youthful yet composed face, Fugaku said slowly, "The clan faces many challenges. As a Jonin, you must sense them."
(End of Chapter)
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Do You Know:
The Phoenix Sage Fire Technique combines shuriken with flames for a versatile attack.