Chapter 73 – Duel! Blaze Release Pakura
Pakura hadn't expected Nan's response. Instead of flying into a rage, he merely gave a cold smile and replied calmly:
"If you think such childish taunts could shake my composure or cloud my judgment, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."
Pakura grit her teeth in frustration, anger flaring in her eyes.
"You heartless brat! Do you truly feel nothing for your mother's death? Even when facing her killer, you show no sign of emotion?"
Nan shook his head slightly, his voice steady:
"You're mistaken. My mother may have been a medical-nin, but above all, she was a shinobi of Konoha. To give her life for the village is an honor. In war, sacrifice is inevitable. If she hadn't fallen by your hand, she might have perished at someone else's.
When I first heard the news, of course I grieved. But I never held hatred toward you.
On the contrary, as a veteran shinobi, I actually admire your reputation, Pakura-senpai."
His words struck Pakura harder than any jutsu. She knew he was right: all shinobi followed orders. She herself had never been one to slaughter needlessly. Whoever Nan's mother was, her death must have come as part of a mission she had been ordered to carry out.
By that logic, Nan truly had no reason to hate her—it was war, not personal vendetta. But logic rarely soothed the heart. Most people, knowing the exact person who had slain their kin, would burn with hatred.
And yet Nan… Nan could let it go. Not only did he show no resentment, he even praised her as a comrade worthy of respect.
Pakura had never met anyone like him. No wonder this boy had carved out such a name for himself at only six years old. His vision and composure were beyond extraordinary.
The truth, however, was more complicated. Nan truly did not harbor hatred for Pakura. Unlike most born of the shinobi world, he carried the mindset of his previous life—a life raised in peace, in a society that valued happiness over conflict.
In his old world, disputes existed, but grudges rarely persisted. Wars, too, had blurred lines of right and wrong. He understood this. If it had been the original Uchiha Nan's soul, perhaps hatred would still fester. But ever since Nan's own consciousness had awakened, he had long discarded those residual grudges.
He did not admire Pakura as he claimed, but nor did he despise her. Truthfully, very few in this world earned his respect, and Pakura certainly wasn't among them.
So why say such words? Not for Pakura's sake—but for the Third Hokage. Nan had noticed Hiruzen's eyes linger on him throughout the fight. To earn Konoha's trust as a Uchiha, he had to shape himself into someone with a noble heart, someone larger than life.
What could inspire more faith than a boy willing to set aside personal vengeance and extend respect even to his mother's killer?
Out of the corner of his eye, Nan caught Hiruzen glancing his way after hearing his declaration. The old man's look told him his performance had not gone to waste.
Pressing the act, Nan continued, his tone almost admiring:
"I've heard you're not only a powerful kunoichi, but also a caring teacher to your students. I have the utmost respect for such people. If our nations weren't at war, perhaps we might have even been friends.
But enough words, Pakura-senpai. Let us fight fairly, shinobi to shinobi."
With that, Nan stole another glance toward the Third Hokage—just in time to see the old man nod with quiet satisfaction.
It seemed the Third had heard him. Nan felt a surge of satisfaction.
Hiruzen knew all too well the grudge between Nan and Pakura. He feared that the boy's hatred might cloud his mind, driving him into reckless action against an opponent far beyond him. That was why the Hokage had been watching him so closely, even ready to intervene if necessary.
Yet, after hearing Nan's calm and rational words to Pakura, Hiruzen's estimation of him rose even higher.
He had already seen Nan as a promising candidate to stabilize Konoha's internal harmony. But now, he realized that Nan's potential might extend far beyond that. With such a magnanimous heart, this child could one day achieve greatness even the Hokage himself could not yet imagine.
Inwardly, Hiruzen swore he would nurture this talent with all his strength.
But the Hokage wasn't the only one watching. Orochimaru, too, observed his disciple keenly, eager to see how much he had grown.
Hearing Nan's astonishing words, Orochimaru could not help but smile in dark admiration. As expected of my chosen student—his thoughts, his perspective, they're far from ordinary. To keep him as nothing more than an assistant would almost be a waste.
No, Nan was too brilliant to waste on the trivial pursuit of titles like Hokage. A mind like his should be dedicated entirely to the pursuit of truth. Still, he was young—his vision yet too narrow. In time, with proper guidance, Orochimaru was certain Nan would understand. Then, on the path toward ultimate knowledge, Nan could become his greatest companion.
Even the Fourth Kazekage, noticing how often Hiruzen's attention strayed to the boy, turned his own gaze upon Nan.
After hearing Nan's words, Rasa could only sigh with reluctant admiration. This "Lightning of Konoha" truly is an extraordinary shinobi, one without equal in history. What a pity that such talent belongs to Konoha, and not to Sunagakure.
Pakura, too, felt a flicker of respect. Nan had known she was a responsible teacher—that much was true. She prided herself on cherishing her students, and his words touched a chord within her.
For the first time, she saw not an enemy before her, but a child about the same age as her own pupils. The memory of her earlier taunts now filled her with a trace of shame.
Softening, she offered him a faint smile and said:
"You're the junior here. I'll allow you the first move."
"In that case," Nan replied, "I won't hold back. Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
In an instant, ten shadow clones split off from him, rushing toward Pakura.
He dared not let his true body approach her deadly Blaze Release, but the clones were expendable.
Surrounding her from every angle, two of the clones suddenly crackled with Nan's unique lightning chakra. Their bodies blurred, moving so fast they seemed to flicker out of reality.
"Good—come at me!" Pakura roared, weaving her hands together.
"Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder!"
The fireballs floating behind her flared, merging into a massive blazing orb. The air itself shimmered as it was superheated.
The two lightning-charged clones barely reached her before the heat seared them into smoke, vanishing instantly.
But it didn't stop there. The giant fireball's heatwave expanded outward, reaching the remaining clones. One by one, they too combusted and disappeared.
Even after obliterating all his clones, Pakura's jutsu pressed on—the great fireball splitting apart into dozens of smaller spheres, surging toward Nan's true body.
But his real speed outstripped that of his shadows. The instant he sensed the fire closing in, he darted away, slipping beyond its range.
At once, the fireballs dispersed into harmless gusts, unable to maintain their form.
The first exchange had ended. Neither side had drawn blood, and now the two opponents stood once more, facing each other, ready for the second round.