Such techniques were useless against someone from the Uchiha Clan.
They wielded the Sharingan, instantly discerning the optimal way to fight—movements as precise and mechanical as a machine.
Back in the day, when Sasuke wasn't like this, Shiki Uzumaki could have kept him off-balance with his superior speed.
But this new Sasuke had no such weakness. Empowered by the Cursed Seal, his speed had nearly reached the same level as Shiki's.
The constant clang of metal rang out—the sound of Seiquan striking against Kunai.
Both fighters poured every ounce of skill into the battle, but thanks to the Sharingan, the tide was slowly shifting toward Sasuke's favor.
Shiki Uzumaki became increasingly defensive; his once wide-reaching, net-like sword technique now served only to protect his immediate vicinity.
Chapter 133: Can't Stop Now
"Shiki Uzumaki is strong, but he can't beat this version of Sasuke," Shikamaru said while observing the intense battle. Though its speed was overwhelming, some details clearly indicated that Shiki Uzumaki was at a disadvantage.
For example, that dazzling swordplay from earlier had now shrunk inward, confined to the area immediately around Shiki Uzumaki.
He had already shifted into a defensive stance.
"What exactly are those black, tadpole-like markings covering Sasuke?"
Although he didn't know the full story, Shikamaru had a hunch that these dark lines had a lot to do with Sasuke's newfound strength.
"Frustrating... It feels like the gap between us and them keeps growing wider," Ino muttered unhappily. The current battle was far beyond what they were used to handling.
Choji wasn't paying attention to Ino's complaint. Instead, he pulled out a bag of chips from his ninja pouch and started cramming them into his mouth, speaking with his cheeks full: "I think Shiki can still win. Everyone seems to want Shiki to win."
Shikamaru nodded, glancing around. At that moment, everyone present seemed to be rooting for Shiki Uzumaki.
Except for Neji Hyuga, whom he didn't really know, and Sakura, every single person hoped Shiki Uzumaki would triumph.
On the other hand, nobody supported Sasuke. No one truly wanted Sasuke to win at this point.
However—
"It looks like Shiki Uzumaki has already been injured."
"What? No way! Are you kidding me, Shikamaru? How could you possibly see that clearly when they're moving so fast?" Ino first gasped in surprise, then switched to confusion.
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and kept staring intensely at the battlefield. "I can't follow their exact movements either, but haven't you noticed something about the ground? There's blood splattered in several places. Considering the nature of this fight, I doubt it belongs to Sasuke."
Realization struck Ino instantly, and she turned her gaze downward. Sure enough, scattered across the dry yellow earth were traces of blood.
This couldn't have come from Sakon—his blood loss was always dramatic and widespread.
These drops, however, were spread across the battlefield, following the path of Shiki Uzumaki and Sasuke's ongoing clash.
"If someone gets injured, they should stop the fight, right? After all, we're still in the middle of the Chunin Exams."
Ino looked at Shikamaru with a worried expression. Actually, just like Sakura, she hadn't really supported starting this match from the beginning.
But since both Shiki and Sasuke had agreed, she didn't have any reason to say much else.
But now, if someone had already been injured, then she definitely needed to stop this battle.
She took one step forward and raised her hand high.
"Um, I think if this is just a match, it's already enough, don't you agree? Shiki, Sasuke, everyone?"
"Right, Sasuke, Shiki, please stop quickly. We're still in the Chunin Exam, aren't we? If we end up both seriously injured, what if someone else steals our scroll? Wouldn't that be too much of a disadvantage?"
Since Sakura and Ino had become romantic rivals, this was the first time Sakura unhesitatingly supported Ino's viewpoint.
Even Ino was taken aback. She looked at the terrifying fight unfolding in the arena—it felt more like a life-or-death battle than a mere match. Then she turned to Sakura's face, filled with helplessness but trying so hard to smile. Suddenly, it all made sense to her. A wave of sympathy washed over her. For a moment, it felt like the years between them vanished—like they were kids again, best friends forever.
Still, she couldn't quite understand why Sakura was so panicked right now. Without knowing the entire story, Ino simply assumed those black markings covering Sasuke's body were a jutsu he'd cultivated through hard training—one that could temporarily boost his strength. Something similar to the special medicines created by the Kusagakure clan, capable of briefly enhancing one's power.
As for Sakura, she had accompanied Sasuke all the way here. This kind of terrifying power had never appeared in Sasuke before.
The only explanation lay in that black Mangekyō-like mark left on his neck by Orochimaru (a pattern resembling three commas).
She didn't know exactly what it was, but she remembered how confidently Orochimaru had said when leaving—Sasuke would come seeking him out one day.
The current Sasuke no longer resembled the previous one; he seemed like a complete stranger.
She feared she might ultimately lose this person before her eyes, ending up separated into completely different worlds.
So, forcing herself to smile, she calmly called on Shiki and Sasuke to stop, as if saying it aloud would be enough for Sasuke to stop like he used to—with a cold, "This is pointless." And Shiki would be his usual cheerful self again, his warm smile radiating trust in an instant.
Yet what she didn't realize was that Sasuke hadn't actually changed. Orochimaru had merely stirred his deep longing for revenge.
The terror from when he was just six years old, buried deep within him, had slowly faded whenever he stood before her before.
But now, both Sakura and Ino seemed nothing more than clowns—ignored by everyone.
Shiki and Sasuke's whirlwind-like battle showed no signs of stopping, rampaging everywhere, accompanied by the falling of countless green trees that had grown there for decades.
For Sasuke, this was the very first time in his life he stood on the verge of defeating Shiki. How could he ever stop now?
"No, this is just the beginning."
Sasuke's voice grew hoarse, yet it carried an even fiercer intensity.
Shiki also shouted, "Sakura, Ino, sorry about this one — but I've got to teach him a lesson!"
"Teach me a lesson?" Sasuke laughed wildly, his kunai slicing through Shiki's sword defense like two venomous serpents, carving bloody red lines across his body.
"Is this really the Konoha-style swordsmanship? Doesn't look all that impressive."
"Stop! Please, both of you, stop!" At this moment, Sakura finally couldn't take it anymore and broke down.
Yet despite this, the battle between the two didn't cease.
A thunderous barrage of explosions cracked through the air, violent gales of chakra-laden wind sweeping wildly across the surroundings.
"The Konoha-style swordsmanship — I just haven't wielded it properly yet. But still, I will beat you."
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