Chapter 24: A Sparring of Wills
Once outside, Takumi unsealed the new scroll and studied it for a moment. It was titled 'Kumo-ryu Kenjutsu: Swift Swallow.' The principle was straightforward: use Lightning Release chakra to temporarily overclock muscle cells, granting a burst of speed to overwhelm an opponent.
"I'll need a proper sword," he murmured, resealing the scroll. As a mere Academy student, he had no means to earn mission rewards. Scrounging scrolls from Kumo's spies was one thing, but acquiring expensive gear like a quality blade or large sums of money was out of the question. Such sudden wealth would inevitably draw the wrong kind of attention.
Shinobi were expected to supply their own equipment. Even Nara Shikamaru's liberal use of explosive tags was noted as a significant expense in the official records. They risked their lives for pay and had to cover their own operational costs. Only low-cost tools like kunai and shuriken were standard issue. Even the well-off Uchiha clan didn't provide everything for its members. He recalled tales from the clan archives about Uchiha Shisui's youth, where after his father was injured, the boy had to undertake missions to support his family. The stipend the Uchiha provided him now covered basic living expenses, with a little left for savings or cheap snacks, but it was nowhere near enough for a real sword.
"Maybe a practice wooden sword will have to do for now," he conceded. It would be sufficient for Academy training. Once he became a genin and could take paid missions, he could invest in a proper steel blade.
"Takumi-kun!"
A voice called out, pulling him from his thoughts. He turned to see Yuhi Kurenai approaching.
"What is it?" he asked, his tone neutral. His personal interests leaned towards mature women; Kurenai was still very much a child.
"Last time... you said you'd discuss genjutsu with me when you had time?" Kurenai's crimson eyes were earnest, her rosy lips slightly parted as she spoke.
Takumi thought back. He had indeed agreed to that, but his relentless focus on mastering 'Lightning Release: Iron Fortress' to trigger his physique entry had pushed the matter from his mind.
"Oh? Did you forget, Takumi-kun?" Kurenai's brow furrowed slightly. She had taken the promise seriously, reviewing a wealth of material in preparation.
"...Fine," Takumi nodded. It was as good a time as any to test his own burgeoning illusionary prowess. At the Academy, the lessons on genjutsu were rudimentary, and he'd had no opportunity to test his Sharingan's capabilities in that area. This would be a useful exercise.
He agreed and followed her to a more secluded part of the training grounds.
"Isn't that Uchiha Takumi?" Obito muttered, wiping sweat from his brow after finally helping the latest elderly citizen to her destination. Out of the corner of his eye, he'd caught a glimpse of an unmistakable figure—the dark Uchiha robe, the height that now surpassed his own. He'd know that back anywhere. Every time he saw Takumi deep in discussion with Rin about some ninjutsu theory, he felt a pang of frustration, unable to contribute. It was a bitter pill. How could someone be so physically gifted and yet so academically sharp? Was he really from Lightning? Obito was starting to doubt the official story. Since his arrival, Uchiha Takumi's progress had been meteoric, making Obito, the perennial dead-last, feel like the imposter Uchiha.
"And when did he get to know Yuhi Kurenai?" Obito wondered aloud, baffled by the connection between the transfer student and the heiress of the Yuhi clan.
"Thank you so much, young man," the old lady's trembling voice interrupted.
"Oh, it was nothing!" Obito replied, his grin returning. He truly thrived on this feeling of being needed and appreciated.
"Still at it with the old ladies?" Asuma Sarutobi's voice cut in. He had his hands in his pockets, a candy stick jutting from his mouth—a constant accessory. "By the way, have you seen Kurenai?"
Before Obito could fully answer the first question, Asuma pressed on.
"She went into the woods with Takumi," Obito said, pointing towards Training Ground 3.
"With Takumi?" Asuma's voice rose in disbelief. That wasn't right. How did Takumi know Kurenai?
"Yeah, they went that way," Obito said hurriedly, before escorting the old lady away. He had little patience for what he saw as Asuma's privileged, playboy attitude, always fawning over Kurenai. Just a suck-up, he thought dismissively.
Asuma didn't hesitate, immediately sprinting in the direction Obito had indicated.
In a quiet clearing, Kurenai turned to face Takumi. "Are you ready?"
"Ready," he confirmed with a nod.
"Good." Kurenai's hands flew through a series of seals. In one fluid motion, she drew three shuriken from the pouch at her lower back and sent them whistling towards him.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Takumi's dark eyes tracked the projectiles effortlessly. He drew a kunai and, with three sharp clangs, deflected them all, the shuriken embedding themselves in the soft earth around them.
But this was only the opening move. A genjutsu exchange wasn't confined to thrown weapons.
In the next instant, Kurenai closed the distance, her own kunai leading. Takumi met her strike, their blades locking between them with a metallic screech.
"So strong..." Kurenai grunted, her wrist aching from the impact. It was clear he had been training his taijutsu intensively. She needed to use that technique.
Maintaining the kunai-lock, Kurenai focused her chakra. A clone materialized behind her, an exact replica of herself, but shimmering with an aura of pink cherry blossom petals.
Genjutsu: Naraku's Clone Technique!
The illusory double lunged, its kunai aimed squarely at Takumi's back!
"This technique..." Takumi recognized it. It was a Yuhi clan specialty, a hybrid of a standard clone and a potent genjutsu, designed for surprise and psychological pressure. A move that blended deception with a tangible, painful illusion.
"Why isn't he moving?" Kurenai wondered, her confusion growing. Her attack was imminent, yet Takumi stood motionless, his kunai still locked with hers, seemingly oblivious to the threat from behind. She prepared to release the jutsu, not wanting to actually harm him.
Just as the phantom kunai was about to connect, a warm breath ghosted across the back of her neck.
"This illusion is quite good," a calm voice stated from directly behind her. "But its grade doesn't seem very high."
Kurenai's eyes widened in shock. It was Takumi!
He was behind her!
(End of Chapter)
♧♧♧♧♧
IF YOU LIKE MY WORK, POWER STONE WOULD BE APPRECIATED
♧♧♧♧♧
YOU CAN ALSO JOIN MY PATREON AT
Patreon: Patreon.com/ShadowQuill7
FOR ACCESS TO 20 EARLY CHAPTERS
BE A PART OF THE STORY AND SUPPORT ME
JOIN NOW FOR 10% OFF