The Body Flicker Technique was a basic ninjutsu every shinobi was expected to learn.
Its fundamental principle was simple: eject chakra from the soles of the feet to produce a burst of acceleration, allowing the user to move at extreme speed in an instant.
But while simple to learn, it was notoriously hard to master.
Most shinobi, after using the Body Flicker once, couldn't immediately perform a second one. Their chakra control, stamina, and coordination simply weren't precise enough.
Shisui, however, had pushed the Body Flicker to its absolute limit through his exquisite control over chakra.
Not only could he use the technique consecutively—he could also change direction midway.
Even if a powerful foe managed to track the line of his movement, their attack would often strike empty air, because Shisui could alter his trajectory in a single instant—appearing left, right, ahead, or behind, as if he was flickering through space like lightning itself.
And beyond that, he had even used his Sharingan to develop the "Phantom Body Flicker": in one instant, he could create multiple afterimages that attacked together with his true body, with each afterimage capable of switching places with the real one at any time.
Because of all this, he had earned the title:
"Shunshin no Shisui" — Shisui of the Body Flicker.
Uchiha Yuan looked at Shisui, and recent reports of his exploits surfaced in his mind.
Fifteen Iwa shinobi squads annihilated.
Twenty-two Iwa facilities in the Land of Earth sabotaged.
Although Iwagakure and Konoha maintained an uneasy stalemate on the surface, they never stopped fighting in the shadows.
Iwa squads constantly slipped past the front to infiltrate Konoha's rear lines.
Konoha squads likewise infiltrated deep into the Land of Earth, stealing intelligence and spreading destruction.
The struggle behind the scenes was brutal.
Right now, Shisui's flak jacket was slashed in several places, the faint smell of blood lingering on him.
"Lord Shisui, please save Yūzō!"
A Sarutobi clansman spoke up anxiously. The other five shinobi beside him all wore respectful expressions as they faced Shisui.
Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
The difference in attitude is obvious.
The way they looked at him was filled with disgust and resentment toward the Uchiha.
Yet when facing Shisui, they were all politeness and respect.
Yuan wasn't sure whether that respect was sincere… or simply a calculated effort from the upper echelons, using this warmth to pull Shisui closer to the Hokage's side.
He couldn't be certain, and that uncertainty made him wary.
Shisui frowned a little, then spoke gently to Yuan.
"Yuan, could you let Yūzō-kun go first?"
Yuan didn't loosen his foot—he pressed down harder.
Kazematsuri Yūzō let out a pained howl.
"Shisui, I'd prefer you didn't get involved," Yuan said coolly. "This piece of trash dared to disrespect me. He must be punished."
Shisui was silent for a few seconds, then said softly:
"Yuan, we're all comrades from the same village. You can't humiliate Yūzō-kun like this.
"And with Iwa on the move, if you injure fellow shinobi now, you'll also be blamed."
"That's right! We'll report this to Lord Shishō immediately!"
"You're done for, brat—wait for your punishment!"
The shinobi behind Yūzō shouted angrily.
Yuan let out a cold laugh and swept a disdainful gaze over them.
"What a bunch of worm-like rats.
"Even if I beat all of you into the ground right here, who would dare punish me?"
"You arrogant brat!"
A Shimura clansman roared. "Don't think everyone is afraid of the Uchiha!"
Yuan sneered.
"Uchiha is the foremost noble clan in the shinobi world. Who doesn't fear us?
"Trash like you, even huddled together, are still nothing but vermin that can be crushed with a flip of the hand."
His words sent a wave of fury through the group.
The Sarutobi and Shimura nin in particular couldn't endure it any longer. They flickered forward, surrounding Yuan from the front and back, fists flying toward him.
Slap—slap—slap!
Yuan didn't move from his spot.
His arm simply blurred—one whip-like strike, but to everyone watching, that single hand seemed to split into several.
In the span of a heartbeat, every attacker took a slap directly to the face.
Their bodies spun like tops, crashing into the ground one after another, piling into a pathetic heap in front of Yuan.
Palm marks reddened half their faces; cheeks swelled grotesquely as blood dripped from their lips. They could only groan in agony.
"Useless trash like you… dare to hold resentment toward the Uchiha?"
"As rats, you should stay where you belong—rotting in the sewers."
Yuan's tone remained utterly flat.
He then flicked his foot upward, kicking Kazematsuri Yūzō's body into the air and letting him crash down onto the pile.
"On Shisui's account, I'll let you live today."
With that, Yuan turned and strode away.
He had only walked a few steps when Shisui suddenly turned and called after him.
"Yuan, wait."
Yuan stopped, but didn't turn around.
"Shisui, I know what you want to say. I understand your thoughts… but I can't agree."
Pain flashed briefly in Shisui's eyes. His shoulders slumped slightly.
"Yuan," he said quietly, "we're all comrades from the same village. Why can't everyone try to understand each other and live peacefully?"
Yuan turned his head slightly, looking back at him.
"My goodwill," he replied, "is reserved for those who show goodwill to us.
"As for the others… they will never understand the Uchiha. They'll just keep hiding in dark corners like filthy rats, resenting our strength."
With that, Yuan's figure blurred—then vanished with a Body Flicker.
Shisui stared at the direction Yuan had disappeared in for a long time, lost in thought.
After a while, he finally looked away.
Yuan, he thought silently, you're wrong.
It's precisely because so many of our clansmen think the same way you do… that the gap between the Uchiha and the village keeps growing.
Not long after Yuan's clash with Kazematsuri Yūzō, the incident had already reached the ears of Mitarashi Shishō and the other higher-ups.
Every single word Yuan had spoken had been reported in detail.
Inside the central command tent of Konoha's forward camp—
"Lord Shishō, I'm truly sorry," Shisui said, bowing slightly. "Please forgive Yuan's rough behavior."
Shishō glanced over a medical report from the med-nin, then shook his head lightly.
"Shisui, you don't have to worry. I'm not angry.
"I've already heard how it happened. Kazematsuri Yūzō was the one who provoked the conflict. I won't blame Uchiha Yuan for this."
Shisui let out a breath in relief.
"Even so, Yuan went too far. He could have made them apologize instead of beating them so badly."
After Shisui left, Yamanaka Inoichi, who had been standing on the other side of the tent, spoke up.
"Shisui really doesn't seem like a typical Uchiha. He's such a reliable junior.
"If the whole Uchiha clan were as gentle as he is, things would be much easier for us."
Shishō nodded slightly.
"Indeed. With how today's incident unfolded, even if Yuan had killed Kazematsuri Yūzō and the others on the spot, it would've been hard to blame him.
"In the end, Yūzō was the one who started it. Fortunately, Yuan was still somewhat restrained and only injured them.
"Otherwise, with his merits and strength—and the Uchiha clan behind him—even the Third Hokage would be troubled by how to handle it."
Some people die… but never entirely.
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