After a hearty and satisfying barbecue meal, the relationships among the four of them had visibly grown much closer.
Especially Killer Bee, who was very interested in Shisui. In Kumogakure, he could hardly find any peers who could keep up with his rhythm and strength.
Today, it was rare to meet Shisui, who was of a similar age, easy to talk to, and rumored to be an Uchiha Genius. The competitive streak and desire for a playmate in his heart burst forth like seeds roasted over charcoal.
After all, he was Elder Shaoyu's younger brother. Elder Shaoyu was so strong, so as his younger brother, Shisui's strength must undoubtedly be quite good as well.
Walking out of the barbecue restaurant, blown by the cool night breeze, Killer Bee couldn't help but lean closer to Shisui, his eyes flashing behind his sunglasses.
"Shisui, now that we're well-fed and watered, how about we go have a spar and stretch our muscles? Let me see the skills of the Uchiha Genius!"
Shisui blinked and looked toward his older brother, Uchiha Shaoyu. There was little expression on Shaoyu's face, but his gaze carried a trace of tacit approval and encouragement.
He knew his younger brother needed practical combat honing. Sparring with the future Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was a good opportunity, and it would also allow them to further observe Killer Bee's current strength and combat style.
Moreover, Shisui's strength was actually very strong. Now at eight years old, he already possessed the Two-Tomoe Sharingan. Coupled with a decent Body Flicker Technique, he was already hard to find an opponent among Chunin.
Young A also laughed heartily and patted Killer Bee on the shoulder.
"What's the matter, Bee? Didn't eat enough just now, and want to find Shisui for a'second helping'? Alright! Just in time, let me also see just how powerful Elder Shaoyu's younger brother really is. Let's go to Training Ground 3, there are few people there at night."
The four of them quickly arrived at a relatively secluded yet well-equipped professional training ground in Kumogakure.
Huge searchlights illuminated the center of the field as bright as day, surrounded by solid rocks and targets.
Uchiha Shisui and Killer Bee stood facing each other in the center of the field.
Shisui had already changed into training clothes that were convenient for movement, with a serious expression and dark pupils that appeared exceptionally calm under the lights.
Killer Bee also put away his hip-hop posture, striking a starting stance full of a sense of power. The gaze beneath his sunglasses became focused.
"The rules are very simple: stop at the point of contact, and no Ninjutsu that is fatal or could cause serious injury is allowed."
Young A, acting as the temporary referee, announced loudly.
"Begin!"
Before his voice had even faded, Killer Bee had already rushed out like an agile black panther.
The foundations of Hidden Cloud Nintaijutsu were displayed vividly and thoroughly on him. His speed was extremely fast and his strength was full. With a punch straight at Shisui's center, the wind of his fist whistled.
Shisui did not take it head-on, his footsteps sliding lightly back and to the side. At the same time, his right hand had already felt out two Shuriken from the ninja tool pouch on the side of his leg, throwing them blindly ahead of Killer Bee's charging trajectory to anticipate his next move.
"Oh? Interesting."
Killer Bee reacted quickly as well. Without stopping his forward momentum, his body twisted with a small amplitude that defied inertia, narrowly dodging the Shuriken, while his left leg swept toward Shisui's lower body like a whip.
Shisui retreated once more, his gaze focused.
He did not immediately activate his Sharingan, seeming to want to respond first based on his own foundations and observation.
The basic skills of both people's Taijutsu were extremely solid.
Killer Bee's attacks were wide open and closed, full of the rigid fierce and explosive power unique to Hidden Cloud. Every punch and kick carried a heavy sense of power, as if they would shatter rocks.
Meanwhile, Shisui's Taijutsu leaned more toward the agility and precision of the Uchiha. It was mostly evasion, and his occasional blocks and counterattacks were also swift and effective, like dancing on the tip of a blade.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Soon, the two of them tacitly pulled out unsharpened Kunai used for training, engaging in close-quarters combat.
The sound of metal clashing was as dense as raindrops, echoing over the training ground.
Killer Bee's strength clearly had the advantage, and every block made Shisui's arm slightly numb. However, Shisui's speed and sense of rhythm were superior, often able to launch a fast counterattack the moment Killer Bee's old strength had expired and his new strength had not yet been born, forcing Killer Bee to fall back to defense.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
After a fierce clash, Shisui seized a gap, his figure suddenly blurring and instantly appearing to the side and behind Killer Bee, his Kunai stabbing straight at his scapula.
This was precisely the Body Flicker skill the Uchiha clan excelled at. Executed at Shisui's age, it already revealed extraordinary potential.
"Are there already shadows of Shisui of the Body Flicker at this time?" Shaoyu sighed with emotion.
"Heh."
Killer Bee let out a low roar, and without even turning his head, directly smashed backward with an elbow strike, a reaction made entirely by relying on combat instinct and excellent physical fitness.
"Such an agile body."
Shisui was forced to change his move, pressing the Kunai down to block.
"Thud!" Amidst the dull sound of impact, Shisui borrowed the force to drift backward, increasing the distance once more.
After several rounds, Killer Bee found that he didn't seem to gain much advantage in pure Taijutsu and speed. Instead, he was repeatedly restricted by Shisui's exquisite anticipation and flexible Body Flicker. He grew somewhat impatient.
"Take this move of mine!" Killer Bee jumped back a step, rapidly forming hand signs with both hands. Although it wasn't very proficient yet, his Chakra was already surging.
"Lightning Release: Earth Flash!"
A faint flash of lightning darted from his hands, winding along the ground toward Shisui.
This was not a powerful offensive Ninjutsu, but rather used more to interfere with and restrict positioning.
At that very moment, Shisui's eyes suddenly changed. His pitch-black pupils turned crimson, and two black tomoe slowly rotated.
Two-Tomoe Sharingan, open!
Under the dynamic vision of the Sharingan, the trajectory of that lightning bolt was exceptionally clear.
Shisui did not take it head-on, just taking a light side-step to precisely avoid the path of the lightning.
At the same time, the actions in his hands grew even faster.
"Sharingan... truly formidable!"
Killer Bee's heart tightened, but his movements did not stop as he lunged forward again, attempting to use even more violent attacks to suppress Shisui's observation and reaction.
However, Shisui, having activated the Two-Tomoe Sharingan, had his insight, ability to copy Taijutsu, and his own reaction speed all elevated by a notch.
Killer Bee's originally swift and powerful attacks seemed to slow down somewhat in his eyes, and the flaws became even clearer.
"Screech!"
Shisui dodged Killer Bee's heavy punch with an exquisite slide-step, and the Kunai in his hand took the opportunity to swipe across the outer side of Killer Bee's arm, leaving a shallow white mark.
Killer Bee felt a pain, his movements stalling for a split second.
Seizing the opportunity, Shisui activated the Body Flicker Technique once more, instantly closing in, and the Kunai in his other hand was already pressed against Killer Bee's ribs.
"Stop!"
Young A's voice rang out in time.
The training ground instantly quieted down. Killer Bee maintained the posture of punching, freezing in place. He could feel the cold touch under his ribs.
Shisui slowly withdrew the Kunai, the tomoe in his eyes receding to return to black, breathing slightly with sweat on his forehead.
Victory and defeat were decided.
Although the process was fierce, in the end, Uchiha Shisui barely won with more exquisite skills, faster instantaneous reactions, and the assistance of the Sharingan.
Killer Bee stood in place, lowering his head. Sunglasses concealed his gaze, but his tightly clenched fists and slightly trembling shoulders betrayed the violent fluctuations in his heart.
He was more than three years older than Shisui!
Since childhood, he had been strict with himself, considering himself an outstanding person among his peers, even able to challenge opponents above his rank...
Yet today, he had actually lost to an Uchiha kid three years younger than himself.
Although the opponent was a Genius, although the opponent had a Sharingan...
But losing meant losing.
The sense of frustration submerged him instantly like a cold tide.
The excitement and complacency from back at the barbecue restaurant vanished without a trace at this moment.
Uchiha Shaoyu walked forward and gently patted Shisui on the shoulder to show approval, but his gaze also turned toward the silent Killer Bee.
Young A walked to his younger brother's side, placing his large hand on his head and rubbing it vigorously.
"What's this? Looking like this just because you lost? This isn't the Killer Bee I know."
Killer Bee abruptly raised his head, a glimmer of tears seeming to flash behind his sunglasses, but he stubbornly bit his lip, not letting the tears fall.
"I... I am definitely not crying."
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808