Alex burst forward in a straight line, his speed explosive.
Itachi's gaze sharpened. Without panic, his hands moved—
Fire Release hand seals.
The race was clear.
Who would be faster—Alex's body, or Itachi's jutsu?
Alex's pupils shrank.
Hai… I'm late.
He realized instantly—itachi had calculated his approach speed.
As expected of him.
Midair, Alex couldn't change direction. Without hesitation, he flicked his wrist and hurled a shuriken straight at Itachi.
Itachi was forced to abort the hand seals and dodge.
By the time he looked up again, Alex had already landed.
"You reacted fast," Itachi said calmly.
"You too," Alex replied, already closing the distance.
Taijutsu was Alex's strongest domain. If he wanted to win, he had to force close combat.
Itachi retreated instantly.
Back at the Academy, Alex's movement and body techniques had been absurd—his scores alone could eclipse several students combined.
But—
Too late.
Alex's right fist slammed into Itachi's chest.
Hit.
That was what Alex thought.
But there was no familiar resistance.
Wrong.
Bang!
Smoke exploded as Itachi's body transformed into a log.
"Substitution…"
The wooden block shattered under Alex's momentum.
A voice sounded behind him.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Flames roared toward Alex.
"Tch—!"
Alex's hands blurred.
Body Flicker!
In an instant, he vanished from the fire's range and reappeared several meters away.
He exhaled slowly. "When did you switch?"
"The moment you landed," Itachi replied. "You didn't confirm my position."
Clean… and ruthless.
Alex clicked his tongue.
So Itachi had predicted the chase, used Substitution to bait the strike, then countered with Fire Release the moment Alex overcommitted.
Annoying…
Pure taijutsu wouldn't be enough.
The wind swept fallen leaves into the air.
The forest fell silent again.
"Itachi," Alex said, grinning, "I'll stop holding back."
Itachi didn't respond. His posture remained calm—almost indifferent.
"Wei… Si… Yin."
Poof!
Two more Alexes appeared.
Three figures rushed forward simultaneously.
"Take him down."
Itachi moved.
A shuriken flew—
The Alex in front vanished instantly.
A clone.
Itachi drew his kunai and charged left.
The second Alex ignored the blade and pressed forward.
Another clone.
Itachi spun, striking backward—
Bang!
Wood.
Substitution? No—
"Drink!"
Alex dropped from above.
There was no time to dodge.
Itachi crossed his arms.
BOOM!
The impact sent him flying nearly ten meters. He rolled several times before stopping, chest burning.
So this is his strength…
Itachi coughed, shocked.
This wasn't just strong.
This was monstrous.
Alex didn't stop.
He closed in again, fist tightening.
At that moment—
Scarlet eyes met his own.
One tomoe.
Then two.
"—!"
Sharingan.
Alex's movement faltered for an instant.
That was enough.
Itachi slipped aside and struck Alex's chest with an open palm.
Alex was sent skidding backward.
"You awakened it…" Alex said, stunned. "The Sharingan."
"I'm still adapting," Itachi replied, steadying his breathing. "Let's continue."
Alex smiled.
"One day, I'll awaken mine too."
They clashed again.
This time, Itachi no longer avoided close combat.
But the Sharingan drained him rapidly. His chakra was thinning.
Alex felt it too.
Saiyan blood roared in his veins—
The longer the fight dragged on, the stronger he became.
His speed surged.
Itachi retreated instantly.
He's getting faster…
Alex chased relentlessly, eyes burning with exhilaration.
This was what his blood craved.
A real fight.
"Enough," Itachi said firmly, raising a hand. "We stop here."
Alex froze.
His chest heaved, fighting instinct screaming.
"…Fine."
The forest slowly returned to silence.
Two prodigies stood facing each other—
Both knowing this was only the beginning.