Chapter 16: Sasuke's Challenge, No-Rules Duel

  The higher-ups in the major hidden vilges were no fools. The Uchiha cn was a prestigious ninja cn with a thousand-year history, and the Sharingan was arguably the strongest Kekkei Genkai in the shinobi world after Wood Release became lost. Countless people coveted even a single three-tomoe Sharingan; after all, Kakashi Hatake,with just one such eye, became known as the 'Copy Ninja' and 'Konoha's Technician,' famed for copying over a thousand jutsu. Moreover, copying jutsu was merely the ability of the two-tomoe Sharingan. The three-tomoe Sharingan was known as the 'illusion eye.' Outsiders couldn't unleash the true power of the Sharingan. Uchiha who could wield the true power of the three-tomoe Sharingan were invariably elite Jonin, invincible in single combat. The Uchiha cn definitely had such powerhouses numbering in the double digits.

  To kill so many strong individuals, along with other Uchiha who had awakened the single-tomoe or two-tomoe Sharingan, as well as numerous ordinary cnsmen without awakened Sharingan, all in a single night – even if Itachi Uchiha possessed the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan, it should have been impossible. Even if it were possible, it couldn't have happened without causing a significant disturbance.

  Yet, paradoxically, the Uchiha cn was wiped out overnight, and the perpetrator, Itachi Uchiha, successfully escaped from Konoha. The situation was far too complex and murky. Without a doubt, Konoha's higher-ups had a hand in it. The ability and methods to erase the number one prestigious ninja cn overnight, coupled with the ruthless and callous disregard for consequences, served to deter the major hidden vilges.

  Regarding this incident, the major vilges merely sent spies to infiltrate Konoha and gather intelligence; after these attempts failed, they rgely dropped the matter. After the heavy losses of the Third Shinobi World War, none of the major vilges had fully recovered yet. Even Kumogakure didn't try to kick Konoha while it was down this time. They were all focused on maintaining the existing bance and preparing for the next Great Shinobi War.

  Izayoi wasn't privy to all these details, but he could guess some of it. Having seen the original story, he knew that the next few years would be peaceful, providing the best opportunity for him to develop.

  ...

  Sasuke Uchiha, having been subjected to the Mangekyō Sharingan's Tsukuyomi, remained unconscious for a full week before finally waking up. When he reappeared in the cssroom, he had undergone a massive transformation.

  Previously, Sasuke Uchiha would merely look troubled when surrounded by girls, but he wouldn't say hurtful things, let alone strike anyone. This attitude, ironically, only made the girls pursue him more intensely. But now, the girls who were initially overjoyed to see Sasuke reappear didn't dare approach him at all. Sasuke's current gaze and aura were simply too terrifying; peers didn't dare get close, nor could they meet his eyes.

  Only Izayoi could perceive that the current Sasuke Uchiha was both fragile and stubborn. Scarred and wounded, he desperately needed warmth and healing, yet his personality prevented him from accepting pity from anyone. Only Naruto Uzumaki, whose fate in this life mirrored Sasuke's (both orphans) and who shared that millennia-old reincarnated bond, could potentially break through Sasuke's defenses and gain his acknowledgment.

  One afternoon after school, Izayoi finally witnessed the scene he had long anticipated.

  After the Taijutsu sparring session ended, the cssmates formed small groups as usual – some lingering at the school, others leaving, and some heading home alone without joining any group. Previously, Sasuke Uchiha belonged to the st category.

  But today, Sasuke didn't head home alone. Instead, he approached Izayoi and spoke the same words Izayoi had used a year ago: "Izayoi, want to have a match?"

  Hearing this, Izayoi – who had specifically attended school with his main body today and hadn't left with Hinata, precisely lying in wait for this moment – chuckled inwardly. Outwardly, however, he feigned surprise. Looking at Sasuke, whose eyes still held a trace of gloominess and who likely hadn't fully recovered, Izayoi couldn't help but tease, "Back then, you weren't interested when I invited you to fight. Why the interest now?"

  "Cut the crap. You're not scared, are you?" Sasuke didn't answer the question, instead responding provocatively.

  Previously, all he wanted was to train with Itachi, naturally unwilling to waste time on others. Now, with his family gone, his sole purpose in life was to kill Itachi Uchiha and then restore the Uchiha cn. To kill Itachi, he needed immense power. To restore the Uchiha cn, he first needed to remind people of the Uchiha's strength and glory by not losing to anyone else. Therefore, Izayoi, the top student, became Sasuke's target. Defeating Izayoi would prove he was stronger than all his peers.

  Izayoi, of course, didn't know Sasuke's exact thoughts. Seeing Sasuke using provocation to mask his pride, Izayoi decided to stop teasing and accepted readily with a smile, "Alright, let's have a match then."

  "Good. Let's go to the pyground then," Sasuke decred, his face alight with fighting spirit.

  "No need for the pyground. Let's go somewhere else," Izayoi shook his head and smiled. "I'll take you somewhere."

  With that, Izayoi started walking towards the direction of the deserted training ground. Sasuke followed closely behind. The Uchiha cn had been gone for a week now. Obito Uchiha likely wouldn't be wandering around Konoha anymore, except perhaps on the anniversary of Rin Nohara's death. Izayoi had made a note of that date from the memorial stone and pnned to avoid the wilderness during that time each year. Consequently, he had resumed training outdoors a few days ago.

  Soon, the two arrived at the training ground where Izayoi and Hinata usually practiced. The ground and trees there were covered in marks from impacts and ninjutsu. Seeing these traces, Sasuke's pupils constricted slightly, considerable turmoil stirring within him. If these marks were all left by Izayoi... didn't that mean this guy, like himself, had also mastered elemental ninjutsu? If memory served, wasn't he an orphan? Sasuke had his father's guidance, yet Izayoi had learned on his own.

  A flicker of understanding dawned on Sasuke; he finally grasped why this guy could consistently outperform him. It wasn't luck; it was because his opponent worked harder than him. At this thought, Sasuke's fighting spirit intensified. Fighting such an opponent was the only way to become stronger. Defeating such an opponent was the only way to prove his own strength.

  "How do you want to fight?" Izayoi asked, looking at Sasuke opposite him. "Taijutsu duel, or a no-rules duel?"

  The so-called "no-rules duel" meant anything goes. The Three Basic Techniques, Invisibility Technique, Body Flicker Technique, tools, even elemental ninjutsu not taught at the Ninja Academy – all could be used freely. A no-rules duel was also extremely dangerous. The Ninja Academy did have such duels, but they were a subject reserved for sixth-years. Furthermore, during a no-rules duel, besides the referee teacher, a medical ninja had to be present nearby. Such battles could easily lead to accidents. A moment's carelessness could even put a student's life in danger.

  If Iruka Umino were here and heard Izayoi's words, his expression would surely change drastically, and he would immediately intervene and reprimand them.

  However, Sasuke Uchiha decred without hesitation, "No-rules duel!"