"The first real internal clash between the three of us in Team 7… this is going to be interesting," Shigure said with a slight smile as he glanced at Naruto and Sasuke, both standing tensely before him, eyes burning with determination.
Although this was technically just a training session, Naruto was eager to measure the gap between himself and Shigure.
Sasuke was no different. He wanted to prove he wasn't inferior to Shigure—not by a long shot.
Shigure's past battles had already shown just how terrifying his Taijutsu was, but Sasuke wanted to experience it for himself. He wanted to see how far he still had to go.
Seeing the hunger in their eyes, Shigure simply raised his hand and signaled, "Come on!"
The moment the words left his lips, Naruto burst forward.
He had just finished a full day of chakra control training and hadn't fully recovered his stamina. Still, he figured Shigure must be even more exhausted after nonstop physical training.
No matter what happened, he thought, I won't lose too badly like this.
Unfortunately for Naruto, that assumption was completely off.
Shigure hadn't been worn out at all. If anything, he seemed even more composed than before.
As Naruto unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, Shigure casually retreated, weaving through the attacks like water slipping through cracks.
Not a single hit landed.
Despite Naruto attacking with everything he had—driven by sheer force of will and momentum—Shigure dodged everything without breaking a sweat. His movements were effortless, almost mocking.
To Shigure, Naruto looked like a child throwing a tantrum. His strength and speed were there, but his lack of technique was glaringly obvious.
"Taijutsu isn't just about strength and speed," Shigure thought, shaking his head.
Then, with one swift motion, he caught Naruto's elbow mid-punch. Matching Naruto's speed and power exactly, he redirected the force—and in a seamless counter, disrupted Naruto's stance and drove his knee up into Naruto's chest, sending him flying backwards.
Naruto hit the ground with a grunt, clutching his chest.
"While chasing after strength and speed, don't forget the importance of technique!" Shigure said calmly, turning his gaze to Sasuke.
Sasuke clenched his fists, glanced at Naruto who was still recovering, then surged forward without hesitation.
Unlike Naruto, Sasuke had observed the entire exchange carefully. He knew Shigure had been holding back—his speed and power clearly reduced on purpose.
Even so, Naruto had been completely overwhelmed.
Sasuke wasn't planning to make the same mistakes. He had speed. He had power. And, more importantly, he had refined technique.
His strikes were controlled and calculated—each attack flowed into the next, always anticipating Shigure's counters.
But despite the precision, Shigure still found the openings.
He caught Sasuke's punch, twisted his arm just slightly to break his balance, then stepped in and stomped hard on Sasuke's raised knee.
Before Sasuke could recover, Shigure used the momentum to leap upward—and his foot slammed into Sasuke's chest.
Sasuke was sent skidding backwards.
He groaned, holding his chest, his eyes wide with shock.
He was completely suppressed.
We're the same age… so why is Shigure so strong?!
Not just in swordsmanship—but even in taijutsu...
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Bang!
A horde of Narutos suddenly charged toward Shigure from behind.
Hundreds of shadow clones filled the field. But Shigure just shook his head with a helpless expression.
"I already told you, Naruto—no matter how many clones you summon, they're useless against someone truly strong."
Even as he spoke, Shigure fluidly entered a stance. In the blink of an eye, he began dismantling the incoming clones—cutting through them with surgical precision.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bangbangbang!
One by one, the clones popped in clouds of smoke. Naruto clenched his teeth, frustration mounting.
"Damn it! Even this doesn't work?!"
Then try this—one more time!
Swish, swish, swish!
With the help of a few clones, Naruto rapidly formed a Rasengan. He plunged into the fray, charging at Shigure with the spiraling chakra sphere in hand.
Shigure—still casually dealing with the clones—glanced sideways. "I thought this was just taijutsu training… and you're pulling out a Rasengan?"
Naruto grinned. "Sorry, Shigure. I just really want to see how far the gap is between us…"
Shigure let out a light chuckle. "Don't forget… I taught you that move."
In a swift motion, he caught Naruto by the wrist mid-charge.
"An attack that doesn't land is meaningless!"
With a flick of his arm, Shigure flung Naruto away—straight into a group of his own clones. They collapsed into smoke, and the Rasengan exploded harmlessly on the ground.
BOOM!
Sasuke, watching all this unfold, clenched his jaw.
Shadow Clone… Rasengan…
Naruto, since when did you master so many powerful techniques? Without me even noticing… you've already surpassed me?
His eyes locked onto Shigure, who had taken down hundreds of clones in mere seconds.
Sasuke's speed suddenly exploded as he charged at Shigure head-on.
Noticing the movement, Shigure raised his left hand and calmly lowered his right.
The meaning was clear—and it made Sasuke's face darken.
He used both hands for Naruto… but only one for me?
Does he think I'm weaker?
He was Uchiha Sasuke—praised as a genius from childhood. Even if Shigure was the real prodigy, Sasuke had always carried that title too.
With fire in his eyes, Sasuke launched a fierce barrage of punches, his gaze locked on Shigure.
But Shigure blocked each strike effortlessly with one hand.
Still—Sasuke didn't back down. His eyes, now glowing crimson, were burning with determination.
He wasn't going to stop.
He would force Shigure to use both hands.
Even if he couldn't defeat him—he refused to be considered inferior to Naruto.
In that intense moment… Shigure smiled.
Sasuke…
Sharingan—activated.
With the emergence of the one-tomoe Sharingan, Sasuke's movements changed completely.
His attacks sharpened. Became more fluid. More dangerous.
Shigure's left hand faltered slightly—unable to keep up with the evolving rhythm.
He had to raise his right hand.
Snatching Sasuke's fist mid-strike, Shigure smoothly flipped him over and slammed him into the ground with a perfect over-the-shoulder throw.
Thud!
The force of the impact rattled the clearing.
But even as he lay on the ground, Sasuke grinned.
"Heh. You used your right hand."
Shigure smiled back. "Congratulations, Sasuke—you've awakened your eyes."
Awakened… my eyes?
Sasuke blinked, confused—until Kakashi's voice rang out.
"Well, well… I didn't expect that. Just one sparring session, and you've awakened the Sharingan."
He walked over slowly, clapping lightly.
"Twelve years old and already awakened it. That's rare, even in the history of the Uchiha clan."
Sasuke jumped up and ran toward the nearby river.
Staring at his reflection, he saw them.
Scarlet eyes.
A single tomoe, slowly spinning in each.
Sharingan…
I finally awakened the Sharingan!
But Kakashi's attention wasn't on Sasuke anymore.
He turned to Shigure.
"Using only one hand against Sasuke? Were you trying to provoke him?"
A faint smile crossed Shigure's lips.
Did he… deliberately help Sasuke awaken the Sharingan?
...
TN:
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