After losing another match, Photo and Flame stared at Chen Xing with narrowed eyes.
"You really never learned this game before?" he asked again, clearly suspicious.
Chen Xing shook his head calmly. "No. I only learned the rules just now."
The board game resembled shogi — a strategic game popular among shinobi for sharpening tactical thinking — and although Chen Xing had been unfamiliar at first, his analytical ability quickly allowed him to reverse the situation. After losing the first round, he won every match that followed.
Photo and Flame sighed heavily while the others watched with amused expressions.
"Impossible…" he muttered. "A beginner shouldn't improve this fast."
Chen Xing smiled but said nothing.
---
Evening arrived quickly.
After dinner, Mei Ming brought Chen Xing to the rooftop. Her expression was serious, unlike her usual playful attitude.
"Chen Xing," she said quietly, "Yintian mentioned something… He believes you possess the Sharingan. Is that true?"
Chen Xing nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Show me."
Chen Xing closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, scarlet irises appeared, three tomoe rotating slowly — unmistakably the Three-Tomoe Sharingan described in Konoha's records of the Uchiha clan.
Even in the dim light, the chakra pressure was clear.
Mei Ming frowned slightly.
"How do you possess the Sharingan? You are not an Uchiha… and unlike Hatake Kakashi, you can deactivate it freely."
Chen Xing did not avoid the question.
"These eyes once belonged to Uchiha Shisui."
Her eyes widened.
"Shisui… the 'Shisui of the Body Flicker'?"
She knew the name. Even outside Konoha, rumors about the prodigy of the Uchiha clan had spread through the ninja world.
"Yes," Chen Xing replied calmly. "The right eye retains part of his original power."
Mei Ming fell silent for a moment as she processed this.
"That explains how you captured the Fourth Kazekage," she said slowly. "Genjutsu from the Sharingan can overwhelm even Kage-level opponents if used correctly."
Chen Xing laughed lightly.
"So… does that mean you accept my challenge?"
She crossed her arms, smiling confidently.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Even with a Mangekyō Sharingan, defeating me won't be easy."
"When?" he asked.
"Tomorrow night," she replied.
---
Chen Xing vs Mei Ming
The next day passed quickly.
By evening, Mei Ming led Chen Xing outside the Hidden Mist Village to avoid attracting attention. As elite shinobi, both understood the danger of unleashing large-scale techniques near civilians.
They stopped in a damp forest clearing.
"This distance is enough," Mei Ming said. "Our battle won't alert the village from here."
Chen Xing nodded.
"Ready?" she asked with a grin.
Before he could respond fully, she formed hand seals at high speed — a level of proficiency expected from a Mizukage candidate.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A massive column of water surged forward.
Chen Xing reacted instantly.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A powerful gust exploded outward, colliding with the incoming water. The techniques clashed violently, scattering spray across the clearing.
Mei Ming smiled — clearly enjoying herself.
At that moment, Chen Xing sensed danger through the heightened perception granted by the Sharingan. He bent sharply to the side as another hidden attack struck the ground where he had stood seconds before, creating a deep crater.
Water droplets fell like rain across the battlefield.
Chen Xing landed atop a nearby tree trunk, eyes focused and alert.
The real battle had begun.