Clang! Clang!
Shuriken collided midair.
"Hmph!"
In terms of shuriken techniques, Neji was clearly at a disadvantage. Using his Sharingan, Sasuke could predict and intercept each of Neji's throws with perfect precision, even deflecting them back.
Though Neji was being suppressed in the ranged duel, his Byakugan gave him complete 360-degree awareness, allowing him to detect and intercept every incoming projectile, no matter the angle. Each returning shuriken was cleanly batted away with bare hands.
Sasuke might have gained the upper hand, but he couldn't break through Neji's defenses. The shuriken exchange had reached a deadlock.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
They moved on to taijutsu.
Just as Sasuke had dominated the ranged phase, in close combat, Neji now took control. His precise Gentle Fist techniques and the refined Hyuga taijutsu style overwhelmed Sasuke. While the Uchiha could read Neji's movements using the Sharingan, matching his speed and flow in pure hand-to-hand was another matter. He could barely defend, let alone counter.
With neither able to gain a decisive edge, Sasuke leapt back and began forming seals.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
A trio of fireballs flew at Neji in a staggered triangular pattern.
Neji's body blurred, effortlessly weaving between the flaming projectiles.
"Got you!"
Using the Sharingan, Sasuke had predicted Neji's evasion route. He vanished from his spot and reappeared behind Neji.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A blazing orb of flame erupted from Sasuke's mouth, aiming straight at Neji's back.
But with his Byakugan active, Neji had seen it all coming. In one smooth motion.
Poof!
The fireball hit, only to incinerate a wooden log. Substitution Technique.
"Whoosh! "
Neji's real body emerged behind Sasuke, Gentle Fist strike incoming.
Sasuke responded quickly, whirling around with a sweeping kick.
Bang!
Fist and leg collided, both fighters forced to disengage and leap back.
"…Are you sure you want to keep going?" Neji asked calmly, his narrowed eyes fixed on Sasuke.
"Hmph. What, scared?" Sasuke sneered.
Neji's gaze sharpened.
"Don't flatter yourself. You know as well as I do, unless one of us intends to kill, there will be no clear victor."
"A strike risking life and death, huh?"
A glint of bloodlust flickered in Sasuke's eyes. He grinned coldly.
"Sounds perfect. Play-fighting ends now. Let's end this, one final move."
From the sidelines, Tenten grew increasingly alarmed.
"Hey! Stop it, both of you! This is just a sparring match! Why are you taking it this far?!"
Neji, rarely angered, was now visibly agitated.
"At this point… there's nothing left to say."
"Good."
Sasuke's smile widened. He began weaving hand seals.
A flash of crackling lightning surged in his palm.
"Chidori!"
Neji's expression changed slightly as he witnessed the concentrated chakra condensing to lethal levels. He immediately shifted into full combat mode, his nerves taut like steel wire.
Tenten's eyes widened in shock.
"You're both Leaf shinobi! And you're using that kind of jutsu?! Are you crazy?!"
"Shut up!"
Sasuke snarled, eyes locked on Neji with wild intensity.
"I have to become stronger… I must become stronger! Anyone in my way, I'll crush them, one by one!"
"Hmph. Then come at me!"
Neji's pride as a Hyuga flared. He wouldn't stand for being treated like some stepping stone.
"Let's see if you can survive this!"
Sasuke slammed a foot into the ground.
The lightning wrapped around him surged, his cellular activity heightened by Lightning Release. His speed spiked instantly as he blurred forward, a streak of pure lightning charging straight at Neji.
The ground cracked behind him from the sheer force.
"Lightning Style: Chidori!"
Neji inhaled deeply, then spun into motion.
"Eight Trigrams: Rotation!"
Lightning spear versus chakra shield.
The unstoppable lance against the unbreakable dome.
The clash was imminent.
But just then,
A shadow appeared between them, so suddenly it defied logic.
"?!"
Neji's eyes widened as Kirito appeared right in front of them.
Not good!
He'd already activated his chakra points. The technique had begun. It was too late to stop his rotation.
"Hmph…"
Sasuke, too, froze for an instant. But then, his memory flashed to the last time he clashed with Kirito.
His Chidori… had been outclassed.
A surge of jealousy exploded in his chest.
Instead of stopping, he accelerated.
His Chidori screeched louder, thrusting forward, not at Neji now, but directly at Kirito.
And Kirito, standing still between both techniques, simply,
Raised both arms.
"I think that's enough out of you two."
"??!!"
CRACKLE!!
Sasuke's eyes nearly popped from his skull.
Kirito's right hand had seized his Chidori arm mid-charge, fingers clamped around his wrist like a steel vice, completely stopping the high-speed, high-voltage assault.
On the other side, Neji's Rotating Eight Trigrams Barrier, a technique formed from all 64 chakra points rotating at full speed, was pierced through directly.
Kirito's left hand tore through the dense chakra vortex and landed squarely on Neji's shoulder.
"…Impossible."
Neji's voice was filled with disbelief.
"Y-you broke my Rotation… with your bare hand?!"
The rotation was supposed to be unstoppable, even he couldn't cancel it once triggered. Yet Kirito had just reached inside it and stopped him cold with one hand.
<><>---------------------------------------
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🚨 TL/N 💥
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
💥> Naruto: Mind Control (Highly Recommended)
💥> Bleach: Sephiroth Template
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
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