Chapter 24: Shadows? Not That Scary!
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As night fell, Horyu continued his grueling training regimen. He switched between his various skills, from 'Throwing' to 'Chakra Control', pushing each to new levels. The system's chimes became a regular sound in his mind, each one marking a small victory in his quest for strength.
[System Message: Throwing (Level 3) → Throwing (Level 4)]
[System Message: Chakra Control (Beginner - Level 2) → Chakra Control (Beginner - Level 3)]
Exhausted but satisfied, Horyu finally ceased his training. He stood amidst the training ground, his breathing heavy, sweat drenching his clothes. He checked his updated stats:
[System Message:
Name: Horyu Uchiha
Age: 10
Level: 3
Chakra: 100
Stats: Strength- 2, Intelligence- 5, Agility- 6, Stamina- 3 (Increased from 2), Control- 2 (Increased from 1)]
"Better," he muttered, his voice hoarse from exhaustion. "But still a long way to go."
After his intense training session, Horyu's gaze fell upon the reward he had earned for defeating Choji – the Stamina Boost Potion. His eyes studied the potion briefly, acknowledging its potential to enhance his already taxing regimen. "Time to see what this can really do," he muttered, uncorking the potion and downing it in one swift motion.
[System Message: Stamina Increased by 3]
A surge of vitality rushed through him, his fatigue momentarily dissipating. He felt a newfound endurance coursing through his veins, readying him for even more rigorous training. "Stamina at six now. This should keep me going longer," he commented, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
He then mused, "Tomorrow I will fight Shikamaru. Knowing him, due to today's battle, he will come up with hundreds of strategies to counter me. He saw most of my skills and will probably counter them. I first need to analyze his weak points, then my own weak points and create new techniques with repetition to beat him."
Sitting alone in the dim light of his room, Horyu began to strategize for the upcoming battle with Shikamaru. He knew Shikamaru's intelligence was his greatest asset, and that meant he needed to be unpredictable.
"Shikamaru's strength is his mind, but his laziness often makes him predictable in his desire to end things quickly," Horyu spoke aloud to himself, his voice low.
He considered his own weaknesses. "My stamina has improved, but prolonged fights are still a risk. I need techniques that deliver high impact in a short time."
Horyu sat cross-legged on the cold floor of his dimly lit room, his eyes closed in concentration. He knew well that tomorrow's battle against Shikamaru wouldn't be a test of strength but a battle of wits and strategy. "Shikamaru's going to expect the tactics I used today," he mused aloud, "but I'll need something new, something he can't predict."
After a moment of contemplation, he opened his eyes, a spark of inspiration flickering within them. "First, a feint. He'll be waiting for my usual evasive maneuvers, so I'll start with that but switch it up midway." Horyu stood up, pacing the room as he visualized the fight. "I need a move that appears to be a retreat but sets up for an unexpected strike."
His mind worked through the possibilities, considering his enhanced agility and newfound stamina. "A deceptive retreat... draw him in, then strike when he's off-guard." He began practicing a series of steps that mimicked a retreat, each one fluid and swift, then abruptly changed direction to simulate a counterattack.
As he repeated the sequence, the system chimed in:
[System Message: New Skill Acquired - Deceptive Retreat (Level 1)]
Horyu opened the system interface in his mind, focusing on the newly acquired skill. The explanation for 'Deceptive Retreat' materialized before his eyes:
[Deceptive Retreat (Level 1): A tactical maneuver skill that simulates a retreat, luring the opponent into a false sense of pursuit, only to quickly counterattack with an unexpected move. Enhances the ability to feign weakness or defeat to gain a strategic advantage.]
"Makes sense," Horyu murmured to himself. "A perfect fit for dealing with Shikamaru's strategic mind."
He paced the room, considering his next move. "Shikamaru will be expecting a direct confrontation, so I'll give him the opposite." He needed another skill, something to outsmart Shikamaru's keen intellect.
Horyu began practicing a series of quick, abrupt movements, mimicking a fight where he would constantly change tactics, never settling into a predictable pattern. "Unpredictability is key," he muttered, focusing on making each movement different from the last.
As he continued, he felt the system recognizing his efforts:
[System Message: New Skill Acquired - Unpredictable Assault (Level 1)]
Horyu nodded in satisfaction. "Unpredictable Assault... should keep him guessing."
[Unpredictable Assault (Level 1): A skill that focuses on erratic and unforeseen offensive movements, making it difficult for the opponent to anticipate or counter the user's next move. Ideal for breaking through the defenses of strategic or analytical opponents.]
"Perfect. Shikamaru won't see this coming." Horyu felt a surge of confidence. He had a plan and two new skills to surprise Shikamaru.
Sitting down again, Horyu replayed his potential strategies against Shikamaru in his mind. "He's smart, but if I keep him off-balance, he won't have time to formulate a counter."
Horyu then got up, his muscles aching but his resolve unyielding. "I need to level up these techniques. I cannot rest yet. Especially Unpredictable Assault," he said to himself, the determination clear in his voice. The Taijutsu Tournament only allowed for physical combat, no ninjutsu. This limitation meant he couldn't rely on any jutsu, including Shikamaru's signature Shadow Jutsu. It would be a pure test of physical skill and strategy.
He started by focusing on the 'Unpredictable Assault' skill. The key was to be erratic, to keep changing his moves so that Shikamaru couldn't predict and counter them.
After hours of repetitive and rigorous training, the system chimed:
[System Message: Unpredictable Assault (Level 1) → Unpredictable Assault (Level 2)]
Horyu paused, catching his breath. "Level two... but it's still not enough," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. He resumed his training, pushing himself harder, driven by the need to outmaneuver Shikamaru.
[System Message: Unpredictable Assault (Level 2) → Unpredictable Assault (Level 3)]
[System Message: Unpredictable Assault (Level 3) → Unpredictable Assault (Level 4)]
[System Message: Deceptive Retreat (Level 1) → Deceptive Retreat (Level 2)]
Late into the night, as the moon hung high in the sky, Horyu finally allowed himself a moment of rest. He sat down, his body aching but his spirit undeterred. "Tomorrow's match... it'll be a true test of wit and skill," he mused, thinking about Shikamaru's intelligence and strategic mind. "But I'll be ready for him."
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