Kapitel 60: Chapter 60: A Talent That Sends Chills Down Your Spine
The fierce gusts from the ongoing battle swept across the arena.
Dust had been swirling since the clash began, never fully settling.
In the heated combat, Neji Hyuuga, a member of the famed Hyuuga clan, should have held the advantage in close-quarters combat.
Yet, he was being forced back by Sasuke, who wielded one fist and a kunai with remarkable skill.
Neji's Gentle Fist was undoubtedly powerful, but Sasuke's taijutsu left the watching Konoha shinobi astonished.
"Such incredible taijutsu. We expect it from the Hyuuga, but who would've thought that Uchiha kid's taijutsu could be this strong too?"
"Feels like his taijutsu is on par with that of a Jonin already!"
"Not just taijutsu his strength is insane too!"
Each of Sasuke's strikes generated sharp, whistling wind sounds, the kind that required both immense speed and power to produce.
What truly shocked the Konoha ninja, however, was how often Sasuke avoided Neji's seemingly inevitable Gentle Fist strikes.
Each time, subtle shifts in Sasuke's movements allowed him to evade Neji's attacks.
Once could be called luck, but when it kept happening repeatedly, it was clear this was no coincidence.
Shikamaru, usually unmotivated, now stared wide-eyed at Sasuke, whose calm demeanor remained unshaken.
"What… what did he go through during this time to become so strong?"
"Shikamaru! Did you see that? That guy's fighting Neji Hyuuga, and they're evenly matched!" Choji exclaimed, his mouth still full of chips, nearly choking in his excitement.
Shikamaru shot him a glance and corrected him, "Evenly matched? No, Sasuke is clearly dominating Neji now."
In just two minutes, the battle had shifted.
What started as an even exchange had turned into Neji being suppressed by Sasuke.
The reasons for this change were apparent only to those at a Jonin level or higher.
For ninja below that rank, the fight's intricacies were impossible to grasp.
Asuma, holding a nearly burned-down cigarette, failed to notice it singeing his fingers as his focus remained entirely on Sasuke in the arena.
"What a terrifying talent!"
"He managed to grasp Neji's attack patterns in such a short time!"
"Even parts of the Gentle Fist technique have been seen through by this kid. And in just two minutes, this is the result!"
Might Guy frowned deeply.
"It seems... this battle will be difficult for Neji."
Hearing Guy's remark, some members of the Hyuuga clan nearby were displeased.
It was one thing for other Jonin to comment, but for Might Guy, Neji's own teacher, to make such a discouraging statement?
"Neji hasn't even used his full abilities yet! The outcome is far from decided!"
Although these Hyuuga clan members didn't address Guy directly, their words were clearly directed at him.
"Enough! Silence!"
Hiashi Hyuuga is authoritative voice cut through, immediately chastising the two clan members.
Hiashi nodded respectfully to Guy, acknowledging the validity of his observation.
The reprimanded clan members dared not speak further but looked puzzled.
"Clan leader, the battle has only just begun. The victor hasn't been determined yet!"
Hiashi sighed.
"You still don't understand, do you? That Uchiha boy... is truly terrifying."
"This fight will be very difficult for Neji to win."
"But the battle only just"
"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to discern an opponent's attack patterns during a fight?" Hiashi interrupted.
"And not only to read the attacks, but to suppress the opponent without relying on any additional abilities? Do you understand the level of talent required for that?"
The two clan members froze for a moment before shaking their heads.
Although they possessed the Byakugan, which allowed them to see through enemy techniques, understanding and countering an opponent's attack patterns went beyond mere perception. It was a matter of extraordinary skill and insight.
"It also includes attack habits, thought processes, and various other factors."
"It's fair to say that accomplishing such a feat is no easier than picking a single needle out of hundreds and threading it perfectly in one attempt."
"And that Uchiha kid? He did it in just two minutes."
"And during an intense battle, no less!"
Hearing Hiashi's analogy, the surrounding shinobi wore expressions of disbelief.
They had assumed Neji being slightly suppressed was a minor issue, but they hadn't realized the sheer terror of the opponent he was facing.
"Right now, Neji's every move is essentially being read by the other side!"
"Didn't you notice? Neji's attacks always seem half a beat too slow. Against someone who has already understood his attack patterns and even parts of his Gentle Fist technique it's no surprise. The only thing stopping the Uchiha boy from fully using Gentle Fist himself is that he doesn't have the Byakugan!"
At the mention of the Byakugan, someone suddenly noticed something.
"That Uchiha kid… hasn't even activated his Sharingan!"
"Not 'seems like.' He definitely hasn't activated it!"
"Hasn't awakened it yet?"
"Whether it's awakened or not, are you telling me this kid is suppressing Neji Hyuuga without using the Sharingan? That's impossible!"
Hiashi sighed helplessly. That's precisely what was so terrifying.
If Uchiha Sasuke had activated his Sharingan, Hiashi wouldn't be nearly as shocked.
But the fact that Sasuke was suppressing Neji without even using it...
Regardless of whether Sasuke activated the Sharingan, this displayed his frightening talent and astonishing potential.
If Sasuke were to activate the Sharingan, wouldn't Neji have even less of a chance?
Bam!
Suddenly, Sasuke's kick landed squarely on Neji's chest, using the force to push himself away and create distance.
This marked the first clean hit of the entire four-minute-long battle.
Up to this point, neither Neji nor Sasuke had successfully landed a blow on the other.
Neji staggered back, catching his breath.
His determined gaze betrayed a hint of surprise.
He could feel it Sasuke had completely seen through him.
"Your taijutsu has improved quite a bit, Neji," Sasuke said with a smirk.
But Neji's expression only darkened further at Sasuke's compliment.
"Let's end the warm-up here."
"Taijutsu isn't even my strong suit. Now, I'll start taking this seriously."
Warm-up? Seriously?
This guy hadn't even been trying up until now?
Taijutsu wasn't his strong suit? Was Sasuke implying that even his weakest skill was enough to suppress Neji, and that if he used other abilities, the match would've been over already?
Neji clenched his teeth hard, spreading his hands and assuming a Tai Chi stance.
"Come on, then! Show me what happens when you get serious!"
Since Neji was so eager, Sasuke couldn't help but oblige.
A small smile crept across Sasuke's lips as he raised his hands and began forming hand seals.
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