บท 46: Chapter 46
The Chakra sphere in Minato's hand came to an abrupt halt, mere centimeters away from the bridge of Tatsuya's nose.
"As expected of Master Tatsuya," Minato remarked, his smile tinged with admiration as he compared Tatsuya's current stature and demeanor to three years prior.
Looking down, Minato suddenly became aware of Tatsuya's sword, positioned near his abdomen, with the potential to pierce through at any moment.
"The rate of growth is truly remarkable," Tsunade conceded, acknowledging Minato's rapid advancement.
"Ha-ha! In comparison to the growth spurt, it seems no one can quite measure up to Minato!" Jiraiya exclaimed, his arms akimbo, displaying a self-satisfied grin that almost suggested it was he himself who had achieved such growth.
"It appears you won't be far from surpassing Tatsuya," Jiraiya added with a triumphant glint in his eye.
Finally overcoming the one who had relentlessly pursued Tsunade, was a small victory for Jiraiya, even if he wasn't the victor himself.
Tatsuya, however, simply smiled in response to Jiraiya's remark, choosing not to engage further.
"Master Jiraiya, Lord Hokage requests your presence," a sudden appearance of an Anbu member, utilizing the Body Flicker Technique, interjected.
"I know, we're on our way," Jiraiya responded, the triumphant expression on his face diminishing by half, and he added somewhat curtly, "We'll manage without your presence."
"…Yes," the Anbu member acquiesced, clearly sensing the undertone of annoyance in Jiraiya's words, before disappearing with another Body Flicker Technique.
Though the Anbu served directly under the Hokage, even elite Jōnin tended to avoid confrontation with the Sannin whenever possible.
Amidst the gathering of prominent figures like Tatsuya, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, the Hokage's direct troops were cautious not to assert undue authority.
"Shall we go, Minato?" Jiraiya beckoned Minato.
"Yes, Jiraiya-sensei," Minato replied, stowing away his custom-made three-pointed kunai and offering a respectful bow to Tatsuya. "Thank you for the lesson."
With that, they departed for the village, Minato in tow.
"It's quite remarkable that Minato senpai could hold his own against Master Tatsuya. I've never witnessed anything like it," Rin, who had transformed into a mature young woman since her childhood, expressed her astonishment in a hushed tone.
"Why didn't you use your full strength?" a curious and slightly juvenile voice piped up from the forest behind.
Tsunade, Rin, and the others turned to see a young boy of about five years old, with curly black hair and a pair of inquisitive eyes fixed on Tatsuya.
"The Uchiha clan again!" Kakashi mentally noted upon spotting the emblem on the boy's shoulder—a sign resembling a flame fan.
Kakashi's mind immediately connected the emblem with his former classmate, Obito, who had often worn this very clan symbol during their school days.
Yet, the boy before them sported distinctive Uchiha features, such as black hair, yet had an unusual feature—curly hair and a slightly flattened nose.
"Why did you put on such a show?"
"By the way, the little mouse who's been lurking and peering at us lately—are you finally ready to show yourself?" Tatsuya inquired nonchalantly as he sheathed his sword with practiced ease.
In the last few days, Tatsuya had been sensing a lingering presence observing him, though it lacked the negative intent typical of previous encounters.
However, unlike the previous bumbling Anbu group, this observer emitted no hostility, and Tatsuya dismissed it as inconsequential.
"I heard that [Konoha Black Fang] is the most formidable swordsman in the village, so I couldn't resist," the young Uchiha boy admitted, scratching his head bashfully before offering a respectful bow. "My name is Uchiha Shisui. Please instruct me in Kenjutsu, Master Tatsuya."
Yet again, Tatsuya couldn't help but exhibit a faint expression of disdain upon hearing the name.
"Is that so?"
Uchiha Shisui, still a child of less than five, looked genuinely sincere.
Tatsuya, having already found Sakumo's demise in the original narrative to be puzzling, found himself equally baffled by the unusual nature of Uchiha Shisui's end.
Moreover, the extraordinary technique known as the Kotoamatsukami, which he dubbed "The Most Dangerous Genjutsu," was a veritable anomaly—its capability to rewrite a person's ideals with a mere look from Shishui was unprecedented. Except perhaps Naruto's Talk No Jutsu.
Shishui possessed a deep understanding of the skill's threat and understood the responsibility it entailed, leading him to conceal its existence from even those closest to him.
Observing this power, Tatsuya realized that even the once all-knowing Sarutobi Hiruzen had gaps in his knowledge.
In the original timeline, Uchiha Shisui had recommended using the Kotoamatsukami to manipulate Uchiha Fugaku's mindset and thwart the impending coup.
This suggestion, however, ignited concerns in Hiruzen and the elders that Shisui might use the technique on them, thus highlighting the fear surrounding the power.
"Master Tatsuya, do you know me?" Shisui inquired, genuine curiosity etched across his young features.
Tatsuya emitted a peculiar chuckle. "I've heard a little about you. I believe you and my brother would have become great friends."
"Really?" Shisui, still a child, responded with a mixture of amazement and embarrassment.
Konoha's White Fang? The swordsman is second only to the Black Fang. Can he truly form a friendship with The legendary Sakumo Hatake?
After all, it was by chance that he had witnessed the training duel between Tatsuya and Sakumo during a passing moment.
Enchanted by the combat skills displayed by both swordsmen, Shisui, himself a practitioner of the blade, couldn't help but be drawn in.
For him, the appeal of the sword styles was inescapable.
"You're all equally foolish," Tatsuya retorted, causing a noticeable shift in Shisui's expression.
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