Chương 26: Chapter 26 - The duel begins!

The next day, Yusuke received a letter with an official challenge from Shisui. This caused a strong reaction in Konoha. Although the Uchiha clan was ostracized by the village, it was still the number one clan, it would not be an exaggeration to say that it is the number one clan with the highest reputation in the entire world.

The news that the most brilliant shinobi of the Uchiha clan challenged the strongest shinobi of his clan immediately became the center of attention. And thanks to the behind-the-scenes actions of the Third Hokage, even more became known about the duel. Both shinobi and civilians were looking forward to the day of the duel. They wanted to know who would come out the winner, a daring genius or a recognized master.

"I will never play with Shisui again, I thought he was good, but he turned out to be bad!!" At the training ground, little Izumi pouted in anger. As a child, her ingenuous judgment of people was only black and white.

Standing next to her, Itachi frowned all the time, "I really can't figure out what drives him. But I firmly believe in one thing, that he does it not only for the stupid title! Unfortunately, even after I personally asked him to cancel the call, he did not agree."

"Hmph, if he still doesn't cancel the duel, then my brother will teach him a good lesson!" - Izumi was very angry at Shisui.

Itachi shook his head, "Shisui is very strong, I don't want to underestimate sensei, but to be honest, I can't say which one of them will be the winner."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses and asked, "Is Shisui really that strong?"

"Yes, he took the technique of body flicker to a whole new level. As far as I can tell from my strength, his technique is practically unstoppable," Itachi replied with a blank face. Since Itachi often trained with Shisui, he knew a little more than the others.

At that moment, Might Guy spoke after finishing his push-ups: "That's right, I also heard about his incredible body flicker technique, they say he can create up to eight afterimages that will follow the main body like clones! For the opponent, it would be the same to be attacked by eight people at once!"

"Isn't it harder than dealing with eight enemies at the same time? There is only one real body, but there are eight points of attack, and until you find the true body, you will have to protect eight directions at once!" Kabuto's brows furrowed.

"That's right, and if I'm not mistaken, the current Shisui can already create over eight phantom clones," Itachi agreed. Struck by their words, Izumi froze in place like a statue.

"Looks like you all don't have much faith in your sensei." Flames erupted near the group, which then turned into a youth with a slight smile on his face. Yusuke calmly looked at his students and silently smiled.

Seeing Yuusuke, the three little students quickly surrounded him and began to question him about the duel.

"Don't worry, Shisui Uchiha hasn't reached the level of being my opponent yet," Yusuke stated in a confident tone. Had it been before he received the Nine-Tails' Yin Chakra, he would not have been so sure of victory. But now that he had awakened his sharingan and was able to use some of Ryujin Jakki true power, he could confidently declare that he would be the winner.

"I knew it! My brother is the best! Izumi happily exclaimed upon hearing Yusuke's answer, "But brother, don't hit him hard, after all, he treated us well!" Hearing Izumi's innocent words, Yuusuke smiled and stroked her head.

At the same time, Guy's eyes lit up with fighting spirit as he revealed his dazzling smile and asked, "Since you're so sure of yourself, Yusuke, how about starting a man fight?!"

"I refuse!" - Guy got an instant rejection.

*Bam* - but in the next second there was a sound of impact. Kabuto, Itachi, and Izumi looked at Guy in surprise, who suddenly kicked but was blocked by Yusuke's hand.

"This is a fight you can't refuse!" - Guy laughed out loud, after which his figure blurred, as if he were a ghost. Before anyone could figure out what was going on, four identical figures in green tights appeared around Yusuke and simultaneously attacked the youth.

The corners of Yuusuke's mouth turned up slightly as he realized what Guy was doing it for.

Although Yuusuke's physical skills were very good, he soon realized that his normal physical skills would not be able to withstand this instant technique. Even though Guy was only able to produce four afterimage clones so far, Yusuke barely had time to fight back, blocking left and right attacks. Even when he fought back, he only hit the clones, not the real body.

Barely ten seconds later, Yuusuke could no longer withstand Guy's attacks and was forced to transform into dozens of flame-swept ghostly ravens in order to distance himself.

It wasn't that Yusuke didn't have a way to handle this instant technique, but his method was related to Ryujin Jakka and the Zanpakuto power could harm his friend.

"Well, what can you say? Have you come up with countermeasures for this technique yet?" - one of the afterimages of Guy put his hands on his knees and greedily gasping for air, asked.

Physically, Guy was much stronger than Shisui and even Yuusuke. However, Shisui's Bodily Flicker Technique combined with Wind Release would have been very difficult for Guy to defeat.

"It will be a bit difficult but not impossible, thanks Guy" Yusuke was sincerely grateful.

Guy stood up and laughed out loud: "It's nothing, it's just, I don't want the opponent I recognized to lose to someone else!"

***

Three days went by quickly, during which time the stadium, which was usually used during the competition of young ninjas, gathered a lot of spectators. Among the spectators were both ninja and ordinary people, but today they had a common goal, to watch the duel between two masters from the Uchiha clan.

In a special box, for important people, all the dignitaries of the Hidden Leaf Village gathered. The Third Hokage and Danzo took their places specially prepared for them and calmly waited for the start of the battle.

"Who do you think will win today?"

"Who knows, they are both strong, but if I had to bet, I would bet on Shisui, I heard that he is capable of single-handedly killing thousands of ninja!"

"Where did you hear such a tale? This is too exaggerated, as for me, Yuusuke is much stronger and more experienced. After all, not everyone will be able to repeat his exploits during the Third Shinobi World War.

Many in the audience argued furiously, some were for Shisui, some were for Yusuke, some didn't care at all. Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, Genma and Guy also came and took their seats next to each other.

"Kakashi, who do you think will win?" Asuma asked.

"It's hard to say, both have both strengths and weaknesses, it's almost impossible to predict the winner," Kakashi replied shaking his head.

To Asuma and the others, Yuusuke seemed strong and had an overwhelming advantage. But Kakashi, as one of the Anbu agents, knew a little more about Shisui's power.

On the other hand, in a dark corner, Orochimaru was excitedly licking his lips with his long, snake-like tongue, "This will be a great sight!"

"Greetings to all, today I, Uchiha Fugaku, will be the judge of this mast. And now, I will ask the two participants to enter the arena, "Fugaku was darker than a cloud when he entered the arena, he did not like what was happening today at all. He summoned Shisui twice and tried to convince him to refuse the challenge, but failed, the youth was rock solid in his decision.

Uchiha Fugaku did not understand why this seemingly not stupid kid, could not understand one thing, that all this was just a farce arranged by someone, which put the Uchiha clan in a bad light. Worst of all, he didn't want to be the judge of this competition, but as much as he didn't want to, as head of the Uchiha clan, he was the right person to do it.

Yuusuke and Shisui walked to the center of the arena, stood facing each other at a distance of about five meters and looked at each other.

"The duel between Yusuke and Shisui has officially begun, start the battle!" Fugaku Uchiha gave Yuusuke and Shisui a complicated look and announced loudly, then quickly left the arena.

"If these two geniuses can get along and join forces to help me revive the clan, then the Uchiha clan can return to their former glory!" Fugaku thought and sighed in his heart. Although Yusuke warned him of Shisui's position, Fugaku still had great confidence in the latter.

In his understanding, Shisui was only a representative of the moderate faction in the clan, and hoped to eliminate the conflict between the clan and the village, as well as become a bridge between them. He refused to believe that Shisui had abandoned the interests of the clan and sided with the village's supreme authority.

At the arena, Shisui activated his sharingan and looked at Yuusuke, "Yusuke-senpai, the winner of this match will definitely be me. You may be strong, but you cannot match my determination and strength! Oh, and before we get started, what is your ninja way?"

"My ninja way? It's too early for you to know!" Yuusuke replied with a chuckle.

Hearing Yuusuke's reply, Shisui didn't say anything else, but his gaze suddenly turned stern.

"Fire Release - Great Fireball"