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Sandersonia stepped toward the arena, her face set with determination.
"Shisui, you're up," Akira called out calmly, arranging for Uchiha Shisui to take the stage.
Shisui smiled confidently. "How far should I go?"
He was relaxed, knowing that Akira had already calculated the outcome. Their bond was deep, and Shisui had a good understanding of Akira's expectations.
"You'll figure it out," Akira replied with a grin.
"Got it."
There was an unspoken understanding between them, a conversation carried out without the need for many words. Their eyes met, and in that brief exchange, volumes were communicated. A subtle nod here, a fleeting glance there, and they already knew what the other was thinking.
Itachi's calm gaze met Shisui's, and with just the faintest tilt of his head, Shisui grasped the plan. Akira, standing slightly behind them, caught the shared glance and felt the silent agreement fall into place. In moments like these, words were unnecessary—actions and instincts spoke louder.
This was the kind of bond that only years of trust and shared battles could forge—a silent conversation that no outsider could understand, but between them, it was as clear as day.
In an instant, Shisui appeared beside Itachi. "Itachi, take a break. I'll handle this one."
Itachi nodded. "Okay."
When Sandersonia saw her new opponent, her expression darkened. "Does your clan have no adults? You just send children to play."
Shisui chuckled nonchalantly. "Don't underestimate me because I'm young. After all, I'm the second strongest in the Uchiha clan."
Sandersonia's face became more serious. She had already witnessed Uchiha Itachi's strength and realized that Shisui was a few years older than Itachi. If this one claimed to be stronger than Itachi, it would mean serious trouble.
"What's your name, boy?" she asked.
"Uchiha Shisui," he answered.
"Can you breathe fire and control water too?"
"Ninjutsu? It's not a big deal. Everyone in my clan can do it," Shisui replied casually.
Sandersonia's eyes widened slightly. The Uchiha clan had about 300 members, which implied 300 individuals who could wield these powers. Although she knew that not everyone could be equally skilled, she understood how dangerous a clan like that could be.
She shut her eyes slowly.
"Why are you closing your eyes?" Shisui asked.
"Because if I look at you, I might fall into an illusion. So, it's better not to look at all."
"A smart idea," Shisui acknowledged, "but how do you plan to fight like this?"
Without hesitation, Shisui took out a kunai and flung it at Sandersonia. She twisted her body with unnatural agility, avoiding his attack.
"Huh?" Shisui was taken aback.
He threw multiple kunai in quick succession, but Sandersonia continued to dodge with her body twisting like a snake.
"Snake Dance!" she called out, her movements fluid and precise.
In the stands, the Amazon Lily warriors cheered for Sandersonia. "She's incredible! Lord Sandersonia's Haki is amazing!"
Suddenly, Shisui appeared behind her, but Sandersonia's tail lashed out, barely missing him as it shattered the stone guardrail.
"How does she know what I'm going to do?" Shisui muttered, puzzled by her ability to evade his attacks without seeing him.
Sandersonia smiled smugly. "This is Observation Haki. Every living body emits certain sounds and signals. With enough training, you can predict movements and attacks by sensing these signals. I don't need my eyes to sense your presence."
Shisui was impressed. "Armament Haki boosts defense and attack, and Observation Haki lets you sense movement… That's a powerful combination."
Ninjas could sense opponents during battle, but nothing as refined as this. Shisui realized the full potential of these abilities in combat.
"Kid, your eyes don't work on me. I can dodge your attacks, and soon enough, you won't be able to dodge mine. It's only a matter of time before I win."
Sandersonia whipped her tail toward Shisui, and he dodged skillfully, but her relentless attacks kept coming.
"Kill him, Lord Sandersonia"
"Show him no mercy!"
The crowd roared, spurring Sandersonia on.
Shisui, unbothered by the cheers, suddenly flung a kunai directly toward her face. She instinctively caught it, but Shisui used that moment to appear behind her, landing a kick to the back of her head.
"Ugh!" Sandersonia stumbled forward, barely catching herself with her arms.
"Your Observation Haki may be impressive," Shisui remarked, "but it requires a lot of concentration."
"You're clever, kid," Sandersonia snapped, "but don't think it changes anything. That was just a lucky shot. I won't let it happen again."
With a furious growl, she unleashed her ultimate technique. "Possessed by Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Anaconda"
Her green hair lengthened and twisted, transforming into eight massive serpents, each with razor-sharp fangs gleaming dangerously. The serpents hissed and launched themselves at Shisui, their jaws snapping.
Shisui's form flickered as he vanished.
*Crash!*
One of the serpents bit into the stone guardrail, its teeth hard as steel, easily demolishing the structure.
"Here!" Sandersonia shouted as she directed more serpents toward him.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
The ground was torn apart by the python's vicious bites, leaving craters in their wake. Yet, Shisui evaded each strike with ease, dancing around the battlefield as if he were weightless.
Frustration mounted for Sandersonia. Even with her enhanced powers, she couldn't land a hit on him. She was certain she could sense his every move, but he was always one step ahead.
Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan watched intently, not panicking. They knew Shisui was a prodigy, famous in the ninja world for his speed and agility.
Sandersonia's patience snapped. "You… how are you avoiding all my attacks?!"
Shisui smiled confidently, his form flickering again as he reappeared a safe distance away.
...