The Great Fireball Technique, one of the Uchiha clan's signature moves, had set the Ninja world ablaze with fear for centuries. According to legend, a powerful Uchiha master once used this technique to burn down hundreds of enemies in an instant, terrifying all who witnessed it.
Though young, Sasuke was beginning to master the basics. Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique! This C-rank Fire Style move wasn't the most advanced, but its focused firepower made it a solid choice for single attacks. Sasuke focused his Sharingan, tracking the female ninja's movements precisely. He spotted his opening and launched his most powerful attack yet. Flames roared out, engulfing her entirely.
From his hiding spot, Lee observed with respect. Sasuke's progress is incredible, he thought. If he keeps growing like this, even my speed might not be enough to match him next time.
"Impressive," came the female ninja's voice from within the fire, her laugh echoing menacingly. "You really are an Uchiha. I'm looking forward to this."
With a powerful surge, she blasted the flames away, revealing herself unharmed. Her legs transformed into snake-like coils, and she lunged at Sasuke with blinding speed.
"Damn!" Sasuke muttered, leaping backward to dodge. Though he was still fearful, the fight had ignited a warrior's spirit within him—the fierce Uchiha blood flowed strong.
"Impressive," she mocked, watching him regain his stance. "Your Sharingan is growing stronger. And to think, you're only at the second level."
"You've clearly encountered the Uchiha before. Did one of us defeat you?" Sasuke taunted coldly, noticing the flash of anger in her eyes.
"Watch your mouth!" she snapped, summoning a violent gust of wind that crackled with sharp, deadly blades.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his Sharingan analyzing the attack. He dodged swiftly, weaving through the trees like a shadow.
The wind blades sliced through a tree behind him, splitting the thick trunk as if it were paper. Sasuke sped up, leaping from branch to branch, and finally launched himself from above, targeting her with a flying strike. She didn't dodge, letting Sasuke's attack land—just as he had planned.
Sasuke gripped her tightly and slammed her head into the ground with all his strength, hoping this would end it.
"Idiot!" Lee whispered urgently from his hiding spot. She's way too powerful to be defeated by a simple takedown!
With a loud crash, the ground cracked beneath them. Sasuke stepped back, trembling with exhaustion. "Is it… over?"
But then he froze. The female ninja wasn't hurt at all—in fact, she was smiling at him from within the rubble.
In an instant, her body dissolved into mud. Earth Style clone! Sasuke thought, horrified.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!" Shurikens whizzed at him from all sides. He ducked and rolled, barely avoiding the deadly hail of metal. He caught his breath, but the attacks didn't stop. More kunai shot toward him, and he quickly dodged.
Recovering his wits, Sasuke pulled steel wires from his pouch, swinging himself to a different tree. He knew that he had to get out of sight to stand a chance.
"Where is she?" he muttered, scanning the area with his Sharingan.
"Here." Her voice came from right behind him, and he barely had time to react as her fist connected with his face.
Sasuke staggered, seeing stars. Before he could regain his balance, she threw a flurry of punches, each one hitting harder than the last. Finally, she delivered a powerful blow that sent him flying, crashing to the ground with a thud. His body shook as he struggled to stand.
"You've disgraced the Uchiha name," she sneered, standing over him. "Killing you would be as easy as squashing an insect."
Suddenly, Sasuke raised his head, meeting her gaze with cold, determined eyes. "Is that so?" he said, his voice steady.
The female ninja faltered, a strange feeling of unease flickering through her. How does he still have this kind of spirit?
From his vantage point, Lee noticed two small, bell-like devices on the back of the ninja's outfit. Sasuke must've planted them!
Just then, the bells exploded with a deafening roar, blasting the female ninja forward, off-balance.
"Now's my chance!" Sasuke yelled, springing up with renewed energy and charging at her.