"You sneaky fellow, since you don't want to surrender, then taste my power!"
With that, Uchiha Shisui launched the first attack.
His Three Tomoe Sharingan spun wildly, and his momentum surged to its peak. With a flick of his wrist, several shuriken shot out. After colliding in mid-air, they redirected their trajectories, sealing off Riku's possible escape routes from multiple angles.
At the same time, Shisui used the Body Flicker Technique, vanishing in a blur as he closed in on his opponent.
To be honest, Riku's vigilance toward Shisui had been at its highest from the very start. After all, this was an Uchiha, a clan reputed for being invincible in one-on-one combat at the same level.
And Shisui himself was no ordinary member — he was the top genius of the younger Uchiha generation, famed on the battlefield as "Shisui of the Body Flicker."
No matter how cautious Riku was, it would never be excessive when facing such an opponent.
The instant Shisui moved, Riku also sprang into action.
Clapping his hands together, he swiftly completed a series of hand seals within three seconds.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
Without a weapon, Riku could only rely on Ninjutsu to force an opening.
Dozens of razor-sharp wind blades surged forward like scythes, slicing through nearly all of Shisui's shuriken. However, when it came to stopping Shisui's relentless advance, the jutsu lacked the necessary power.
Firstly, Riku's proficiency with this particular ninjutsu wasn't high. Secondly, the technique itself wasn't of top quality.
Still, it accomplished what he needed — a brief reprieve.
Close-quarters combat? Fine by me. Let's see who's afraid of who!
Truthfully, Riku was eager to test himself against Shisui — the legendary Shisui of the Body Flicker, who had dominated entire battlefields. How would his Taijutsu fare against someone like that, especially when he himself had only been practicing for a month?
But the fight quickly proved one thing: nicknames exist for a reason.
Shisui of the Body Flicker truly lived up to his title. His speed was astonishing — almost inhuman.
Riku knew the basic Body Flicker Technique, but compared to Shisui's mastery, his own version felt like a "Beggars' Edition."
He couldn't keep up with Shisui's movements at all. Each time he tried to predict or counter, he would fall into one of Shisui's traps.
If not for Riku's slight advantages in other areas, Shisui's short blade would've cut him down long ago.
In pure Taijutsu terms, though, Riku actually held the edge. His combat style — especially his Iron Fist technique — had evolved far beyond traditional methods, integrating various modern fighting arts. Against human opponents, it was devastating.
Joint locks, grappling techniques, and even judo throws flowed seamlessly in his movements.
Adding to this was the Byakugan hidden beneath his mask, which dramatically enhanced his perception. Through the chakra flow within Shisui's body, Riku could almost "see" his opponent's next move before it happened.
Together, these factors made Riku's Taijutsu appear flawless.
If Shisui hadn't been wielding a blade and mixing in clever ninjutsu tactics, he would likely have been captured long ago.
Even so, Shisui's superior Body Flicker speed kept Riku constantly on the defensive. Unable to keep up, he had no choice but to endure attack after attack, never seizing the initiative.
The longer the fight went on, the more frustrated Riku became. Speed-type ninjas were truly the most troublesome opponents.
But if Riku was frustrated, Shisui was outright stunned.
He hadn't expected this "mere thug" to make him feel so cornered.
The man before him hadn't used any high-level ninjutsu, yet he managed to fend off Shisui's storm-like attacks using only Taijutsu and a few basic elemental techniques.
Moreover, his Taijutsu was… strange — almost unnervingly so. Shisui could feel that getting too close would result in his body being torn apart. Despite his best efforts to maintain distance, he still suffered a few painful strikes. Five deep, burning red marks now marred his waist and abdomen — the result of just one brief contact.
His ninjutsu failed to land. His Sharingan-based Genjutsu was useless since Riku avoided direct eye contact. All he could rely on was his Uchiha-style kenjutsu and the unique Body Flicker Technique that had made his name.
Perhaps neither realized it, but in the other's eyes, both were equally troublesome opponents.
Their fierce exchange raged on for several minutes. The once-flat terrain had been reduced to a battlefield of destruction — dozens of craters, torn trees, and shattered rocks.
Through the Byakugan, Riku suddenly noticed several powerful chakra signatures approaching rapidly. Reinforcements — and not weak ones.
He couldn't afford to stay. If surrounded, escape would become nearly impossible.
Feeling the steady drain of chakra in his body, Riku's expression darkened.
"This Shisui of the Body Flicker is too difficult to deal with. If I don't seriously injure him with that move, I'll never get away. In that case… let's settle it in one strike!"
Riku's face turned solemn, and his breathing slowed.
Sensing the change in atmosphere, Shisui also tensed, muttering to himself, "This guy hasn't used any signature ninjutsu yet. Is he about to unleash something big?"
Growing cautious, Shisui instinctively retreated a few steps to create distance.
But his movement was met with a taunting sneer.
"Oh? Is this the famed Shisui of the Body Flicker from Konoha? Have you already given up on taking me down alone and decided to wait for backup?" Riku mocked, his tone cutting and deliberate. "How disappointing. So the so-called genius of Konoha relies on his comrades to wear down his enemies first? Some hero you are."
Shisui's jaw clenched.
Though he was known for his calm and humility, deep down, he was still a proud Uchiha — perhaps even more so than most.
And Riku's words struck precisely where it hurt most.
Not only did they challenge Shisui's personal pride, but they also insulted the Will of Fire — the belief he had always upheld.
If he didn't respond, could he still call himself a ninja of Konoha?
Riku's mockery hit home.
"Bastard, shut up!" Shisui snapped, his composure shattering. "Since you want to die, I'll gladly oblige!"
In an instant, his chakra surged. The Body Flicker Technique activated once more, his figure vanishing completely from sight.
To the untrained eye, it looked like teleportation.
The katana in Shisui's hand gleamed like a predator baring its fangs, radiating killing intent.
This was no test strike — it was a blow infused with all his strength and resolve.
But the moment Shisui crossed within five meters of Riku, his fate was sealed.
The technique Riku had been preparing — his trump card — was unleashed.
Byakugan: Intimidation!
The words formed silently in his mind.
In an instant, one-fifth of his chakra vanished. A tremendous, invisible force burst outward from Riku's body, condensing into a wave of pure pressure.
Shisui didn't even have time to process what was happening.
It felt like a mountain had slammed into his chest. His organs twisted, his bones cracked audibly, and the world spun violently around him.
The same speed that had carried him forward now hurled him backward with equal ferocity.
He smashed through several thick trees before crashing to the ground, plowing a six- or seven-meter-long trench through the dirt.
Pain flared through every nerve in his body. He barely had the chance to wonder what kind of jutsu was that? before his consciousness faded.
Shisui collapsed, unconscious — defeated in a single blow.
Riku didn't even spare him a glance.
Feeling the approaching chakra signatures closing in fast, he immediately turned, picked a direction, and fled at full speed.
Chapter 44 – Defeat: End
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