Chapter 19 – An Unexpected Decision
"Elementalization?"
After hearing Izaya's explanation, a flicker of curiosity appeared on Uchiha Itachi's face. Clearly, he didn't understand what Izaya meant by "elementalization." But… he knew that the current Izaya was completely different from before!
"Although I don't know what elementalization truly entails," Uchiha Itachi said slowly as Izaya walked towards him, his expression serious, "I think I understand now why you possess such strong self-confidence."
"Hey, my confidence isn't just because of this!" Izaya finished with a smile and abruptly accelerated his speed! His hands interlaced, forming hand seals with blinding speed. In the blink of an eye… the ninjutsu Izaya had been brewing was successfully released!
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
As the Chakra in Izaya's mouth transformed into an orange-red fireball, everyone within a ten-meter radius could feel an extremely terrifying, scorching heat… Simultaneously, the temperature of the powerful fireball released by Izaya was so intense that the leaves of the surrounding low shrubs instantly turned yellow and withered from the high temperature…
This alone demonstrated the strength of Izaya in this state… It was formidably powerful.
"Such Fire Release ninjutsu…" Uchiha Itachi murmured, his eyes wide. "This would require at least a jōnin-level shinobi to release."
If the previous Izaya had brought him shock, then the current Izaya only gave him one feeling: horror!
As the most outstanding genius of the Uchiha clan, the Great Fireball Technique was one of the Fire Release ninjutsu Uchiha Itachi was most familiar with—even more so than the Sharingan. Sensing the Great Fireball Technique released by Izaya, Uchiha Itachi found it hard to believe. A youth who was merely a chūnin could unleash something even he couldn't achieve!
Although, in the eyes of most, the Great Fireball Technique was just a basic Fire Release ninjutsu that used Fire Chakra, transformed through hand seals into a fireball… in reality, releasing this technique required more than just talent. The more important point was paying attention to the details during the release process to fully display its power…
And Izaya… The method he used to release the Great Fireball Technique, which Uchiha Itachi witnessed, had no finesse at all. Yet… relying on the strange flame energy within his body, Izaya directly and forcibly poured the flames from his body into the technique during the Chakra-to-flame transformation. This resulted in Izaya releasing a Great Fireball Technique that only resembled the Great Fireball Technique in name. In all other aspects—release method, power, and difficulty—it was completely different from the normal Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
"You possess incredibly powerful ninjutsu!" Realizing Izaya's uniqueness, a flash of seriousness crossed Uchiha Itachi's eyes.
Faced with Uchiha Itachi's praise, a trace of embarrassment flickered across Izaya's face. Because… essentially, this so-called Great Fireball Technique merely used the hand seals from the Naruto world. The fundamental reason for its immense power was the Blaze Fruit ability Izaya employed… It was also his biggest trump card!
"This is also one of my abilities," Izaya said after a moment's thought, still deciding not to reveal the Blaze Fruit to Uchiha Itachi, offering only a brief explanation.
"Let me see just how powerful your ability is." Seeing that Izaya didn't elaborate, Uchiha Itachi didn't press further. Instead, he stood his ground and began forming hand seals at a speed invisible to the naked eye!
"Fire Release! Great Fireball Technique!"
This time, Uchiha Itachi chose the same ninjutsu Izaya had released! However, the Great Fireball Technique released by Uchiha Itachi was slightly different from Izaya's version.
Izaya's Great Fireball Technique was more pure, and the flame's color was a vivid orange-red. From this color alone, one could sense the immense energy contained within the flames. Uchiha Itachi's Great Fireball Technique was different. Although the flame's temperature wasn't as high as Izaya's, both the size and speed of the fireball were superior! Simply put, Uchiha Itachi's Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique was more refined, whereas Izaya's release was pure flame energy!
BOOM!
As the two powerful Great Fireball Techniques collided, a tremendous sound erupted, echoing through the sky, accompanied by a vast sea of fire. The powerful flames released under the two different modes fused together, and the resulting explosion rivaled the power of some large-scale Fire Release ninjutsu!
"When it comes to Fire Release ninjutsu, you truly have a unique talent." Seeing that the powerful Great Fireball Technique he released had ultimately ended in a draw with Izaya's, a helpless, wry smile flashed across Uchiha Itachi's face. He continued, "If you and I were the same age, I would not be your match."
"Itachi, don't say that. I'm just using a trick." Hearing Uchiha Itachi's high praise, Izaya felt somewhat embarrassed. Although he could leverage the Blaze Fruit to gain an advantage in Fire Release ninjutsu, in terms of overall strength… the current Izaya was definitely no match for Uchiha Itachi at the same age! As a once-in-a-century genius of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Itachi's capabilities extended far beyond Fire Release ninjutsu!
Even if Uchiha Itachi suppressed his strength to chūnin level, in terms of comprehensive combat ability, Izaya would still be inferior… Unless… Izaya activated his Sharingan… But that was basically impossible… Other abilities were one thing, but the Sharingan… He really didn't know how to explain that to Uchiha Itachi.
"No." Looking at the Izaya before him, Uchiha Itachi seemed to recall his former self—hardworking, brave… and with a trace of stubbornness… "Sparring with you today has been the most shocking experience for me. You are very strong. Even an ordinary jōnin, if caught off guard by your sneak attack, would likely be defeated. Given time, it's not impossible for you to become a Kage-level powerhouse."
"But the enemy I must face is definitely not something you can handle right now. So… I cannot agree to your request…"
What Izaya never expected happened! Despite performing so impressively against Uchiha Itachi… Uchiha Itachi actually refused his request!