Chapter Sixty: The Indomitable Shisui

Watching Shisui use such a brutish method to swat away his kunai, Uchiha Li was not surprised at all.

In his draconic transformation mode, Shisui was like a humanoid tyrannosaurus. His offensive power was formidable, but the real highlight was the increase in his defensive capabilities. Ordinary attacks could no longer harm him, while he could easily tear his enemies apart.

Thus, the true purpose behind Uchiha Li throwing kunai was not to restrain Shisui with the kunai themselves.

Instead...

Uchiha Li's fingers danced lightly, and the kunai that had been knocked aside by Shisui suddenly moved once more. The secret lay in the specially treated steel wires attached to the kunai, which could be manipulated at will using the 'Manipulation Technique for Shuriken.'

Soon, the kunai behind Shisui began to wind toward him.

"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Technique!"

Having completed the hand seals, Uchiha Li sent flames racing along the steel wires, engulfing Shisui in an instant.

However, Uchiha Li sensed that something was off; he didn't hear the expected sound of burning. Trusting his instincts, he immediately abandoned his position.

The moment he left, Shisui's silhouette burst from the flames, swiping at Uchiha Li's former spot with his clawed hand—and missed.

"So the draconic state grants some degree of immunity to fire," Uchiha Li mused, instantly understanding what he had just witnessed. He felt a certain admiration, but also became more cautious. He was determined not to stumble in this sparring match.

"Li, be careful from now on," came Shisui's voice, roughened by his transformation. His hands flashed through seals, unleashing his signature technique.

"Body Flicker Technique!"

With the completion of Shisui's seals, a dozen draconic-mode Shisui appeared throughout the forest.

Uchiha Li's scarlet eyes swept around, searching for weaknesses.

No matter how he looked, each Shisui before him seemed real, yet this was clearly not a shadow clone technique.

At that moment, the many Shisui began to move in unison, their speed increasing rapidly.

Then, Shisui launched his attack; a succession of figures rushed toward him.

Uchiha Li was forced to pause his observation. Unable to think of a better way to counter, he chose to fend off and evade as best he could.

But the situation quickly exceeded his expectations, and he finally experienced the terrifying aspect of Shisui's Body Flicker Technique.

A dozen Shisui spread out, surrounding Uchiha Li so tightly there was no escape, and then one among them attacked.

Uchiha Li raised his kunai to block, but the attack missed—the Shisui was a fake, passing cleanly through his body.

Another Shisui attacked, and Uchiha Li, not daring to underestimate it, blocked again—only to find it was another fake.

Then, the first Shisui he had confirmed as a fake suddenly turned real, striking him from behind with a palm.

In draconic mode, even such a simple palm strike forced Uchiha Li to stagger back several steps.

"If this weren't just sparring, and that blow had been a claw instead of a palm, I'd be injured," Uchiha Li thought grimly. Shisui's draconic transformation was too powerful; ordinary tactics couldn't compete.

He began to consider whether to use his Mangekyo's 'Amaterasu.' Shisui's draconic state offered some resistance to fire techniques, making his usual attacks ineffective, but Amaterasu's black flames might be a different matter.

Still, Shisui was now a member of his organization. After a moment's thought, Uchiha Li decided against it. If he accidentally burned Shisui for real, the loss would be too great.

Just as Uchiha Li was pondering other options, he noticed something strange about Shisui's body.

The draconic transformation had strengthened Shisui's physical attributes, and combined with his unique Body Flicker, his combat power had multiplied. But Shisui's chakra was plummeting rapidly.

For now, there was no issue, but he couldn't maintain this state for long.

Uchiha Li's eyes flashed, and a smile appeared on his face—he had found a way to deal with Shisui.

No longer attempting to tangle with so many Shisui, Uchiha Li used the Body Flicker Technique himself.

His version was not as powerful as Shisui's and couldn't create the same illusionary swapping effect, but as a basic ninja art, Uchiha Li had mastered it thoroughly—perfect for escape.

The battle took on a new dynamic.

Uchiha Li darted through the complex terrain of the forest, constantly fleeing with his Body Flicker, while Shisui chased after him.

Though Shisui's Body Flicker was faster, the gap he closed was limited.

Since this was a sparring match, not a life-and-death struggle, neither would use highly destructive jutsu.

Thus, Uchiha Li was determined to avoid combat, and Shisui, constrained by the environment, could do nothing for the moment.

Before long, the dozen Shisui behind him were breathing heavily, unable to maintain their draconic mode any longer.

Shisui sensed this and decisively ceased his Body Flicker, a plaintive look in his eyes. "Li, you're playing dirty!"

Since neither used large-scale jutsu during the spar, it was naturally hard to prevent the other from escaping.

But in a sparring match, they were supposed to compete head-on.

Yet Uchiha Li stubbornly refused to fight him, deliberately wasting his chakra.

Hearing Shisui's complaint, Uchiha Li's expression remained unchanged. He replied righteously, "I'm training you. Don't be so naive, young man; an enemy won't just let you gang up on them."

Without giving Shisui a chance to respond, Uchiha Li changed the subject. "Alright, we've been out long enough. It's time to head back."

Shisui pursed his lips helplessly. "Alright."

He was gradually getting used to Uchiha Li's unpredictable personality.

Without further words, the two soon left the area and approached their clan grounds.

Then, Shisui spoke up, "Li, what should I do now? Should I join the Guard Division like you?"

After last night's events, he was completely disillusioned with the Third Hokage and the Will of Fire, and now he didn't know what he should do.

Uchiha Li didn't answer immediately, but after a brief thought, he said, "Stay in the ANBU. Don't act out of character."

Even after what happened last night, the Third probably wouldn't doubt Shisui's loyalty too much, since Shisui was deeply influenced by the Will of Fire.

If Shisui continued to work for the Third on the surface, he could relay false information.

And after last night, it could be said that he and the Third were now openly opposed; having an insider in ANBU was valuable.

Of course, even if the Third suspected Shisui, it wouldn't matter—the worst case would simply be making things public.

"I'll do as you say," Shisui replied quickly, not objecting to Uchiha Li's arrangement.

Uchiha Li nodded in satisfaction, said his farewells, and sent Shisui on ahead.

He remained at the entrance to the clan grounds, lost in thought.

Now Terra had Shisui as a member, but that was far from enough.

Just as he concluded on the battlefield last time, he needed a long-term and stable energy source for Terra's absorption and revival.

Because Terra's revival would allow him to recruit more apostles, and more apostles would further Terra's awakening.

It was a mutually reinforcing path—and would become his main focus going forward.

He had always been thinking about this.

After much deliberation, he finally found something that perfectly fit the requirements.

He had been busy with clan affairs recently, but now that he was free, he could finally act—and as leader, he could summon Shisui to join him.

However, he didn't know the exact location of that place, and searching for it would be troublesome.

With this in mind, Uchiha Li turned and walked directly toward the Guard Division headquarters.

"I, Uchiha Li, have worked tirelessly for the clan; surely it's reasonable for the clan to help me with some tasks in return?"