Chapter 51: Defeating Maki with a Punch!
Uchiha Takashi vs. Maki!
Anyone with a bit of sense would think that the Sand Village prodigy, Maki, is stronger.
In fact, if it were a few months ago, Uchiha Takashi would have thought the same.
Back then, his combat ability relied entirely on his summoning beast. He couldn't even handle his teammate Juan, let alone face Maki.
But things have changed. Since graduation, he's experienced so much.
Especially after aligning with the 'White Thigh,' his strength skyrocketed.
Now, if he goes all out, he can even stand a chance against a Jonin, a level completely different from a few months ago.
From this period, Uchiha Takashi concluded one thing:
Money is king!
With money, he can acquire good things to enhance his strength. Knowledge can be supplemented through the use of Clarity Potions, a kind of learning cheat.
The Clarity Potions consumed for learning aren't a small expense; in fact, they're the biggest.
Therefore, he not only can't lose this match, but he must also defeat his opponent as quickly as possible to conserve energy for the championship.
Winning the championship would allow him to earn a huge sum and gain significant fame for self-protection.
He's shown off quite a few good things.
Without enough fame, he can't protect these things.
On the battlefield! After Pakura announced the start of the match, Maki didn't strike immediately but spoke slowly.
"The data on that intelligence manual about you is all fake, isn't it?"
He used to trust the data on it.
But now, he doesn't believe a word of it.
Except for the intelligence outside of Konoha Village, which might still be reliable.
"Does it matter now?"
Uchiha Takashi replied calmly.
Indeed, even if there's a problem with the intelligence manual, it doesn't matter now.
All that matters is determining the winner.
After the conversation, both made their moves simultaneously.
Maki quickly formed hand seals! He specializes in Wind Release jutsu, making him a ninjutsu-type ninja.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Takashi lunged forward, a ball of flame appearing in his palm.
Golden Crow Fluid Technique: Dark Sweep!
The condensed flame was thrown forward, spreading across the ground as if it were tangible.
Uchiha Takashi followed the flames, stepping on the fire.
With the Flaming Fist tool, using the Golden Crow Fluid Technique not only consumes less chakra but also activates faster and is easier to control.
Fast! The hallmark of seal-less jutsu is speed.
Maki was caught off guard.
According to his intelligence, Uchiha Takashi wasn't skilled in close combat and would distance himself if possible, so he hadn't prepared for a close-range face-off.
In truth, Uchiha Takashi understood.
Even though his mindset has changed, and with the Golden Crow Fluid Technique and Flaming Fist, his close combat ability has transformed.
But if it came down to pure close combat, he might not overpower Maki.
He's not an 'alien' who can cheat.
Close combat might not guarantee a win, but it doesn't mean a loss either.
Because he's not just relying on close combat.
Bang! The condensed fireball from Dark Sweep exploded in front of Maki, the flames spreading and engulfing everything around.
Whoosh! A figure dashed out from the intense curtain of fire.
Wild Bite!
Uchiha Takashi's right fist, engulfed in flames, struck towards Maki.
Though he's a ninjutsu-type ninja, this battle saw him unexpectedly engaging in close combat.
Ninja Body Style! It allows him to do as he pleases.
The key is to render Maki's pre-planned tactics useless.
"Wind Release: Kamaitachi!"
At the critical moment, Maki finally used this C-rank Wind Release.
His hand seal speed is truly fast.
If it were only his previous speed, he wouldn't have made it in time. It turns out he had been hiding his true hand seal speed.
Whoosh! A barrage of wind blades flew towards Uchiha Takashi.
If they hit, they could slice him into pieces.
Ninjas have high resistance to blunt force, but not much extra resistance to sharp attacks.
Bang! Uchiha Takashi vanished the moment the wind blades reached him.
He used the Body Flicker Technique to create distance.
"Your previous hand seal speed was a trap!"
Uchiha Takashi commented from over ten meters away.
If I had been just a bit slower in retreating, I might have been sliced to pieces by that wind blade. No wonder he's the future cornerstone of the Sand Village; he's got some real skills.
Of course, the most important factor is that he has two more years of development than I do.
It just goes to show that even minor characters who will have names in the future shouldn't be underestimated.
Uchiha Takashi formed seals again.
Since a surprise attack won't work, I'll have to go for a frontal assault.
Fire Style: Flame Cloak!
He unleashed his trump card jutsu that he had developed.
Whoosh! A red veil enveloped Uchiha Takashi.
The intense heat distorted the air around him, and the color of the flames deepened significantly.
The power had undergone a qualitative change compared to before, drawing the attention of many.
"Indeed, with that ninja tool, this jutsu's power is no weaker than an A-rank jutsu!"
Minato Namikaze had a thoughtful look in his eyes.
He couldn't help but admire his student's creativity and ideas, as well as his resources, to think of using a ninja tool to enhance a jutsu.
"See that, Mikoto? I crafted that ninja tool!"
Kushina Uzumaki boasted to her best friend from the stands.
"That ninja tool..."
Sitting in the main seat, Hiruzen Sarutobi was well aware of the development of the 'Flame Cloak' (via the Telescope Technique), but he hadn't expected that adding a ninja tool would result in such a massive power boost.
Besides these people, many others were surprised by Uchiha Takashi's performance at this moment.
...
As the main focus of attention, Uchiha Takashi didn't have time to think much.
Whoosh! He shot out like a cannonball.
Right now, he had only one sensation in his mind.
Pain, it was too painful!
It was one thing before, but now that the power of the Flame Cloak had greatly increased, the temperature he had to endure naturally rose as well.
Although the jutsu had a heat-insulating effect, his body still had to withstand a certain proportion of the temperature.
At this moment, Uchiha Takashi felt like he was soaking in scalding hot water, and if he stayed in it too long, he might just cook himself.
To wield power beyond one's limits, such a price is not too much to pay.
Facing an opponent enveloped in flames with terrifying pressure, Maki gritted his teeth and unleashed his ultimate move.
"Wind Style: Great Sickle Weasel!"
The Great Sickle Weasel was an upgraded version of the Sickle Weasel, and it was also a B-rank jutsu.
Boom!
The air was torn apart, and the ground was sliced open.
The jutsu's momentum was fully displayed.
In the audience stands.
"He won!"
A blonde, twin-tailed girl jumped up excitedly.
But before the surrounding spectators could find fault with her, her expression froze.
"How... is that possible!"
It was as if she had seen something unbelievable.
On the battlefield! Uchiha Takashi, bathed in flames, grabbed Maki by the neck with his bleeding right hand and lifted him up.
"Kingetsu...!"
If he injected the flames into the opponent's body and detonated them, the opponent would be obliterated.
The opponent didn't have a 'Substitution Technique' to deceive him.
Snap! But before Uchiha Takashi could inject the flames transformed from his fiery fist into the opponent's body, he felt his right wrist being grabbed.
Two figures suddenly appeared beside him.
"Kid, the Sand Village concedes this match!"
A somewhat reluctant and gloomy female voice made Uchiha Takashi slowly release his grip on Maki's neck.
The one grabbing his wrist was Pakura of the Scorch Release.
Of course, there was no need to worry about his own safety.
Because there was another figure present, with a kunai pointed at Pakura's heart.
Minato Namikaze!
He truly was a speed-type powerhouse; even without using the Flying Thunder God Technique, his speed surpassed the opponent's.
If Pakura dared to act recklessly, her heart would undoubtedly be pierced immediately.
It could be said that Uchiha Takashi not being attacked by the opponent was thanks to Minato Namikaze's intervention.
The Flame Cloak quickly dissipated.
Since the opponent had conceded, Uchiha Takashi naturally wouldn't make another move.
Pakura also released his wrist, and Minato Namikaze put away his kunai, as if the tense standoff had never happened.
New week of power stones let's get to the top 100 :D