Chapter 51: B-level Mission — Uchiha Shisui! 

Leaving the empty zone behind, Nara Shikadan returned to Konoha.

He didn't take Uchiha Inahiro's words to heart at all. After all, their conflict was just a clash between juniors.

It wasn't like if he defeated Inahiro, Uchiha Fugaku would immediately challenge him next. And if he defeated Fugaku, would Uchiha Madara show up then?

"The only thing worth noting is that Inahiro's battle mission wasn't triggered just now."

Back home, Shikadan sent out a Shadow Clone to pack his belongings. He needed to head back to Kikyo Castle later.

"Different level battle missions have different cooldowns. There's no guarantee of rewards… Seems like another trick to get the Ninja Secret Scroll."

As Shikadan pondered how to approach the scroll acquisition, the Shadow Clone quickly gathered his items and packed them.

"Let's go back first."

Shikadan dismissed the clone, slung his bag over his shoulder, and headed out.

"First back to the clan, then to Kikyo Orphanage. If time allows, to the Shadow Pavilion"

He made his plan but stopped abruptly when he opened the door—there, standing not far from his doorstep, was a familiar figure.

Uchiha Inahiro.

"What are you doing squatting outside my door?"

Shikadan looked at him, speechless.

"Do you, a member of the police force, want to ambush an innocent villager in Konoha's core area?"

"Don't smear the Uchiha clan!" Inahiro glared.

"Although I'm no match for you—"

"I'm glad to hear that!" Shikadan cut him off. "I have things to do now. You can leave."

Inahiro clenched his fists, clearly displeased.

But Shikadan was right. Despite his anger, he had no reason to argue.

"There are stronger people in the Uchiha clan than me."

Ignoring Shikadan, Inahiro finished stiffly, "And I've already found him. You're definitely not his match!"

"First, you're just a Chunin. Surely there's someone stronger than you in the clan," Shikadan sighed at his stubbornness.

"Second, this is a minor conflict—no injury, no blood."

"Third, let's agree this is between just the two of us. Don't drag others into it."

Inahiro's fury and impulsiveness faded, point by point.

But he wasn't one to give up easily.

"Come out."

Ignoring Shikadan, Inahiro called forth his reinforcements.

"Shisui!"

Shikadan raised an eyebrow at the name.

"Uchiha Shisui?"

From the shadows stepped a young man with black hair, dark eyes, and a round nose.

"It's me, Nara."

Shikadan greeted calmly.

"I didn't expect the one Inahiro mentioned would be you."

"Why?"

Shikadan's tone carried a hint of familiarity.

"Seeing the last student in the class beat the clan's little genius—surprising, isn't it?"

Indeed.

Shikadan and Uchiha Shisui were classmates the same year.

Shikadan had lost several years at ninja school due to poor physical aptitude.

Shisui was a true prodigy who graduated early.

"Nara, you're not a slacker."

Shisui's expression softened with nostalgia.

"You have rich theoretical knowledge, perfect tactics and strategies… but you stop trying after 60 points in every exam. Pity."

His physical talent was too weak, and his chakra barely maintained even the most basic three-body technique.

Shisui changed the subject.

"Nara, judging by your forehead protector, have you graduated ninja school?"

Before Shikadan could answer, Inahiro impatiently interrupted, "Shisui, do you know this guy?"

"Didn't I say?" Shisui looked at his clan friend helplessly.

"Nara and I were classmates. But… he lacked the talent."

Lacked talent?

Shikadan—who had defeated Inahiro twice—was labeled talentless?

If he lacked talent, what was Inahiro?

Inahiro tilted his head, eyes and heart full of doubt.

"If this is just a chat, let's talk another day."

Shikadan waved them off.

"I have things to do."

"You can't leave!"

Inahiro quickly blocked Shikadan's path.

"Shisui!"

Hearing the call, Shisui stepped forward helplessly, looking apologetic.

The Uchiha clan really is stubborn.

Shikadan stopped again.

"Tell me, what do you want?"

"Accept me—"

Inahiro blurted out.

"No! Accept Shisui's challenge!"

"What if I don't?"

Shikadan looked at Inahiro curiously.

"You two gonna block my door all day?"

"Don't you have any honor as a ninja?"

Inahiro gritted his teeth.

"When faced with a challenge, you must accept it!"

"If you came to Shisui, you believe he'll win."

Shikadan regarded Inahiro as if he were a fool.

"Then why accept a fight you're sure to lose? And if you lose, how do you bring honor to the clan?"

"How do you know you'll lose?"

Inahiro shot back.

"What if you win?"

Hearing that, Shisui glared at Inahiro.

Big brother, why did you drag me here for this?

Shikadan smiled.

"Isn't it normal for a Nara to lose to an Uchiha?"

Then… isn't it weird for me to lose to you?

Inahiro almost opened his Sharingan in rage.

"Nara-san, stop teasing Inahiro," Shisui stepped forward helplessly.

"What will it take for you to accept Inahiro's—no, my challenge?"

"Two conditions."

Shikadan raised two fingers.

"First, this is strictly between the three of us. It won't spread further."

"No problem." Shisui agreed immediately.

"Second, this time you challenge me. If I challenge you again later, you can't refuse."

"Hmm…"

Shisui hesitated, then nodded.

"Why are you standing there?" Shikadan waved at them.

"Let's find a training ground."

The third training ground.

Clear skies and bright sun.

Shikadan and Shisui stood opposite each other, each sealing their hands toward the other.

Inahiro held Shikadan's backpack, standing between them as referee.

Inahiro had already told Shisui what he knew of Shikadan's abilities:

Proficient in shadow arts, possibly earth style ninjutsu, illusions ineffective...

Shisui stared at Shikadan, inhaled deeply, and refined fire-nature chakra in his meridians.

"Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive fireball, far more powerful than Inahiro's, surged forward, roaring to incinerate everything in its path.

Starting with the Great Fireball? True Uchiha confidence.

Shikadan's eyes focused on the flames, the orange-red light reflecting off his lenses as his shadow stretched behind him.

But Shisui, have you forgotten how Inahiro was defeated?

Expecting Inahiro might be relaying intel, Shikadan narrowed his eyes.

Instead of moving forward with Earth Dragon Hide like before, his body melted into the shadow beneath his feet, flowing like water.

[Flat Shadow Technique]!

Shisui pressed the attack, gathering chakra in his feet. With the fireball blocking his vision, he used a D-level physical jutsu:

Instant Body Technique!

Swish—

Shisui vanished instantly.

He reappeared behind Shikadan's original position, hand on his small sword, ready to strike.

But before he could draw it, Shikadan was gone.

When?

Shisui's pupils narrowed, three black magatama appearing, scanning around.

Where is he?

[Shadow Binding Technique]!

Shikadan suddenly appeared behind Shisui, stepping on his shadow to immobilize him.

A kunai appeared in Shikadan's hand, and he lightly stabbed forward.

The sharp blade pierced Shisui's kidney.

But—

Gaga!

A chaotic crow cry filled the air.

Shisui's body shattered, turning into a flock of crows that scattered, feathers flying everywhere.

Crow Clone Technique!

[Detected B-level ninja battle mission triggered!]

[B-level mission: Former Classmate]

[Objective: Defeat/Kill Uchiha Shisui]

[Reward: B-level Ninja Secret Scroll]

-End Chapter-

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