Chapter 37: Uchiha Sasuke's Pride Shattered into Nine Pieces
Naruto had long since passed the age of being impulsive and fighting for the sake of bravado; besides, twenty-some years of experience had given him a skill in reading people that didn't match his actual age.
Proud and cold people generally have a fiery heart, just like the saying "a sharp tongue but a heart of tofu." As long as one can crack the cold outer shell they use as a disguise, they are only one step away from a heart-to-heart connection.
As for how to cross that single step, it still depended on Naruto himself...
But regarding the brat before him calling himself Uchiha Sasuke, Naruto didn't have much interest in becoming his bosom friend or sworn brother.
However, Naruto was quite happy to deal a blow to Uchiha Sasuke. After all, he was very interested in the Uchiha Clan, whom the Old Butler called the "Genius Family" and the Nine-Tailed called the "Cursed Clan."
Moreover, the Uchiha Clan was considered one of the top clans in Konoha, even steadily surpassing the Hyuga Clan in terms of overall Family combat power. In Naruto's own simple estimation, it was no exaggeration to call the Uchiha Clan the number one clan in Konoha.
Since they were the number one clan, the Uchiha Clan's foundation was definitely profound, containing many things that Naruto desperately craved.
For example, the Uchiha Style Throwingtechniques right in front of him were exactly what Naruto wanted to prioritize learning.
As for the half-joking remark the Nine-Tailed made back then about "gouging out a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan to let the Sage Body awaken early," Naruto only took it with a grain of salt.
But no matter what, befriending the Uchiha Clanhad no downsides for Naruto, and now an opportunity was laid out right before him.
"You indeed won," Naruto said in a flat tone, as if he didn't care about the matter at all. "But throwing techniques are only one part of a Ninja's skills. Although you won, you haven't truly won!"
"Are you trying to back out?!" Uchiha Sasuke's brow furrowed. "It seems you're not just a thief, but a rascal as well!"
"Say what you want, I won't be coming here anymore tomorrow." Naruto casually picked up a dry branch from the ground. "Want to bet again?"
"What are we betting on?" Uchiha Sasuke became interested. After all, who doesn't enjoy the pleasure of victory? "Let's get this straight first—you don't have anything on you that I'd be interested in!"
"If I win the bet, from now on, we share this training ground. If I lose, you can make any request of me, and I will execute it unconditionally and without question!"
"Fine!" Uchiha Sasuke agreed readily. "What's the contest this time?"
"How about a contest of swordsmanship?"
"Good!"
Uchiha Sasuke didn't even consider the possibility that he might lose. He followed Naruto's example and picked up a dry branch from the ground that looked decent to use as a ninja sword.
"Is it a swordsmanship spar or..." Uchiha Sasukeweighed the dry branch in his hand, his brow furrowing slightly. "If it's a real combat spar, this branch might not hold up."
"No need for a real spar. Just stand there honestly and don't move; just watch my performance." Naruto suddenly felt a bit of a mischievous streak. He wondered if he suddenly released his killing intent...
Would this cocky brat be so scared he pisses himself!
"What tricks are you trying to pull?" Uchiha Sasukesuddenly became wary. This was truly the first time he had seen this kind of contest.
"No tricks, I'm just afraid of hurting you," Narutostated calmly as if it were a simple fact. "After all, swordsmanship is a killing art. Even if what I'm holding is just a dry branch, it's more than enough to handle you."
Uchiha Sasuke suddenly didn't want to talk anymore. Encountering a yellow-haired kid who could put on more airs than himself gave him an indescribable feeling.
"Hmph, I'll see for myself just what this 'killing swordsmanship' of yours is!" When it came to being cocky, those of the Uchiha Clan had never feared anyone. "Start!"
Seeing Uchiha Sasuke take his stance and stand still, the corners of Naruto's mouth curled up. His briefly sealed Asura State of Mind showed signs of stirring.
"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū! Nine-Headed Dragon Flash!" Naruto gave a low shout, his body instantly crouching low, then springing up violently in the next moment!
Still stepping forward with his left foot first, Naruto's body shot toward Uchiha Sasuke as if it had broken free from gravity. Just as he reached Sasuke's side, the dry branch in his hand instantly slashed nine times!
*Cling...*
Uchiha Sasuke's eyes widened. When Narutoswung the dry branch, he thought he heard the ring of a blade.
*Whoosh...*
But the reaction speed of one's vision is limited. Uchiha Sasuke didn't see Naruto's subsequent movements clearly before Naruto had already disappeared from the spot, leaving only the trace of the wind blowing past his ears.
"This..."
Uchiha Sasuke had a feeling that if he had moved even slightly just now, the dry branch in this yellow-haired kid's hand would have turned into the most violent weapon in the world, sealing his throat with a single strike!
*Gulp...*
Uchiha Sasuke swallowed hard, doing his best to control his now uncontrollable legs. Only after the trembling of his legs stabilized did he mechanically turn his head to look at Naruto behind him.
At this moment, the Naruto who had been loafing around and acting like a rogue had disappeared, replaced by a sharp unsheathed sword. The sense of sharpness coming from him made Uchiha Sasuke's eyes sting.
"Your swordsmanship..." Uchiha Sasuke could no longer maintain his previous attitude. "How could it... be like this... This is impossible!"
"Nothing is impossible!" Naruto stood up after stowing the dry branch. "What you can't imagine isn't because others can't do it, but because you are too shallow."
Although Uchiha Sasuke's disguised cold shell hadn't been fully breached, his self-conceit was hacked to pieces by Naruto's Nine-Headed Dragon Flash.
"How is it possible..." Uchiha Sasuke was still immersed in self-doubt. "Even Brother couldn't possibly possess such swordsmanship... You... You..."
"Want to learn?" Naruto's voice rang in Uchiha Sasuke's ear like a devil's whisper.
"You're going to teach me?!"
"Trade it for the Uchiha Style Throwingtechniques!"
Trading with a devil always comes at a price. Although Naruto wouldn't ask for Uchiha Sasuke's Soul like a real devil, how could Naruto be so kind without getting something in return?
"It's a deal!" Although Uchiha Sasuke was a bit cocky and had a significant problem with pride, he still had a good eye.
Setting aside whether Uchiha Style Taijutsu could rival swordsmanship of this level, mastering one more skill was always better than one less.
As for Uchiha Style Throwing...
Uchiha Sasuke had the confidence that only the Uchiha Clan could maximize its power; after all, Uchiha Style Throwing was specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the Sharingan.
Comparing the two, Uchiha Sasuke believed he wasn't losing out on this exchange—in fact, he was making a huge profit!
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