Uchiha Itachi still remembered what Root was.
That scene two years ago once made him think Anbu were killing each other, but as he learned more, he understood that within Konoha's Anbu, there was an even deeper, darker organization.
This organization, even his father, was unwilling to talk much about, but he could feel that his father was full of dissatisfaction towards this organization.
"Does this guy belongs to that organization?"
Itachi muttered to himself, but soon he had no energy left to think about such things.
Because Hidezawa's heavy punch once again swung fiercely towards him.
For a time, Itachi could only dodge awkwardly, while Hidezawa seemed to turn into afterimages, constantly pursuing him.
"Nii-san..."
Sasuke looked worriedly at his older brother on the stage, who was in a sorry state, his heart filled with anxiety, even though his mother kept comforting him, it was no use.
"Shisui, he..."
Uchiha Fugaku's expression was also not very good. His older son was being suppressed with no ability to fight back, it made him feel very displeased.
Especially the constantly cheering sounds around him grew louder and louder, which he found very grating.
"Hidezawa, he actually still has some reservations..."
Although Shisui was also a bit embarrassed, he still appeared very calm.
Having gone through such a severe mission with Hidezawa, he naturally knew that his good teammate was just operating normally, and had even held back.
Otherwise, that massive, suffocating earth dragon would have appeared...
"..."
Fugaku was somewhat speechless upon hearing this, but before he could say anything, another gasp of surprise erupted in the arena.
He quickly turned his head to see his eldest son actually being kicked flying by Hidezawa, which immediately made his heart anxious again.
"Finally, I've created some distance..."
However, Itachi in the arena was not so anxious. Although he was severely suppressed in this fight with Hidezawa, he had also thought of a countermeasure.
Clearly, fighting Hidezawa in taijutsu was simply unwise. 'This guy's speed is too fast, and he is also full of brute strength!'
He could see his movements, but he couldn't necessarily keep up.
The most crucial thing was that Hidezawa didn't even look him in the eyes, which made it impossible for him to use genjutsu.
"How is he so familiar with Sharingan?"
Itachi was truly having a hard time, but he also knew that in such a passive situation, continuing taijutsu combat would be too foolish.
Therefore, he decisively found an opportunity, deliberately using Hidezawa's strength to create distance, this kick was one he intentionally took.
"Quite clever, aren't you?"
Hidezawa raised an eyebrow. He seemed as if he had noticed Itachi's thoughts.
However, he didn't care, nor did he actively pursue him. Instead, he stood still and unhurriedly took out several kunai.
His two missions were somewhat conflicting: he had to not injure Itachi, yet also teach him a lesson.
After much thought, Hidezawa knew there was only one method.
"Completely overwhelm him, and at the same time, use a power he cannot resist to make him surrender..."
Itachi, having created distance, also quickly pulled out several kunai, but seeing Hidezawa standing still, his heart sank.
"Is he that arrogant?"
However, Hidezawa's action also gave him an opportunity. He unhesitatingly threw the kunai in his hand with extreme speed.
*Clink—*
*Clink—*
*Clink—*
Dozens of kunai flew into the sky, and the next moment they collided with each other in mid-air.
Such collisions seemed like mistakes, but with this series of impacts, all the kunai instantly changed their trajectories.
The dense kunai were like a large net spread across the sky, covering Hidezawa from all angles.
"Yes, nii-san!"
"Itachi, go for it!"
Sasuke and Uchiha Izumi immediately became excited again at this sight. This unique Uchiha Shurikenjutsu always made one's heart pound, no matter how many times they saw it.
"So amazing."
"Can kunai be used like that?"
"Please, this is a throwing technique unique to the Uchiha..."
Not just them, but the spectators were also discussing animatedly. It had to be said that such a display of skill was indeed pleasing to the eye.
However, Yugao couldn't help but shake her head, and Shisui also secretly sighed in his heart.
"This is still very different from Sasori's carpet bombing..."
Hidezawa indeed didn't pay attention to the kunai in front of him. He even unhesitatingly threw the kunai in his hand directly towards Itachi, instead of blocking the incoming kunai.
However, his kunai seemed to be incredibly off target, as if he hadn't aimed at Itachi at all.
'A good opportunity!'
Seeing this, Itachi unhesitatingly formed hand signs with both hands.
"Fire Style ∙ Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A huge fireball was instantly spewed from his mouth, roaring as it rushed towards Hidezawa.
At this moment, the dense kunai in the sky and this giant fireball seemed to completely surround Hidezawa.
"Hidezawa, he..."
Tenzo couldn't help but frown at the sight. He was hesitating whether to use Wood-style to help Hidezawa.
"It seems he's a bit overconfident..."
Kakashi also tilted his head. Although their relationship had grown day by day since Hidezawa helped him and Tenzo in the Root-incident, but his understanding of Hidezawa's combat abilities wasn't very deep. He knew Hidezawa was very strong, but no matter how strong, he shouldn't be so careless, right?
"Don't worry, Hidezawa has a plan."
Yugao, on the other hand, appeared quite calm; she hadn't forgotten Hidezawa's masterful Earth-style.
"Actually, compared to his taijutsu, his ninjutsu ability is stronger."
"Is that so?"
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head, but just then, his eyes suddenly caught sight of the kunai Hidezawa had thrown.
In an instant, his pupils dilated.
"This guy, he's holding back a bit too much."
Meanwhile, from the best vantage point in the exam arena, Sarutobi Hiruzen was also intently watching the battle, though he couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
Unlike Kakashi, he understood Hidezawa's combat capabilities. While he hoped Hidezawa wouldn't seriously injure Itachi, he hadn't said to hold back to this extent.
"Hmm?"
However, the next moment, his body suddenly stiffened, and his eyes widened instantly.
"How is that possible?!"
Not just him, everyone present at that moment gasped in surprise, all of them looking at the scene before them with astonishment.
Even Fugaku and Shisui had expressions of horror on their faces.
"It seems you've already lost."
On the field, Itachi's gaze was still fixed forward, but Hidezawa's voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
'How is that possible?!'
Itachi's heart trembled, but he couldn't make any move before being kicked away.
His mind was blank, completely unaware of what had happened.
Almost instinctively, after being sent flying backward, he tried to control his body, hoping to land steadily and continue the fight.
But at that moment, he suddenly saw a kunai flying past, close to him.
The next instant, Hidezawa's figure appeared like a phantom, then delivered another punch to him.
*Bang—*
With a dull thud, Itachi was slammed onto the ground. Fortunately, Hidezawa controlled his strength well, so he wasn't seriously injured.
But when he looked up, he was astonished not to find Hidezawa's figure, and a cold sensation had appeared at his neck.
Because Hidezawa had, at some unknown point, appeared behind him, and a kunai was already pressed against his neck.
At that moment, the entire arena fell silent, countless people staring blankly at Hidezawa.
Because they had already recognized what ninjutsu Hidezawa had used.
And on Hidezawa's body, they seemed to see the golden figure of the past, one that had struck fear into the hearts of enemies.
*****
Support me on my Ko-fi page to keep me motivated to continue uploading chapters.
https://ko fi.com/rroy28 (put a "-" between "ko" and "fi")
I have added Uncensored NSFW Illustrations in my Discord server, available only to paid members.
I am working on the following projects:
✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ Bleach: In My Second Reincarnation, I Became The Ninth Kenpachi
✓ To Love-Ru: Spoiler Route [R-18]
✓ Naruto: The Accidental Incubus [R-18]
✓ The Academy's Saint Is Too Popular, But He's Not the Protagonist [R-18]