'If it's not a genjutsu then why did my attack turned invalid?' – thought Kuroto while holding the Kusanagi Sword.
The special ability of this Kusanagi Sword is to inhibit healing, moreover, the blade has been specifically treated in a Poison that Kuroto concocted himself. Therefore, Shinichi should already be dead; based on the fact that Kuroto stabbed through his heart.
But Shinichi recovered instantly, moreover no scars?
But Kuroto can be sure that Shinichi hasn't used the forbidden technique 'Izanagi', for one Shinichi didn't have the opportunity to cast it, and second, his chakra is still normal.
Now, this makes Kuroto quite interested in what kind of ability Shinichi has awakened, it is definitely not simple 'Regeneration'.
Based on the smell, Kuroto can judge that the bloodstains that were present in the tree cave were indeed Shinichi's, however, if his Mangekyou Sharingan ability is 'Regeneration' then he shouldn't have suffered such serious wounds.
Therefore, his Mangekyou ability is definitely not simple 'Regeneration!'.
'Is it quick healing? No, it's not quick healing… because if that was the case then why the bloodstains in the tree cave…? Is it the removal of the state of injury? That's not it either… one ability is to temporarily negate all damage, but he must suffer from them at a later period, so his ability is to transfer the injuries into the future?'
"Yeah, that makes sense…" – Analyzing all the information, Kuroto made this guess, after all, Uchiha Kurumi couldn't even get to finish her last words before her death, so he must have the guilt regarding that.
Shinichi on the opposite side recovered quickly and said at this moment, "See? You can't beat me!"
Ignoring Shinichi's words, Kuroto asked tentatively, "It's postponement! The ability of one of your Mangekyou Sharingan is to transfer damage into the future, right?"
Shinichi's expression shrank as soon as he heard Kuroto and finally muttered with a defeated sigh, "As expected of the person who defeated so many Uchiha, your insight and analysis is really sharp, but now that you know about it, I can't leave you alive, it seems that now I have no option but to KILL YOU!"
Whoosh…!
As soon as he finished, Shinichi's figure turned into after image as he rushed straight towards Kuroto like an arrow released from the bow.
'Heh… Shinichi's speed has definitely increased quite a lot!' – thought Kuroto as he calmly greeted Shinichi's sword with his.
Clang… Clang… Clang…
And finally, the clash between them started.
For a moment, the sound of metal and metal slamming sounded in the forest as both Kuroto and Shinichi fought purely in nothing but simple speed, insight, perception, and Kenjutsu.
Shinichi was a Special Jonin before awakening Mangekyou Sharingan, and if not for the Hokage Faction to deliberately reduce the number of Uchiha promoting to Jonin, then he should have definitely been promoted to Jonin.
And Kuroto is someone who has awakened the Mythical Tenseigan Dojutsu, which is comparable to the Rinnegan, so long as Kuroto's prowess keeps increasing, his strength will continue to rise.
In the war period, Kuroto acted as the sensor-Class whenever he had to go on the missions, so insight and perception are some of the strong points that have only improved ever since he awakened the Tenseigan.
Therefore, the simple Kenjutsu battle between the two is a sight to behold.
After dodging away from a wind-enhanced sword slash that cut off several trees far away, Kuroto retreated sideways and dashed towards Shinichi!
'His Kenjutsu skills are really good, definitely better than Uchiha Hiiragi and Shisui's!' – thought Kuroto while analyzing Shinichi's Kenjutsu skills with his Tenseigan, Kuroto was really enjoying such a pure Taijutsu and Kenjutsu battle.
And now Kuroto understands why Shinichi was able to crush the Root and other Anbu shinobi. It wasn't just thanks to the Mangekyou Sharingan, Shinichi has definitely surpassed the level of an elite Jonin without even using extreme Mangekyou Techniques.
While Kuroto was impressed by Shinichi's progress and enjoying the battle, Shinichi didn't have the same state of mind.
Shinichi thought that he would easily be able to kill Hyuga Kuroto, but now he is shocked.
Even with the insight of Mangekyou Sharingan, he was barely able to keep up with the Kenjutsu battle against Kuroto.
This caused a storm in his heart.
Ever since he awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, Shinichi became indifferent towards other Jonin, even the Jonin of the Uchiha Clan were not in his line of sight, Shinichi is sure that he can easily deal with most of the Jonin, and he wasn't wrong, Shinichi is sure that he can easily deal with Hatake Kakashi.
And this is the reason why after slaughtering a large number of Root and Anbu ninjas, Shinichi felt that even if it is the Sandaime Hokage personally, Shinichi can deal with him easily, and dealing with Hyuga Kuroto would only be much easier.
But here he is now, giving his all just to keep up with Hyuga Kuroto. Sometimes even capturing Kuroto's movements is difficult for him, so this naturally freaked him out.
'Just what in the hell is going on…!?'
Clang…
All while these thoughts were going on in each of their minds, the battle didn't stop even for a second, and the forest area around was already a mess, while they continued clashing.
After one big clash, both of them retreated backward.
Both of them panted with a heavy breath while intently observing the opposite side, trying to find flaws in the other party's defense.
With how Kuroto operates, after confirming that no one was around, he should have already used the Tenseigan Chakra Mode to directly kill Uchiha Shinichi using the Truth-Seeking Orb or Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion.
But two things stopped him from doing so, for one, Shinichi's Mangekyou Sharingan ability is quite weird since he can postpone injury so this makes Kuroto a little cautious to not yet reveal his secret cards.
And second, is that he is actually enjoying this battle, so he wants to take his time and have the most out of it to increase his own strength and see if he can recruit Shinichi, after all, if you have someone of Shinichi's strength working for you, then many things would become much easier.
While Kuroto was mulling over this, Shinichi was getting angry at himself.
Looking at the newly added cuts on his clothes, but no damage on Hyuga Kuroto on the opposite side, Shinichi suddenly roared in anger, "Damn it, don't think that this is all my Mangekyou Sharingan is capable of, I am going to make you kneel before me as you realize which one of us is superior!"
Shinichi is obviously finding it difficult to keep up with Kuroto in a battle of pure insight, taijutsu, and Kenjutsu, even when he used Mangekyou Sharingan, so this makes him really angered at himself!
"Daaamnn it all to hellllllllll!!!!" – Accompanied by Shinichi's roar the dark green skeletal figure of Susanoo was projected out of his body.
Standing in the Susanoo's ribcage, Shinichi looked towards Kuroto coldly and shouted, "Hyuga Kuroto, you were a good opponent, but now die!"
Kuroto didn't say a word, just silently observing Shinichi's Susanoo while dodging the chakra blades that were fired towards him.
At this time, Shinichi's Susanoo wasn't an incomplete ribcage version that Kakashi described but an upper-body skeletal version.
'So, he has already reached Stage-2 of Susanoo!'
As long as Shinichi is inside the Susanoo's defense, most of Kuroto's simple attacks would be useless.
Sheathing back the Kusanagi Sword, Kuroto raised his arms and formed the Seal.
When Shinichi saw that Kuroto trying to cast some Jutsu he coldly stated, "Huyga Kuroto, don't waste your effort, in the face of the mighty Susanoo, nothing you do will be effective!"
The sheer power of Susanoo again reverted Shinichi's mentality to be the superior one.
But Shinichi still waited for Kuroto to complete the seal print because he wants to totally crush Hyuga Kuroto.
Initially thought that having a fair battle with Kuroto would be best as he didn't believe that Hyuga Kuroto would have any means to fight against Susanoo, therefore, Shinichi didn't start the battle with the Susanoo, but now that he found that conventional means wouldn't work, and the fact that Kuroto was able to somewhat guess his Mangekyou ability, so he had no choice but to resort to using Susanoo.
Whoosh…
With the completion of Seal, the cyan-blue chakra flames wrapped around Kuroto's body; like a cloak, and instantly his body started hovering in the mid-air while 3 Truth-Seeking Orb floated around his back.
"You…?"
Shinichi was dumbfounded at the state that Kuroto was in at the moment.
Shinichi was shocked but there was still more to come, as Kuroto muttered, "Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!"
Announcing its majestic presence, a ten meters long dazzling golden chakra sword emerged in Kuroto's hand.
This time, Kuroto only used one Truth-Seeking Orb to condense Golden Sword, and deliberately suppressed its length, after all, if repeated events of the land divide were to appear in many countries then those dots can be connected to him.
Therefore, Kuroto chose to control his strength to defeat Uchiha Shinichi, as that's his current goal.
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