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Chapter 56: The Shackled Man
Comparing the panting Hiruzen Sarutobi to the calm, unwavering Yuichi, the difference in their conditions was stark.
One appeared to be struggling with every ounce of his strength, while the other seemed to be handling the task with effortless ease.
Fourth Raikage (A): "The Third Hokage... has gotten old after all!"
He simply couldn't adapt to this intensity of combat. That old man shouldn't have stepped up to represent the Ninja World. The probability of him losing in this manner was far too high.
Terumi Mei: "There is certainly the factor of the Third Hokage's age, but that man's speed and strength are simply too overwhelming. In just a few seconds, the intensity of this duel has already surpassed the previous six-person battle!"
If she had to face an enemy like Yuichi herself, Terumi Mei didn't think she would fare much better than the Third Hokage. That kind of speed was not something she could easily handle.
She feared that the only people in the entire Ninja World who could match Yuichi's speed without being instantly defeated were the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and the Fourth Raikage, known as the Blue Lightning, standing beside her.
Suddenly!
A destructive sword light erupted in the arena.
When the blade slashed out, it released not only a dazzling brilliance but also a violently sweeping storm.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, having barely caught his breath, immediately leapt up again, rolling to dodge Yuichi's attack.
The sword's light tore the ground open instantly. A shocking fissure appeared before everyone's eyes.
Yuichi smiled faintly and tapped his foot lightly on the ground.
His figure vanished abruptly.
Shunpo erupted once more.
Astonishing speed unfolded, and waves of Reiatsu spread out, shaking the surrounding air. A series of ripples formed, sweeping outward.
Whoosh—
Before Yuichi's figure even fully materialized, the cold glint of a blade appeared behind Hiruzen.
With a grave expression, Hiruzen immediately smashed the Adamantine Staff behind him.
Clang!
The sound of sword colliding with staff rang out, sending sparks flying.
Hiruzen was launched backward like a cannonball. He rolled several times in the air, using the Adamantine Staff to support his body upon landing, maintaining his balance while offsetting the impact. He slid for over ten meters before finally coming to a halt.
But Yuichi gave him no time to breathe.
Like a ghost, Yuichi's figure reappeared.
In an instant, he enveloped Hiruzen like a massive black cloud.
Clang... Clang... Clang!
A continuous barrage of sparks erupted across the arena.
As the sparks flickered, Hiruzen Sarutobi was constantly knocked back in every direction.
However, all that could be seen of Yuichi was a lingering trail of white light. If not for the Marine cloak on his back leaving afterimages across the field, ordinary people wouldn't have been able to track his movements at all.
This frenzied offensive, like a storm of wind and thunder, shocked countless spectators.
Whitebeard's eyes flickered, holding a trace of envy. "As expected of youth! So energetic. Moving at such high speeds continuously, yet he doesn't look tired at all..."
Sighing, Whitebeard recalled the days when he fought Roger in his prime.
Big Mom, standing to the side, frowned. "Such an outstanding person became a Marine... What a pity..."
A pity?
Ace heard the words of Big Mom, a Yonko like his father, and didn't quite understand. Why was it a pity?
Both Whitebeard and Big Mom sensed Yuichi's aura. If he weren't a Marine, a man with such spirit would, nine times out of ten, possess Conqueror's Haki!
But for someone in the Marines, it was a waste. Even if he had the potential for Conqueror's Haki, he likely wouldn't be able to awaken it.
Conqueror's Haki represented the aptitude of a king. If one did not possess the ambition to become a king, how could they awaken it?
In the eyes of Whitebeard and Linlin, Yuichi had joined the Marines. Even though he was powerful, his talent would ultimately be stifled.
How could a man meant to rule the seas ever do so if he had lost his freedom?
Wasn't that a pity?
Boom!
A cloud of dust suddenly exploded.
Sword marks littered the arena—scars left by Yuichi's slashes in less than ten seconds.
But at this moment, a fierce collision sounded from the center of the field.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's body slammed into the ground, smashing open a massive crater.
Yuichi stood ten meters away from the pit, holding Senbonzakura, slowly walking toward the fallen Hokage.
"Why don't you use Ninjutsu?"
In the exchange just now, Hiruzen had only used his staff to defend against the attacks, refusing to unleash any Ninjutsu.
This made Yuichi a little impatient.
He still needed to copy five Ninjutsu to complete his task, but the old Third Hokage wasn't cooperating. If this continued, Yuichi would be unhappy, and the consequences would be severe.
Cough!
The sound of Hiruzen coughing up blood echoed from within the smoke.
The ninjas looked at their Third Hokage, spitting blood and looking pale, and couldn't understand.
"Lord Third, why didn't you attack him with Ninjutsu?"
"That guy is too fast! Maybe Lord Third didn't have time to weave hand signs!"
Hearing this, Jiraiya smiled. "You guys underestimate the Third Generation! Although the old man has aged, he still has time to weave signs."
"Then why didn't Lord Third..."
Orochimaru stared at Hiruzen on the screen. "Why didn't he use Ninjutsu? Heh! The old man is aged in body, but not in heart! The reason he refrained from using Ninjutsu was to let that guy force him back into his prime fighting state!"
"And now..." Orochimaru grinned. "I think the old man should have regained the feeling of battle!"
The group of ninjas looked confused after hearing the Sannin's explanation.
To get back into fighting shape, he deliberately didn't use Ninjutsu against the enemy? Was the 'combat state' really that important?
"Cough, cough, cough!!"
"Don't be so hasty, young man!"
The dust slowly dissipated, revealing Hiruzen's figure once more.
He held the Adamantine Staff, a trace of scarlet blood at the corner of his mouth. He squinted at Yuichi.
At this moment, everyone sensed that Hiruzen Sarutobi was different.
If before he was an old man whose combat effectiveness had severely declined due to age, he was now fully awake.
The Professor of Ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had returned.
═════ To Be Continued ═════
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