NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: A fight
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The fight was still going.
*Whoosh!*
Many Kunai whistled through the air, aimed squarely at Kitaro's back. Each one was coated with Armament Haki, turning them into formidable weapons, and with Uchiha Itachi's precision, they were near impossible to avoid. Yet, without so much as glancing back, Kitaro deftly twisted his body, evading every kunai with an effortless grace. It was clear he was utilizing Observation Haki.
In a flash, Uchiha Shisui appeared in front of Kitaro, his fists hardened with Armament Haki, aiming a powerful punch straight at Kitaro's face.
*Snap!*
Kitaro's palm shot up, catching Shisui's fist mid-air, stopping the attack cold.
Silently, Itachi materialized behind Kitaro, his foot raised for a swift kick. Seeing Itachi's timing, Shisui couldn't help but smirk, feeling victory within reach.
But before Shisui could react further, Kitaro twisted his grip, grabbing Shisui's fist and hurling him directly at Itachi. In a blur of motion, Itachi quickly retracted his kick to avoid colliding with Shisui.
*Bang!*
The impact of their near miss sent ripples through the water beneath their feet.
"Oops!" Shisui shouted, barely regaining his balance.
Unfazed, Kitaro uttered, "Water Style: Water Fang Bullet" A spiraling column of water surged from the ocean, rushing toward Shisui and Itachi like a deadly drill.
*Boom!*
Reacting quickly, the two Uchiha pushed off each other and separated just before the water bullet could land, touching down lightly on the water's surface once more.
Shisui exchanged a glance with Itachi, both understanding that it was time to stop playing around. "Let's go together!" Shisui declared, and the pair launched themselves toward Kitaro.
Their fists, feet, and strikes blurred as they engaged in close combat, each movement laced with Haki. Yet, despite their combined assault, it was clear that Kitaro was overpowering them, handling both their attacks with ease.
From the deck of the Perfume Yuda ship of Kuja pirates, the women of Amazon Lily stood in awe, their mouths agape. They knew the trio were powerful ninjas, but their prowess in hand-to-hand combat was nothing short of breathtaking. Every movement was precise, every technique masterful. But what was even more astounding was how Kitaro fought off both Shisui and Itachi simultaneously, as though he were barely exerting himself.
Suddenly, *snap!*
Two hands burst from the water beneath Kitaro, grabbing his ankles tightly. It was a trap!
"We've got him!" Shisui shouted, seizing the opportunity and preparing to land a finishing blow.
"Wait!" Itachi's eyes widened in alarm. "Don't get close!"
But Shisui had already charged forward, too late to heed the warning.
*Crack!*
Lightning surged from Kitaro's body, obliterating the water clone holding his ankles. In an instant, he vanished and reappeared directly in front of Shisui.
"You little brat, you're a hundred years too early to beat me," Kitaro said with a smirk.
*Boom!*
Before Shisui could react, Kitaro delivered a swift kick to his stomach, sending him flying across the sea.
"Uwaaaahh!!" Shisui screamed as he crashed into the water, skidding across the surface.
"Shisui!" Itachi shouted in concern, seeing his friend soar through the air. But before he could rush to help, Kitaro's voice whispered behind him.
"Still worried about others?"
"Oof!" Itachi spun around in an attempt to counterattack, but all he felt was a sharp tap on his forehead.
*Snap!*
"It hurts!" Itachi groaned, rubbing his forehead.
Kitaro chuckled. "It's okay for it to hurt. You always act like a little adult."
Meanwhile, Shisui wobbled back across the water, clutching his stomach. "Brother Kitaro, that was too harsh!"
Kitaro smirked. "You're always careless, Shisui. It's time I taught you a lesson. How was that Haki experience?"
Shisui's eyes lit up with excitement. "It's amazing! Armament Haki's attack and defense boost is incredible! It feels purer than Chakra, and I'm sure it can be developed even further."
Itachi nodded in agreement. "Observation Haki is also strong, but it requires intense focus. As it's easy to misread movements."
Kitaro smiled and nodded. "Yes, true Haki masters are extremely powerful. It's good to practice, but never forget our main strength—our eyes. Haki is there to cover our weaknesses, nothing more."
Haki has three types, each tied to a different ability: sensing others' spiritual energy to anticipate their movements, producing a protective coating of energy from one's own body, and—for a certain group of "chosen ones"—overwhelming the willpower of others.
"Understood!" Shisui and Itachi responded in unison, their admiration for Kitaro clear.
For both young Uchiha, Kitaro wasn't just an older brother figure—he was their teacher, their idol, the one they aspired to surpass.
"Alright, let's head back," Kitaro said, and the three of them swiftly returned to the ship.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting. That was a good workout on the sea." Kitaro stretched casually.
"You… how were you able to stand on the sea?" Marigold asked curiously, her brow furrowed. Some women of the Amazon Lily had consumed Devil Fruits and were cursed by the sea. Falling into water meant losing their powers and becoming helpless. For them, the sea was their greatest enemy.
Kitaro explained, "We use Chakra to stand on water. By constantly releasing the right amount, we can balance and walk on water easily."
"Does that mean… you could just walk on the ocean without a boat?" one of the Kuja Pirates asked, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Kitaro chuckled. "It's not that simple. The sea is unpredictable, and there are plenty of dangers. But, yes, it's more convenient for us than it is for most people."
The women stared at him in stunned silence. "More convenient?" Wasn't that the understatement of the century? They lived their lives on the sea, and they understood better than anyone how extraordinary his abilities were.
They had just witnessed Kitaro, Shisui, and Itachi master Armament Haki and Observation Haki within a day, wielding them with proficiency that could rival lifelong practitioners. Combined with their devastating ninjutsu and unparalleled taijutsu, they had also fought while standing on the sea without issue. It was almost too much to comprehend.
These three men… were getting more and more perverted with their abilities, surpassing everything they had ever known.
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