Of course, that move had long since lost any real effect on Taiyi — and that was before you factored in the ocular power of his Sharingan.
Even without relying on genjutsu, Taiyi's ninjutsu, amplified by the Sharingan's enhancement of chakra control and reaction, hit with considerable force. The Three-tomoe Sharingan also sharpened his dynamic vision, letting him read movement and timing far better than normal.
In short, a user of a mature, three-tomoe Sharingan already fought like a jonin in many respects. Taiyi had yet to be completely at ease with the Sharingan's new powers after the recent fights, but outside of genjutsu he could wield it well enough.
So in this engagement, Taiyi took the initiative.
By the time Shirō finished with the Grass ninja and glanced over, Taiyi was pressing the jonin, steadily expanding his lead. Shirō watched Nakamura for a moment and reminded himself — silently — that he too was a cheat; stay calm, don't rush, and you'll surpass him in time. Then he returned his attention to the fight.
Nakamura had already seized decisive control, so Shirō needn't worry about him. Taiyi's fight, however, was still delicate — he'd only recently awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan and lacked full mastery. But Shirō quickly realized he'd worried for nothing. Even an inexperienced three-tomoe Sharingan gave Taiyi the edge.
The jonin had activated an Inorganic Animation Technique that let him fight without depending on ordinary sight or hearing, a trick that could blunt genjutsu. But because he seldom used that state, his reactions there were sluggish — it felt unfamiliar and awkward. Taiyi, by contrast, had already tested his Sharingan in several skirmishes. He wasn't fully polished, but he'd adapted to the high-intensity dynamic vision the Sharingan brings, and his reflexes moved a step ahead.
Bit by bit, Taiyi read the pattern of the Inorganic Animation Technique.
The Sharingan is often called the Copy Wheel Eye for a reason. Its copying is more than rote mimicry of hand seals; through detailed observation it can read the chakra flow and structure of a ninjutsu and reproduce it. Copying speed varies with the user's familiarity and the complexity of the technique.
Taiyi's copying wasn't fast yet — he'd just awakened — but he didn't intend to rely on copywork as a crutch. He had two elemental natures, Fire and Lightning; that was enough. Copying would only be an occasional tactical supplement. Still, in the right moment it could be decisive.
He chose not to break the Inorganic Animation Technique right away. When the opponent finally emerged from that state he would be disoriented; timing the counterattack could win the fight in a single stroke. While biding his time, Taiyi practiced letting the Sharingan enhance his perception — every moment of combat was training.
Plans, though, often bend under circumstance. Before he was fully comfortable with the three-tomoe's power, the enemy's movements grew uneven, openings appearing as the jonin became agitated. Taiyi acted without hesitation.
He flooded his body with Lightning Release and pushed his speed to the limit.
Before the jonin could correct himself, Taiyi struck and then finished his setup with a wordless command.
"Inorganic Animation Technique — release!"
"Ugh—" The jonin groaned as the jutsu collapsed. He slapped a hand to his eyes, trying to gather himself — and then a lightning flash was already upon him.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
Taiyi's hand-work was fast, and the Sharingan's sharpening of chakra control shortened his casting time further. He didn't expect anyone with no defense to survive an unprepared hit from False Darkness, but he closed the distance anyway — partly to confirm, partly to gather intelligence.
A thunderous crack rose from Nakamura's side as Taiyi's fight ended. Shirō saw Nakamura finish too — left in his wake a huge semicircular stone. The Grass ninja and the Sunagakure patrol were wiped out; the day's quota was met, and the mission entered its final phase.
Shirō sheathed his arrow and guided his flying bird down. He and Shikamaru collected the intelligence the Grass ninja had kept over the last few days for analysis. Soon Taiyi and Nakamura returned and joined the group's search.
"Alright, come look." Shikamaru called. Shirō and the others crowded around as Shikamaru pointed at the map.
"These are the areas they've searched; these aren't. Gray Snake reports the Waterfall village's camp is nearby, so they should've covered this sector." He tapped the chart. "Grass ninja patrol the perimeters of their searches, so it's unlikely she's hiding inside the already-scoured zones — and we don't have the manpower to comb the whole thing."
"Shirō," Shikamaru continued, "we could use Ryūchi Cave reconnaissance snakes —"
Shirō cut him off. "Don't. Only a few of Ryūchi's snakes can link to my thoughts, and Kagura Mind's Eye has a powerful sensory scope. Those snakes won't pass unnoticed."
"Is that so? Damn. Then we go with plan B."
"Based on Grass ninja intel, I estimate her activity range within this circle." Shikamaru drew a ring. "You said before you can evade Kagura Mind's Eye's perception, right?"
"Yes." Shirō nodded. He thought for a beat and didn't ask how Shikamaru derived the range.
"Good. This area is yours. You'll go in alone; nobody can assist. Be careful — this sector is one Waterfall has heavily monitored."
Shikamaru turned to Nakamura and the others. "We don't have the advantage in searching. Our job is to harry the Waterfall forces and create openings for Shirō and the target."
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