Chapter 18 - The Banquet part 3 (1/2)
”NEXT!!!”
After Itachi called out for his next opponent, a young man came out the crowd. With resolute steps he came towards Itachi until he was right in front of him and started to speak up.
”Iron Spear Clan's Tie Hengjun, seventeen years old this year. I'm not eligible to challenge you. But watching you defeat one foe after another with such a cool demeanor and ruthless efficiency, I had started to admire you; therefore, I'd like to exchange pointers with you...It's just because I admire you, there are no other intentions. Therefore, I would like to challenge you to an honorable duel.”
Listening to Tie Hengjun challenge him to an honorable duel was quit the fresh change of pace compared to the rest of those arrogant disciples that came up to fight him.
”I would be honor to fight a warrior disciple like you in an honorable duel.” said Itachi with a smile as he gave Tie Hengjun a small respectable bow.
Taking out a normal katana sword Itachi took a Te Ura Gasumi stance.
(A.N: This stance involves holding the katana with both hands horizontally next to the head with the tip pointed towards the opponent.)
Tie Hengjun took up his stance with his spear as well. Holding the spear next to his right side with his right hand on the lower side of the spear next to his chest and with his left hand at the middle side of the spear away from his body.
Locking eyes with each other for a few seconds Tie Hengjun starts the attack by thrusting the spear at Itachi who in turn deflects the blow to the right away from his body and closes in on Tie Hengjun. Tie Hengjun backs off and simultaneously swings the back end of his spear at Itachi halting his charge. Standing right across each other again, this time Itachi charges in with an overhead slash at Tie Hengjun who in turn blocks the slash with his spear by holding it overhead. Locking weapons with each other Itachi and Tie Hengjun push their weapons against each other to try and overpower the other.
As Tie Hengjun was fully focused on trying to overpower Itachi. Itachi on the other hand kept putting just enough pressure on Tie Hengjun to keep him focused on trying to overpower him. As Tie Hengjun tries to overpower Itachi, he suddenly gets kicked in the stomach breaking his posture. Using his broken posture Itachi swipes the spear down and quickly slams the butt cap of his sword into Tie Hengjun's face causing him stagger backwards. As Tie Hengjun recovers he looks at Itachi who just calmly looked at him before speaking up.
”Lesson number one: Always expect the unexpected. During a clash of weapons your opponent can use all sorts of ways to gain an advantage over you. Remember that well.”
Hearing Itachi give him advice to be a better warrior, Tie Hengjun simply responds with a smile before getting back in his stance and launching a series thrusts at Itachi who responds by quickly dodging all of them and trying to close in for his own thrust only for Tie Hengjun to this with a quick swipe of his spear forcing Itachi back. Just as Itachi was forced back, Tie Hengjun comes in with a strong thrust. Itachi seeing this thrust dodges by stepping forward and just of to the side of the thrust. Taking quick advantage of the situation Itachi stomps on the spear with one foot bringing the spear down and quickly elbows Tie Hengjun in the face forcing him back. As Tie Hengjun staggers back Itachi quickly swipes with his sword and gives Tie Hengjun a small cut on his left cheek.
”Lesson number two: A spear is only strong as long as your opponent is front of it. Don't lunge forward with all your weight to thrust your spear. If your opponent gets passed the spear point you leave yourself completely open for a counter attack.” said Itachi to Tie Hengjun.
Listening to Itachi's advice Tie Hengjun was smiling even wider than before.
”Hahaha.... It looks this was a good idea. I have managed to learn quit a bit from you and I must commend you on your excellent control of your techniques. There are not many people in the Iron Spear Sect who can fight toe to toe with me when it comes to techniques only, but you are much better. You must the best challenge I have ever had. But until now we only fought using techniques and no Profound Energy. I want to see how you handle my strongest attack. What do you say Itachi Uchiha?” Tie Hengjun asked Itachi.
Listening to Tie Hengjun made Itachi smile widely as well. This Tie Hengjun is one few people who treated his opponents with dignity and respect and knowing the people of this world, this character trait was truly worthy of respect.
”Yes. I want to see your strongest attack as well. I wish to see it for myself and measure my strength.” Itachi said to Tie Hengjun.
”Hahaha..... Well said, well said. But just so you know I wont be holding back so prepare yourself to receive this spear of mine..... Dragon of the Rising Sun!!”
As Tie Hengjun called out his strongest attack, an enormous amount of Profound Energy was flowing through his spear and giving it faint red hue and giving of a dragons cry. As the red light started to get stronger the dragon cry started to get louder as well until the spear was completely red. Tie Hengjun then launched forward towards Itachi at top speed. Itachi brought his katana into a Hasso no Kamae stance ready to take Tie Hengjun attack head on. As Tie Hengju came in close Itachi swung his sword down with great force meeting Tie Hengjun attack head on. The force of their colliding attacks was sending great winds across the main palace but no one was willing to back down. As the katana was just an ordinary weapon and Tie Hengjun spear was a special weapon the katana couldn't handle the stress and broke down. Tie Hengjun attack then continued and went straight through Itachi chest, impaling him on his spear. Seeing Itachi impaled on his spear Tie Hengjun looked down to ground with a sad expression.
”I'm sorry it ended this way. You truly were a worthy oppon... POOF!!! ..... WHAT THE HELL?!?!”
As Tie Hengjun was praising Itachi for being a worthy opponent, he suddenly exploded into smoke. As the smoke dissipated Tie Hengjun saw that instead of Itachi being impaled, it was a block of wood. Not understanding what was happening he looked around him until he felt a knife against his throat and he heard Itachi speak who was standing behind him.
”You lost.”
Looking behind him Tie Hengjun could see Itachi standing there completely fine as if nothing happened. Completely bewildered by this turn of events Tie Hengjun asked Itachi how he did it.
”But how? I say you getting impaled by my spear. How did you do that?”
”It's called the Body Replacement Technique. It's a technique used to quickly get out of a dangerous situation and catch your opponent of guard. And that brings me to lesson number three: Always have a back-up plan ready.” said Itachi
Listening to Itachi give his pointers to him Tie Hengjun responded with a simple smile and thanked him for the match and the pointers. Returning to his seat he walked up to his father and told him that he lost the match but he was honored to have fought an opponent as worthy as Itachi.
Listening to his son tell him about his match with Itachi, Tie Zhangcan told his son that he was proud of him and his improvements and that these pointers will only help him get stronger in the future so there was nothing to be ashamed of.
Standing in the center Itachi called out to his next challenger. After waiting for a little while a challenger came up who introduced himself in a very arrogant and haughty manner.