The surge of chakra blasted through the courtyard, the crackling energy of Sasuke's Chidori illuminating the space in an electric glow. The nameless teen barely managed to react in time. His body moved on instinct, swerving to the side just as the deadly bolt of energy shot past him, grazing the edge of his sleeve and searing it with a blistering heat.
He wasn't fast enough.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and the Chidori flickered, ready to strike again. But this time, the nameless teen was already moving. His body was a blur as he sprang backward, retreating into the shadows of the courtyard. He needed space, he needed time—time to think.
He felt the pulse of Shadow Enlistment flare in his mind, the system awakening as it registered the threat. For a moment, everything felt like it slowed down, the world around him becoming more manageable, more predictable.
[Objective: Defend and assess the threat.]
[Warning: Sasuke Uchiha is a classified target. Act with extreme caution.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Manipulation]
[Note: Skill requires physical proximity to shadow sources. Engage accordingly.]
The nameless teen's heart raced as he absorbed the information. He had never used Shadow Manipulation before—not consciously, anyway. The power was linked to his ANBU training, buried deep in the recesses of his mind. There was no time to reflect; Sasuke was closing in.
"Not bad," Sasuke's voice echoed through the courtyard. "But you're still not fast enough."
The words were a challenge, a taunt that sent a sharp pang of annoyance through the nameless teen's chest. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay calm, to keep his focus. Sasuke wasn't the real enemy—not yet. But he was an obstacle, one that could blow his cover if he wasn't careful.
With a fluid motion, the nameless teen reached into his cloak and activated the Shadow Enlistment system again. This time, a ripple of darkness spread from his feet, the shadows around him twisting and shifting in response. He could feel the power building, an undercurrent of energy that threatened to consume him.
It was like he had unlocked a new sense—his awareness of the shadows, the way they reacted to his will, became more precise. He extended his arm, and the shadows followed his command. A tendril of darkness shot toward Sasuke, aiming to ensnare him. But Sasuke wasn't fooled.
With a flick of his wrist, the Chidori surged once again, crackling through the air like lightning. The nameless teen had barely enough time to react, his shadows twisting to intercept the attack. The Chidori collided with the shadows in a burst of force, sending shockwaves through the courtyard.
The nameless teen grunted, feeling the strain in his limbs. He could feel it now—the weight of his body, the toll his actions were taking. The power that surged through him wasn't unlimited. Each move, each use of the shadows, came with a price.
But Sasuke wasn't done yet.
With a flicker of movement, Sasuke dashed forward, faster than the nameless teen could react. His foot slammed into the ground, sending him leaping through the air, his Chidori aimed directly at the nameless teen's chest. There was no way to avoid this one.
The nameless teen's mind raced, and then, it clicked.
He wasn't just fighting Sasuke—he was fighting the very timeline itself. He had to survive. He had to adapt.
Trigger.
The system responded, and a sharp burst of power shot through him. The shadows around him deepened, distorting the air itself. With a quick movement, the nameless teen extended his hand and thrust it forward. The shadows surged with him, wrapping around Sasuke's Chidori, the dark tendrils pulling the attack off course. Sasuke's face twisted in surprise as the Chidori fizzled out, redirected by the sheer force of the nameless teen's will.
But the nameless teen wasn't done.
A blinding burst of chakra exploded from his body, his hands moving in a rapid series of seals—one after another, faster than even Sasuke could track. The shadows began to grow, pooling at his feet, forming into something tangible, something real. The tendrils of darkness wrapped around his arms, extending outward, forming blades of shadow.
"Impressive," Sasuke muttered, his eyes flashing with a dangerous glint. "But you're not the only one with tricks."
Sasuke's hand surged forward once more, and this time, the nameless teen felt the Chidori surge back toward him with renewed intensity. He had no choice but to meet it head-on.
His shadows lashed out, colliding with Sasuke's Chidori once more, this time with even more force. The courtyard trembled as their powers clashed. Energy swirled between them, each trying to overpower the other, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.
The nameless teen's heart pounded in his chest, his entire body on fire from the effort. The shadows screamed in his mind, eager to devour everything in their path. He could feel them growing stronger, stretching beyond his control.
But then, something inside him snapped.
The Shadow Enlistment system buzzed with an intensity he had never felt before. The shadows surged forward in a final, desperate bid for dominance. He wasn't just controlling them now—he was becoming them.
In a flash, the shadows wrapped around Sasuke's body, binding him in an instant. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock as the tendrils of darkness wrapped around his limbs, immobilizing him. The Chidori sputtered out as Sasuke struggled against the shadows, but the nameless teen's grip tightened, his power surging through him.
Sasuke's voice was low, but his words were laced with a tinge of surprise. "What the hell are you...?"
The nameless teen didn't answer. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his body felt like it was about to collapse. He had used everything he had, pushed himself to the limit—and yet, Sasuke was still alive, still struggling.
The shadows recoiled, as if sensing the tension in the air. The nameless teen released his hold on Sasuke just enough to allow the Uchiha to stumble backward, his hands still shaking from the force of the attack.
"I'm warning you," Sasuke hissed, his eyes narrowing. "Stay out of my way."
The nameless teen stood there, silent, feeling the weight of Sasuke's words. There was more to this encounter than either of them realized. Sasuke wasn't just a target—he was part of something larger, something that was already beginning to unfold.
And the nameless teen was caught in the middle of it.