Itachi hadn’t really changed. He looked older than he was, probably because he was tall for a twelve-year-old. The Uchiha also had dark circles under his eyes. His demeanor remained as Jun remembered. His expression was impassive, and he barely spoke. According to Shisui, Itachi’s social circle consisted of his immediate family, his ANBU teammates, who kept him at a distance, and Shisui.

Jun found it quite sad. When the teenager was ten years old, he found Itachi sad and grim. And now his impression of the prodigy was worse. He didn’t say it out loud, but a small part of him softened a bit when he saw Itachi’s appearance.

“Man, you’ve grown up. What have they been feeding you?” Jun said cheerfully.

Shisui hid a chuckle. Itachi blinked uncertainly. Jun rolled his eyes and flicked Itachi’s nose. The latter was so surprised he didn’t know how to react.

“You’re supposed to say something, maybe make of a joke…”

Itachi’s features relaxed in amusement.

“Thank you. I don’t skip any meal and drink a lot of milk.” Itachi said.

Jun raised his arms triumphantly and smiled, before turning to Shisui.

“You said we’re here to train, right?”

Shisui regained his seriousness.

“Every man for himself? Ninjutsu, Genjutsu and Fuinjutsu are forbidden. Let’s focus on Taijutsu and Kenjutsu.” Shisui suggested.

Jun didn’t own a sword yet, but Shiba had lent him one when they started training. Luckily, the teenager had brought it with him today.

“That works for me,” Jun said.

Itachi nodded. Shisui smiled before dashing forward. He collided with Jun and a ferocious exchange of blows followed. They were evenly matched in terms of brute strength. Jun may even have the edge when it came to stamina, but Shisui remained the undisputed master of the Body Flicker Technique.

Shisui suddenly vanished, and Jun felt Itachi’s presence just before a volley of shurikens fell on him. He used the substitution technique to evade the projectiles before pouncing on Itachi. The latter managed to dodge him. Jun continued putting pressure on him, forcing him to close-quarter combat.

They exchanged blows at high speed. Itachi was smaller, but he was quick and nimble. He exploited his advantage by dodging more than blocking. If Fuinjutsu was allowed, Jun could have claimed the upper hand. But he couldn’t do it with solely Taijutsu.

Shisui joined the dance. The older Uchihas were physically stronger and for a few seconds, it seemed like they had the upper hand. They were using their respective blades to fight. Itachi, who was falling back, suddenly activated his Sharingan. Shurikens appeared out of nowhere and he tossed them in the air before redirecting them with another volley of projectiles. Both Jun and Shisui deflected the projectiles with their weapons.

Itachi was immensely gifted with shurikens. Jun considered himself decent in manipulating kunais and shurikens, but he was still lacking compared to the young prodigy’s talent. Shisui’s fighting style was graceful. The man was agile, but also ruthless and tenacious. He wasn’t afraid of exchanging blows with his opponents. Itachi preferred dodging. He used many substitution techniques and used the slightest opening to attack, usually from a distance.

Itachi’s fighting style was probably born out of necessity. He had been sent on missions since the age of five. He had always been smaller than his opponents, less muscular, and more fragile. Any frontal attack was dangerous for him. Therefore, he had to dance around enemy blows and kill them from a distance if possible with projectiles or ranged-jutsus.

It was a furious and breathless fight. Ironically, they all used the Uchiha style Taijutsu as a basis of their own style. So, Jun often recognized the beginning of a blow, a twist of the chest announcing a dodge, or a movement of the shoulder accompanying the throwing of a weapon. Itachi fought from distance with his shurikens, and Shisui came closer and engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

Jun had the most brutal style. It was very explosive, mixing the Uchiha style with Gai’s powerful blows, and Anko’s disarticulated dodges which turned into vicious strikes. It was exhilarating. Jun hadn’t faced opponents so perfectly suited to challenge him in quite some time.

Shisui eventually ended the fight with a signal. He had started to lose ground during the last few seconds, but Jun realized he hadn’t asked for a break for himself. Itachi didn’t show any signs of exhaustion. But as soon as the fight stopped, he leaned against a tree, breathing deeply, showing his fatigue.

“How are you holding up, Itachi? Shisui asked.

“I’m fine.” He replied, quickly straightening himself.

“You got stronger,” Jun commented.

Itachi was surprised. He seemed to make a conscious effort to respond.

“Thanks. You, as well.”

“Jun had become more explosive and brutal,” Shisui whispered to him.

Jun nudged Shisui, but it just made the latter laugh. They caught their breath for a few minutes. The silence was oddly comfortable. A flock of crows flew over their head. Jun saw Shisui straighten up, looking serious.

“Itachi, do you remember that substitution jutsu we discussed a few months ago by the river?”

Jun turned his head just in time to see Itachi giving him a brief, uncertain look before nodding.

“I remember. Did you complete it?”

Shisui sat cross-legged, looking at Jun.

“The substitution technique is a useful one. But using a log is quite simplistic. You could avoid a blow, but your opponent won’t be caught off guard. Itachi and I saw some crows during one of our training sessions, and we thought… What if we mixed the substitution technique with a Genjutsu to substitute for many objects instead of just one? For example, birds that would scatter…It wouldn’t solely be a method of evasion but also a diversion. And if the birds have chakra, it would also fool sensor types and Dojutsu users who could see through the ordinary substitution technique.”

Jun suddenly remembered Itachi’s famous technique in Naruto which he used to substitute himself with crows.

“It’s a great idea.” The teenager admitted.

“If the birds have chakra, does that mean they are summonings?” Itachi asked.

“Not necessarily…”

“How would it work then?” Jun asked.

Shisui slowly performed some hand seals, so that his audience could see them. Then, his figure seemed to blur before turning into a multitude of crows that flew in all directions, cawing… The birds regrouped a few meters away, merged, and Shisui reappeared.

“These aren’t ordinary crows or illusions like the Bunshin.” Itachi blurted out in disbelief.

He had activated his Sharingan. Jun felt a bit envious. He couldn’t activate his Dojutsu in front of the two Uchihas.

“You are right. Each crow is solid. This technique does not cost more chakra than the normal substitution, but it is much more complex. I’d say it rivals an A-rank jutsu in terms of difficulty to master. It required advanced chakra manipulation, complete mastery of the substitution technique, and some Genjutsu.”

Jun felt a newfound determination rising within him. It was a technique invented by Shisui. A jutsu he was sharing with them. He wanted to master it.

“Let’s start practicing it right away,” Jun said, getting on his feet.

Itachi and Jun learned the new technique. Itachi effortlessly copied it with his Sharingan, but Shisui made him perform the exercise over and over. Jun was progressing at an excruciating slower pace in comparison. It would take him longer to master it, but he promised himself he would get there.

Jun finally got his promotion. The Hokage named him a jonin. It happened suddenly. He was summoned one day before the Council members, the Sandaime and Shikaku Nara. The teenager had expected to pass some tests, but Hiruzen just informed him he was a jonin from now on. He explained that his skills, abilities, experience, and recommendations from several jonins were the reason for his promotion.

It happened about a month before his birthday. Jun was a bit surprised. He didn’t know it would happen so fast. He was thrilled. He was a jonin! His promotion was big news. He also bragged about it. His mother was a little concerned, but she was very proud of her son. Izumi was delighted. Kazuma was still very young, but he felt the happiness around and joined in. Neji remained as quiet as usual, but his respect for Jun seemed to increase.

Many people congratulated him. Anko got him some sweets. Kurenai and Asuma applauded him when they saw him. Gai burst into tears and praised him. Genma ruffled his hair proudly. Yugao hugged him, happy for him. Iruka grumbled a little, saying Jun was advancing too quickly. He joked about how hard it would be to catch up to him. Iruka was busy getting ready for his instructor exam.

Madoka Hyuga was a bit bitter. The clan had informed her she would be getting married in a couple of years to her fiance. She wasn’t sure she could become a jonin by then. Miyamoto Hyuga perceived Jun’s promotion as a challenge and immediately applied to be promoted to Tokubetsu jonin, which was granted. Kanna complained with a laugh that Jun was progressing too fast. Shisui claimed he never doubted his competence.

Susumu announced he was going to take the next chunin exam in a couple of months in Suna. Natsumi whined that she was being left behind by Jun, then scolded the teenager and made him invite them to dinner. Shiba was also invited. Their sensei gave Jun a new katana for the occasion. The handle was wrapped in black and red silk. The blade was forged with a special metal that could react to chakra. It was a high-quality weapon.

“Thank you, sensei.”

The jonin shrugged casually as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“You deserve it.”

He hoped so. The sword was a work of art; he would try his best to put it to good use.