Echoes of the Sharingan in Soul Land (Itachi in Douluo Dalu Fic)

Chapter 13:

…..

'...still holding back' Itachi thought as his Sharingan revealed the subtle adjustments Tang San made to avoid using more force than necessary. Each time he struck or dodged, Tang San calculated the exact angle needed to avoid hurting Xiao Wu. 'He knows he's losing, but he's staying calm and making sure not to harm her. And he's not just a cautious opponent… he's deliberately forcing himself to adapt without being aggressive…'

However, what intrigued Itachi the most were the techniques Tang San was using. His Sharingan captured the flow of Tang San's movements, which followed patterns that were too structured and specific to be mere improvisations.

When Tang San dodged Xiao Wu's kick, he did so with a footwork pattern that maximized distance without sacrificing stability. It was a basic move, but his execution was so precise that even a veteran ninja would struggle to replicate it.

'This isn't something you learn in a normal training field…' Itachi analyzed, committing the technique to memory. 'Every one of his movements is designed to optimize the outcome… this goes beyond talent'

As Xiao Wu launched another kick at Tang San, he responded with a move that immediately caught Itachi's attention: a pushing technique. Tang San used his right shoulder to shove while grabbing Xiao Wu's ankle with his right hand.

Itachi's Sharingan broke down the movement instantly. The technique, though seemingly simple, was designed to utilize body weight and momentum to throw the opponent off balance. But what really stood out to Itachi was how Tang San had modified the technique to reduce the impact, making it less effective but also less dangerous.

'...adapting his style in real time to fit the fight,' Itachi observed, impressed. 'That requires an in-depth understanding of martial arts and absolute control over one's own body.'

Something even some Jōnin couldn't achieve.

However, things didn't progress as Tang San expected. Xiao Wu, using her unique style based on flexibility, escaped Tang San's grasp with a twist that leveraged her body's elasticity. Itachi's Sharingan captured the movement in detail: Xiao Wu shifted her weight to her free leg and used the momentum to wrap herself around Tang San's neck.

Soft Skill, Itachi immediately identified. Although it wasn't a style he had seen before in the Elemental Nations, his Sharingan allowed him to grasp the fundamentals instantly. Xiao Wu was using her opponent's strength against them—something similar to certain taijutsu techniques from his previous world, but with several key differences.

He wasn't surprised by Xiao Wu's style, as he had seen her train with it before. However, she'd never had the chance to test her abilities against him because… well, during their first encounter, Itachi hadn't given her time to defend herself. Afterward, he simply wasn't interested in fighting her, despite her constant requests for a rematch.

Itachi noticed that Tang San tried to react to her sudden movement, but the contact of Xiao Wu's leg against his neck seemed to throw him off for a moment… and that was with her wearing pants...

And then, It was enough for Xiao Wu to complete her move, using both legs to force Tang San to fall backward.

'…looks like he has no experience fighting against women,' Itachi observed calmly, his Sharingan recording every detail. The boy could've won easily, but he held back the entire time and ended up being careless. It was strange, considering how cautious and skilled he seemed until now, but it was clear Xiao Wu's gender had influenced his behavior.

When Tang San hit the ground and Xiao Wu landed gracefully, Itachi allowed his eyes to return to normal.

Since Xiao Wu had managed to knock Tang San down, it was practically an indication that she had won the match.

"I've lost. Can you tell me what skill you just used?" Tang San's face was slightly flushed.

Xiao Wu answered with a playful smile, "I call this Soft Skill. Utilizing the body's litheness and stretchability masterfully."

By now, the dormitory students had been watching the fight with stunned expressions.

As Tang San stood up, Itachi processed what he had learned.

'Tang San's techniques are extremely refined and seem designed for lethal combat… not for friendly sparring. His movements are too methodical, as if they're part of a system that prioritizes efficiency and precision over brutality…'

For example, one of the defensive and control techniques he used was actually a move designed to completely incapacitate an opponent. But not only was Tang San modifying it and holding back to avoid hurting Xiao Wu—he seemed to be altering his entire fighting style in the moment, even though it was clearly designed for a very different purpose.

'This isn't normal…'

'Even a prodigy would need years to perfect these techniques. There's no way someone his age could have had that kind of time… unless there's more to it...'

Just as Itachi had been considered a prodigy, he'd also had the advantage of the Sharingan, which allowed him to learn countless techniques and perfect them at an early age. It was possible this boy had something similar to the Sharingan, but there were other details to consider…

When Tang San admitted defeat and asked about Xiao Wu's style, Itachi took note of his reaction. Even though Tang San had lost, he showed no signs of frustration or anger. Instead, he seemed genuinely interested in learning from the experience.

'A very mature attitude for his age, ' Itachi thought. There were too many signs that this boy wasn't ordinary, but he couldn't jump to conclusions yet. 'Maybe the powerful man who appeared near the academy today has something to do with this boy…'

For now, Itachi would keep observing and draw conclusions when he had more information. Mere assumptions weren't enough.

"Um… In accordance with dormitory rules, you defeated me, so hereafter you are the room senior of this dormitory, and also the boss of this group of people," Tang San, who had no prior knowledge about the dorm boss position, said.

Xiao Wu's eyes lit up with a hint of delight.

"Boss? That sounds interesting… Great. From now on, I'm your boss. Being a working student seems like a great thing…" she said to herself in a light, teasing tone.

"Ha! I'm the boss now!" Xiao Wu declared, raising her hands in triumph as the other students watched in awe.

It was then that Xiao Wu noticed Itachi standing there.

She approached him with a playful smile, clearly very pleased with herself at the moment.

"Brother Itachi! What did you think of my victory? Impressed?" she asked excitedly.

Itachi gave a slight nod.

"It wasn't bad," he commented, though his thoughts were still focused on Tang San. "But your technique is still too risky. If your opponent had reacted faster when you got that close, you'd have been in serious danger…"

Xiao Wu frowned, clearly offended. "Well, you should fight me then! If I win, I'll be your boss too!"

Seeing that Xiao Wu was trying to challenge him to a match, Itachi immediately declined. He had no interest in these kinds of demonstrations, but what did interest him was continuing to observe Tang San.

"Why not?" Xiao Wu insisted, pouting as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Because I'm not interested in those things," Itachi said as he placed a bundle of blankets on one of the beds.

"But I want to fight you!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm undiminished.

Itachi just shook his head. "You won. There's no need to fight me"

Xiao Wu stared at him for a few seconds before sighing. She already knew that when he refused twice, it was useless trying to convince him.

"Fine… but I'm still the dorm boss!"

Itachi nodded slightly, choosing not to argue further.

Suddenly, a boy who seemed only slightly older than Itachi during his last days in the Elemental Nations stepped forward, his face red with a hint of frustration.

"It's tradition here," the boy said firmly. "You have to fight the new boss, whether you like it or not. That's how things work in Dormitory Seven. All new arrivals have to challenge the dorm boss for the position"

Around them, murmurs filled the air and grew louder as the other students seemed eager for the confrontation to happen.

But all the noise stopped instantly when Itachi cast a cold, piercing gaze at them. The intensity of his look was enough to intimidate the boy into stepping back, sweating in fear, while the others dared not say a word.

"I'll pass," Itachi finally said in a calmer, less intimidating tone, shaking his head. "I'm just here to study"

This time nobody dared to say anything else.

"That's what I said too…" Tang San murmured quietly, clearly frustrated with how he'd been dragged into the situation. Meanwhile, Itachi had managed to avoid involvement with just a glance.

Then Xiao Wu turned to Tang San and asked, "Tang San, what's your spirit power rank? Just now, I could sense your strength was really impressive"

Tang San didn't hide it. After all, on the surface, his spirit was nothing more than a useless Blue Silver Grass.

"I have innate full spirit po wer. That's why my power is relatively strong."

"Innate full spirit power?!" The students immediately cried out in shock.

Xiao Wu blinked, muttering something under her breath.

Itachi watched as Xiao Wu began chatting animatedly with Tang San, who seemed surprisingly receptive to her energy. Meanwhile, Itachi took a seat in a corner, his eyes scanning the room as he assessed the dormitory's atmosphere. The dorm was… crowded—far more students than he expected for a single room.

He also noticed one of the other students quickly approaching Xiao Wu, showing her exaggerated respect as he pointed out her new bed.

While Xiao Wu started chatting cheerfully with her new "subordinates," Itachi allowed himself a moment to reflect.

Although he didn't show it, his mind was busy analyzing every detail, particularly Tang San's abilities. There was something about him that didn't add up—something that reminded Itachi too much of himself: a level of knowledge far beyond what should be normal for someone his age.

'He fights with skill that surpasses his years…'

'And these techniques…' Itachi thought, reviewing what his Sharingan had recorded. 'They're structured, precise, efficient. Even compared to the martial arts of the Elemental Nations, there's something unusual about them. They don't just require skill—they demand advanced knowledge of anatomy, physics, and strategy.'

Itachi knew he would have to watch Tang San closely in the future.

With that thought, Itachi closed his eyes for a moment, letting his senses calm as he planned his next steps. Xiao Wu was still talking animatedly with Tang San, and the dorm was beginning to settle down.

But it wasn't long before Xiao Wu insisted the other students move her bed close to Itachi's. Of course, she wanted it pushed right up against his, but Itachi refused, leaving her no choice but to settle for being as close as possible. The two of them then began organizing all the items they'd bought.

A little later, the dormitory door opened again, and this time, a thirty-year-old teacher entered. The teacher had an ordinary appearance, pale green hair, and was carrying bedding.

The man looked around the room before shouting, "The new students have arrived?"

Both Xiao Wu, Itachi, and Tang San nodded and introduced themselves.

The man did the same: "I'm Mo Hen. You can call me Teacher Mo."

"Now, Tang San," the man called.

Tang San hurriedly stepped forward, and the man handed him a large new blanket, clearly better than what the other students had—except for Itachi and Xiao Wu, who had bought new bedding, including blankets and pillows.

"This bedding is a gift from Grandmaster," Mo Hen explained as Tang San took it.

"Now, Tang San, you, Xiao Wu, and Uchiha Itachi are first-year working students. From now on, you're responsible for sweeping the garden south of the sports ground. Every day, you'll earn ten copper spirit coins, but remember, you must clean every day. Junk must be sorted out properly, or your wages could be docked. If you act like delinquents, the academy can expel you. Do you understand clearly?"

Tang San and Xiao Wu nodded at the same time, expressing their understanding.

But when Mo Hen noticed Itachi hadn't reacted, he stared at him, waiting for some kind of response.

Itachi was about to mention his conversation with the headmaster, but it turned out to be unnecessary, as Mo Hen suddenly seemed to recall Itachi's peculiar situation.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot—the headmaster told me you're exempt from such responsibilities. My mistake. Well then, let's move on to the next topic," Mo Hen said, quickly brushing off his oversight.

"Tomorrow is the opening ceremony. The day after tomorrow, regular classes begin. First-year classes are on the first floor of the main school building, so make sure you're on time. Starting then, you'll also begin your regular work duties. We might do random spot checks. Alright, take some time to rest. Wang Sheng, you're the oldest here, so explain the rules to them."

With that, the man left, and the boy who had dared to speak to Itachi earlier began explaining several other things. Now Itachi knew his name was Wang Sheng.