Chapter 37: Complex Art
All the other players had a common purpose—to safeguard the Leaf Village from the impending threat of Orochimaru's invasion.
Arthur, however, considered the pairings for the finals.
The bracket, with him facing Sasuke, held no surprises. He knew, with a certainty bordering on premonition, how each battle would play out, who would emerge victorious, and who would ultimately clash in the climactic final duel.
Sasuke had graduated from the academy as the number one student, impressing experienced shinobi like Kakashi with his skills.
He was adept at taijutsu, able to hold his own against multiple opponents, and was incredibly fast, surpassing other techniques known for speed. His reflexes were also stated to be exceptional.
Not only does he have the Sharingan, it's particularly potent in Sasuke's case, noted to be stronger than his older brother Itachi's Sharingan.
Arthur never faced a Sharingan user, let alone an opponent with a powerful dōjutsu. In his fight, he's going to have to ensure he doesn't get controlled by Sasuke's genjutsu, something that can affect him with basic eye contact.
Beyond combat prowess, Sasuke possessed a sharp intellect. He consistently achieved top grades and is highly observant, analyzing techniques and formulating tactics on the fly.
These plans could be risky, putting himself or his allies in danger, but they often proved successful, earning admiration for his analytical skills from esteemed shinobi.
But much like Sasuke, Arthur wasn't reckless. He prepared for battles, trained to counter specific opponents' techniques, and equipped himself with tools to enhance his skills.
Arthur was certainly going to formulate long-term plans before their fight, manipulating the situation to his advantage.
