"Rasengan—it's actually your A-rank unmarked ninjutsu, Minato!" Upon seeing the glowing blue sphere bloom, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, momentarily held his breath, his eyes wide with astonishment.
Another genius? That technique wasn't something an ordinary Genin could ever master.
"Yes, Lord Third. I didn't expect Rin to be the first to complete the Rasengan in the end..." Namikaze Minato, equally stunned, nodded in confirmation. As he watched the Rasengan violently clash with the White Fang dagger, turmoil swirled in his heart.
Though he had taught the technique to both Rin and Obito, Minato never believed either of them could truly master the Rasengan. After all, it was an A-rank technique so difficult that even the genius Kakashi had failed to complete it.
But who would've thought…
And at the very moment Minato and Hiruzen were discussing this, the Rasengan collided fully with the White Fang dagger—and its destructive power truly exploded!
The devastating energy, focused entirely into a single point, was far more than the White Fang short sword could withstand. Under the stunned gazes of both Kakashi and Rin, the blade shattered with a loud crack.
This sudden twist stunned not only Rin, but even Kakashi was shaken! With the Rasengan still carrying residual force, it pressed toward Kakashi's chest with overwhelming momentum.
'No!' Rin was horrified, her face draining of color.
She had only wanted Kakashi to witness her growth—to prove her strength. She never imagined the White Fang dagger would be destroyed. And once unleashed, Rasengan wasn't a technique that could be stopped easily.
It was too late—Kakashi was about to be seriously injured!
Fwoosh… Just as Rin frantically tried to cancel the ninjutsu, a golden flash flickered and Kakashi vanished!
The next moment—"Boom!"
The Rasengan exploded on impact with the ground, creating a five-meter-wide crater that stunned everyone watching.
"Rasengan! That's Minato's Rasengan! And that guy Kakashi—he actually, actually..." Obito stared, dumbfounded, at the figure standing heroically beside the crater.
How could this be? How had Rin's strength suddenly grown so much? How could he ever hope to protect someone like her?
Damn it… How did this happen? I'm so unwilling!!
"The winner is—Nohara Rin!"
As Obito clutched the railing, eyes bloodshot with frustration, the Chunin examiner appeared and declared loudly.
Beside him stood Kakashi, now in front of Minato, staring dazedly at the broken sword in his hand.
Clearly, it had been Minato who intervened and pulled Kakashi away in time. Because of this, the examiner judged Kakashi to have lost.
"I'm sorry, Kakashi." Rin picked up the broken White Fang blade at her feet, hurried over to Kakashi, and bowed her head in apology.
If she had known the Rasengan would destroy the White Fang dagger, she would never have used it to prove herself.
But Kakashi didn't respond. He continued to stare at the broken blade, confusion clouding his eyes.
How could this be? Why did he feel heartbroken over the White Fang's destruction? Wasn't it just the relic of a loser? Its shattering only proved that both its sword and its way of the ninja were failures.
Then why… why was his heart weeping? Why did memories of that person suddenly flood back? Why could he hear the White Fang's wailing… and his lingering regret?
"Kakashi." Seeing the dazed and distraught look in Kakashi's eyes, Rin called out softly, her voice filled with apology as she stepped forward, wanting to comfort him.
But just as she opened her mouth, Kakashi's gaze suddenly sharpened, his eyes turning cold.
"No need to apologize. This sword should've been discarded, just like that man..."
With that, Kakashi threw the broken blade to the ground and turned his back on her, walking silently toward the stands.
He would absolutely not repeat that man's tragedy! This broken, failed sword was not his future!
Rasengan? He, Hatake Kakashi, could develop his own Rasengan. Absolutely!!
"Kakashi..." Watching his lonely and resolute figure retreating, Rin knelt down and picked up the broken blade, her expression complicated. She wanted to speak, but hesitated; the words caught in her throat.
For the first time, she had seen the true, vulnerable side of the genius known as Kakashi. The boy once cloaked in brilliance had, in that moment, been stripped bare—exposed.
"Next match: Uchiha Obito vs. Might Guy."
Minato's eyes flickered with emotion. He was about to speak, but the Chunin examiner beside him cut in with the announcement.
"The same guy from last time? Alright then, this time I'll show what I'm made of!" Upon hearing his opponent was Might Guy—the one who knocked him out previously—Obito instantly shoved his emotions aside and lit up with renewed determination.
This time, I'll win. Then I'll start training hard. I'll master Rasengan before Kakashi. That's a promise!
"Such a fierce glare... Did I do something to offend him?" Offstage, Might Guy tilted his head, puzzled at Obito's hostile expression.
He had always been friendly—why did this guy look like he wanted to fight to the death?
"You don't even remember last time?! Saying that today, like it was nothing—unforgivable!"
Obito snapped, fuming with righteous fury as he pointed dramatically at his confused opponent.
Might Guy: ???
"Obito, do your best!" Just then, Nohara Rin returned to the stands and shouted out encouragement, her voice bright.
In an instant, Obito's heart melted. The fire of love and motivation surged inside him.
"Don't worry, Rin—I'll—" But before he could finish his sentence, the examiner's voice echoed across the field. "The match begins!"
Startled, Obito tried to turn—but before his neck had even fully twisted around, a familiar battle cry rang out. "Power of Youth!"
BANG! That same familiar forty-five-degree kick landed square on Obito's left cheek. With a pained, embarrassed, and bewildered expression, his head snapped back violently—his body launched backwards.
'No way… again?! Not like this, not in front of someone like Rin…' Shame, frustration, and the crushing disparity between him and Rin all exploded in Obito's heart.
His vision blurred. And he fainted on the spot.
"Obito..." Nohara Rin covered her mouth in shock, disbelief written all over her face.
"Idiot." Kakashi, beside her, snorted coldly and shut his eyes again, lost in thought as he began sorting out ideas for his own new jutsu.
"This guy, Obito, really knows how to surprise us..." Minato rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and forced a small smile at the Third Hokage.
"Let's leave that aside. I've decided—both Kakashi and Nohara Rin will advance." The Third Hokage, unfazed by Obito's theatrics, changed the topic with finality, leaving Minato momentarily stunned.
No one noticed, just before fainting, a faint flicker of scarlet had flashed through Obito's eyes...