"Uncle Hoshiyomi, would you have a match with me?"
"I've heard since childhood that you're a man who creates miracles—some even say you're the strongest in Konoha. I want to see how big the gap is between us now."
The lively atmosphere instantly stiffened at Kakashi's sudden request. Tsunade didn't mind at all—she simply sipped her drink with a smile—but Kakashi's mother, Mayu, became flustered:
"Kakashi, what are you saying? How can you be so disrespectful today—"
But halfway through her sentence, Sakumo raised a hand, stopping her. He glanced at his son—now nearly as tall as he was—his eyes filled with unmistakable pride.
His son, Hatake Kakashi, was the greatest pride of his life. Wanting to ensure that this son—whose talent even surpassed his own—could one day inherit and elevate the Hatake legacy, Sakumo had poured unfathomable effort into him.
And Kakashi had not disappointed. At only seventeen, he was already near kage-level. Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, claimed he had the potential to become the Sixth Hokage.
But as time went on, alongside his pride, Sakumo also grew worried—Kakashi's growth had been too smooth.
Under his guidance, the boy had been unbeatable among his peers. His post-graduation growth far outstripped others his age. At only seventeen, he had already reached heights many shinobio would never achieve in their entire lives.
And perhaps because of this, Sakumo feared that one day—after a lifetime of smooth sailing—his son might suffer a defeat so severe that he would crumble completely.
He had originally been planning to bring this up after dinner—hoping to ask Hoshiyomi to guide Kakashi, to show him the vast gulf between himself and a true top-tier powerhouse.
Better for his son to taste defeat under his own roof than to suffer catastrophically somewhere outside.
But he never expected his son to bring up the request on his own.
Satisfied, Sakumo glanced at him and said:
"Well? We're nearly done eating anyway. How about stretching your limbs a bit? I've been wanting to see just how ridiculous your strength has become."
Hoshiyomi rolled his eyes at Sakumo, then looked at Kakashi—still bent forward in a formal bow.
This Kakashi was vastly different from the one in the original timeline. Without experiencing his father's suicide, nor the death of a close friend, he wasn't depressed or closed-off like the original Kakashi.
He was cool and reserved, yes—but not hollow. Behind his sharp eyes, Hoshiyomi could clearly see a blazing fire.
Without a Sharingan dragging down his stamina, and with Sakumo's guidance, his growth remained nothing short of monstrous.
At seventeen, instead of becoming the flashy "Copy Ninja," he inherited his father's path, determined to elevate the Lightning Release Sword Technique.
Not only had he mastered Sakumo's kenjutsu, but he had also overcome Chidori's shortcomings and—much earlier than in the original timeline—evolved it into a variant of the Lightning Cutter that he could channel through White Light Chakra Saber.
By now, Kakashi possessed semi-Kage-level strength. In today's Sunagakure or Kirigakure, he could practically walk in and be appointed as kage immediately.
Hoshiyomi knew exactly what Sakumo really meant with his invitation. After a moment's thought, he put on Kakashi's trademark lazy expression, giving the boy a dead-fish-eyed glance as he said:
"Get up first. A spar with me isn't a big deal. Why make it so ceremonial?"
As he spoke, Hoshiyomi staggered to his feet, his voice carrying the faint slur of leftover alcohol.
Seeing Hoshiyomi's unsteady posture, Kakashi—having just straightened up—immediately frowned.
Was this slouching figure really the legendary strongest man? No matter how he looked, besides being a bit more handsome than the average middle-aged man, there didn't seem to be anything special about him. In terms of presence, he was even weaker than Kakashi's own father.
Of course, the reserved Kakashi would never say such thoughts out loud. He simply stepped into the center of the yard, drew White Light Chakra Saber, and took a proper ready stance.
Hoshiyomi found the sight amusing. This Kakashi was far more interesting than the dead-fish-eyed one from the original timeline.
Swaying lazily, Hoshiyomi walked to stand opposite Kakashi. He didn't even draw his sword—not even the slightest movement of preparation—simply standing loosely with his elbow resting on the hilt of Mikazuki Munechika, looking utterly indifferent.
His slothful posture made it seem as if Mikazuki Munechika were nothing more than a decorative accessory.
Seeing Hoshiyomi's careless attitude, Kakashi's initial irritation slowly turned into anger. He felt completely underestimated.
Tightening his grip on White Light Chakra Saber, Kakashi said coldly:
"Uncle Hoshiyomi, swords are ruthless. Be careful."
But Hoshiyomi still looked as if he couldn't even be bothered to open his eyes fully.
Kakashi snorted and stepped forward—his movement silent as a shadow.
But while his feet made no sound, the White Light Chakra Saber in his hand erupted with thunder.
High-purity lightning-release chakra burst across the blade, instantly shining so brightly it seemed to dim even the sun.
Because of Kakashi's extreme speed, the blade drew a streak of blinding lightning through the air, thrusting straight toward Hoshiyomi.
Yet Hoshiyomi still appeared completely oblivious—still wearing that lazy expression.
Even the mentally disciplined Kakashi could barely endure such humiliation. All he wanted was to stab this disrespectful bastard right through.
Eyes locked on Hoshiyomi, Kakashi unconsciously licked his lips. He wanted to see—at such close range, with the opponent not even drawing his sword—how this man planned to block his strike.
Just as his confidence peaked—convinced Hoshiyomi had no way to stop the blow—a crisp ding rang out in front of him.
Kakashi's face changed instantly.
Staring at the ethereally beautiful blade of Mikazuki Munechika now between them, only four incredulous words filled his mind:
How is this possible?
He had been watching Gekko Hoshiyomi's every movement, yet he never saw when Hoshiyomi disappeared from his vision—or when he drew his blade.
He only felt a sudden blur, and then the opponent's sword was already precisely blocking his White Light Chakra Saber.
Even Uchiha clan elites—with their three-tomoe Sharingan activated—found it extremely difficult to evade this strike of his.
Yet Hoshiyomi had blocked it in an instant, with the narrow blade of Mikazuki Munechika no less.
Such terrifying speed and precision!
As Kakashi stood momentarily dazed, a faint, lazy voice drifted to his ears:
"Your speed is barely acceptable. But your blade movement is far too crude. Is this how your father taught you?"