Leisure time always seems to pass quickly.
When the final team successfully advanced, it signaled the start of the third stage—individual battles. Six teams, a total of eighteen participants, would determine their opponents by drawing lots.
At the venue, Kakashi noticed the number plate on Rin's chest sitting askew and reached out to straighten it. Rin's cheeks flushed slightly, her heart pounding. She couldn't bring herself to meet Kakashi's gaze directly.
Just then, a girl with delicate features and striking ruby eyes glanced at Rin's number and walked over with a warm smile.
"Rin, looks like we'll be facing off in the first match. I won't be going easy on you—better be careful," she said.
"Eh? Oh… sure, Kurenai. Since it's a competition, let's compete fairly," Rin replied, caught off guard.
Kurenai, a close friend, had even confided in Rin about Asuma's awkward attempts to pursue her. She could clearly see Rin's little crush on Kakashi, and she turned away with a knowing chuckle.
"Rin, be careful. Yuhi Kurenai's genjutsu is no joke," Obito said from the side. As the only one on the team who had completed the Ninja Academy through standard means, he'd seen Kurenai's illusion techniques during practical lessons.
Kakashi didn't say much. As a fellow disciple of Tsunade, he understood Rin's capabilities better than Obito.
"Don't worry, Obito. I believe in myself," Rin responded with confidence.
In the arena, two graceful girls stood face-to-face. From a distance, they appeared delicate and harmless—not the type to exchange fierce blows.
"Kawaii~ But aren't those two more of the support type? Isn't this going to be boring?"
"Who cares? Cuteness is justice!"
"That's right! Beautiful girls are the best!"
In the spectator stands, a few audience members whispered among themselves, having bought tickets to enjoy the show.
"Asuma, what's your take?" Kakashi asked, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the battlefield.
"I believe in Kurenai," Asuma replied calmly, not glancing away for even a second.
"Begin!"
As soon as the referee signaled, both girls hurled kunai and closed the distance rapidly.
Clang! Clang!
Their weapons collided mid-air and clattered to the ground.
Locking eyes, the girls didn't pause for a moment. They dove into close-quarters combat, exchanging swift, precise blows.
Bang!
Two seemingly fragile bodies clashed with surprising force.
Rin, a direct disciple of Tsunade, had inherited considerable physical strength. As she began to release her power gradually, Kurenai struggled to keep up.
This won't work.
Kurenai knew she couldn't beat Rin in taijutsu. She seized a moment to use the Body Replacement Technique and narrowly avoided a heavy strike.
"Genjutsu: Naraku Clone!"
Suddenly, a red-haired figure identical to Kurenai appeared in front of Rin. Unsure which one to attack, Rin hesitated.
"Falling Sakura Illusion!"
Kurenai activated the genjutsu she had been preparing all along.
Rin stiffened, eyes dimming as she lowered her head.
I'm sorry, Rin.
With a silent apology, Kurenai moved in to end the match. Under the illusion's influence, Rin should have fallen into a deep sleep.
She had this won.
But just as she reached Rin, her opponent's eyes snapped open—bright and alert. Rin's hand shot out and grabbed Kurenai by the throat!
"Mmmph!"
Kurenai struggled, stunned and unable to speak.
"I'm sorry," Rin said softly.
With her overwhelming strength, she completely suppressed Kurenai, who could only weakly resist.
"Yeah! Rin won!!!" Obito cheered excitedly from the stands.
"She broke Kurenai's genjutsu that quickly?" Asuma's eyes narrowed.
Kakashi, watching silently, smirked beneath his mask.
Rin had always excelled in chakra control. Under Tsunade's personal guidance, she could easily dismantle illusions cast by peers.
"Alright, it's my turn!" Obito said eagerly, practically bouncing.
Unfortunately, he was immediately pummeled by Guy…
In theory, Obito—with his Sharingan—should have had a guaranteed victory. But because he underestimated his opponent, Guy took advantage of the opening. With his trademark perseverance, Guy opened the Third Gate—the Gate of Life—and reversed the situation with sheer physical power!
Through a year and a half of brutal training and unwavering determination, Guy had managed to push himself to the next level. His only talent was effort, and he maximized it.
Even Kakashi was taken aback.
So this is what they mean by a genius of hard work…
He admired Guy's determination and immediately copied the new move he witnessed.
Swish!
At that moment, a new figure suddenly appeared in the arena—it was Uchiha Shisui.
Impatient, aren't we?
Seeing this, Kakashi calmly walked into the stadium, hands in his pockets.
"Kakashi-senpai, please guide me," Shisui said respectfully. Despite Kakashi's casual demeanor, he remained cautious.
As captain of the first team to reach the Central Tower, Shisui's strength was already considered mysterious and formidable.
"You're too polite. I know how strong you are. Let's begin," Kakashi replied, expression turning serious.
"Then I won't hold back."
Shisui's Three Tomoe Sharingan spun to life. He held his sword horizontally in one hand while making hand seals with the other.
In an instant, ten identical Shisui figures surrounded Kakashi.
Wow, starting with your ultimate move? Do you see me as a boss?
Kakashi twitched slightly, speechless.
The Phantom Body Flicker Technique—a signature jutsu developed by Shisui using his Sharingan—was no ordinary flicker or clone technique. It intertwined space-time with illusion. All ten figures were simultaneously real and not real.
Kakashi was surrounded.
Suddenly, all ten Shisuis moved. Blades flashed from every direction, aiming to overwhelm Kakashi in one instant.
But he didn't dodge.
With his left hand gripping the scabbard and his right hand on the hilt, he stood perfectly still, unbothered by the incoming storm.
"Hatake Style: Wind Blade Slash!"
As the blades closed in, a dazzling burst of wind erupted from Kakashi.
A tornado formed around him, forged from pure chakra and sword intent.
BOOM!
All the Shisuis were blasted away, their formation disrupted.
"If you rely only on swordplay, I'm afraid you can't defeat me," Kakashi said coolly.
Shisui's eyes narrowed.
He had gone all out from the beginning—and it still wasn't enough.
That wind-based slash… its chakra form was so refined it could rival some elite jōnin.
How many more times can he use that?
Without hesitation, Shisui launched another attack. His speed increased.
Clang!
Kakashi blocked a lethal blow behind him with a single motion. He continued fending off strike after strike with sharpened intuition—boosted since learning Sage Mode.
The rapid exchanges made him tense. One mistake could end it.
If I don't want to expose Sage Mode or Flying Thunder God…
Kakashi realized the match would drag into a test of stamina and will.
He had to end it now.
Kakashi purposely exposed a weakness.
Shisui, reacting instinctively, struck—and his blade pierced Kakashi's right chest.
"Kakashi!"
Rin gasped in the stands, her hands flying to her mouth.
"Kakashi-senpai! I'm sorry—I didn't mean to—" Shisui began, horrified.
"Nervous System Rupture!"
Kakashi's right hand dropped the sword. In one swift move, he slammed his palm into Shisui's abdomen.
Shisui's body convulsed. His entire nervous system was temporarily paralyzed by a jolt of chakra.
Kakashi followed up by forming a Chakra Scalpel in his hand, slicing through Shisui's limb meridians and cutting off his ability to move.
"I should be the one apologizing. You've lost," Kakashi said, breathing heavily. He pulled the short sword from his own chest. The pain caused his arm to spasm slightly.
To Shisui's astonishment, Kakashi's wound began to heal before his eyes.
"I used a forbidden technique. So your defeat isn't anything to be ashamed of."
Kakashi wasn't one to hide the truth from a worthy opponent.
"I see… you truly are incredible, Kakashi-senpai. Referee, I concede."
Realizing Kakashi had taken the blow deliberately, Shisui felt relieved.
Kakashi formed healing chakra in his palms and began restoring Shisui's meridians.
"Your medical ninjutsu… it's amazing!" Shisui exclaimed, stretching his arms and legs with renewed energy.
He didn't feel a trace of bitterness at losing.
"You're strong, too. If we were the same age, I might not have won."
They say adversity reveals character. Kakashi was genuinely impressed by Shisui's humility and grace in defeat.
"If you're okay with it… let's be friends from now on," Kakashi offered, extending his hand.
Shisui grabbed it without hesitation.
"Absolutely! I still want to learn from you, haha!"
"You're welcome anytime."
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