Chapter 48: Battle with Kakashi
The location for this duel had been arranged at the same venue used for the Chunin Exams.
It was the one surrounded by a massive grandstand.
This place had been destroyed multiple times by the likes of Orochimaru, Pain, and Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki, but it had always been rebuilt. This just went to show its importance.
The reason this duel was arranged here was not only due to the Uchiha clan's influence but also to showcase the strength of Konoha's ninja to the villagers, merchants, and even the Daimyō.
After all, the entire shinobi world was in a state of turmoil, and war could break out at any moment.
And at times like these, it was all the more important to establish the image of heroes and genius ninja. This would boost the people's confidence in Konoha's military strength.
Moreover, not only was Kyosuke a member of the Uchiha clan, but he also held the title of the "Third Hokage's Grand-Disciple."
So, regardless of the outcome of this duel, the prestige of the Hokage's faction, led by the Third, would be greatly enhanced. At this critical juncture, it was beneficial for the unity within Konoha.
To this, Kyosuke could only say that, setting aside the Third's other many issues, in terms of political maneuvering, he was indeed incredibly shrewd.
Not long after the Uchiha clan's arrival, the Hatake clan also arrived.
Of course, after the Second Shinobi World War, the only members of the Hatake clan left were Sakumo Hatake and Kakashi Hatake.
So, to say the entire clan had arrived was to say that only the father and son were there.
However, when the two of them arrived, the once-boisterous venue suddenly fell silent.
Then, whispers began to rise from various parts of the audience.
And the person they were talking about was mostly Sakumo, who was sitting in the distance.
As for the content of their conversations, it was nothing more than accusations.
Kyosuke looked up at the "ignorant" villagers, and a cold smile touched his lips.
Sharing the same expression were the many Uchiha clan members behind him.
Because while others might not be familiar with this feeling, the Uchiha knew it all too well.
Even if everything was orchestrated by the Konoha leadership, were these "ignorant" villagers not also accomplices?
Examples of this were abundant in Konoha.
The "ferocious" Uchiha clan, the "damaging to Konoha's interests" Sakumo Hatake, the "destroyer of the village" Uzumaki Naruto, and so on.
In Kyosuke's opinion, sometimes the odiousness of these foolish people was so great that it made one want to kill them with their own hands.
Just as Kakashi was feeling angry and helpless because of these whispers, a few loud shouts suddenly erupted in the venue.
At the same time, they completely drowned out the villagers' whispers.
"Go, Kakashi!"
"That's right, beat him, Kakashi!"
"Go for it, Kakashi~"
Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw, in a corner of the stands, a few young kids shouting at the top of their lungs.
These were, of course, Rin, Might Guy, Asuma, and the others who had come to cheer him on.
Kakashi also saw this. After a moment of surprise, he couldn't help but mutter, "Idiots."
Although he was muttering "idiots," it was clear from his much more relaxed expression that his friends' cheers had had a very good effect.
Having calmed down, Kakashi turned his gaze to his opponent.
That apathetic-looking boy.
At this time, a Jounin walked to the center of the field and signaled to the two of them.
"Go, defeat your opponent," the Second Elder, sitting at the forefront of the stands, said to Kyosuke with a serious expression.
"Go for it! Beat that guy to a pulp!" This was the excited Nagisa.
"..." Fugaku nodded at him with confidence, saying nothing.
Kyosuke smiled slightly, nodded to them, and then, with a flash, appeared in the center of the field.
Today, he was wearing a black kimono, similar to the one Sasuke wore in the original story. He had found this outfit at Orochimaru's house, and after having it altered, he had started wearing it.
As for Kakashi, he was still in his unchanging mask and short-sleeved top.
It seems the Hatake clan's financial situation isn't ideal, Kyosuke thought, a malicious thought crossing his mind.
"Listen up. In today's match, if either side loses the ability to fight, or if I deem that they cannot take their opponent's attack, I will stop the match. Do you understand?" the Jounin said, looking at the two of them.
Kyosuke and Kakashi both nodded, indicating that they understood.
"Then, I declare this match officially started."
With that, the referee Jounin took a few steps back, leaving the stage to today's two main characters.
"I've been looking forward to this day for a long time," Kyosuke said, pulling out a handful of shuriken from his ninja pouch and throwing them at Kakashi.
"I will defeat you," Kakashi said coolly, drawing a short sword that emanated a cold aura.
Seeing this blade, some of the more knowledgeable ninja present couldn't help but turn their gaze to the silent White Fang.
But Sakumo paid them no mind, his gaze fixed on his son, who was constantly moving to dodge the attacks.
Good evasion, he thought to himself.
The situation on the field was just as he thought. Although Kyosuke's shuriken were always coming at Kakashi from extremely tricky angles, it was still difficult to defeat the already near-elite-Chunin-level Kakashi with just these methods.
It wasn't just difficult to defeat him; it wasn't even easy to injure him.
Of course, Kyosuke hadn't expected the shuriken to do the job. In a battle of this level, projectile weapons had a very limited role. Unless he could max out his "Shuriken Throwing Technique" skill, they could only be used as a distraction.
Just as Kakashi successfully dodged Kyosuke's first wave of attacks, the second wave arrived right in front of him.
It was a sphere of countless golden bolts of lightning, hurtling toward Kakashi at high speed.
This ninjutsu was the Lightning Release ninjutsu "Lightning Release: Lightning Ball," which had been "dropped" by Sarada.
Although its destructive power wasn't strong, its advantage was in the speed of its movement and casting, which was why Kyosuke had chosen to use it.
With no other choice, Kakashi had to abandon his plan to charge forward. He quickly formed hand seals and pressed his hands firmly on the ground.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall."
With the release of Kakashi's ninjutsu, a massive stone wall suddenly rose from the ground, just in time to block Kyosuke's jutsu.
Just as Kakashi was preparing to launch his own counterattack, several shuriken suddenly flew out from the sides of the stone wall.
Startled, Kakashi barely managed to parry one shuriken with his sword but was injured in the arm by another.
At the same time, a figure suddenly appeared on top of the stone wall.
Kakashi quickly looked up and saw that the owner of this figure was staring at him with a pair of crimson eyes.
And in those eyes, three tomoe were spinning rapidly.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan."
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