Chapter 41: Divine Speed vs Chidori
The two arrived at the training grounds, ready for their first showdown since meeting again.
Nan smiled confidently at Kakashi, certain he'd win this time.
Last time, he'd only won by cheating with Genjutsu, since he lacked Taijutsu skills for close combat. His "Divine Speed" technique was also far from perfected and came with a heavy burden, making him inefficient. The prolonged fight allowed Kakashi to spot a flaw and seize victory.
But things were different now. Nan had greatly improved both his skills and his Divine Speed technique.
He also had a larger chakra reserve than Kakashi. Even if Kakashi used his notorious ability to maintain stalemates, ultimately, a drawn-out battle would favor Nan.
Kakashi, for his part, was confident as well, though not as relaxed as Nan.
He knew Nan had enhanced his Divine Speed and that previous tactics would no longer work. However, the completed Chidori filled him with assurance. His speed had vastly improved since before. He planned to leverage this speed advantage, ending the fight quickly and denying Nan any chance for a prolonged clash.
After forming the seal of confrontation, marking the start of the match, they prepared themselves.
Nan instantly activated his Divine Speed, accelerating to elite Jonin-level speed, and launched a Konoha Whirlwind directly at Kakashi.
Kakashi blocked the kick, but Nan's tremendous leg strength forced him back, even though he'd managed to defend.
Pressing the attack, Nan unleashed his improved Taijutsu relentlessly. Kakashi, unable to keep up with the defense, was forced to dodge continuously, looking quite disheveled under Nan's fierce onslaught.
Even though Kakashi had anticipated Nan would be tough to handle now, he didn't expect him to be this formidable—tougher, even, than most foes he'd faced on the battlefield.
On the battlefield, opponents of Nan's caliber usually required intervention from his teacher.
If Kakashi couldn't create distance from Nan, he'd have no chance to even use Chidori and would lose outright.
That wasn't what Nan had intended. If Kakashi recognized and corrected Chidori's weaknesses now, the story might take a different turn. Perhaps the destinies of Kakashi, Obito, and Rin would change as well.
Nan realized that Kakashi was practically powerless against him this time. His aim today was to defeat the Chidori-wielding Kakashi fair and square.
If he just won outright, it would go against his original intent.
So he deliberately held back. After sending Kakashi flying with a kick, he didn't pursue, instead standing his ground and taunting:
"What's wrong, Kakashi? Is that all you've got? Don't say I'm bullying you—I'll give you a chance. Use your Chidori, and let's settle this with one final move."
Kakashi had hesitated to use Chidori directly before, worried he might lose control. Now, seeing Nan's strength, and given Nan's challenge, he no longer held back. He immediately began forming the Chidori hand seals.
At this stage, unlike later when Chidori would require only three or even no hand seals, it still required seventeen hand seals.
Kakashi was fast, but it still took him four full seconds to complete all seventeen.
When he finished, lightning-style chakra surged in his palm, giving off a sound reminiscent of countless chirping birds—the origin of the technique's name, Chidori.
Nan, now with Three Tomoe Sharingan activated, watched Kakashi closely.
Though Chidori still had major flaws, it was still quite dangerous; one mistake could be costly.
With Chidori fully formed, Kakashi rushed at Nan. His speed now surpassed all elite Jonin, and even most Kage-level ninja couldn't match him.
Nan could tell Kakashi was much faster than himself at this moment.
But he also noticed Kakashi still hadn't realized Chidori's fundamental weakness.
With that kind of straight, head-on charge, no matter how fast, an experienced opponent would see the openings right away.
Nan wasn't exactly a veteran, but with the Sharingan, he easily saw how to counter Kakashi's attack.
As Kakashi closed in and Chidori nearly struck, Nan was ready.
Even if Kakashi managed to hit him, Kakashi planned to immediately retract his chakra to prevent serious injury.
Ordinary opponents could never react to Kakashi's speed, destined to be cut down in an instant.
But to Nan's eyes, Kakashi seemed to move in slow motion. It was still blazingly fast, but Nan had plenty of time to react.
With Divine Speed's boost, Nan moved quickly and accurately dodged Kakashi's Chidori at the critical moment.
Seizing the brief opening as Kakashi attacked, Nan unleashed a punch—his speed and power supercharged by Divine Speed—landing a direct hit on Kakashi's chin.
At this speed, Kakashi couldn't even see Nan's movement. Even if he could, it would be impossible to react.
All he felt was a heavy blow to the head before he was sent flying and lost consciousness.
Nan had pulled his punch, so Kakashi was only out briefly before regaining his senses.
Knowing he had lost, Kakashi immediately asked Nan how he'd countered his Chidori.
Nan explained how he'd used the Sharingan to predict Kakashi's movements and capitalize on the opening, describing the entire process in detail, and pointed out the flaws he'd observed in Chidori.
He also told Kakashi that, even without the Sharingan, an experienced ninja would still handle such a straight-on attack.
Kakashi realized his own shortcomings for the first time. He hadn't expected a technique he'd personally created to have such a fatal flaw.
Creating a new ninja technique was never easy, and Kakashi had grown somewhat arrogant for being able to do so at such a young age. Now, that arrogance was shattered by Nan's punch, leaving him discouraged.
Nan noticed Kakashi's expression and quickly offered comfort:
"Honestly, your Chidori is already an outstanding technique. All you lack is experience. With more training and sharper perception, Chidori can absolutely become your trump card."
Kakashi wasn't the fragile sort; he'd have figured it out even without Nan's encouragement. Still, having a friend's support felt good, though he insisted stubbornly:
"You don't have to tell me that. If you didn't have the Sharingan, you wouldn't be my match! Once I build up my experience, I'll perfect Chidori—and definitely beat you someday."
Nan smiled at his defiant words:
"In that case, Kakashi, let me give you an even bigger surprise."
To Kakashi's shock, Nan formed a series of familiar hand seals, and lightning and chirping sounds gathered in Nan's hand—he had reproduced the Chidori right before Kakashi's eyes.
After all, the two had developed ninja techniques together, and Nan had studied Kakashi's lightning style. Watching him execute the full technique with the Sharingan, Nan was able to copy it effortlessly.
Realizing this, Kakashi felt like slapping himself. He knew Nan's knack for copying jutsu, so why had he gone and demonstrated the entire Chidori sequence in front of him?
After Nan left, Kakashi found an empty spot, looked up at the sky, and let out a long wail.
He thought, "If the heavens want to punish me for my mistakes, let the Hokage do it, not Nan!"
Kakashi's jealousy of Nan's Sharingan only deepened, and he fantasized again—if only he had the Sharingan, he'd copy every jutsu in the ninja world.