Chapter 8 – Taichi vs. Kakashi and Guy
When Taichi returned home, he quickly tidied himself up and headed straight to the training grounds. To his surprise, Might Guy and Kakashi were already there, engaged in an intense sparring match.
Kakashi's father was none other than Sakumo Hatake, the "White Fang of Konoha." Guy's father, though only a genin in rank, had been a man who could open the Eight Gates and take down the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—a top-class warrior in every sense. Both of them had grown up under the guidance of remarkable fathers, and it showed.
Their movements were precise, their exchanges calculated. Watching their attack–defense transitions was like observing a perfectly choreographed dance. Taichi, on the other hand, was a total rookie—no real combat experience at all. But that didn't stop him from imagining how he might respond if he were the one trading blows with them.
It didn't take long for the two to notice him. After a quick exchange, they broke apart and stepped back.
"Taichi! You're a bit late today!" Guy beamed, flashing his trademark sparkling grin. "Kakashi and I have been here since early morning! Youth must not be squandered in idleness!"
"I had some business at the orphanage," Taichi replied, not going into details. "But since when did you two get so chummy, sparring together like this?"
Guy laughed. "Kakashi is my lifelong rival! We've known each other since before the term started." Then he turned to introduce them. "Kakashi, this is Matsushita Taichi, my dearest friend!"
Kakashi rolled his eyes. "Idiot, we're in the same class. You don't need to introduce us." Still, he looked at Taichi with interest. "Taichi, want to have a match?"
Oh? So this younger Kakashi was just as competitive. Taichi didn't mind—if anything, he welcomed the chance. What he lacked most right now was real combat experience.
"Sure. But just a warning—I've never had a proper duel before, so don't be too disappointed."
They stepped into the center, exchanged the seal of confrontation, and the fight began.
Kakashi lowered his stance, moving like a hunting leopard. In a flash, he lunged forward, sweeping his left leg toward Taichi's shins. Taichi leapt back, but Kakashi's transition was lightning-fast. Planting both hands on the ground, he launched a high kick toward Taichi's chest. In midair with nowhere to evade, Taichi could only cross his arms in front of him. The impact knocked him backward, sending him rolling across the dirt.
Taichi hit the ground but didn't hesitate—he rolled through to absorb the force and sprang back to his feet. Stabilizing himself, he charged in, his fists shooting out in rapid jabs. His punching speed even edged out Kakashi's for a moment, forcing the prodigy onto the defensive.
But Kakashi quickly regained his rhythm. Seizing an opening, he swept a whip kick at Taichi's ribs. Taichi blocked with his forearm, only for Kakashi to pivot smoothly and drive an elbow into his side, forcing him back several steps.
The fight went back and forth, but overall, Kakashi held the advantage. Taichi's lack of experience showed—many of his counters were clumsy. Still, every now and then, he'd slip in an unexpected move that caught Kakashi off guard.
After more than a dozen exchanges, Kakashi leapt in with a flying kick that sent Taichi sprawling. This time, Taichi stayed down, panting hard, sweat dripping down his face.
Kakashi relaxed and stepped forward, offering his hand to help him up. "Not bad, Taichi. You clearly haven't sparred much, but to fight at this level? That's rare." Remembering his father's praise for Taichi and Guy, Kakashi found himself agreeing.
Guy ran over, giving a dramatic thumbs-up. "Taichi! I didn't know you were this strong! My youthful blood is burning!"
Then his eyes lit up. "Come on, Taichi! Let's have our own exhilarating showdown!"
"Alright!" Taichi wasn't about to back down. After a short rest, he felt ready again. Both took their stances, and Kakashi stepped aside to watch.
The moment Guy saw Taichi prepared, he charged in without hesitation. Unlike Kakashi's refined technique, Guy's attacks were raw power—every punch and kick carried crushing force. Blocking him was far more punishing, each impact jarring through Taichi's arms.
Little by little, Taichi began to find his rhythm.
Instead of meeting Guy's overwhelming strength head-on, he shifted to using entangling and deflecting techniques—redirecting the force rather than clashing against it. Every so often, he'd spot an opening and launch a sudden counterattack, forcing Guy into a moment of frantic defense.
From the sidelines, Kakashi could see the improvement even more clearly. In just two matches, Taichi's growth was astonishing—not exactly like a completely different fighter, but enough to feel like he'd leapt an entire tier.
During the bout with Guy, Kakashi even caught glimpses of his own style in Taichi's movements. The progress was almost unnatural.
It wasn't really a mystery—Taichi's Basic Taijutsu Lv6 was already on par with an average chunin. What he lacked was experience in real combat. Today's sparring simply allowed him to unleash the potential he already had.
---
As the fight dragged on, fatigue began to creep in. Taichi's movements slowed, his guard weakened, and his blocks grew sluggish. Eventually, Guy slipped through his defense and landed a solid punch to the chest, sending Taichi sprawling to the ground.
Both boys were breathing hard. Guy had to work for his win—Taichi's persistence had burned through a good deal of his stamina.
"Taichi—huff—no wonder you're my best friend—huff—you've improved so much—huff…" Guy said between breaths, flashing his trademark dazzling grin.
At that moment, Taichi's gaze flicked to the glowing panel in his mind.
[You engaged in Taijutsu sparring. Related insights increased.]
[Basic Taijutsu skill EXP +2]
[Focused on ninja combat training. Ninja Apprentice job EXP +2]
The numbers were higher than usual.
Sure enough, "leveling up by defeating opponents" suited him far better than grinding solo. Two quick sparring matches had given him more experience than two hours of normal training.
---
Kakashi came over and pulled him to his feet. The three of them sat in the cool shade beneath a tree, sharing their thoughts on the battles while catching their breath. Once they'd recovered, each went back to their own drills—occasionally pairing off again to reinforce what they'd learned.
The breeze stirred the cherry blossoms by the edge of the training field, scattering petals between the three of them. The setting sun bathed them in warm light, their shadows stretching long across the ground—witness to the beginning of a friendship that would last for years.
---
That evening, Taichi returned home with aching muscles and just enough energy to fix a quick meal. After eating, he sat in his study, replaying the day's gains in his mind.
First, the money-making plan was finally in motion—now it was just a matter of waiting for Tsunade's reply, which might come as soon as tomorrow.
Second, the afternoon matches with Guy and Kakashi had opened his eyes to a new way of earning experience. Everything seemed to be moving in the right direction.
---
Name: Matsushita Taichi
Profession: Ninja Apprentice Lv2 (127/200)
Talents: Diligence Makes Up for Lack of Talent, Scholar
Age: 6
Constitution: 10
Strength: 11
Agility: 10
Spirit: 18
Chakra: 657 (4200)
Attribute Points: 5
Skill Points: 5
Skills:
Basic Taijutsu Lv6 (324/1000)
Basic Meditation Lv6 (815/1000)
Chakra Refinement Technique Lv2 (15/200)
Ninja Tool Throwing Lv1 (94/100)
Evaluation: A fighter jet among sardines. Keep going—we expect great things from you.
Looking at his panel, Taichi noted that since the start of term, he'd gained two new skills and leveled up across the board. The only glaring gap—he still didn't know a single ninjutsu.
His eyes fell to the scroll on the desk. Now that he had a decent chakra reserve, it was time to add ninjutsu practice to the schedule.
---
Meanwhile, across the village in a dimly lit tavern…
Tsunade was slumped over the table, completely drunk, snoring softly—her plans from earlier in the day entirely forgotten.
Opposite her, Jiraiya and Orochimaru exchanged a long-suffering look. They'd been dragged here by Tsunade for a round of drinks, and now it seemed not only would they go home sober, but they'd also have to clean up the mess she'd left behind.