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"Alright then, let's begin, Kakashi."
With those words, Kagaya immediately raised his hand, Lightning Cutter crackling, and charged towards Kakashi.
Kakashi didn't hesitate either, rushing straight at Kagaya.
"LIGHTNING CUTTER!"
Both shouts echoed simultaneously as two bolts of blue lightning clashed in a violent collision.
Lightning flared brilliantly, the dazzling glare forcing the onlookers to avert their eyes slightly, unable to look directly.
The resulting impact from the head-on clash then flung both Kakashi and Kagaya backward in opposite directions.
This was the first exchange.
Kagaya retreated to a spot near Haku, glanced at his hand that had just wielded the Lightning Cutter, and clicked his tongue in mild annoyance. Lightning Cutter wasn't a technique he specialized in. Although he had copied it with his Sharingan, it was far inferior to Kakashi's version. That initial clash had been a clear loss for him.
In that moment, Kakashi could have severely injured his hand, possibly even severing his entire palm.
Kagaya had to admit once again that his talent for ninjutsu really wasn't that great. That attempt at a ninjutsu showdown had been rather reckless!
The reason his hand was still perfectly fine wasn't due to luck, but because...
"Kakashi, you held back," Kagaya stated, looking at his former teacher.
In that clash, he had been completely at a disadvantage. Having his entire arm seriously injured would have been a good outcome, yet now it was completely unharmed. It was because Kakashi had pulled back at the very last moment.
Kakashi spoke with his usual lazy tone, "I have no interest in cutting off my own student's arm."
Their dialogue made the surrounding observers understand the outcome of that first clash.
Although Kagaya seemed to be at a disadvantage in this round, Haku wasn't worried in the slightest, still brimming with confidence in Kagaya.
The surrounding Jōnin, however, didn't share that view.
Chōza Akimichi approached Shikaku and spoke, a little puzzled, "Shikaku, that kid seems to be on the back foot. If Kakashi alone can handle him, maybe the Third didn't need to send so many of us."
Shikaku shook his head. "Chōza, Kakashi mentioned earlier that his strengths are speed and the Sharingan. So far, he's only shown the Sharingan's ability. We still don't know just how fast his speed really is."
Nearby, Kurenai nodded in agreement. "Yes, let's observe for a while longer."
Kagaya pulled out a kunai and addressed Kakashi. "Let's both show our real skills, Kakashi. This time, can you still stand there unmoving?"
Four years ago, during their first match, Kakashi had told Kagaya to attack, stating that he would remain stationary.
Kakashi let out a wry laugh. "I'd like to."
However, the moment his words ended, a gust of wind erupted. A powerful kick sent Kakashi flying backward!
So fast!!!
The eyes of every Jōnin present widened in shock. They hadn't seen Kagaya's movement at all! No, it would be more accurate to say they couldn't even react to it!
Kagaya retracted the leg that had kicked Kakashi away. "This time, you couldn't block it."
Four years prior, in their first fight, Kagaya had used a similar move. Back then, that kick had been effortlessly blocked by Kakashi's left hand. Now, four years later, Kakashi could not block it.
After being kicked away, Kakashi used his hands to push himself up, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Truly a terrifying speed. This time, I indeed could not block it."
While the others hadn't seen Kagaya's attack, Kakashi had. After all, he possessed the Sharingan! Although it was currently a three-tomoe Sharingan, in terms of visual prowess, it was a Sharingan with the latent power of the Mangekyō. Seeing Kagaya's attack wasn't surprising.
However, while he saw it, the sheer speed exceeded Kakashi's expectations. He failed to react in time and was kicked away.
Kagaya smiled slightly.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive sphere of fire materialized and surged towards Kakashi.
Kakashi was startled once more.
When did he form the hand seals?!
But there was no time to ponder that now. Kakashi could only hurriedly form seals of his own.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A wall adorned with several carved dog heads rose from the ground, intercepting Kagaya's Great Fireball.
The fireball smashed violently against the wall, forced to disperse around its sides.
But arriving alongside the fireball was Kagaya himself.
Seeing Kagaya appear right beside him, Kakashi's breath hitched. He had to focus every ounce of his concentration to handle Kagaya's assault!
The pressure was immense, overwhelming! It allowed Kakashi not a single moment of laxity!
Kakashi, having just finished the Earth-Style Wall, was crouched with both hands pressed against the ground. As Kagaya appeared before him, he immediately launched a powerful kick aimed straight at Kakashi's head!
Kagaya had controlled his strength; a solid hit from this kick would undoubtedly knock Kakashi unconscious.
But...
Thud!
The kick was blocked by Kakashi's crossed arms!
A flicker of surprise passed through Kagaya's eyes. Kakashi with his Sharingan activated was indeed not so easily dealt with.
Kagaya performed one-handed seals! His speed was so fast it seemed almost instantaneous.
A mass of crackling lightning appeared in Kagaya's hand, thrusting towards Kakashi.
"Lightning Cutter!"
Kagaya's advantage lay in his speed. His earlier attempt at a ninjutsu showdown had been rash. This time was different. Kagaya's speed was so overwhelming it gave Kakashi no time to form seals. Kakashi couldn't possibly use a ninjutsu to counter this Lightning Cutter!
And then, this Lightning Cutter truly struck Kakashi's body. But instead of a scream of pain, it was a log and a puff of white smoke that appeared.
For the first time in this fight, Kagaya was genuinely startled.
Substitution Technique?! When?!
Before Kagaya could think further, a bolt of lightning erupted from behind him.
"Lightning Cutter!"
The same technique, the same location. The only difference was that a moment before, it was Kagaya thrusting at Kakashi, and now it was Kakashi thrusting at Kagaya!
There was no hesitation in Kakashi's eyes. He had controlled his power; this strike wouldn't kill Kagaya, but it would inflict a significant injury, one that would prevent him from continuing the fight.
Feeling the Lightning Cutter closing in from behind, Kagaya knew that in his current state—his momentum spent, new force not yet gathered—he couldn't dodge it with pure speed alone.
In that case...
Tiger—Dog—Rat!
The next instant, Kakashi's Lightning Cutter pierced through Kagaya's body. Kakashi was momentarily stunned.
First, he had never intended for his Lightning Cutter to penetrate Kagaya's body. Second, his Lightning Cutter didn't seem to have the feel of hitting solid flesh?
Before Kakashi could ponder this, he was sent flying by a powerful kick.
When Kakashi struggled back to his feet, what he saw were five Kagayas!
The Kagaya in the center gave a slight smile.
"As expected of Kakashi. You forced me to use this. To be honest, it's been a long time since I've used this technique."
What Kagaya had used was, of course, the "Body Flicker" technique taught to him by Shisui.
Kakashi clutched his side, forcing himself to stand.
"The Teleporter's Body Flicker, huh?"
Two consecutive heavy kicks had done damage to the ribs on his side. Excruciating pain kept radiating from the area. Kakashi didn't know if several were broken or what, but he knew one thing: he had to stay standing.
"Let's continue, Kagaya!"
"Can't you feel the state of your own ribs? Or do you have a death wish?"
"No. As a teacher, how can I easily admit defeat to my student?"
Blood trickled from the corner of Kakashi's mouth as he spoke with his usual lazy demeanor, as if nothing had happened.
*****
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