"Well then, let's begin, Mr. Hatake Sakumo."
Aomi lifted Muramasa and took a deep breath.
Up to now, the strongest opponent Aomi faced was Uchiha Hachida, but this elite Jonin, in terms of techniques, was completely countered by Aomi and could not be used as an effective reference.
However, in front of him, Hatake Sakumo remained a pure, no-nonsense Kage Level Ninja, a soul figure that could still act as a spearhead and core in the Ninja World War.
After activating the Water Membrane, Aomi's Double-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly.
The Muramasa in his hand also burst into fiercer flames.
In an instant, the blade of Muramasa, mixed with roaring flames, slashed towards Hatake Sakumo at a strange angle!
"So fast!"
Kakashi, watching from one side, was startled. Even though he was observing the battle with all his effort, Aomi's speed had already surpassed his imagination, leaving him only able to see vague afterimages!
"If Uchiha Aomi was going all out against me, I probably wouldn't even have the chance to perform the Earth Flow Wall..."
Kakashi widened his eyes, filled with unwillingness.
"Clang!"
The sharp White Fang, entwined with dense deep blue chakra, precisely blocked Muramasa's blade.
Aomi squinted, thinking to himself: "My speed is clearly within Hatake Sakumo's perception, generally weaker than him, which is why he's so composed."
"I must, however, test my strength... No, I must go all out to strike him once..."
Aomi withdrew the blade, his arm muscles bulging, and with precisely controlled chakra enhancing his power, transferred it into Muramasa. At the same time, the tomoe spun, unleashing ocular power to launch a genjutsu attack on Hatake Sakumo!
"Monster Strength: Tobirama Izuna Style Knife Technique: One-Blade Stroke!"
Blending Tobirama's monstrous strength and the Sharingan's ocular power, combining the sword techniques of Uchiha Izuna and Senju Tobirama, Aomi perfectly merged the strengths of both opponents into his own technique!
Senju Tobirama squinted, feeling the might of this blade, and snorted: "Redundant, with my Senju Style Blade Technique, I wouldn't lose to the Hatake Family's Samurai Sword technique..."
"But this Aomi kid combined them quite well, it's a troublesome slash."
However, contrasting his words, this strike from Aomi reminded Senju Tobirama of himself, Uchiha Izuna, and even vaguely sensed the power of combining Senju and Uchiha.
The jutsu excelled by these age-old rivals for a thousand years seemed unexpectedly harmonious, smooth when merged, leading Tobirama to vaguely grasp an understanding.
Hatake Sakumo and Aomi locked gazes.
For some reason, Aomi's deep-set eyes seemed to send Sakumo into a momentary daze.
In that brief moment, Aomi's heavy blade had already broken through the safe distance, whistling towards his chest!
Hatake Sakumo was startled, even with his willpower and experience, breaking free from the genjutsu almost instantly, yet in a close-range blade clash, every slight opportunity was crucial.
The White Fang, realized belatedly, chased after—yet overtaking Muramasa's speed in a post-move pre-emption!
But...
Facing the strength from Hatake Sakumo, Aomi's strike, with an explosive force from the Senju, increased his power several times over, breaking Sakumo's defense in a single, preemptive breath!
Muramasa suppressed White Fang, appearing almost berserk, bloodthirsty, as though it would cleave both the White Fang short knife and Hatake Sakumo apart!
Hatake Sakumo's chakra surged, raising his speed to the limit in an instant, leveraging Muramasa's power to move as far from the blade as possible, narrowly dodging the slash with great peril!
"How could it be... Father was pushed back by Uchiha Aomi!"
Kakashi was bewildered; this scene had surpassed his understanding.
In past training with his father, no matter how hard Kakashi tried, Hatake Sakumo always stood smiling without moving a step, effortlessly neutralizing his attacks.
For the longest time, Kakashi's short-term training goal was merely to make Hatake Sakumo move during their sparring...
Blood trickled from Hatake Sakumo's chest, a not deep but visibly clear blade cut piercing through his clothing.
Aomi exhaled slowly, feeling a heartfelt respect for Hatake Sakumo's strength.
This strike should be considered Aomi's all-out sword technique.
Combining monstrous strength, the initial attack nature of the Sharingan, and other aspects, Aomi had confidence even against someone of Uchiha Hachida's level of three-tomoe to gain victory with a single strike.
Yet even so, Hatake Sakumo still dodged this blade.
"Remarkable, truly remarkable, Aomi-kun..." Hatake Sakumo glanced at the wound on his chest casually, smiling as he spoke:
"It's fortunate you're still a child, your body yet to fully mature, otherwise, I might need rescuing."
Aomi shook his head. Although age naturally limited the full outburst of the Sage Body's strength.
But so what?
In the Ninja World, a prodigy surviving to adulthood is a great skill, one of the strongest talents.
When talent cannot be converted to strength, it is but an empty name.
"Mr. Hatake Sakumo, please don't hold back. I wish to witness the true full strength of a ninja like you!"
Aomi looked at Hatake Sakumo earnestly, saying clearly and decisively: "I'm somewhat proficient in Medical Ninjutsu, so please don't worry about my injuries, just leave me with a breath."
"Compared to Kakashi-kun, the chance to fight a ninja like you is very rare for me, extremely precious."
Hatake Sakumo quietly looked at the serious Aomi, and only after a long while did he softly say: "Aomi-kun, you have a sincere heart."
"With that being the case, for me to refuse would be arrogant."
Hatake Sakumo's aura subtly changed after his words fell.
The entire person became incredibly dangerous, sharp, as if just looking into his eyes would cause pain, a chill creeping up the neck.
Suddenly!
Hatake Sakumo raised the White Fang, roaring slash waves as high as several people continuously burst forth from the blade, cutting through the earth at a speed nearly invisible to the naked eye, sealing Aomi's every direction!
And he himself became an afterimage, the blade of White Fang reserved and almost imperceptible, poised in his hand, locking onto Aomi's vital points!
Hatake Sakumo had launched a serious offensive!
#
"Father..."
After the battle ended, Kakashi looked bewildered at the scorched earth, "Did you hold back just now?"
Hatake Sakumo shook his head: "On the contrary, I was very serious."
"At present, Aomi-kun truly cannot contend with me head-on."
"However, with his genjutsu and Water Release, if Aomi doesn't confront me outright, it is really difficult to control him..."
"Kakashi, do your best, you may have encountered a genius peer."
"But, father believes in you..."
Yet in Hatake Sakumo's eyes, there was a hint of pity.
He did not believe Kakashi would one day surpass Aomi.
In every generation of the Ninja World, there would be a ninja with extraordinary talent, making peers feel utterly despairing, becoming an insurmountable mountain for everyone.
Possessing the ability to discern people, Hatake Sakumo vaguely sensed that Aomi seemed to be such a ninja.