Chapter 63: Squad Showdown
This time, it wasn't just Uchiha Obito and his two teammates who came to the Land of Rivers battlefield; Asuma Sarutobi, Shiranui Genma, and others also followed their Jonin squad leaders and the second wave of support troops to the battlefield.
Among those who graduated with Class A back then, only Hyuga Mirai passed the Jonin assessment and gained the qualification to lead a team independently for missions. The others continued to train under their Jonin squad leaders.
Even Kakashi, whose strength was comparable to many elite Chunin, lacked experience in completing missions independently and the qualities of a captain. It wasn't until he was twelve and promoted to Jonin that he first led a mission.
Upon reaching the agreed-upon location, not only were Kakashi and his two teammates there, but Asuma Sarutobi and Shiranui Genma, having received the news, also came along to join the fun.
"Kurenai."
Asuma Sarutobi didn't know how many times he had practiced in private before mustering the courage to greet Kurenai Yuhi, feigning a natural demeanor.
"Long time no see. I heard you've been either on missions or training. No wonder you became a Chunin so quickly."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded and replied, "Asuma, it has been a long time." Then, Kurenai Yuhi followed closely behind Hyuga Mirai and walked forward together.
"Uh, Kurenai..."
Asuma's voice immediately trailed off after Kurenai Yuhi walked away. Besides himself, only Hyuga Mirai barely heard him.
"Hmph, Hyuga Kiyomi, you're finally here!"
Uchiha Obito, like a villain, jumped out and pointed at Hyuga Kiyomi, saying,
"Later, I'll let you witness the power of the Uchiha."
However, Hyuga Kiyomi didn't even look at Uchiha Obito. Her pure white eyes were fixed on Kakashi and the short blade on his back.
Graduating at five and becoming a Chunin at six, although Hyuga Kiyomi was competitive, she had to admit that Kakashi's talent and strength surpassed hers. As someone taught by her grandfather since childhood to uphold the prestige of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Kiyomi had long harbored the idea of competing with Kakashi.
However, there was no opportunity at the Nin school, and after graduation, she had been constantly on missions and training. But Hyuga Kiyomi never forgot about reclaiming the title of genius from Kakashi.
If she defeated Kakashi, then both of the graduating class's geniuses would be from the Hyuga Clan. In that case, Hyuga Kiyomi would have even more influence with her grandfather.
Although Kakashi leaned against a nearby tree, looking relaxed, his eyes were somewhat solemn. While Hyuga Kiyomi and her two teammates became Chunin a bit later than him, they had long since shed their Jonin squad leaders and completed missions independently.
As for him, although he had been a Chunin for the shortest time, he still required Jonin guidance.
It would be a bit difficult to defeat these three alone; he needed a suitable opportunity.
Kakashi appeared very relaxed, but his mind was constantly pondering tactics.
"Kakashi, are you ready? My teammates will create an opportunity for a one-on-one duel for me later," Hyuga Kiyomi asked calmly. However, her attitude angered Uchiha Obito, who was standing nearby.
"That despicable Hyuga Kiyomi, ignoring me!"
Uchiha Obito clenched his fist in anger. It was Kakashi again. Later, he would let everyone know who the strongest member of the squad truly was.
"If everyone is ready, then let's begin!"
Hyuga Mirai activated his Byakugan, scanned his surroundings, and then glanced towards the back and side. There were two familiar figures there, but there was no need to pay them any mind.
Uchiha Obito smugly rubbed the tip of his nose and said, "No problem, let's start!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Uchiha Obito and Rin Nohara instantly leaped away, dispersing and hiding in various locations. Kakashi, however, merely distanced himself and did not deliberately conceal his presence.
"Kurenai, as we discussed beforehand, go directly for Rin Nohara. Uchiha Obito will rush to save Rin Nohara. They've set five traps: two are 200 meters southeast by 5 degrees, and 140 meters southeast by 30 degrees. The traps are..."
Hyuga Mirai activated his Byakugan and told Kurenai the positions of Uchiha Obito and Rin Nohara, as well as all the traps.
Shiranui Genma, witnessing this, shook his head helplessly and grumbled, "That idiot Uchiha Obito, setting traps under the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan. Coming here so early and doing a bunch of useless work."
The reason Kakashi didn't hide his presence was that it was meaningless.
Under two Byakugan, even hiding underground with Earth Style would be pointless.
"Understood, Captain!"
After forming a hand seal, Kurenai Yuhi immediately vanished from her spot using the Body Flicker Technique.
The Body Flicker Technique was used most by Hyuga Mirai. Kurenai Yuhi and Hyuga Kiyomi had also learned from him for a period, so they were not unfamiliar with this Ninjutsu.
'This idiot!'
Kakashi thought to himself. Uchiha Obito had come early again to set traps and even dragged him into a showdown between their two teams. Yet, he hadn't created any useful advantage, and his own weaknesses were now known to the opponent.
'Indeed, only being strong oneself is correct. Teammates are useless presences.'
Seeing Hyuga Kiyomi approach him, Kakashi also drew the short blade from his back.
Although only one Kurenai Yuhi went to deal with Uchiha Obito and Rin Nohara, Kakashi didn't think for a moment that his two teammates could handle Kurenai Yuhi.
The Hyuga Mirai nearby, though a Medical Ninja, Kakashi heard that he was the squad leader and had led Kurenai Yuhi and Hyuga Kiyomi to complete A-rank missions. If he didn't have some skill, Hyuga Kiyomi would not have allowed Hyuga Mirai, who came from a branch family, to be the captain.
On a distant treetop, two figures crouched on branches, observing the exchange between the two squads.
"Kaminari, this time, my students might get a harsh lesson from your subordinates."
"They were former subordinates," Kaminari Kaede emphasized, "They've grown a lot. Hyuga Mirai has already detected us. Now, I don't know what level their strength has reached."
Minato Namikaze smiled. He also noticed the special qualities of this squad—the tacit cooperation centered around the captain, which could only be cultivated through numerous missions.
In this regard, his students were like three strangers, showing no signs of cooperation whatsoever.
Minato Namikaze smiled helplessly, "I hope they can give my students a good lesson."
Meanwhile, in the distance, Kurenai Yuhi had already returned, carrying Rin Nohara on her back.
"Hehe, Captain, this side is already resolved. Thanks to your reminder, otherwise Uchiha Obito's traps would have been quite troublesome."
Kurenai Yuhi replied with a smile, then placed the genjutsu-affected Rin Nohara to the side.
"Where's Uchiha Obito?" Hyuga Mirai asked, puzzled, wondering why only one person was brought back.
"I knocked him out," Kurenai Yuhi said with a smile.
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