The final episode of the anime began to play. The screen lit up, and subtitles indicated it was the day of the finals.
The stands were bustling with people. Sakumo, Might Duy and his son, Minato, and Kushina were all there.
[Did Sakumo come back specifically for this?]
[Probably? My parents would take time off work to watch me compete in school sports days, even though I was just there to make up the numbers.]
[I envy the comments above. My parents never come.]
[Uncle Duy looks especially happy.]
[He's genuinely happy for his two young teammates.]
[Uncle Duy is truly a good person.]
[Wow, even Minato and Kushina came.]
[After all, they have a good relationship with Sakumo.]
Naraku and Kakashi emerged from the archways on either side and walked to the center of the arena.
The moment the referee gave the "Start" command, both moved simultaneously.
Naraku attacked first with projectiles, but Kakashi dodged them and trapped him with Earth Release.
Just as the audience thought Naraku was about to be defeated by Kakashi, he successfully used the Substitution Jutsu and ambushed Kakashi from behind during the transition between his moves.
Unfortunately, Kakashi still defended against it.
[So it was a ploy to lure him in.]
[Kakashi: I knew it couldn't be that easy for me to win.]
[He guessed too accurately, not dodging even a little.]
[Kakashi: How many times do you think I've defended against that move?]
The two exchanged more than a dozen moves using Ninjutsu and kenjutsu, still unable to gain an advantage over each other. The familiar faces in the audience watched and commented.
[Taught by the same master, they can't break each other's moves.]
[It's really hard. You know everything he can do, but he also knows everything you can do.]
[It's like playing poker with your cards face up.]
[And the hands are the same (crying with laughter).]
[I'm already looking forward to them going on missions with Minato.]
[The two generations of protagonists are finally going to meet!]
The stalemate continued for a long time, so Naraku had no choice but to use an incomplete genjutsu to try and create an advantage, pulling Kakashi into an illusion.
Kakashi tried to break it but failed. A "clone" of Naraku emerged from the water, and the two chatted for a few sentences.
Before the attack began, Naraku even thoughtfully reminded Kakashi that he was about to attack.
[Wow. So Kakashi has been used by Naraku to practice genjutsu all this time?]
[Kakashi's familiarity with it makes one's heart ache.]
[The black and red color scheme looks so eerie. Could it be a reflection of his inner self?]
[So the ripples in the water beneath Kakashi's feet have a glow, meaning that in Naraku's heart, only Kakashi is his light?]
[Good heavens, so detailed, too detailed.]
Seeing these interpretive comments in the bullet screen, Naraku couldn't help but marvel at their imaginative abilities.
Naraku: Bro, you're really overthinking it. This Jutsu is just like that…
[Why were they chatting before they started fighting?]
[Their tone was so natural, as if they were discussing what to eat for lunch.]
[I'm sorry, but this gives off too much of an old married couple vibe.]
[You can't blame us for shipping them. With their dynamic, who wouldn't be confused?]
[What strange Jutsu? What did I miss?]
[What else is The Old Thief not telling us?]
[Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah, The Old Thief, if you don't explain things clearly, I will never rest!]
[Kakashi and Naraku actually have a secret behind the audience's backs! Is this a distortion of human nature or a loss of morality...]
Naraku: No, guys...
Kakashi was struggling in the illusion. After finding a weakness, he successfully broke it and returned to reality.
He then realized that Naraku had also used a lot of Chakra to perform this Jutsu, and couldn't help but complain.
[Naraku could be said to have damaged the enemy one thousand but harmed himself eight hundred.]
[Why can they chat during battle? Are they that relaxed?]
[Because they know each other too well, all tactics seem unnecessary.]
Naraku stated that he had no new moves, but Kakashi seized the opportunity, launching successive Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears.
Naraku was busy dodging and, caught off guard, fell into a trap, being restrained by chains.
Just as he struggled to break free, Kakashi's ninja sword tip was almost upon him.
[Oh, this scene looks so familiar.]
[Isn't this the move Naraku used to control Hyuga's movement with lightning needles?]
[It's over, the situation has reversed!]
[Could Naraku lose to a move he himself used?]
The screen showed a close-up of Naraku's eyes, reflecting the white light on the ninja sword blade.
The light grew brighter and brighter until it filled the entire screen.
When the scene reappeared, it was of Naraku and Kakashi sparring at the school training ground in the past.
The two competed in movement and ninja sword techniques, but it was clear that Naraku was at a disadvantage.
After a few moves, Kakashi found Naraku's opening, and an upward slash forced him to lean back, losing his balance.
If he seized the opportunity for one more strike, Kakashi would win.
"Time's up! Draw!"
Umino Ikko's voice came, ending the sparring match.
The two formed the Seal of Reconciliation.
Kakashi's tone was relaxed, with a slight smile. "Next time, I will win."
Naraku also smiled gently. "I won't lose easily either."
Only if we are equally matched do I have the right to stand by your side.
Before Naraku's inner thoughts finished, the scene switched back to the present.
Kakashi's ninja sword tip was reflected in his pupils, getting closer and closer, carrying a cold gleam.
Naraku's gaze became firm. Ignoring the pain of the tightly bound chains, he leaped forcefully to the left, narrowly dodging Kakashi's thrust at the last moment.
Before landing, he used Lightning Release Chakra along the chains to release the earth spikes that secured them.
[Naraku really wants to stand with Kakashi.]
[This is probably his motivation to become stronger.]
[This moment, exactly like that moment.]
[Ah, Naraku even kicked Kakashi.]
[That kick had no technique; it was all emotion.]
[Naraku: Cowardly Kakashi, taste my heart-seeking kick!]
"There shouldn't be anything left now, right?"
"No, there isn't."
Both admitted they had no other means, so they simultaneously gripped their ninja swords, using their last bit of stamina to clash with ninja sword techniques.
The animators did not cut any corners in this segment, producing action sequences of the highest industry standard. The flashes of ninja swords, sparks, sweat, and strands of hair were all depicted in minute detail.
The audience was so tense they dared not breathe.
Everyone knew that even a small mistake at this point would lead to defeat.
The ultra-high-intensity duel in the anime lasted just over half a minute. In the subsequent scenes, Naraku and Kakashi's bodies began to sway, their movements became distorted, and the trembling of their arms, transmitted to their ninja swords, became incredibly obvious.
[Now it's purely a test of willpower.]
[Both of them are pretty much at their limits.]
[Who will win, who will win?]
Naraku's final ninja sword strike was still parried by Kakashi. Both of their arms trembled from exhaustion, and after gritting their teeth and holding the stalemate for a few seconds, they both collapsed, lying on the ground, gasping for air, neither able to stand.
The referee announced the end of the match.
[How is it still a draw?]
[But this time, Naraku wasn't just barely drawing because time ran out.]
[He fought honorably, clashing head-on with Kakashi until the very end, equally matched.]
[It's hard to imagine how much effort and sweat he put in to catch up to Kakashi, who was called a genius.]