Chapter 176: Kakashi and I, evenly matched!

Kakashi's sudden change caught Kohachi off guard.

Moreover, it was truly powerful.

Kakashi transplanted the Sharingan, then removed it.

This process was like undergoing weight training.

More importantly, after facing his past darkness, Kakashi picked up his family's Hatake Style Kenjutsu and successfully developed a swordsmanship style that suits him.

Just like how Kakashi didn't learn Minato Namikaze's Rasengan but unexpectedly developed his own Chidori.

Kohachi suddenly saw a flash of lightning in front of him.

Immediately after, several new wounds appeared on his body.

Kohachi's pupils contracted.

He quickly retreated.

"Flame Burst!"

A stream of flames, like a fire dragon, fiercely rushed towards Kakashi.

Kakashi was forced to retreat.

After Kohachi withdrew to a safe position:

"Water Release, Water Mist Jutsu!"

Realizing he couldn't face Kakashi head-on, Kohachi resorted to his expertise.

"Assassination Jutsu."

Using the Water Mist Jutsu as the starting move.

Ninjas without Byakugan would be restrained.

Kakashi remained on high alert.

Kohachi stealthily approached Kakashi from behind.

With his Ninjato, he stabbed at Kakashi.

Just before it hit, Kakashi sensed it.

"Ding!"

The two Ninjatos collided once again.

Kohachi's attack missed, but it wasn't without some gain.

The crack in the Ninjato in Kakashi's hand grew larger.

"Without your Ninjato, Kakashi, how will you use your Hatake Style Kenjutsu?"

Kohachi retreated again, searching for another opportunity to get close.

Outside, only the Hyuga Ninja could clearly see what was happening inside.

"It's intense!"

"Kohachi's assassination techniques are strong."

"In a direct fight, Kakashi has the absolute advantage, but Kohachi avoids direct confrontation."

"The main issue is that Kakashi is at a disadvantage with his Ninjato."

"The Ninjato in Kakashi's hand is too inferior; it's holding him back."

"It's about to shatter."

"Kohachi, on the other hand, wields a Great Grade Sword!"

The Hyuga Ninja frowned.

Kohachi continuously launched attacks on Kakashi.

Finally.

"Ding!"

After another clash, the Ninjato in Kakashi's hand shattered completely.

This time, Kohachi didn't retreat after one strike but immediately launched a second attack.

"Slash!"

But at the same time.

"Chidori!"

Both of their attacks hit simultaneously.

Both were injured at the same time.

At that moment, the Water Mist dispersed.

They exchanged glances and, as if by mutual understanding, both retreated.

At this point, there was no need for either side to continue the battle.

Kakashi had lost his Ninjato and could no longer use Hatake Style Kenjutsu.

Kohachi's Ninjato was intact, but he knew he lacked the ability to pursue.

Kakashi's Chidori had inflicted serious injuries on him.

"But still, I didn't lose out today."

"Even though I took advantage of the Ninjato, Kakashi doesn't possess a Great Grade Sword, a Zanpakuto-level Ninjato."

"That's my advantage."

"This battle, Kakashi and I are evenly matched!"

Kohachi eagerly anticipated how others would evaluate him after today.

"This time, I should at least be ranked above Zabuza and Hozuki Mangetsu."

And indeed, as Kohachi predicted, Kakashi seemed to have become a benchmark for the combat strength of the younger generation of Ninjas in the Hidden Mist Village.

By comparing themselves with Kakashi, people judged whether someone could be considered a true genius.

In this battle, Kohachi took advantage of the Ninjato, but in terms of overall performance, he was indeed on par with Kakashi, reaching an evenly matched situation. The people of Hidden Mist Village regarded it as a tie.

As a result, Kohachi's reputation increased significantly.

Ameyuri was focused on whether she was more suited to Lightning Release and whether she should learn it, so she didn't pay much attention to these comparisons.

Kisame was already quite detached and didn't care about the rivalries among the younger generation.

Mangetsu had no interest in considering these issues.

The conflict between the Hozuki Clan and the village was growing larger.

Mangetsu found himself in a situation similar to Shisui's in the original story.

On one side was his clan, on the other was the village.

When Mangetsu went to Forging Island to apologize, he was determined to stand by his clan, no matter what.

The blood of his clan flowed through him, leaving him with no choice.

But recently, Mangetsu heard some news from within the clan.

—The Hozuki Clan may appear to bow to Forging Island on the surface, but in reality, the Hozuki Clan doesn't want to be subordinate to Forging Island. This means that the Hozuki Clan's actions likely involve some conspiracy.

Mangetsu could accept the confrontation between the Hozuki Clan and the Forging Division.

He could accept the confrontation between the Seven Ninja Swords and the Zanpakuto.

For the sake of the clan, Mangetsu would work hard to improve his strength and bring honor to the family.

However, Mangetsu could not accept the Hozuki Clan conspiring against others in the village.

This went against Mangetsu's values.

"I don't know what the clan is thinking."

"But if the clan really conspires against Uehara-san using underhanded methods, I must stop them."

As for Zabuza, first, it was Hoshigaki Kisame.

Then it was Ameyuri Ringo.

And now, Kohachi appeared.

Zabuza realized that he was always just a little short of becoming the top of the younger generation.

And this time, it wasn't just falling a little short—it was getting farther and farther away.

"Kohachi…"

"Great Grade Sword, Blade of Destruction."

Zabuza took the initiative to find Kisame.

"Kisame-san."

Zabuza no longer called Kisame by name directly but used the honorific "san."

Kisame raised an eyebrow.

"Zabuza, why so polite all of a sudden?"

"I still prefer it when you just call me by my name!"

Zabuza's expression became somewhat awkward.

However, Zabuza didn't leave. Instead, he lowered his head.

"Kisame-san, I'm sorry. I was too reckless before. I want to apologize to you and Uehara-san."

Kisame looked Zabuza up and down.

"Zabuza, don't tell me you think Soma is deliberately not giving you a chance to contract a Zanpakuto because of what happened before? You're underestimating Soma and his generosity!"

"I don't need your apology."

"What you did before wasn't exactly wrong."

"It's just that I don't like you, that's all."

"Don't expect to earn my favor either."

"On the contrary, I had a bit of admiration for you before."

"But now, you've really disappointed me."

"When you went to Forging Island, you were just following orders. Soma never blamed you for that."

"The reason you haven't had the opportunity to contract a Zanpakuto is simply because one hasn't appeared yet that is compatible with you."

"Just like Ao-senpai, who still hasn't contracted a Zanpakuto to this day."

"Go back."

"Stop doing meaningless things."

"Right now, you're not only inferior to Ameyuri, but you're also not even as good as Kohachi."

Zabuza was silent for a long time.

"I understand."

"Kisame-san, thank you."

After a pause, Zabuza continued.

"This will be the last time I call you 'san.'"

"I won't give up."

"Hoshigaki Kisame!"

...

Konoha.

After learning about Kakashi's situation, Minato voluntarily walked into the Hokage Building.

"Hokage-sama."

"Minato, is there something you need?"

"Hokage-sama, I remember that Lord Second once used a sword called the Sword of the Thunder God, right?"

The Sword of the Thunder God is said to have been the personal sword of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. It possessed extremely strong Lightning Release power and was very sharp, but it seemed to lack durability. In the original story, it was struck by Naruto's Rasengan and broke.

"Yes, Minato, do you want the Sword of the Thunder God?"

Minato Namikaze shook his head.

"Hokage-sama, it's not for me; it's for Kakashi. After losing the Sharingan, Kakashi didn't lose heart. Instead, he picked up the Hatake Style Kenjutsu and even developed a sword technique suited to his abilities."

"However, the Ninjato Kakashi uses is too poor in quality."

"In a battle with a Ninja from the Hidden Mist Village—no, with the Great Sword Master of Hidden Mist Village, Kohachi—despite Kakashi being stronger, he ended up with a draw because of the inadequacy of his Ninjato."

"And he was seriously injured."

"I believe that if Kakashi could use the Sword of the Thunder God, his strength would significantly increase."

"Kohachi definitely wouldn't be a match for Kakashi."

Hiruzen pondered for a moment.

"Minato, you know that this is something that belonged to Lord Second; it belongs to the village. If Kakashi doesn't have enough merit, even I can't simply give him the Sword of the Thunder God."

"This would cause dissatisfaction among others in the village."

"I can't show favoritism."

Minato immediately replied.

"Hokage-sama, if Kakashi's merit isn't enough, then deduct it from mine."

"As his sensei, I have truly been inadequate."

"I couldn't prevent Obito's death."

"Nor could I stop Rin's death."

"Now, Kakashi is the only one of my students left."

"I want to do something for Kakashi."

"I don't want to see what happened to Obito and Rin happen to Kakashi as well."

"This is one of the few things I can do for them."

Hearing this, Hiruzen nodded.

"Alright."

"Since that's the case, Minato, you may take the Sword of the Thunder God."

"I hope Kakashi will live up to your expectations and fully utilize the Sword of the Thunder God's power and regain the title of the top of the younger generation."

"Come with me."

With that, Hiruzen stood up and led Minato to a secret room in the Hokage Building.

The Sword of the Thunder God was stored in this secret room.

"Click!"

He took out a wooden box and opened it.

Inside was a short sword, its blade flashing with lightning.

Hiruzen glanced at it, closed the box, and handed it to Minato.

"Minato, it's for you."

Minato took it with a smile.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

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