Chapter 126: Itachi’s Performance

Kakashi gave a calm hum of acknowledgment.

"Of course. Do you need some time to discuss your strategy?"

Itachi nodded slightly and spoke in a soft voice.

"Kakashi-sensei, please give us twenty minutes to prepare."

Kakashi nodded again.

"Sure."

He left the field to the trio and teleported back to his perch on a nearby tree.

Obito yawned lazily.

"I regret coming to hang out with you. This is so boring~"

Kakashi shot Obito a glance and said, "It's just a Shadow Clone. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

Obito stiffened, his expression turning a little awkward.

"No way… How did you figure that out?"

Feeling a bit smug but keeping a straight face, Kakashi replied, "I deduced it. Today is Rin's day off. There's no way your real self would be here."

Shadow Clone Obito coughed twice, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Ahem. You're as sharp as ever. I concede, Kakashi-sama."

...

The scene shifted elsewhere.

The real Obito was currently with Rin, chatting away. However, likely due to her recent streak of overtime, Rin wasn't in high spirits. Obito tried his best to engage her, but her replies were hesitant and sparse.

The focus returned to the training field.

Shadow Clone Obito chuckled.

"Don't you think Itachi and Naruto are a lot like how we used to be?"

Recalling their younger days, a faint smile tugged at Kakashi's lips.

"Hm."

Obito patted Kakashi's shoulder.

"Itachi's a good kid. With the right guidance, he'll become a pillar of Konoha."

"You should put in some extra effort. Maybe give him a little special training or something. It'll help build his sense of belonging."

Kakashi raised a brow at Obito.

"Are you trying to pull strings for him?"

With a righteous expression, Obito declared, "Pull strings? That's such an ugly way to put it. This is called passing on the torch, Kakashi. Learn some respect."

Kakashi rolled his eyes and decided to ignore him. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a book, handing it to Obito.

"Here. I brought this just for you."

Obito took the book, visibly moved.

"Thanks, Kakashi."

Kakashi pulled out another book for himself. Back-to-back, the two immersed themselves in their reading.

"Kakashi? Kakashi!"

Naruto's voice brought Kakashi back to reality. He blinked, realizing half an hour had passed.

"I only got through a few chapters…" Kakashi muttered.

Obito laughed heartily.

"Now you look just like me back in the day, losing track of time."

"Alright, you'd better get going!" Obito chuckled.

"Hm."

Kakashi nodded and disappeared in an instant.

...

At the Training Field

Kakashi reappeared, looking calm as ever.

"Are you ready?"

Naruto nodded eagerly.

"We've been ready for ages! You took forever!"

Kakashi thought of a certain someone's favorite line and replied nonchalantly, "I got lost on the path of life."

Naruto blinked. "???"

Kakashi reached into his pouch and pulled out a kunai, twirling it before gripping it firmly.

"Alright then. Let's begin."

Before Kakashi finished speaking, Itachi, who had been silent all this time, raised his hands. His fingers blurred as he formed hand seals at an incredible speed.

His throat bobbed as he spat out a cluster of flames.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Such fast hand seals!

Kakashi's eyes narrowed as the flames scattered, streaking toward him in clusters. He shifted his footing three times in quick succession, narrowly evading the fiery barrage.

"Take this!"

A sudden shout came from behind.

Kakashi glanced over his shoulder and saw Naruto charging at him, holding a rasengan. Kakashi's mouth twitched.

Since when did Minato-sensei teach him this move?

Planting one foot firmly, Kakashi twisted his waist and caught Naruto's wrist mid-swing, tossing him aside.

Boom!

The rasengan hit the ground, creating a small crater, and Naruto was thrown back by the shockwave.

Obito, watching from the tree, burst into laughter.

"Haha!"

The fight continued.

While Kakashi was dealing with Naruto, Itachi and Kokoro seized the opportunity to attack.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Itachi created a Shadow Clone. One clone hurled a barrage of shuriken while the other swiftly formed hand seals and spat out flames.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Claw!"

The shuriken, wreathed in fire, filled the air like a cascade of fiery blossoms, beautiful yet deadly.

In contrast, Kokoro's approach was far simpler. As a civilian-born kunoichi, she threw a shuriken and charged at Kakashi with a kunai in hand.

Kakashi instinctively reached for his kunai but stopped himself, remembering this was a sparring session with his students.

"Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall!"

Four walls adorned with dog carvings rose from the ground, blocking all the attacks.

Perching on one of the walls, Itachi looked down, but there was no sign of Kakashi inside the barrier.

"Not good!"

Itachi quickly turned toward Kokoro, only to see her sinking into the ground, leaving just her head exposed.

"Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation!"

Kakashi reappeared, shaking his head in mild disappointment.

"During that attack, I didn't see a shred of teamwork. If this is all you've got, you might as well go back to the Academy for a few more years."

Naruto scrambled to his feet, clenching his fists.

"Don't underestimate us!"

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto sent a clone charging at Kakashi. Kakashi slid in low, dispelling the clone with ease.

"Passion alone won't change anything… Hmm?"

Kakashi noticed Naruto hadn't charged with his clone. Instead, he was running toward Kokoro.

Meanwhile, Itachi stood in Kakashi's way, kunai in hand.

"Oh?"

A faint smile appeared on Kakashi's face.

"Interesting."

Naruto slammed his hand onto the ground, shouting, "Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!"

The ground cracked open, allowing Naruto to pull Kokoro free.

On the other side, Itachi, struggling against Kakashi, performed a backflip to put some distance between them.

Seeing Kokoro safe, Itachi called out, "Naruto, left flank! I'll take the right! Kokoro, provide ranged support!"

"Got it!"

"Understood!"

The three charged Kakashi together.

In the end, with Kakashi holding back, the trio managed to grab the bells.

Collapsed on the ground from exhaustion, the three heard Kakashi say with a rare smile,

"Congratulations, you've passed the test. From now on, you're officially members of the team."

Naruto cheered loudly.

"Yes, dattebayo!"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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