9 - Both of You, Come at Me

A rare spark of fighting spirit flickered in Kakashi Hatake's dead-fish eyes.

It was something he'd never felt at the ninja academy… especially not toward someone whose grades in every subject placed him at the bottom of the class.

That is, until Yuto Souta started using clones to attend classes in his place.

Truth be told, Yuto Souta's clone technique still needed work…

Though his classmates and teachers hadn't noticed, with only 20% proficiency, Kakashi had picked up on the clues.

And what puzzled Kakashi most was another oddity.

The Hyuga students—usually at odds with the Uchiha—acted like they'd seen a ghost whenever they spotted the two of them!

That was highly unusual.

Yuto Souta narrowed his eyes.

Honestly, he'd be thrilled to spar with Kakashi Hatake.

Obito Uchiha was too weak… It meant Souta often held back when using ninjutsu, unable to fully test his limits.

Kakashi, standing before him, was a perfect candidate.

But his current condition posed a problem.

While Yuto Souta calculated the feasibility, Obito Uchiha beside him wasn't having it.

Clearly, Kakashi's dismissal had rubbed him the wrong way…

"What, you didn't get enough of me beating you last time?" Obito tilted his head up, practically talking through his nostrils.

"You think you can make a move with me standing here?"

He didn't care about stamina or lack thereof.

If the opponent was Kakashi Hatake instead of the Hyuga, then for Obito Uchiha… no preparation was needed!

"Both of you can come at me."

Kakashi flicked a glance at Obito, his voice still cool as ever.

Clearly, he was used to this guy's provocations.

As he spoke, the short blade on his back began to slide from its sheath, though his gaze never left Yuto Souta.

"Since you didn't refuse…"

"Then, please, let's spar."

Delivering a polite phrase in his coolest tone, Kakashi even gave a slight nod. The moment his words fell, his figure vanished from the water's surface!

"Souta, watch out!" Obito instinctively glanced back at Souta.

But at that moment, Yuto Souta's fingers were already weaving seals at a rapid pace!

"Idiot! You're his target!"

With a shout, Yuto Souta stepped forward to shield Obito's side, his seals complete.

"Wind Release! Great Breakthrough!"

It was one of his most proficient techniques to date.

The other was Nitrogen Release, but that consumed more chakra, and his reserves hadn't fully recovered.

A fierce gust blasted from his mouth, forcing Kakashi—who'd been charging with his blade—to halt mid-motion. He flipped backward in the air a few times, less gracefully than before, to evade it.

Obito finally snapped out of it, gripping his kunai tighter. He was starting to regret spending all his time griping instead of restoring his chakra.

"This guy's serious… Souta, what do we do?" Obito's voice carried a hint of nerves.

He refused to give up, even in his current state.

Because the opponent was Kakashi Hatake!

"No problem," Yuto Souta replied, his tone reverting to its usual calm.

At that moment, he recalled something his university military training instructor once said.

Do you think the enemy cares if you're in good shape when they attack?

"He doesn't know our condition. We fight as usual."

"Got it."

The two exchanged a quick glance.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Kakashi was gearing up for his second assault!

"I've got this!"

Without another word, Obito charged forward with his kunai, while Yuto Souta wasted no time starting a new round of seals.

He sneaked a glance at his attribute panel.

Life Energy: 650/980

Chakra Capacity: 190/730

A week of intense training had boosted his stats, edging him toward standard genin levels.

Right now, though physically exhausted and low on chakra, his Ninjutsu Master aura halved his consumption—enough for one or two techniques.

Obito, drained of stamina, was gradually losing ground against Kakashi's sharp offense.

But Yuto Souta's seals were finally done.

Once again, that twenty-plus-seal new technique!

"Obito, get back!"

"Fire Release! Nested Great Fireball!"

This fireball was larger than the one he'd used against Obito.

Obito didn't hesitate, retreating to Souta's side. The moment he landed, he heard Souta's command.

"Next, force him into the water."

"Got it!" Obito panted, agreeing readily.

The fireball closed in on Kakashi.

Less than a meter separated them!

"Earth Release! Earth-Style Wall!"

At the critical moment, Kakashi's hands flashed through seals before slamming into the ground. A wall adorned with a few goofy dog heads sprang up.

The irregular, round fireball smashed into it, flattening one side.

And then, the true nature of the fireball revealed itself…