CHAPTER 104

In terms of genjutsu, Yuhi Zhenhong had already passed down several Sharingan-unique illusions to him, such as Kagami no Sekai (Mirror World) and Doton Kekkai no Jutsu (Earth Binding Technique), but with his current mastery of the Sharingan, he was still reluctant to use them frequently due to the high chakra cost and risk of failure.

Physically, he was still stuck at the third gate in the Hachimon Tonkō (Eight Gates) system and had not trained consistently for over a month. Without progress, he feared he might regress. He estimated that he needed at least half a year of intense training to break through to the next gate.

Regarding sealing techniques, his main bottleneck was insufficient chakra reserves, limiting his ability to perform complex seals effectively.

On the other hand, his ninjutsu was more developed. He had already created techniques like Hiramekarei Wanwan (a lightning dog attack) and Chidori, and had stolen many ninjutsu from Kakuzu, spanning various elemental attributes. With focused practice, he was confident he could master and customize these techniques.

Later, Fenghuo's clone practiced ninjutsu rigorously, while he himself trained taijutsu intensely under Mattai Dai's guidance. When Kai challenged him, Fenghuo wisely shifted his focus from Kai to Kakashi.

At sunset, Kai appeared repeatedly at Hatake's house, boasting arrogantly that he would break through the "gate" of Hatake's home, showing extreme overconfidence.

At first, Kakashi ignored Kai's provocations, but Kai's persistence became unbearable, forcing Kakashi to teach him a lesson.

After all, Kakashi was a prodigy who became a Chūnin at six. In just one year, his strength had improved remarkably. His mastery of Raikiri (Lightning Cutter) was outstanding, and with the Hatake clan's kenjutsu taught by his father, even if Kai opened two gates, it wouldn't be enough. Kai ended up with a bruised nose and a swollen face.

Most people would have been discouraged after such a beating, but Kai was no ordinary person — having opened the Second Gate, he was thrilled and energized.

"As expected of Kakashi, the true rival of my life!" he exclaimed.

After returning home, with Fenghuo's medical ninjutsu, Kai recovered fully within a day and came back fiercely to challenge Kakashi again.

Seeing Kai again, Kakashi sneered. Despite being stoic, he was still a boy at heart. Kai's provocations were irritating, but Kakashi's growing confidence allowed him to face Kai head-on.

However, after several fights, Kakashi felt he had stirred up a hornet's nest, even scolding himself for being so foolish.

"Kakashi, come out! I want to challenge you!!" Kai shouted one day.

"Accept the challenge of my youth, Kakashi!" he shouted two days later.

Half a month passed before Kai appeared again at Hatake's door.

Kakashi hid behind the gate, exhausted and annoyed, his lifeless eyes reflecting his frustration.

"This guy… really…"

Kakashi no longer knew how to describe Kai but didn't blame him — after all, Kai had graduated after just one year.

"Hey, Kakashi, I know you're inside! Come out and accept my challenge!" Kai knocked persistently, his tone pitiful and frustrated — a feeling impossible for outsiders to understand.

From tough fights at the start, to polite persuasion, and now outright avoidance, Kakashi's mental journey had been exhausting and frustrating.

Clap! The gate creaked under Kai's pounding, while Kakashi's tired eyes almost bulged.

"God, send someone to take this troublemaker away!"

While Kakashi was avoiding Kai, Fenghuo was also struggling under Mattai Dai's extreme training regimen. Every day, after a shadow clone's memories merged back, Fenghuo was utterly exhausted — though fortunately, his special constitution allowed him to fully recover with sleep.

The next day, he resumed training with Mattai Dai and soon saw Kai approaching with a gloomy expression.

Seeing Kai unharmed, Fenghuo immediately guessed what had happened.

"Father, Seal Fire, is Kakashi on a mission? I haven't seen him in days when I came looking." Kai's thick eyebrows knit together like two silkworms slowly meeting.

"Kai, don't worry. Even if Kakashi's not here, Fenghuo is!" Mattai Dai said, hands on hips, giving Fenghuo a thumbs-up. "In my opinion, Fenghuo is even stronger than Kakashi!"

Kai frowned. For the past half month, he had been challenging Kakashi and had neglected Fenghuo — he hoped Fenghuo wouldn't blame him.

Kai's fiery gaze locked on Fenghuo's face.

The corners of Fenghuo's mouth twitched, his body feeling off.

"Actually… I've been feeling a little unwell lately," Fenghuo admitted awkwardly.

Mattai Dai frowned. "Unwell? Fenghuo, you've been training harder than ever recently. If you're feeling unwell, you shouldn't push yourself so hard."

Fenghuo hurried to explain, "It's precisely because of this intense training that my body feels drained. I think I need two days' rest."

Mattai Dai said sternly, "That's not an option. Fenghuo, I understand you were busy with the newspaper office a month ago, but quitting now is unacceptable!"

Fenghuo's physique was perfect for taijutsu training — Mattai Dai wouldn't allow him to waste his talent.

Besides, with Fenghuo around, Kai would have a stronger motivation to train harder.

"That's right, Seal Fire! Accept my challenge!" Kai shouted.

At this critical moment, Fenghuo thought quickly, "Kai, didn't you say you'd take the Chūnin exam after graduation? Have you completed that mission?"

Kai was taken aback — he'd been too busy challenging Kakashi to do any tasks.

Mattai Dai clutched his forehead. "Kai~ You're not seriously planning to take the Chūnin exam already, are you? It's still too early for you!"

"But Father, Fenghuo just graduated and took the Chūnin exam," Kai argued excitedly.

"Kai, have you forgotten? You're not a genius!" Mattai Dai said seriously. "Your progress today is due to hard work. To go from genin to chūnin level, you have to put in several times the effort you've already made!"

Kai was stunned, pain flashing in his eyes, but he quickly recovered.

"Father… you're right. I understand! I have to work harder!"

His eyes burned with passion as he stared at Fenghuo and solemnly shouted, "Fenghuo, accept my challenge!"

His blood boiled with youthful fighting spirit.

"That's right, Kai, that's the spirit — this is youth!" Mattai Dai said, giving a thumbs-up.

The father and son cheered together, not letting Fenghuo interrupt.

Looks like I'll have to learn from Kakashi and avoid Kai from now on, Fenghuo thought grimly.

As for this time, he would grit his teeth and endure it.

It wasn't that Fenghuo couldn't defeat Kai — it was that Kai was relentless, challenging him 24/7, and no one could stand that.

"Open the gate! Shut the gate! Open!" Kai shouted, throwing open the Eight Gates and rushing forward.

Fenghuo had no choice but to fight back.

The spiral pill's power was too intense — if it hit a human body directly, it could have broken Kai's arm, not to mention the destructive Chidori.

"Sealing Fire Escape — Fireball!" Fenghuo formed a seal and released a massive fireball that roared against the wind, scorching the air as it blasted toward Kai.

Kai's face was serious, but he didn't dodge or retreat. His eyes reflected the raging flames as he charged forward boldly.

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