Chapter 45: Opponent Kakashi

For a long stretch after, Kiyosuke was resting. As for the other ninja, battles that ended in stalemates were rare—most matches wrapped up quickly with a clear victor.

Take Obito, for example. Today, he was ready to show off his skills, but the moment Rin smiled at him, he lost his focus and got kicked flat.

Asuma faced off against a ninja from the Village Hidden in the Rain and won with ease. Meanwhile, Kurenai and Rin were evenly matched in strength, but because of Kurenai's genjutsu, Rin fell behind and lost the match.

Soon enough, it was time for the final round.

"Hatake Kakashi versus Asakawa Kiyosuke!"

The crowd froze for a moment. This match was going to be a real highlight.

Kakashi was a genius ninja from Konohahure, the son of the White Fang. Though young, he had already been a chunin for several years. Because he had to take care of his teammates, he was only now taking the exams. He had instantly defeated his first-round opponent—his power was undeniable.

Kiyosuke, on the other hand, wasn't flashy or showy, but the fact that he defeated Pakura, a user of Scorch Release, showed he was no pushover.

"This one's gonna be interesting," Jiraiya said with a smile.

"Indeed. Kakashi's father was a genius, too. Such a shame…" Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply. The death of Hatake Sakumowas a huge loss for the village.

Orochimaru commented,

"It's meaningless to dwell on that now. Kakashi is a promising talent. For Kiyosuke to win against him will be extremely difficult."

"Well, let's see then!"

"Kiyosuke! Knock that arrogant Kakashi down for me!" Obito shouted, one eye bandaged by Rin's cloth—the result of Kai's earlier kick.

"Obito, come on, we're all Kakashi's teammates!" Rin said with a helpless smile.

Obito grunted, "I don't care. Kiyosuke and I are closer anyway. I've never liked Kakashi. Let Kiyosuke take him down."

"You guys…"

...

Kakashi and Kiyosuke stood face to face. Kakashi said,

"I've been wanting to fight you for a while now. Finally, I have the chance."

Kiyosuke raised an eyebrow. "Honestly, I don't want to fight you. It's just too much trouble."

Kakashi, with his unlimited chakra, was indeed a very tricky opponent.

"But today, we have to settle this."

Kakashi said.

"True enough."

"Then, let's begin!"

As soon as the referee's words fell, Kakashi launched his attack faster than lightning—throwing a punch.

Kiyosuke didn't hold back either and punched back hard.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

They clashed with taijutsu, evenly matched in strength, speed, and skill. Both were slightly injured and took a few steps back to put some distance between them.

Boom!

Next to Kakashi, a shadow clone appeared.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

The clone transformed into a giant shuriken, nearly as tall as a person. Kakashi grabbed it and hurled it toward Kiyosuke.

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"

Kakashi was skilled with this technique. In an instant, the giant shuriken blocked Kiyosuke's path.

"Wind Release: Wind Cutter!"

A blade of wind shot out, slicing several shuriken and opening a gap for Kiyosuke to slip through.

Behind him, the shuriken suddenly reverted back into Kakashi's clone, who threw a kunai!

Sensing the danger from behind, Kiyosuke immediately spun around, brought his palms together, and unleashed a fierce gust that blew the kunai away.

The real Kakashi closed in and grabbed Kiyosuke's neck with his arm.

Kiyosuke felt a sharp pain in his stomach but struck Kakashi's arm with his elbow, breaking free and counterattacking.

Kiyosuke slid forward and trapped Kakashi's legs with his own. With a twist, Kakashi had no choice but to kneel.

Kiyosuke stood up fast, aiming a strike at Kakashi, but Kakashi was ready. He broke free and lunged at Kiyosuke.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

A giant snake appeared but missed the target and was promptly decapitated. Kakashi drew his sword—the very blade his father had wielded, a razor-sharp weapon responsible for countless deaths.

Kiyosuke pulled out a kunai and infused it with wind chakra, forming a sharp wind blade.

"Come on, Kakashi! Let me see the Hatake family's swordsmanship!"

Kakashi didn't waste time. The two clashed in close combat. Kakashi's mastery of his family's sword style easily pressured the less skilled Kiyosuke.

When it came to swordsmanship, Kiyosuke was clearly outmatched.

He could only rely on his instincts to parry the attacks. Knowing the strength of the Hatake sword style, Kiyosuke no longer underestimated Kakashi. He exhaled deeply, and the air around him grew dry and hot.

"Watch out. I'm getting serious now!"

Kakashi nodded and drew his killing intent. He knew Kiyosuke in this state wasn't afraid of physical attacks and could strike freely.

"Fire Gun!"

Sparks flew from Kiyosuke's fingertips, spraying a volley of fire that left small craters in its wake.

"Water Release: Water Wave!"

Behind his mask, Kakashi spat out a stream of water to extinguish the incoming fireballs and counterattacked with a water jutsu aimed at Kiyosuke.

"Fire Fist!"

Kiyosuke's arm burst into flames as he punched forward with immense force, colliding with the Water Wave.

Hiss!

Mist spread and shrouded the battlefield. Then Kakashi slashed his fingers, quickly forming hand signs.

Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!

Eight ninja dogs of varying sizes erupted from the ground, biting at Kiyosuke.

"Flame Ring:!"

Flames gathered around Kiyosuke's hands. Spinning, he sent a spiraling pillar of fire shooting skyward, blasting the attacking ninja dogs away.

Watching the towering flames, Kakashi sighed and recalled his ninja dogs.

"Mirror Fire!"

A wall of fire rose, evaporating the water vapor and sealing off Kakashi's path.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"

A wall of earth rose from the ground, and Kakashi hid behind it, feeling the heat from the flames.

Suddenly, a hand burst from the ground and grabbed Kiyosuke's ankle, trying to drag him underground. But Kiyosuke's snake bit the hand from inside his pants, and it vanished.

Kakashi, the sly one, had tried to use the earth wall to block vision and sent a shadow clone using earth jutsu to grab him. But Kiyosuke had anticipated this move.

"A frontal assault won't work. In that state, my physical attacks are useless. Looks like I have to rely on water release."

Kakashi thought quickly, moving his hands.

A huge surge of water chakra formed into two spiral spikes, attacking Kiyosuke relentlessly.

Kiyosuke dodged. Water release suppressed him heavily—getting hit could seriously injure him, and he couldn't afford that.

The Water destroyed the floor tiles beneath him, curving around to continue its charge.

...

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