Chapter 38: I Am the Hokage

The watching crowd subconsciously let out a gasp. Ever since enrolling, Kakashi had been invincible. This was the first time they had seen him at a disadvantage.

Obito rubbed his eyes. He simply couldn't believe what he was seeing. Rin Nohara clasped her hands together, her face tense.

The battle continued. Taking advantage of the moment Kakashi had yet to stabilize his body, Hagawa rushed forward like an arrow released from a bow. The katana in his hand was raised high, then brought down.

Danger!

Kakashi didn't dare to take it head-on. He rolled pathetically on the ground, then quickly turned his short sword and slashed at Hagawa's thigh. A fierce wind came at him. Hagawa mobilized his chakra and jumped on the spot. In the air, his right leg spun around and hit Kakashi in the chest.

POW! His body rolled backward.

Hagawa landed and, without a moment's pause, slashed at him with his katana. A gasp was heard again. Kakashi dodged the katana by a hair's breadth. The katana landed, leaving a scar on the ground.

Kakashi had no time to catch his breath before another glint of a blade flashed before his eyes. The short sword in his hand was quickly raised, accurately blocking the katana.

"Ah!" Kakashi gripped his sword with both hands and let out a roar, resisting the powerful force. But he knew this was not a good method. He only blocked for half a second before he suddenly let go, and the short sword was sent flying.

Caught off guard, Hagawa's body leaned forward. Kakashi leaped up, took out a kunai from his waist, and stabbed out at close range, becoming a "kidney-slicing guest" on the spot.

"Hagawa!" Kurenai subconsciously cried out.

"He won!" Obito's heart was overjoyed. He naturally hoped Kakashi would win. If Hagawa got first place, the threat to him would be too great. He didn't want to watch Rin be attracted to him.

Asuma shivered. How are these two guys so strong? Kakashi was understandable; after all, his father was the White Fang of Konoha, Sakumo Hatake. But what was with Hagawa?

A kidney shot! Hagawa's heart trembled. It was too late to adjust his body. He made a split-second decision and threw his katana as a ninja tool.

What?! Kakashi had no choice but to turn and block the katana with his kunai. Just then, his pupils contracted. He saw Hagawa, with astonishing waist strength, spin his body around and grab the katana with his right hand. Under his control, the katana scraped against the kunai, creating sparks. Then came a half-moon slash, aimed at Kakashi's body.

CLANG! Kakashi took out a kunai with his left hand and blocked the katana just in time.

Hagawa pressed down with his right hand, forcing him to block the katana with both kunai, then threw a punch with his left hand.

Kakashi watched with wide eyes as the fist grew closer and closer, finally making intimate contact with his mask. The strength, far exceeding that of his peers, made his cheek swell up, and his body fell backward.

Hagawa took a step forward, aimed his katana at him, and pressed down, preventing him from getting up.

The playground fell into a dead silence.

"Konoha-Style Kenjutsu?" Hiruzen stroked his beard and said with some surprise. Hagawa's proficiency was higher than he had imagined. And most importantly, his genjutsu and ninja tools were also like this. To have reached this level in less than a year was truly beyond his expectations.

"Good sword!" Sakumo's eyes lit up. "Kakashi's loss is not without reason." But this didn't mean the Hatake family's sword style was no good. If it were a matter of equal proficiency, the Konoha-Style Kenjutsu might not even have had a chance to parry.

"Well done!" Shinku, his face taut, couldn't help but say. He really hadn't expected Hagawa to be able to beat Kakashi. After all, this one's fame as a genius was circulating even among the jonin. The only thing that troubled him was that Hagawa had used Konoha-Style Kenjutsu, not ninjutsu.

Obito took two steps back. How could this be? The invincible Kakashi has fallen? How is he so useless today?

"Alright!" Kurenai was ecstatic.

Rin looked at Hagawa and slowly let out a breath. She just felt it was a dream. The way she saw him was imperceptibly changing.

"Ah! Hagawa-kun!" The next second, many of the girls let out a scream. Strong and handsome, it made them switch sides on the spot and also made Hagawa's popularity soar to its peak.

"Winner, Hagawa!" After a long while, Eiichiro came back to his senses and announced. My god! The comparison between people is infuriating! Is this the world of geniuses? But on second thought, this was his opportunity. To teach such a student would surely lead to a promotion and a raise, marrying a beautiful wife, and reaching the pinnacle of life.

"Are you okay?" Hagawa walked up and extended a hand.

"..." Kakashi silently grabbed his arm and climbed up. He had thought he would lose, but lose to genjutsu, not to sword skills. To have lost in his most confident area, the Hatake sword style, left him with no excuse to argue.

With a thought, a new trait arrived as expected.

[E-Rank Talent Trait: Rushing Thunder Blade.]

[Trigger Condition: Defeat the young Kakashi Hatake.]

[Effect: Lightning Style talent and Kenjutsu talent are increased by 10% on top of the original foundation.]

Hagawa was a little surprised. It's a dual effect? As expected of Kakashi.

"What a wonderful duel," Hiruzen said with emotion. "The future of Konoha is in their hands." What gratified him the most was Hagawa's attitude after the battle. Not arrogant, not overbearing, perfectly demonstrating what it meant to put sportsmanship first.

The practical exam continued. The remaining matches were like chickens pecking at each other. After watching, Hiruzen left the playground.

"Lord Hokage." In front of the Hokage's office, an ANBU ninja appeared. "Lord Danzo is waiting for you inside."

"Danzo? What is he here for?" Hiruzen thought as he pushed open the door.

Danzo Shimura heard the footsteps and reluctantly got up from the Hokage's chair.

"What do you need me for?" Hiruzen asked, walking to his chair and sitting down. You sat in my seat again? He felt a slight warmth and was speechless. Oh, my old friend, I'm going to kick your ass so hard.

"Hand Hagawa over to me! Shinku Yūhi is simply unable to realize his talent!" Danzo said, getting straight to the point. "Under my guidance, he will surely become a sharp blade for Konoha!" The reason he had brought up this old matter was because he had just received the news that Hagawa had defeated Kakashi. Kakashi was a genius he coveted, but his father was Sakumo Hatake, who was not easy to manipulate, so he could only give up. Hagawa was different. He had no backing. He only needed to persuade Hiruzen.

"What I want is not a sharp blade," Hiruzen said, shaking his head. "It is the future of Konoha."

"You are too naive!" Danzo said forcefully. "Emotions only get in the way of a ninja!"

"There's no point in saying more," Hiruzen said, looking at him. "If you have nothing else, don't disturb my work."

"Hiruzen! You will regret this!" Danzo's face darkened, and he said angrily.

"I am the Hokage," Hiruzen said calmly.

BANG! Danzo stormed out of the door.

There will probably be three updates recently. If I can't update due to other matters, there will still be two. Everyone, please comment and follow a lot.

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