As Kakashi and Team 7 gathered at their usual training ground days later, the atmosphere carried a sense of anticipation. Kakashi, with his signature eye-smile, greeted his students and gave them a heads-up about a change in plans.
"Good to see you all. Today, we won't be doing our usual mission. I've got something a bit different in mind."
As the trio looked at Kakashi with confusion, he simply sighed before explaining the situation.
"The Hokage has other plans for us today. He's requested my assistance to help him keep his skills sharp."
Before Naruto could fully grasp the meaning of Kakashi's words, the voice of the Sandaime Hokage echoed behind them.
"It means Kakashi will be training with me today."
The trio, caught off guard, couldn't help but give a surprised cry and jumped away at the unexpected turn of events.
"Who—-- "
"What—-- ? "
"Aaaaa—-- "
Sandaime Hokage, pleased with the trio's quick reaction, turned to Kakashi, who wore a tired expression. The Hokage, amused, questioned if he didnt rest well
"You didn't rest enough,Kakashi ? "
"Why didn't you invite Gai for this " knowing the energetic Jonin would relish the opportunity for a friendly competition.
"don't forget that's it's also your punishment "
The trio, still puzzled by the conversation, asked if they were going to witness a fight.
"Are you two gonna fight?"
"Yes, we are."
"Sadly "
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged excited glances. Naruto couldn't contain his enthusiasm and asked the Third Hokage if they could watch. The Hokage, after a moment of consideration, agreed but cautioned Naruto to stay close to the ANBU for safety.
"Be careful to not get too close "
"Keep close to my guards "
Naruto, ever curious, inquired about which ANBU they should stick with, only to be surprised as the masked figures emerged from the Hokage's shadows, prompting an exclamation from Naruto, wondering where they had been hiding all along.
"Where did the—"
"Enough chatting,Kakashi ! Are you ready ? "
"No "
"Too bad, I'm the one to decide if you are." Kakashi sighed at the Hokage's response, and they both took their positions in the middle of the clearing, facing each other, suddenly looking menacing with powerful aura surging around them.
Kakashi with sweat forming forming on his front, looked at the old hokage,he could almost see the dead bodies the old shinobi left in his wake. giving a small hum,his chakra surging even more,shielding him
As their chakra surged around, Kakashi and Hiruzen leaped at each other, initiating a breathtaking exchange of precise, powerful strikes and swift parries. The seasoned Hokage displayed unparalleled mastery, effortlessly deflecting Kakashi's attacks while delivering hits with unmatched precision and strength.
The trio from afar watched in bathed excitement, their faces displaying signs of sweat as they felt the extreme tension in the air. They wondered what this overwhelming feeling was. As Kakashi and the Sandaime's auras exploded, the trio found themselves frozen, feeling suffocated. One of the ANBU made a hand seal, surrounding them with chakra, instructing them to breathe and slowly adjust to the overwhelming aura.
Naruto, trembling, asked the ANBU what this overwhelming feeling was.
"Wha—What is this ?! "
The ANBU explained, "It's killing intent mixed with chakra aura, something every capable and bloodied shinobi possesses. The gap in level between you and the two fighting is what's making you guys feel suffocated."
The explanation left the trio in awe, realizing the vast difference in skill between Kakashi and the Hokage and themselves.
"So, that's why it feels so heavy! I've never felt anything like this before!"
Sasuke, with a more composed demeanor, asked the ANBU, "Is this what high-level fights are like?"
The ANBU nodded and replied, "Exactly. The intensity of the chakra and killing intent increases with the strength of the fighters. You're lucky to witness something like this at your stage. Just observe and learn as much as you can."
Sakura, feeling the weight of the atmosphere, muttered, "I almost forgot to breathe."
The ANBU reassured them, turned his attention back to the fight
"Don't worry. It's a part of the learning process. Just focus on adapting to the aura, and you'll get used to it."
Hiruzen, seizing one of Kakashi's hands in a firm grip, suddenly smirked. In a swift movement, he changed his fist from a closed fist into a series of finger jabs glowing with chakra, targeting multiple pressure points on Kakashi's body. The strikes landed with pinpoint accuracy, momentarily hindering Kakashi's movements.
Kakashi, demonstrating resilience, retaliated by delivering a swift kick to Hiruzen while leaping away. With a focused face, he began targeting the pressure points that had been struck, working to restore the normal blood flow. As they stopped their brief exchange, Kakashi couldn't help but voice his frustration.
"It's incredibly annoying to face someone who has mastered such a diverse range of styles. Every move is unpredictable."
Hiruzen, still wearing a smirk, responded with a twinkle in his eyes.
"A shinobi that doesn't grow is a dead shinobi, Kakashi. Versatility is a weapon in itself."
Then adding to it,he said "something you seem to forget,content with your stagnation "
"I wont bother answering this "
The battle starting again and not wanting to answer him,both jumping at each other again fist on fist,Kakashi aimed a low kick, with Hiruzen countering it with a low kick of his own, skillfully redirecting the attack. Following it up with a low round sweep, Hiruzen maintained the offensive, catching Kakashi off guard. He then seamlessly transitioned into a direct front kick, sending Kakashi backward. Reacting with agility, Kakashi fell onto his hands, executed a backflip, and landed back on his feet, poised and ready for the continued exchange of taijutsu prowess.
The battle escalated into a bladed exchange as Kakashi swiftly drew his kunai. He lunged towards Hiruzen, and the clash of blades echoed in a furious dance, the sound resonating in the training ground. However, as the intensity of the duel increased, Hiruzen's expression turned visibly angry, as if reaching the limit of his patience. With a forceful rotating front kick, he sent Kakashi sprawling backward, creating distance and momentarily halting the intense blade-to-blade combat.
"Is that the end of your growth,KAKASHI ! "
"Is that the end of your growth, KAKASHI! "
The Trio watches, feeling confused at the old hokage's intense reaction
" Why does the old man look so angry? "
The Anbu,turning to them,gave an answer " It's because he is. He's very angry right now—angry at Kakashi's stagnation "
Sasuke,turning to him,asked " Stagnation? What do you mean? "
" Let me give you a rundown. Kakashi graduated from the academy at 5, considered as one of konoha most famous genius even from a young age. he became a chuunin at 6,then jounin at 12. He is also the student of the late hokage, The Yondaime, and his father was a famous shinobi strong enough to awe the five nations, with just his chakra and a blade. This fight is how the third is expressing his discontent with Kakashi's self-sabotaging mindset "
Naruto, in shock hearing about Kakashi's past as shinobi exclaimed " But Kakashi doesn't look weak! "
"He is not. But it's nothing when you take into account Kakashi's real potential. "
"Keep watching,And don't blink ! Or else you gonna miss them..! "
Back to the fight,Kakashi and Hiruzen's clash intensified into a fierce ninjutsu battle. Kakashi, weaving a dozen seals, unleashed a blazing Katon jutsu
"Katon: Gōryuuka no Jutsu!"
In response, Hiruzen, with only four seals, countered with a precise Suiton jutsu.
"Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu!"
The roaring flames clashed with the surging water dragon, creating a spectacular display of elemental mastery. it also created a thick mist, shrouding the battleground and leaving all those watching in suspense
The mist of vapor gradually dissipated, revealing Hiruzen's dissatisfied expression. Commenting on Kakashi's extensive hand seals, the Third Hokage remarked,
"Too many seals used, Kakashi. You should have learned the trick to use less by now."
Making a seal,he spit again multiples water balls,with kakashi avoiding them by jumping around, in turn making his own seals,spitting mudd balls in turn, all meeting the water balls.
Making a seal with his left hand, Hiruzen's right fist darkened. He swiftly appeared near Kakashi, delivering a powerful one-inch punch to his stomach.
Kakashi's eyes widened as he was sent flying, bouncing on the ground. Raising back with difficulty and coughing up blood, he began heaving.
"Take this seriously, Kakashi. You'll die if you don't."
Kakashi, regaining his breath, complained
"Hokage-sama, you're taking this a bit too far, don't you think?"
Standing up, Kakashi raised his headband, revealing what hid in his left eye as he activated his Sharingan.
Sasuke,suddenly tense,raised his voice "Why the hell does he have a Sharingan--?"
"Calm down.Its not what you think"
The Anbu explained the situation to Sasuke, telling him it was a gift from an Uchiha comrade of Kakashi on his deathbed. He added that Sasuke own father also agreed to it, allowing Kakashi to keep the Sharingan.
"Its not something new,and easy to check up in your own clan records " Sasuke fell into silence, extremely focused on the fight.
Beside him, Naruto comically asked Sakura about the "Sharin thingy," earning a facepalm from her. Sasuke's voice sounded,he started explaining that the Sharingan was the bloodline of the Uchiha clan.
"The Sharingan is the kekkei genkai of the Uchiha clan. It's a special eye technique that grants its users incredible abilities. The Sharingan allows you to see and copy any jutsu, predict your opponent's moves, and even delve into their mind,sinking them in illusions "
Naruto,voicing his admiration asked sakura.
"Hey, Sakura-chan, do you think I could awaken the Sharingan too?"
Sakura comically hits Naruto on the head
"Idiot, it's a bloodline trait. You can't just awaken it. It's passed down through blood, like in the Uchiha clan. Kakashi-sensei is an exception – he got it as a special gift."
Kakashi raising his right arm, his blade began to glow, and thunder started to crackle all over his body. Infusing thunder chakra to enhance his speed and reaction, Kakashi lunged at his adversary. Hiruzen, nonplussed, responded by exhaling some chakra onto his kunai, channeling Futon chakra into the blade. His body glowing with faint wind chakra,The clearing echoed with the strident sound of their bladed fight, reaching its peak when Hiruzen managed to cut Kakashi's kunai with his wind blade.
"Did you forget ? Wind beat thunder ! "Kakashi, his blade cut, urgently tried to distance himself by Kicking Hiruzen's firearm as a way of leaping away.
Kakashi forming seals, he exhaled small fire ball
"Katon: Housenka !"
Unleashing small fireballs that scattered across the clearing. The smoke and dust filled the air as Hiruzen skillfully evaded each one "Is that all you've got, Kakashi?"
Seizing an opportunity, Kakashi appeared behind the Third Hokage and delivered a strike on the latter's back. However, the sight of Hiruzen melting into mud followed by a sizzling sound startled Kakashi. Utilizing a quick substitution, he narrowly escaped an explosion, beads of cold sweat forming on his body.
"Phew, that was close "
Just as Kakashi thought he was safe, a powerful wind blade came dangerously close, forcing him to swiftly descend and barely dodge the lethal attack. Quickly sinking into the ground and hiding, Kakashi gave a breath of relief. However, his moment of respite was short-lived. Hiruzen snorting,added
"Not so fast, Kakashi."
Raising his foot, the ominous darkening of the latter warned of impending danger. Hiruzen brought his foot down with force, letting out a loud yell. The impact caused a localized earthquake that propelled Kakashi into the air, his expression turning comical in panic.
"Whoa, not good!"
"What crazy strength ! " exclaimed naruto,feeling shaken by the seisme
The trio and the Anbu watched in nervous anticipation, beads of sweat forming on their faces, as Kakashi found himself propelled into the air due to the forceful earthquake caused by the Sandaime's powerful foot stomp.
Smirking,the old man made a seal
"Did you know ? if you master elemental chakra and all the hand seals, jutsu creation become much easier "
"Stone Stair Jutsu."
Propulsing himself with the stone step emerging from the ground, Hiruzen jumped at Kakashi with a sudden high kick, seemingly aiming to break Kakashi's neck. However, Kakashi, with narrowed eyes, swiftly substituted, his mud clone taking the impact of the kick its head exploding in dirt just as Kakashi appeared behind the old man with his weapon glowing with lightning chakra.
In a quick turn of events, Hiruzen also used a substitution,his clone taking the hit,reappearing behind Kakashi, striking him with his blade.
To his surprise, Kakashi also melted into a mud clone. a sizzling explosion tag marked Kakashi's clone, suddenly exploding and shrouding Hiruzen's figure in the smoke of the explosion.
As the smoke cleared away, Hiruzen appeared again unharmed. He remarked that Kakashi was improving in the midst of the fight, a compliment that brought a tired expression to Kakashi's face.
"Good trick. Very cheeky of you to use my own trick against me "
"Its not for nothing that they call me the Copyninja "
Fire chakra appearing from his feet,hiruzen burst out at an increased speed, quickly appearing by Kakashi's side to the latter suprise at the manipulation. His body swiftly turning from earth chakra, he delivered a powerful uppercut that sent Kakashi soaring into the sky.
Getting lower and following him up with a yell, he hammered Kakashi down, creating a massive crater upon impact.
Waiting for the dust to settle,he approached the fallen kakashi
"Hoo.. ? "
To his surprise, Kakashi emerged unharmed. This time, Kakashi's Sharingan swiftly copied the Doton jutsu on the Sandaime's body, resulting in his whole body taking on a dark brown hue, protecting him from the shock.
"Good job copying it "
Kakashi, free dancing and utilizing the newfound technique on his feet, kicked the Sandaime away.
Swiftly standing up and channeling his famous technique,the Raikiri. The two started running at each other, as they engaged in a fierce battle.
The Sandaime narrowly avoiding the lightning-infused strikes by using wind jutsu to deflect them. Realizing that his wind jutsu wasn't enough, Hiruzen decided to create some distance. Yet, Kakashi surprised him by forming a longer Raikiri,catching the Sandaime off guard.
"such control ! "
Hiruzen narrowly dodged at the edge, blood dripping from his face where he got cut.
"A mix of nature transformation and shape form, excellent. "
Taking the blood from his wound, the Sandaime summoned his famous staff bo monkey summon, prompting Kakashi to remark
"Oye, oye, that's really too much now."
"Really ? I feel like its just the beginning "
"Summoning Jutsu : Enma ! "
Enma appearing with eyes sharp,the sandaime only raised his arm to the side,the former transforming without any talk. grabbing the staff and spinning it,The Sandaime took a ready position, at the same time infusing his staff with both doton and futon chakra on each end. restarting the clash with Kakashi's raiton blade.
"What is that thing? A monkey turning into a staff ? "
"That's Enma, the Sandaime Hokage's monkey summon. It's not just any monkey; it can transform and use powerful jutsu. Quite legendary, actually."
"Legendary? "
"Don't be fooled by appearances. Enma is a highly skilled and intelligent summon. The Sandaime Hokage wouldn't have him as a partner if he weren't."
"A monkey that fights with the Hokage? That's so cool! "
"Cool, yes. But also dangerous. Keep your distance, kids. This is a battle between high-level shinobi."
Kakashi,sharingan madly rotating, sensed the incoming hit. He exploded his lightning blade into defensive lightning arcs while trying to jump away, activating the earth armor again.
It was too late. Hiruzen,rotating with his bo staff for more power, struck Kakashi in the stomach with it,the weapon extending and throwing him away.
"Elongate, Enma ! "
"How the hell–"
Standing back with difficulty, coughing blood and surprised that his earth armor didn't work, Kakashi noticed a hint of lightning on the Sandaime's staff. showing a fed up expression, he said
"Even i wouldn't dare use some many elements at the same time, and showing such smooth transition..what a monster "
"No need for the name calling. It's just a small trick i learned over the years "
"I see…as expected of you "
The Sandaime smirked, dismissing him, and signaled for Kakashi to come closer, inviting him for another round.
"Come on boy, show me your guts "
Kakashi, irritated, started moving at incredible speed with lightning flashing over his feet and hands. engaging again in a high-speed battle with the Sandaime. Thunderous booms echoed through the clearing as their elemental techniques clashed. The Sandaime suddenly moved away, put down his staff. Breathing deeply, his body flashed with thunder, and he reappeared by Kakashi's side.
"Thunder mode : casual fist ! "
This time, the Sandaime punched the guarding Kakashi away, followed his action by making seals for a Katon ninjutsu.
"Katon : gouryuuka "
Kakashi, sliding on the ground,quickly made some seal, summoning an earth wall as a barrier meeting the dragon in an explosion of fire. seeing the wall, the Sandaime only made some seals, throwing smaller fireballs at Kakashi, raising dust all over the clearing
The trio watching the magnificent exchange,had to protected by the two anbus who raised a water wall to block the choc of the explosion
"Suiton : water wall ! " (X2)
"Woaaaaah "
Hiruzen making seals again,he disappeared from his place, and suddenly reappeared on Kakashi's side. Swiftly kicking Kakashi again, prompting Kakashi to show a fed-up expression at getting kicked repeatedly.
"Do I look like a ball to you ?! "
"If you trained more, i wouldn't be kicking you so easily "
Looking more serious,Hiruzen made a seal ,and started speaking,his voice taking a Hypnotic intonation
"Kakashi,is that all you got ? what would your dead camarades think of you ? "
Kakashi, his eyes going abit confused, refocused as he answered him "you—...Why are you mentioning them ! "
"You've got responsibilities now, Kakashi. Your students depend on you. Can you handle the weight of their lives?"
Observing Kakashi's chakra fluctuations and his rotating Sharingan glowing brightly, he questioned Kakashi
"Your sharingan... Can it see the future? Perhaps you should already prepare the coffins for your students, if stagnation is all what left in you"
Naruto,looking upset at the sandaime cruel words,started
"What's he talking about? Why is he bringing up Kakashi-sensei dead comrades?"
the anbu, feeling awkard,explained
"The Sandaime is trying to get under Kakashi's skin, pushing him to bring out his full potential. It's a psychological tactic to make Kakashi realize the gravity of his responsibilities."
Sasuke,giving an indifferent look,added "He's really laying it on thick."
"The sandaime knows how to strike where it hurts. It's a test of Kakashi's mental strength as much as his physical abilities."
Sakura,watching the fight,added "Kakashi-sensei looks really angry now."
"That might be what the Sandaime wants."
Sasuke,noticing the transformation happening in kakashi eye,thought to himself
'Kakashi-sensei's Sharingan is changing. What's happening?'
Sakura expressing her worry, added again "I hope Kakashi-sensei can handle this."
"We're about to find out. This is the moment of truth."
Kakashi slowly stood up, displaying eyes flashing with murder.His Sharingan fully rotating,showing sign of transformation, causing his chakra to explode and rise abruptly,more than ever before
"Sandaime-sama,your words…are very cruel."
"All my life , I've carried their memory. don't you dare— "
"Then show me your power, Kakashi ! Show me what should have been ! "
In a surge of emotion and the Sharingan's evolution effect, Kakashi used a super strong Raikiri, surrounded by thunder. He reappeared in front of Hiruzen, this time genuinely ready to kill him, caught in the influx of emotions
"I will protect my news bonds to my last breath ! this time, I'll make sure of it ! "
However, Hiruzen only made a seal, freezing Kakashi's body.
"Excellent determination, kakashi ! But sadly,life is more than words. "
"You–...since when ? "
Calmly, Kakashi inquired about the timing of the seal, to which the old Hokage smirked, revealing it was done when he kicked Kakashi after he raised the stone wall.
"A seal, huh? You really had this all planned out.and those words…it was a sound based genjutsu, right ? "
Hiruzen just smirked "Bingo "
Giving a sigh and lowering his head, Kakashi suddenly opened his Sharingan eye, using a surprise genjutsu on Hiruzen.
Looking as caught in the illusion, Hiruzen fainted,falling on the ground. "your are not the only one able to do genjutsu "
Not even a moment later, the fallen Hiruzen exploded in smoke. A clone.
Kakashi, seeing his failed attack, gave a bitter expression as Hiruzen reappeared from the ground.
"Nice try, but i used to fight side by side with the strongest of what the uchiha clan gave, and I know all their tricks, Kakashi. Don't forget, always look underneath the underneath "
Kakashi sighed, admitting his loss, adding a tired sigh to the culmination of the intense encounter.
"Guess this is where it ends. But I won't forget what you taught me today."
Hiruzen, realizing the toll his words took on Kakashi, unfroze him and caught him as he fainted. Expressing genuine remorse for his harsh words, Hiruzen offered an apology.
"I pushed you too hard. I apologize, Kakashi."
With a determined gaze, he continued, acknowledging Kakashi as his junior and expressing pride in Kakashi's progress.
"But as your senior, I can't let you sink into mediocrity. Congratulations, Kakashi. You're getting closer to that realm. Your master would be proud "
He laid Kakashi down, hoping the encounter had served as a valuable lesson for the younger ninja.
Naruto, impressed by the fight, looked confused at the ending "What just happened at the end ? "
Sasuke, with a deadpan expression, mentioned
"Did Kakashi just try to kill the Hokage ?"
Anbu,sweating abit,denied the claim
"Not literally. It's more of a symbolic expression of his determination. The Sandaime knew what he was doing."
"Was that a genjutsu ? "
"A sound based one, very trick to fight off when your emotions are all over the place "
"What did kakashi-sensei did at the end? "
"That was a sharingan Genjutsu,an instantaneous illusion technique. It also show the danger of the sharingan, the fact it can catch you off guard with a surprise attack by just a glance. It's also testament to Kakashi's skill with that eye."
"he still lost in the end "
"In a way, yes. But battles aren't just about winning or losing. There's always something to learn, and this fight was a lesson for Kakashi."
"What's this 'realm' they're talking about?"
"It's a metaphorical term for reaching the pinnacle of one's abilities. The Sandaime is acknowledging Kakashi's growth."
"I hope Kakashi-sensei is okay."
"He'll be fine. This was a tough but necessary experience for his development."
"I didn't know our sensei had such a dark past."
"Kakashi's history is filled with challenges. It's what shaped him into the ninja he is today."
Sasuke,with an indifferent tone asked "What now?"
"Now, we wait for the hokage signal. Let's see how Kakashi and the Sandaime handle the aftermath of this intense encounter."
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Dang,near 4k words for a fight. Hello ! This is the shameless author-san ! hope you liked the fight ! ik the fights may seem a bit boring,but it was just in preparation for better fights ! also,tommorow is my bd *giving a bow * Wish me a happy bd with your comments and support :3 !