"To achieve good cooperation with your teammates, you must have a sufficient understanding of them. Next, you will each engage in one-on-one combat to understand your teammates' abilities," Mutsuki announced the training content.
"Hey, Kakashi, let's have a battle that ignites our youthful spirits!" Guy flipped back to an upright position and challenged Kakashi.
Kakashi nodded in agreement; he couldn't refuse training. He was also curious about Guy's current level of Taijutsu.
It had been several months since their last challenge, but Kakashi had seen Guy fight against official ninjas and knew that Guy had improved significantly.
"Kakashi, you better bring out all your strength, or else I'll kick you flying with one foot," Guy reminded him.
According to Mutsuki, his Stone Breathing technique was nearing success. Compared to himself several months ago, Guy could easily defeat his past self who hadn't practiced the Breathing Technique.
"Instead of worrying about getting kicking me, you should worry about how long you can last," Kakashi replied.
If Guy hadn't made significant progress and was only at that level of Taijutsu, Kakashi could easily handle it.
Compared to Guy, he felt that Obito's progress was even more remarkable, with a greater leap.
"No wonder you're my archrival and best friend, with that kind of confidence!" Guy raised his thumb, revealing a bright, toothy smile.
"Begin!"
At Mutsuki's command, Guy instantly changed his breathing rhythm, inhaling a large amount of oxygen into his body while simultaneously unleashing his chakra, dramatically enhancing his physical abilities!
Whoosh!
Using the Body Flicker Jutsu, Guy disappeared instantly from his original position and reappeared next to Kakashi, launching a swift and unstoppable Whirlwind Kick.
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
Although Kakashi was on guard, Guy's speed still caught him off guard, and in haste, he couldn't defend properly and was pushed back over two meters.
"His speed and strength are far beyond before. How did he manage this?" Kakashi was deeply puzzled.
It was one thing for Obito to show remarkable progress, but Guy's improvement was also so exaggerated.
Before Guy delivered that kick, Kakashi thought he could easily defeat Guy with a little effort. After the kick, Kakashi felt the need to go all out.
"Haha, Kakashi, you need to be even more careful now. What I just showed you wasn't even my strongest power!" Guy laughed.
Kakashi showed a wary expression; he didn't believe Guy was the kind of person to bluff.
"Stone Breathing, Total Concentration Breathing!" Guy focused his breath even more, further enhancing his physical abilities.
"Konoha Great Whirlwind!"
Guy's figure disappeared in an instant, reappearing next to Kakashi. This time, Kakashi already knew how formidable Guy was and used the Body Flicker Jutsu to evade.
Boom!
The large tree where Kakashi had just been standing was instantly shattered by Guy's powerful kick, sending wood chips flying through the air.
"Such incredible strength." Watching the devastation at the broken tree, Kakashi realized the terror of Guy's power, completely abandoning the idea of matching Guy's Taijutsu with bare hands.
Kakashi silently drew the White Fang short blade from behind.
Although Kakashi's swordsmanship was sharp, it was difficult to gain an advantage against Guy in Total Concentration Breathing state; Guy's movements were too fast.
Realizing this, Kakashi immediately switched tactics and used Ninjutsu.
A huge earth wall blocked Guy's attack.
When Guy jumped over the earth wall, he was instantly attacked by two Kakashi.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu, huh?" Guy carefully observed the two Kakashis but couldn't distinguish the real one.
Guy didn't mind and directly attacked one of the Kakashis with full force; after all, a Shadow Clone would disappear upon impact.
As he expected, the Shadow Clone couldn't withstand his power and quickly turned into smoke and dissipated upon impact. However, at that moment, the other Kakashi also took the opportunity to launch an attack, throwing several shurikens at Guy.
Guy once again concentrated his breath and burst into an extremely fast speed, easily dodging the shurikens. Just as he was about to continue his attack, he sensed something and quickly dodged.
The next moment, a hand emerged from the ground, reaching towards the spot where Guy had just been standing.
"He's more difficult to deal with than Obito," Kakashi's real body, standing back on the ground, thought to himself.
He had created two Shadow Clones to confuse Guy and launch a surprise attack, but Guy was even more vigilant than Obito and didn't let his guard down for a moment.
Although the ambush failed, maintaining Total Concentration Breathing requires a considerable amount of stamina. As time passed, Guy gradually fell into a disadvantageous position.
"Good, you two have learned enough. Take a break. Next up is Obito and Kakashi, followed by Obito and Guy," Mutsuki ended the battle between the two.
He hadn't forgotten that Kakashi's training task was still hanging on Guy, and it wouldn't be good if the battle determined the outcome of the task.
Both of them nodded without objections.
"Why has Guy's strength also improved so much?" During the break, Kakashi still couldn't understand this question.
Clearly, he used to be an opponent he could easily handle, but now he had to be serious and go all out. Whether it was Guy or Obito, the extent of their progress left him puzzled.
If they had made this much progress after graduating, he could somewhat understand, as progress is rapid in high-pressure environments. However, it was exaggerated to make such progress while still in ninja school.
After recovering their stamina, Kakashi and Obito engaged in another battle, leaving Kakashi even more puzzled.
Because Obito had actually improved further!
Building on the significant progress he had made last time, Obito had somehow progressed even more. His incredibly fast single-handed Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson truly impressed Kakashi.
Just like before, the battle was halted by Mutsuki after reaching its climax, with no clear winner.
Kakashi believed that if the battle continued, he would win. His combat experience was richer, and his overall strength was greater. However, a dreadful thought arose in Kakashi's mind—he might be surpassed, surpassed by Obito and Guy.
If Guy and Obito continued to progress at this rate, in perhaps another year or even six months, he would be surpassed.
Kakashi didn't dare to think about what Obito's expression would be like after defeating him.
Suddenly, a surge of motivation to train welled up within him. Whatever it took, he couldn't lose to Obito.
After three battles, Mutsuki let the disciples rest for a while before proceeding with the training.
Obito and Guy were still similar to before, but Mutsuki's main focus was on Kakashi.
"Kakashi, have you currently learned both Earth and Lightning Nature Transformations?" Mutsuki asked Kakashi.
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