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In the ninja world, there is an unwritten rule.
If a ninja wants to walk a path opposite to their teacher, they must challenge and defeat their teacher to prove they are right.
Now...
Uchiha Sasuke is no exception.
At the moment the Seal Of Opposition was formed, Uchiha Sasuke's hand grasped the hilt of the Kusanagi sword, charging directly towards Hatake Kakashi!
Uchiha Sasuke gripped the hilt tightly and drew the sword from its sheath, slashing fiercely at Hatake Kakashi. The sharp edge of the Kusanagi sword was threatening!
Hatake Kakashi hooked a kunai with his finger, using it to block Uchiha Sasuke's ninja sword, but was forced back by the power of Sasuke's slash!
"You've really become stronger..."
Hatake Kakashi marveled at his student's excellence.
"For revenge, I haven't dared to stop for a moment!"
Uchiha Sasuke raised his ninja sword, and the Kusanagi sword, like a snake in the grass, continuously aimed at the vital points around Hatake Kakashi!
Hatake Kakashi felt the cunning and strange swordsmanship Sasuke was using. He was merely wielding the kunai to block but was still forced back repeatedly by Sasuke's sharp attacks!
However...
Hatake Kakashi was not without the ability to counterattack!
As Sasuke continued his offensive, feeling a subtle sense of pride in his progress and enjoying his former instructor's shock at his improved strength, Kakashi's figure suddenly leaped!
In the next moment!
Hatake Kakashi bypassed the sword edge, grabbing Sasuke's wrist with one hand while slashing at Sasuke's forehead with the kunai in the other!
"!!!"
Sasuke watched as a lock of hair was cut off his forehead by Kakashi's kunai, using the opportunity to grab Kakashi's wrist with a reverse grip and kick him in the chest, forcing him back!
Hatake Kakashi didn't notice...
A Flying Thunder God mark had been placed on his wrist!
Sasuke sensed that his mark had been successfully placed and curiously asked, "Kakashi-sensei, you are also skilled in swordsmanship?"
"Yes..."
The kunai in Kakashi's hand spun continuously at his fingertips, and there was even a hint of nostalgia on his face: "It's been a long time since I used it..."
His father, Hatake Sakumo, was also very skilled in swordsmanship.
Kakashi had also made a name for himself with swordsmanship, but later, he developed more powerful Lightning Release techniques and gradually stopped using his sword.
"I see, but this ends now..."
Sasuke nodded, then formed a seal with his hands, spewing a ball of flames towards Kakashi: "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Kakashi placed his hand on the ground, summoning a wall with dog carvings that blocked the huge fireball. He was surprised by Sasuke's sudden use of ninjutsu.
There must be a trap!
Kakashi instantly released a Lightning Clone!
The next moment!
Kakashi felt a chill at the back of his neck, catching a glimpse of Sasuke's figure out of the corner of his eye, causing him to be startled!
This is...
"Flying Thunder God!"
Kakashi suddenly realized something!
Because no matter how fast Sasuke was, he couldn't possibly have reached him in an instant; his student used the Great Fireball Technique as a cover and then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to instantly appear beside him!
"Kakashi-sensei, you've lost."
Sasuke looked at his teacher, feeling the power in himself: "At the moment you grabbed my wrist, I placed a Flying Thunder God mark on you..."
"No wonder..."
Kakashi hadn't known Sasuke had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, considering his own mastery of the technique was rudimentary!
"But... to say I've lost is too early, isn't it?"
Kakashi's body suddenly turned into a bolt of lightning, which then transferred along the Kusanagi sword to Sasuke's body!
"!!!"
Sasuke's body instantly stiffened!
"Don't underestimate me..."
Kakashi's figure emerged from the ground, grabbing Sasuke's ankle, and was about to use the Earth Release: HeadHunter Jutsu to drag Sasuke underground!
"Chidori Stream!"
Sasuke released thread-like currents of electricity around his body, forcing Kakashi back!
"Chidori's shape transformation..."
Kakashi was amazed at Sasuke's ability!
This student...
Hadn't abandoned his study of Lightning Release!
"Chidori Sharp Spear!"
Sasuke extended his hand, shooting a spear of electricity towards Kakashi!
"What a nuisance..."
Kakashi barely dodged the Chidori Sharp Spear when Sasuke's next wave of Lightning Release techniques appeared!
"Chidori Senbon!"
Sasuke scattered numerous needles of electricity, shooting them towards Kakashi!
"You're progressing fast..."
Kakashi still found time to praise his student, disappearing from the range of the Chidori Senbon and appearing beside Sasuke!
"Flying Thunder God..."
Sasuke frowned.
As a practitioner of the Flying Thunder God, Sasuke was highly sensitive to the marks. Based on his observations, Kakashi did have the opportunity to leave a mark on him, but his teacher's rudimentary technique shouldn't allow enough time to set it, right?
Moreover...
This teacher's mark wasn't very hidden...
Sasuke looked down at his feet, seeing a wide Flying Thunder God mark like a manhole cover.
Clearly.
Kakashi had secretly set this mark before using the Earth Release: HeadHunter Jutsu. Despite its large size, it still served as an anchor for Kakashi!
"Kakashi-sensei is still the same as ever..."
Sasuke sighed, not using the Flying Thunder God to escape or counterattack because this wasn't a life-or-death battle: "A single moment of carelessness can provide an opportunity for counterattack..."
"You've really grown, Sasuke."
Kakashi didn't pull out a kunai but gently patted Sasuke's shoulder, praising his outstanding student: "If this were a real battle, I'd be the first to die by your hand..."
Kakashi understood the combat style of Flying Thunder God users very well.
A Flying Thunder God user could disappear anytime they didn't want to lose and could appear anytime they wanted to kill.
Of course.
Kakashi could always escape.
Though his mastery of the Flying Thunder God was only partial, he could set marks in safe places to use them for escape.
However...
This wasn't a life-or-death battle.
This was just a test.
Kakashi was very pleased with Sasuke's growth.
"It seems Sasuke passed the test."
Akihara Kagura clapped lightly as he watched Kakashi and Sasuke, saying, "Sasuke, continue your training here; we are going to the Hokage office."
"Yes."
Sasuke nodded in agreement.
He had just received a curse mark from Akihara Kagura and hadn't had time to feel how it differed from Orochimaru's curse mark. Although he understood how to utilize the curse mark, he still needed to familiarize himself with the power hidden within Kagura's mark.
"Let's go."
Kagura grabbed Kakashi's shoulder.
Inside the Hokage office.
Kakashi had no objections to the candidate Kagura proposed, feeling somewhat regretful: "The Root ninja monitoring us is strong; it would be good if they could join Team 7..."
"Strong, huh?"
Tsunade thought Kakashi was acting strangely.
He tested a Root ninja monitoring them, and instead of refusing, he wanted to place the person in Team 7?
Tsunade shook her head and said, "Naruto and Sakura don't agree with adding new members to Team 7. I'll send Naruto to the Third Training Ground immediately; you go test their progress..."
"Yes."
Kakashi didn't dare to slack off.
Because if Sasuke had become this strong in just two or three years, Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura couldn't be far behind.
"Root obtained information on the Akatsuki organization; I need to verify it."
Kagura's figure disappeared, heading to the Akatsuki base in the Land of Rain to discuss the plan with Nagato.
He had no choice.
The Akatsuki wanted to collect the Tailed Beasts.
Kagura was someone they couldn't bypass.
In Konoha.
At the Third Training Ground.
While Naruto was still catching up with his friends, Sakura called him to the Third Training Ground, where their test was awaited by their teacher Kakashi.
"…"
Kakashi sighed, feeling his busyness. After testing Sasuke, he now had to test the other two.
However...
Fortunately, he didn't have to test all three together.
Otherwise, Kakashi felt he might lose.
"Did you see Kagura?"
Naruto asked excitedly upon seeing Kakashi, discussing what he heard at the Hokage office: "Lady Tsunade said you went to find Kagura. When I see him, I must complain; that guy wants to put someone new in Team 7!"
"…"
Hope you won't regret it.
Kakashi thought to himself, showing no signs on his face, continuing, "Alright, let's test your training results. Don't disappoint me..."
Hopefully...
You haven't fallen far behind Sasuke.
After fighting Sasuke and witnessing his strength, if Naruto and Sakura weren't strong enough, they should be grateful Sasuke hadn't returned to Team 7, sparing them from despair at the gap in power.
However...
Kakashi was soon disappointed.
Although Naruto and Sakura had good combat abilities, with Naruto's improved Rasengan and Sakura's learned super strength causing Kakashi trouble, they didn't bring the same pressure as fighting Sasuke.
That was...
A fight where a single mistake could lead to death.
As for Naruto and Sakura, they could only cause trouble in battle. If Kakashi took it seriously, he could easily defeat or even kill them.
The test continued until evening.
Kakashi didn't hold back anymore, going all out, even using the Flying Thunder God.
"You're progressing fast, but not enough."
Kakashi looked at Naruto, determined to teach him harshly: "If you can't master the nature transformation of the Rasengan, you won't be able to catch up with Sasuke..."
At least...
Sasuke had already mastered the shape transformation of Chidori, and that was just one of his many powerful abilities.
"…"
Naruto's eyes widened.
"…"
Sakura's eyes dimmed.
"Kakashi, so strict?"
"It's rare for him to be motivated..."
Jiraiya and Tsunade discussed the test results briefly, then turned to the recent turmoil in the ninja world, especially the Akatsuki organization.
"Any news?"
Jiraiya asked Tsunade, his expression turning serious: "The Akatsuki members are gathering; it's unclear what they're planning..."
For years, Jiraiya had been gathering information on the Akatsuki and Orochimaru. With Orochimaru dead at Sasuke's hands, only the Akatsuki remained.
However...
Jiraiya couldn't find the Akatsuki or Nagato's traces.
Tsunade shook her head, not feeling the Akatsuki's threat was imminent: "The four former Hokage are still pursuing Uchiha Obito. Obito, to protect the Akatsuki, continues to lure them, and his Mangekyō Sharingan abilities are very strange..."
"Then..."
Jiraiya frowned, understanding the pressure Obito faced being hunted by four Hokage, knowing how formidable they were, even capable of destroying other ninja villages.
Jiraiya sighed, realizing: "For Obito to protect the Akatsuki despite being hunted by the Hokage, their plan must be terrifying, making him take such risks..."
"…"
Tsunade shook her head, not having received any intelligence.
"But..."
Tsunade mentioned an event from that afternoon: "Root has been investigating the Akatsuki, and Kagura left Konoha, seemingly to verify Root's information about Akatsuki's rogue ninjas."
In the Land of Rain, at the Akatsuki base.
Pain and Konan welcomed Kagura.
The leader of the Akatsuki, Pain, personally provided Kagura with intelligence: "Our plan is about to begin. I have sent Sasori and Deidara to Sand Village to capture the One-Tail Jinchūriki…"