"So confident…"
Hatake Kakashi looked at Uchiha Sasuke before him, reminiscing about the now-extinct Uchiha clan, whose members were all as proud as Sasuke.
"However..."
"You don't seem surprised by this eye..."
Kakashi gestured to his transplanted Sharingan, which he had received from his late friend Uchiha Obito.
All along...
Kakashi had both enjoyed the power this eye brought and suffered from its accompanying pain and torment. He had always kept it hidden.
"..."
Sasuke could not muster any surprise.
The original owner of that Sharingan, Uchiha Obito, had been secretly causing significant trouble in the ninja world as a behind-the-scenes manipulator, even going so far as to bring in Akihara Kagura, an outside hunter, who almost overturned the ninja world.
Sasuke not only understood the origins and capabilities of that eye but also had ways to counter its abilities.
"In fact..."
"I have heard of Kakashi-sensei's story."
A look of recollection appeared on Sasuke's face. He imitated the way Akihara Kagura, the second leader of the Root, reminisced in front of Kakashi: "My father mentioned that Kakashi-sensei inherited the will of an Uchiha..."
"Of course."
"If Kakashi-sensei expects me to be amazed by a three-tomoe Sharingan, I might have to disappoint him..."
Sasuke slowly raised his head, his eyes turning crimson, revealing a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan, as this was his most basic eye.
"A three-tomoe Sharingan!"
Kakashi's eyes flashed with surprise, and he couldn't help but slowly shake his head: "This is not disappointment but rather a... complete shock..."
This new subordinate...
Truly brought enough surprises!
Whether it was his sharp and skillful swordsmanship or the three-tomoe Sharingan, they both demonstrated that Sasuke's strength far exceeded his peers...
Moreover...
His maturity was far beyond that of an ordinary teenager.
At least, Kakashi thought that at his age, he still couldn't understand the importance of comrades without the guidance of his late friend Uchiha Obito...
However...
Sasuke had a deep understanding of his comrade Uzumaki Naruto and had already acknowledged him. The Uchiha clan seemed to always value their comrades...
Just like...
His former teammate, Uchiha Obito...
That guy Obito, while outwardly disliking his comrades in his youth, also acknowledged their importance in his heart.
"Let's begin."
"I must state beforehand, when dealing with the three-tomoe Sharingan with its magical abilities, I won't just regard you as an ordinary genin..."
Kakashi twirled the kunai in his hand, his tone losing some of its casualness and becoming more serious: "Instead, I will see you as an equal opponent..."
No jonin in the entire ninja world would underestimate an Uchiha with a three-tomoe Sharingan. The enhanced abilities of the three-tomoe Sharingan in genjutsu and copying alone meant that an Uchiha already had the combat power of a jonin.
"That would be even better."
Sasuke gently touched his eyes and said in a low voice, "I will also try my best not to underestimate Kakashi-sensei in battle..."
"..."
Kakashi's eyes couldn't help but twitch.
This subordinate...
Isn't he a bit too arrogant?
Even having a three-tomoe Sharingan doesn't guarantee victory over a jonin. Does this subordinate think he can beat everyone just because of his Sharingan?
It's time to give this proud new subordinate a bit of a reality check from a jonin, to let him understand that there are always higher mountains...
Being overly proud...
Won't keep you alive on the battlefield!
"Let's begin!"
Kakashi's voice suddenly lowered!
As his voice fell, his figure instantly disappeared from the spot, charging straight towards Sasuke!
A shuriken was the first to be thrown!
Sasuke's eyes flashed, and with a flick of his ninja sword, he deflected the shuriken, clashing head-on with Kakashi's kunai!
This teacher...
Truly cannot be underestimated at any time!
Sasuke swung his ninja sword, instantly engaging in a fierce battle with Kakashi. His eyes, with the three tomoe, closely followed Kakashi's movements!
After all, this guiding jonin always had some small, quick moves in battle, which, if not noticed, could lead to a quick defeat!
Clang, clang...
The sound of metal clashing echoed across the training ground!
Under the dynamic vision of the Sharingan, the level of combat between Kakashi and Sasuke immediately intensified, with both constantly looking for openings in each other's defenses!
"His swordsmanship is extraordinarily excellent..."
Kakashi's kunai swung faster and faster, and he grew more and more shocked, as Sasuke's swordsmanship surpassed that of some jonin he had seen!
"Can't find any opportunity..."
Kakashi saw a flash of a blade passing by his forehead, cutting off a lock of his white hair, and felt a moment of solemnity!
He flipped his kunai, throwing it at Sasuke, while his other hand pulled out a four-pronged shuriken from his ninja pouch and threw it again at Sasuke!
"I've seen through you, Kakashi-sensei!"
Sasuke swiftly leapt back, kicking away the first kunai and driving the second shuriken into the ground with his ninja sword!
Snake-Ram-Monkey-Boar-Horse-Tiger!
Sasuke's fingers quickly formed seals, and chakra gathered in his chest, as a massive fireball burst from his mouth!
"Chakra is abundant..."
"The released technique... also has great power…"
Hatake Kakashi suppressed his surprise, quickly formed hand seals, placed his hand on the ground, and whispered, "Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
A wall engraved with dog heads appeared in front of him!
Boom!
The earth wall was instantly damaged by flames, making it look precarious!
Hatake Kakashi was even more shocked. He might have underestimated Uchiha Sasuke, this recently graduated student. The power of this technique was not something a Genin could produce!
As he sighed internally and quietly formed hand seals to take advantage of the thick smoke to make a small move in the battle, he suddenly felt the temperature rise sharply!
"Hmm?"
Hatake Kakashi looked up in surprise.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
A massive dragon-headed fireball burst through the fog, destroying the already fragile earth wall, appearing right in front of Hatake Kakashi!
"This guy..."
"Is he trying to kill his own instructor?"
Hatake Kakashi was terrified. He retreated quickly, feeling as if his body was running ahead while his soul was chasing behind!
If it weren't for Hatake Kakashi's rich battle experience, the powerful Dragon Fire Technique sneak attack could have exploded, and he might have been...
The thick smoke billowed.
Scarlet Sharingan eyes faintly appeared in the smoke.
Huge dragon-headed flames flew toward Hatake Kakashi!
"!!!"
Hatake Kakashi quickly retreated, dodging the huge dragon-headed flames!
Each dragon-headed flame that hit the ground caused a massive explosion, and thick smoke quickly enveloped the entire training ground!
"As expected of Kakashi-sensei..."
Uchiha Sasuke's figure emerged from the thick smoke, holding his ninja sword upside down and loudly praising Hatake Kakashi.
At this moment...
Uchiha Sasuke seemed to vaguely understand something, realizing why the Second Root Leader Akihara Kagura and the Uchiha Madara occasionally praised the opponents they suppressed in battle...
Because...
Praising the opponent does not mean showing weakness.
On one hand, these opponents sometimes performed exceptionally well in dangerous situations, indeed deserving praise; on the other hand, if these opponents performed well in dangerous situations, how powerful must one be to push such excellent opponents into danger?
"This guy... is really only twelve years old?"
Sweat trickled down Hatake Kakashi's forehead as he looked at the black-haired boy emerging from the smoke, feeling unprecedented pressure!
Regardless of the timing of his attacks...
Or the terrifying strength of his attacks...
Even during the war and his time in the Anbu, Hatake Kakashi had rarely encountered such a powerful opponent as Uchiha Sasuke!
The most important thing is...
Uchiha Sasuke is only twelve years old!
This kid is a true genius, and it's even said that he is a hardworking genius. No wonder he boldly claimed yesterday during their meeting that he would kill his outstanding brother, Uchiha Itachi!
Now it seems...
This kid really has that ability!
"Cannot win by conventional means..."
"It's just an exam, after all. There's no need to use that move, right?"
"Moreover..."
"Even using that move, the probability of winning is very small..."
Hatake Kakashi subconsciously wanted to form the hand seals for a Lightning Release Technique. He originally just wanted to test Uchiha Sasuke's combat strength, but now he felt as if his subordinate was probing his own combat strength as an instructor!
It was supposed to be a targeted guidance battle...
Why was he being forced to reveal his trump card as a teacher?
However, once he used his Lightning Release Technique, the battle would inevitably result in severe injury or death. It was not necessary for a Genin exam, was it?
"Kakashi-sensei, surely a Jonin instructor wouldn't be helpless against a B-rank Fire Release Technique, right?"
Uchiha Sasuke carried his ninja sword and extended his hand toward Hatake Kakashi, wearing a confident smile: "Show me a bit! I also want to see how strong my instructor really is!"
Although...
He already knew.
Uchiha Sasuke's lips curled into a smile. He was well aware of Hatake Kakashi's trump cards, which included his prideful Lightning Release Technique, the Flying Thunder God Technique taught by Akihara Kagura, and Kamui Mangekyo Sharingan from Uchiha Obito...
Unfortunately...
He happened to have a significant advantage over these trump cards.
Compared to Lightning Release, he was also skilled in it and, with Akihara Kagura's support, had mastered the most comprehensive Lightning Release secrets and countermeasures; as for the Flying Thunder God jutsu, no need to mention, he was trained by two masters of it!
As for the Kamui Mangekyo Sharingan's space-time ability...
That was indeed unfortunate...
Uchiha Sasuke, while gently touching his eye sockets, had Mangekyo Sharingan abilities and Rinnegan abilities that were also space-time abilities. Even though they were not as powerful as Akihara Kagura's, they could counter Kamui's Mangekyo Sharingan.
Uchiha Sasuke's smile deepened. He wanted Hatake Kakashi to feel a bit of the student's impact in this illusion world!
Of course...
A bit of pleasure was one reason...
The most important reason was that Uchiha Sasuke wanted Hatake Kakashi to realize quickly that he could no longer guide him effectively and instead request his friend, Akihara Kagura, to teach him...
In this way...
He would have a chance to uncover the truth of the illusion world.
Uchiha Sasuke didn't know how powerful the master of the illusion world was, but he believed that even the Akihara Kagura of the illusion world must be fearsome!
Clang...
The clear sound of a bell rang pleasantly.
Hatake Kakashi sighed silently and stopped his hand seals, tossing two bells toward Uchiha Sasuke.
"Hmm? What's this..."
Uchiha Sasuke instinctively caught them.
"The exam is over, you win."
Hatake Kakashi spread his hands, showing complete indifference to losing the assessment: "After thinking about it, it seems that none of the methods I can use in this test can defeat you, so I have to conclude that you have won..."
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke recalled his teacher's nonchalant demeanor.
Only Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya, the teacher of Akihara Kagura, could admit defeat so casually.
"However... Sasuke..."
Kakashi looked at Sasuke and then at Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura, who were hanging at the edge of the battlefield. His voice suddenly lowered: "Now that you have the right to distribute the bells, there are only two. Who will you give them to?"
"To those two."
Uchiha Sasuke curled his lips into a mocking smile, as if ridiculing this illusionary world and its teacher: "Kakashi-sensei, you wouldn't make me retake the test, would you?"
"What if I said... I would?"
Kakashi's eyes suddenly turned serious.
"...then I'll go back to the ninja academy."
Sasuke's face immediately showed a nonchalant attitude.
To him, his time in Team 7 was just a brief period of relaxation. His future key to breaking through illusions might lie in the Root in his future life.
"What about you?"
"Will you choose to eliminate someone?"
Kakashi simply ignored Sasuke and looked at Naruto and Sakura, the two subordinates who were guaranteed to win by default.
"I quit!"
Naruto shouted, glancing at Sasuke and then reluctantly at Sakura. He said loudly, "If someone has to be eliminated, then eliminate me!"
"..."
Sakura hesitated, glancing nervously at Sasuke and biting her lip: "If someone must be eliminated, Sasuke-kun would definitely sacrifice himself. Kakashi-sensei, let Sasuke-kun and me be eliminated together. Naruto can pass it alone, and we will retake the test together!"
"Huh? Ah!"
Naruto looked at Sakura in shock.
"Idiot..."
Sasuke couldn't help but rub his forehead and sigh: "Kakashi-sensei, can you announce the results of our test now?"
"You little brat, you seem to have figured it all out..."
Kakashi sighed, as if knowing Sasuke had seen through everything. He still decided to give these kids an official answer: "However, I still have to formally announce the results. Congratulations... you all pass!"
"Yes!"
Naruto happily raised two fingers to the sky!
"Whew..."
Sakura instantly felt a wave of relief.
"Shall we celebrate a bit?"
Sasuke waved his ninja sword in a carefree manner and sheathed it, mimicking Akihara Kagura, his former leader, as he nonchalantly proposed what he wanted to do most: "How about we invite our friends to celebrate our passing the test, Kakashi-sensei? Naruto?"
Hmm...
These two had a close relationship with Akihara Kagura...
At least at this moment, the idiot Naruto greatly admired the neighborhood big brother Akihara Kagura. Kakashi-sensei and Akihara Kagura had years of friendship...
As long as they invited friends to a meal...
They would definitely see Akihara Kagura.
Based on what Sasuke knew about Akihara Kagura in the real world, he would certainly come into this illusionary world.
Akihara Kagura, the second-generation leader of the Root, usually left things to the troublesome woman Karin and often attended these small gatherings. He didn't care whether they were eating expensive grilled meat or affordable Ichiraku ramen, appearing very casual and approachable...
However...
Things took an unexpected turn.
Because...
Akihara Kagura did not show up at Ichiraku Ramen.
During the gathering, Sasuke finally realized a terrifying problem: the always admiring Naruto hadn't mentioned Akihara Kagura's name all day!
In fact...
No one in the entire Konoha mentioned Akihara Kagura.
Even at Ichiraku Ramen, they didn't mention their regular customers!
This didn't make any sense!
Because Konoha always considered Kakashi and Akihara Kagura to be close friends, often eating ramen together. How could no one mention him?
"Haven't seen Akihara Kagura for a long time..."
Sasuke subtly tried to probe.
"Sasuke..."
Naruto held his chopsticks, looking at Sasuke curiously.
"Who's Akihara Kagura?"
"..."
Kakashi and Sakura both looked at him curiously.
"..."
Sasuke's heart sank to the bottom.
They...
How could they not know who Akihara Kagura is?
~~~
I didn't like the One Piece. So I'm just gonna translate the Extra!
I said that so many times lmao.
Anyway, you can read the 43 extra chapters for $3 in my patreon. Hope you guys like it!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Enjoy!