Only one match remained, and it was against an opponent he respected.
The excitement in the stadium reached a fever pitch as the announcers prepared to introduce the final match of the day.
"For our final match in the Year 1 bracket, we have a showdown between two prodigies," the first announcer began, his voice filled with excitement.
"In the blue corner," the second announcer added, "we have Kakashi Hatake, the son of Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake!"
The crowd erupted in applause as Kakashi took his place, his calm demeanor unshaken by the cheers.
"And in the red corner, we have Kaizen, who has already shown exceptional skill today!" the second announcer declared, with Kaizen taking his place opposite Kakashi, giving him a nod of respect.
The announcer paused for a moment, then continued, "However, before we begin the match, we have an important announcement to make. I'm sure many of you have been hearing the rumors swirling around that Sakumo Hatake has taken on a student.
A hush fell over the crowd as they processed the announcer's words. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the audience, people leaning in to discuss what they had just heard.
"Did you hear that? Sakumo Hatake has a student?" one spectator whispered to another.
"I thought it was just a rumor," another responded. "Who could it be?"
The anticipation built as everyone tried to guess the identity of the mysterious student. The excitement in the air was palpable, and all eyes were on the announcer, waiting for the revelation.
"Well, today, we are excited to confirm that student to be none other than Kaizen!"
The crowd erupted in a mix of gasps, cheers, and murmurs. The revelation sent ripples through the audience, sparking a flurry of reactions.
Among the students, murmurs of surprise and curiosity rippled through the ranks. Some felt awe, while others harbored envy. "Kaizen is the White Fang's student?!?" one whispered to another.
Spectators buzzed with speculation, impressed by the connection to the White Fang. "Can you believe it? Sakumo Hatake's student and son are fighting today!" a civilian remarked to their companion.
Respect and interest grew among the shinobi in attendance, recognizing the significance of Sakumo's mentorship. "No wonder he's so skilled. With Sakumo as his mentor, he's bound to be exceptional," a Jonin observed.
Among the more influential spectators, a couple of clan heads exchanged thoughtful glances, considering the implications of Kaizen's tutelage under such a renowned figure.
"This changes things," one of them murmured.
"Sakumo's student and his son are both top talents in the same year. We'll need to keep an eye on this group of students."
Although this announcement served to increase Kaizen's reputation and fame among the civilians and shinobi alike, it also had some negative connotations that would be inevitable with someone in his position.
There were several people who now contributed Kaizen's skills and progress to him being Sakumo's student. Also, due to the nature of Sakumo's reputation and feats from the Second Shinobi World War, there would also be a target on Kaizen's back going forward. He would be in the same camp as Kakashi in that regard.
In the private viewing area, Sakumo raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "I didn't expect you to announce it this way," he commented, his voice tinged with amusement.
Hiruzen, who had planned this moment with Principal Kamiko, nodded with satisfaction. "It's better to establish this fact in an official capacity like this. I already arranged for the rumors to be spread leading up to this event, so Kaizen should become quite well-known after today."
Principal Kamiko leaned forward, her eyes keenly observing Kaizen. "He has consistently brought about surprises, but now I'm now curious to see how he handles this added pressure. He was only known to few beforehand, but from today onwards, he will have a large portion of the village keeping an eye on his developments and progress. Will he crumble under that level of responsibility?"
Kaizen felt a new weight of responsibility after hearing the announcement but continued to maintain his composure. He locked eyes with Kakashi, who acknowledged the announcement with a subtle nod. The rivalry they had formed under Sakumo's guidance added a unique dynamic to this match.
With the announcement over, the gong sounded, signaling the start of the match.
Kaizen and Kakashi moved simultaneously, each aware of the other's strengths and weaknesses.
Kaizen held back, wanting to showcase Kakashi's talents without making it obvious. He maneuvered with a calculated pace, allowing Kakashi to shine while still demonstrating his own skills. The crowd watched in awe as the two prodigies clashed, their movements more advanced than their class year would suggest.
"Kakashi's speed and reflexes are incredible!" the first announcer exclaimed. "And look at Kaizen, matching him step for step!"
Kakashi appreciated Kaizen's subtle restraint, understanding that he was being given a chance to showcase his abilities. He fought with everything he had, pushing his limits and executing taijutsu techniques with great efficiency.
Kaizen admired Kakashi's progress, knowing how much this match meant to him. Clearly, Kaizen could tell that being in this world has pushed Kakashi to work even harder than he would have otherwise. As the fight continued, he eventually found an opportunity to end the match gracefully.
Kaizen feinted with a high punch, drawing Kakashi's guard up. In a quick movement, he shot in for a single-leg takedown, catching Kakashi off balance. With a quick sweep, he brought Kakashi to the ground, immediately transitioning to mount position. From there, Kaizen quickly isolated Kakashi's arm, pivoting his hips and swinging his leg over Kakashi's head to attempt an armbar.
Kaizen fell back, his legs wrapping around Kakashi's arm and torso. The goal was to use his own body as a lever, applying pressure to Kakashi's elbow and forcing it against the fulcrum of Kaizen's hips. This move could potentially dislocate or break the elbow if applied with enough force.
However, Kakashi, sensing the danger, quickly defended against it. He clasped his hands together, preventing Kaizen from fully extending his arm. Kaizen recognized the resistance and knew he needed to transition quickly to maintain control.
Without wasting a second, Kaizen smoothly shifted his weight. He released the armbar and maneuvered his legs over Kakashi's shoulder, rotating his body to transition into an omoplata, a shoulder lock. The move was seamless, his right leg hooking over Kakashi's arm while his left leg trapped it, and he rolled his hips to apply pressure.
As Kaizen pressed down, Kakashi's shoulder joint was forced into an unnatural position. The omoplata twisted the arm behind Kakashi's back, leveraging Kaizen's body weight to increase the pressure. This submission targeted the rotator cuff and shoulder ligaments, causing immense pain and a high risk of dislocation.
The crowd watched in astonishment as Kaizen expertly applied the submission, his grip firm but controlled. Kakashi struggled briefly but realized the futility. He tapped out, acknowledging Kaizen's superior technique. The arena erupted in applause, the announcers praising Kaizen.
"What a finish! Kaizen has shown not only his mastery of taijutsu but also his expertise in grappling techniques!" one announcer exclaimed.
Among the spectators, the students buzzed with excitement, civilians marveled at the display, and shinobi nodded in respect. Clan heads exchanged looks of approval, recognizing the potential in Kaizen's abilities.
Back in the private viewing area, Sakumo smiled, pride evident in his eyes. "Kaizen handled that exceptionally well," he said. "It seems both my son and my student are making waves."
Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction. "Now I understand why you both think so highly of Kaizen. Despite knowing so many techniques, I've never seen those grappling moves before. It's remarkable to see such advanced methods in a student so young. His versatility and creativity in combat make me curious to see how his fighting style later develops."
Kaizen helped Kakashi to his feet, offering a nod of respect. The crowd's cheers filled the arena, a testament to the remarkable display they hadn't expected from first year students.
With the first year matches concluded, the rest of the tournament proceeded with a series of exciting bouts. Competitors from Years 2 through 6 showcased their abilities, each match filled with various jutsu and well-planned strategies. The stadium buzzed with exhilaration as each round brought new surprises and spectacular performances.
Despite the thrilling matches that followed, the talk of the village remained primarily focused on Kaizen. His substantial rise to fame within the village was due not only to his newly revealed status as Sakumo Hatake's student but also from the exceptional skill he displayed during his matches while only being four years of age. Whispers of his prowess spread quickly, from the bustling markets to the quiet training grounds.
Students discussed Kaizen's techniques with awe, some inspired to train harder, while others harbored envy. "Did you see that submission move? I've never seen anything like it!" one student exclaimed.
Civilians marveled at the young prodigy's potential. "Sakumo Hatake's student and his son are both incredible. The future of our village looks bright with talents like theirs," a villager commented.
As the news of Kaizen's victory spread, it reached the ears of some of Konoha's most notable figures, including some of the Sannin.
When Orochimaru received the news, his eyes gleamed with interest. "A student of Sakumo with such skills... It seems the village's future is becoming more interesting by the day."
Jiraiya was still in Amegakure taking care of and training the orphans who would later create the Akatsuki, so he naturally didn't hear about Kaizen at this point.
However, the news did reach Tsunade who was spending most of her time mourning within the Senju clan estate. She was currently at the beginning stages of what would later evolve into a gambling and alcohol addiction.
The tournaments were something that she began to gamble on, so she naturally knew the information provided on the different competitors. Despite her depressed state, she was still surprised by the details of Kaizen's victories.
"Enhancing his muscles with chakra and coating his hands to defend against the gentle fist style? That requires a high level of skill and talent. This kid might actually have something special."
She paused, her thoughts drifting back to the Second Shinobi World War. The memories of losing her brother Nawaki and her lover Dan were still fresh, casting a shadow over her usual optimism.
Tsunade had seen countless promising shinobi fall in battle, their potential unrealized. Her own grief was a constant reminder of the harsh realities of their world.
Yet, hearing about Kaizen sparked a flicker of hope. "Chakra enhancement at his age... that's no easy feat. It requires not only precise chakra control but also an understanding of one's physical limits. And coating his hands with chakra to counter the gentle fist... that's incredibly advanced. Most would be completely incapacitated by a Hyuga's strikes, but he's found a way to neutralize them."
Tsunade couldn't help but think about her clan, the Senju, who were known for their powerful chakra reserves and formidable abilities. She saw a glimmer of those legendary skills in Kaizen's achievements. Her own talent in medical ninjutsu, which required the utmost precision and control over chakra, made her appreciate the complexity of what Kaizen had demonstrated.
"Someone so young, at four years old, mastering techniques that many seasoned shinobi struggle with... it's remarkable. And he's doing this under the tutelage of Sakumo Hatake. But even Sakumo wasn't this talented…"
Her thoughts were tinged with a mix of admiration and sorrow. The war had taken so much, but perhaps it had also forged new strengths in the younger generation.
Tsunade found a small comfort in the fact that her clan, the Senju, still had a presence in the village. They had been attempting to comfort and support her through her mourning process, something that she was grateful to have at this time.
As she sat with these thoughts, she began to feel a somewhat renewed sense of duty. Perhaps she could find some solace in nurturing the next generation, ensuring that talents like Kaizen had the support they needed to reach their full potential.
In a way, it could serve as a tribute to her lost loved ones, a way to honor their memory by helping to build a stronger, safer future for the village that they loved so much.
Unknowingly, Kaizen's accomplishments had lit a tiny ember of hope within Tsunade's otherwise depressed state.