Kakashi exhaled deeply, squatted down, retrieved the kunai from the ground, and tucked it into his ninja bag. Chiba lowered his shuriken, sat down, and began examining his foot injuries.
A hush fell over the spectators.
Obito Uchiha's eyes widened in disbelief. Kakashi's admission of defeat sounded like something from a dream.
'Kakashi... lost to Chiba, who's younger than him? To someone who just graduated from the Ninja Academy?' Obito thought, incredulous. "Impossible! This is absolutely inconceivable!"
Caught between reality and disbelief, Obito found himself speechless.
Beside him, Rin Nohara's eyes shimmered with concern as she watched Kakashi gather his belongings. "Will Kakashi be okay? This was his first defeat..." she pondered.
Minato Namikaze sighed inwardly. "I initially allowed Kakashi to go easy, but now it seems I was too naive. Chiba is not an opponent to be underestimated by Kakashi. I really misjudged him, and I underestimated Kushina." He glanced at Kakashi again, worry evident in his eyes. "Kakashi has been renowned as a genius since childhood. He's never been defeated, always excelling in missions. I hope this loss doesn't negatively impact him."
Meanwhile, Homura was completely stunned. 'Kakashi lost? That Kakashi Hatake, lost? Impossible! If it were against a Jonin, I might believe it, but losing to a seven-year-old who just graduated from the Ninja Academy and has only been a Genin for just over a month? I can't accept it!'
In his disbelief, Homura seemed to forget that Kakashi was only eight years old himself. In reality, this was merely a battle between a seven-year-old and an eight-year-old. However, under the aura of genius, it was easy to perceive it as a battle beyond their years. Indeed, the skill level displayed far exceeded their ages. Any Chunin witnessing this fight would have felt ashamed.
Homura glanced at Minato, who offered him a slight smile. With disbelief still in his eyes, he announced, "Kakashi admits defeat. This duel goes to Chiba!"
"Win!" Kushina Uzumaki nearly leaped for joy, flashing a big "V" sign at Minato. "Minato, our Chiba beat your Kakashi. According to the agreement, the Chunin Exam spot is ours!"
Minato could only offer a bitter smile in response, at a loss for words. 'Chiba defeating Kakashi was something not even the Third Hokage might have anticipated.' he thought.
Hirohiko and Yukina were also thrilled, clenching their fists tightly. They were going to the Chunin Exams!
By this time, Kakashi had finished gathering his belongings, and Chiba had completed checking his injuries. As Chiba attempted to stand, Kakashi approached and offered a gesture of reconciliation.
Chiba instinctively extended his hand, forming the reconciliation sign. Kakashi grasped it tightly and pulled Chiba to his feet.
"Thank you," Chiba said, looking up at Kakashi. He noticed that Kakashi's expression remained unchanged, showing no negative emotions due to the loss.
'I still have a long way to go. I must work harder!' Chiba thought, realizing that even though he had won this duel, it didn't mean he was better than Kakashi overall.
'Indeed, I won this time. But this was just duel training, not a life-or-death battle. If it were a matter of life and death, the outcome would still be uncertain, and Kakashi might very well have bested me.'
Chiba replayed the duel in his mind, recognizing moments where Kakashi could have ended his life. 'For instance, with the Lightning Blade, when throwing kunai... these were all critical moments. My battle tactics are still too crude.'
Kakashi glanced at Chiba and nodded. Then, he released his grip and walked back to his team.
'Besides Guy, there is another Chiba now?' Kakashi thought, his fist tightening slightly.
"Uh... Are our Chunin exam qualifications gone?" Obito realized the implications of their loss. He was momentarily stunned, then yelled at Kakashi, "You... you actually lost! You lost mine and Rin's qualifications!"
Angry, he glared at Kakashi furiously.
"Enough, Obito!" Rin Nohara intervened, stopping her angry teammate.
"Rin... It's obviously his fault..." Obito seeing Rin defending Kakashi, was filled with dissatisfaction and frustration.
Kakashi ignored him completely, walking past, which only fueled Obito's anger further. However, under Rin's gaze, he crossed his arms and huffed.
At that moment, Kakashi paused. "Sorry, about the exam, Obito."
Minato Namikaze's initially worried look was quickly replaced by a smile. Observing Kakashi's clenched fist, he smiled wryly. "My worries seem to have been unnecessary."
"Kakashi..." Rin Nohara murmured softly.
Obito was still visibly upset, but hearing Kakashi's voice, he was taken aback. "Kakashi... you..." He remained silent, deep in thought.
On the field, Chiba was being supported by Hirohiko, while Kushina Uzumaki and Yukina approached with smiles on their faces.
"Are you okay?" Hirohiko asked.
Chiba smiled back slightly and said, "Kushina-Sensei, how about we go for barbecue tonight?"
Kushina Uzumaki agreed.
"Wait a minute!" Obito suddenly spoke up.
The four turned their heads, puzzled.
They saw Obito Uchiha stepping into the middle of the training field, proposing, "Let's compete again. If we win, the qualification for the Chunin exam will be ours. If we lose, I will not take the Chunin exam for two years!"
Minato Namikaze was slightly surprised by Obito's challenge. Rin Nohara was equally astonished.
Kakashi turned his head and sighed. "This fool..."
On Chiba's side, the four were also taken aback.
"Okay, I'll take you on." Suddenly, Hirohiko stepped forward, looking determined. He first sought the approval from Kushina Uzumaki.
"Go," Kushina Uzumaki simply glanced at Obito, not stopping Hirohiko.
It felt as though things were about to get complicated.
Chiba sighed inwardly. 'Kushina values the Chunin exams so much, and now that we've won, why stir up trouble? We could easily refuse but...' he thought.
Since Kushina didn't stop them, Chiba felt he couldn't say much, though he still harbored some doubts.
After receiving affirmative nods, Hirohiko released Chiba and headed to the center of the training field.