"Kyōichi-san and Team One?" Kakashi was startled.
The next moment.
He saw Kyōichi arrive with three people.
Asuma, Kurenai, and...
Five-year-old Shisui?
Kakashi immediately felt indignant.
Though Shisui might be a genius, he was a genius too. He had graduated at five, became a chunin at six, and had been a chunin for three years now. Against such a squad, he could handle them alone!
"I didn't want to come down here, but you fought so disgracefully, showing no semblance of teamwork. I think you need to learn what a team really is."
Kyōichi ignored everyone else, focusing only on Kakashi.
That's right.
He was specifically targeting Kakashi.
Obito might be foolish, but are you?
No.
Kakashi simply looked down on others, thinking that cooperating with Obito would only drag down his combat ability. In fact, during previous missions, his decisions had always been like this.
He did whatever benefited the mission, but in reality, many times his teammates weren't beyond saving.
Too cold-blooded!
Similarly, he thought too highly of himself.
Kakashi noticed Kyōichi's gaze and snorted coldly, feeling quite defiant inside.
"Let's begin. Fight without holding back. I know some medical ninjutsu and can handle normal injuries."
Kyōichi said calmly.
Then, he and Minato body flickered away.
"Attack!" Kakashi didn't hesitate.
He had been the strongest among his peers in school, and after these years, he didn't believe he couldn't handle Asuma's team.
Neither side retreated, instead forming formations and throwing shuriken to control space while secretly observing for opportunities.
Kakashi wasn't reckless.
He observed Obito, Rin, and the enemy's status and positions, but...
Bang!
After a smoke bomb, three "Team One" teams emerged from the smoke.
Clone Jutsu?
Kakashi quickly moved toward Obito and the others, but...
Clang!
Weapons clashed.
From behind, Shisui struck with his sword.
The real body.
Were they aiming for a decapitation strategy?
Kakashi dodged using taijutsu, quickly "understanding" their strategy.
Decapitation?
Perfect!
He drew his White Light Sabre and slashed at Asuma.
"I've got this!"
As Obito's voice fell, his hands formed seals, and he released a large fireball.
Kakashi cursed internally, having to withdraw his attack to dodge.
However.
At this moment, he suddenly sensed something was wrong.
Only two people!
Where was Kurenai?
"Watch out!"
Kakashi, who had dodged using the Substitution Jutsu, hurriedly warned.
But it was too late.
At this moment, in Obito, Rin, and Kakashi's vision, cherry blossoms danced.
Tree Leaf Genjutsu!
Kakashi immediately broke the genjutsu and was about to help Obito and Rin break free when Shisui and Asuma formed hand seals—
Fireball Jutsu, Great Breakthrough!
The wildly raging flames rushed toward Obito and Rin, who were still caught in the genjutsu.
They showed no mercy!
Cold sweat formed on Kakashi's forehead as he dropped down from above, quickly forming seals and slamming his hand on the ground, raising an earth wall to block the flames.
At this time, Rin and Obito gradually awoke.
However.
"You're dead!"
A voice rang out from behind Rin and Obito.
Asuma's shadow clone and Kurenai!
...
"Kakashi lost."
Minato sighed.
Though he was still alive, his teammates were all dead. How could he hope to defeat a three-person team?
Unless there was an extreme difference in strength between him and Asuma's team.
But.
That clearly wasn't realistic.
Fast speed?
Useless.
Though Asuma's team wasn't particularly fast, they weren't slow either. The three stayed together in defense, combining the Clone Technique with Kurenai's strong sensory abilities, keeping Kakashi constantly on the defensive.
"These three are all elite genin. Though Kakashi is impressive, as long as Asuma's team doesn't try to kill him, there won't be any problems."
Kyōichi said calmly.
If the three separated, Kakashi would definitely pick them off one by one, but standing together they could defend against even an elite chunin without much difficulty.
Currently, Kakashi only had quick sword techniques going for him.
Though Shisui's strength and chakra were inferior to the others, his speed was almost equal to Kakashi's. While he might be at a disadvantage, with Asuma and Kurenai's support, Kakashi could only gradually wear down Shisui's strength.
The next moment, lightning flickered on Kakashi's sabre.
Going all out?
Kyōichi watched as Kakashi charged at Shisui.
Underground, a shadow clone approached.
The final strike!
"White Fang-senpai's sword technique? Doesn't seem like it..."
"All show, no substance. Kakashi is about to lose."
Kyōichi shook his head.
Minato didn't think so.
Kakashi did have real strength. If he could defeat Shisui, he could gradually wear down and kill the remaining two.
So.
This strike was crucial.
However.
The next moment, he understood why Kyōichi was so confident—
Kakashi's strike was blocked by Asuma!
Asuma was badly injured.
His arm had a large gash, bleeding profusely, but his wind-nature chakra had neutralized Kakashi's lightning-nature chakra, and simultaneously, Shisui and Kurenai attacked Kakashi's real body and clone.
The outcome was decided!
"Stop, Kakashi."
"Yes!"
When Minato spoke, Kakashi knew he had lost and dejectedly lowered his sword.
He was unwilling to accept it.
Asuma had blocked the strike for Shisui, otherwise that strike would have "killed" Shisui directly.
"Not satisfied? Team combat was never about one-on-one fights. What use is individual strength unless you're at mine or Minato-senpai's level? Don't kid yourself."
Kyōichi wasn't bragging.
Minato had the Flying Thunder God technique, making him nearly invincible as long as he could break through defenses, but Kyōichi wasn't bad either. With earth spears and various jutsu, he didn't fear many except a few from the Hidden Cloud Village.
He was invincible against weaker opponents!
As for Kakashi?
He was too fragile!
Without the Sharingan his chakra was sufficient, but only just sufficient, nowhere near comparable to Kyōichi's Senju lineage.
What made him think he could take on three opponents?
Kakashi's expression was unpleasant, but he knew Kyōichi spoke the truth, and the current situation was that they had lost to Asuma's team, and lost badly.
"Rin, your problem is taijutsu. You're a medical ninja, but you can't neglect taijutsu. Lady Tsunade of the Legendary Sannin is also a medical ninja, but her strength is terrifying. If nothing else works, you might want to consider the Chakra Scalpel."
Kyōichi looked at Rin.
The girl was deeply affected. She had thought she wasn't bad, but against the three-person combination, she hadn't been able to contribute at all.
Hearing Kyōichi's words, she paused, then thought for a moment before asking in surprise: "Sensei, do you mean using the Chakra Scalpel to harm enemies?"
"Cutting tendons, muscles, blood vessels - anything that can restrict the opponent's movement works, doesn't it?"
Kyōichi nodded.
Rin was stunned for a long while. She didn't know the Chakra Scalpel, but had heard of it. If Kyōichi hadn't mentioned it, she would never have thought of using it as an offensive technique.
Thinking carefully, she couldn't find any flaws in the idea—
Who said the Chakra Scalpel couldn't be used to harm people?
"Sensei, sensei, what about me?"
Obito grew anxious.
Rin got advice, what about him!
"You? Train more, experience some hardship to gain experience. Your problem is your brain."