The battle began.
Kakashi took the lead, casually throwing several shuriken as a feint. The angles at which they flew were tricky, heading in different directions toward Kazuyama.
Facing Kakashi's sudden attack, Kazuyama lightly lifted his right foot before bringing it down. Chakra instantly transformed into wind power, forming a defensive barrier around him.
"Wind Release: Protective Wind!"
The technique stunned everyone watching.
A change in the use of Wind Release? It could be applied like that?
"It seems this boy learned a lot from Orochimaru," someone murmured.
"This kind of straightforward transformation of chakra into elemental explosions is Orochimaru's hallmark style."
Only Hiruzen and Sakumo nodded slightly. This technique, though simple in principle, demanded precise chakra manipulation.
"It seems this boy isn't limited to Fire and Earth natures," Hiruzen observed, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to wield Wind Release at such a level."
As someone who mastered all five elements, Hiruzen Sarutobi could see the potential in Kazuyama. His disciple Orochimaru, another five-element user, appeared to have imparted valuable knowledge to him.
Meanwhile, a figure on a nearby rooftop observed the scene with a slight smirk.
"Kazuyama... your learning ability is impressive," the man muttered. "Wind Release defensive ninjutsu, self-taught..."
It was none other than Orochimaru, just back from a mission. Normally, he wouldn't bother attending the Ninja Academy's graduation assessments. But hearing that one of his disciples was on the examiner's role this time had piqued his interest—and now, it seemed worth the trip.
The battle continued.
Realizing his feint attack had failed, Kakashi quickly adjusted his strategy, weaving hand seals with incredible speed.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A torrent of flames burst from Kakashi's mouth, roaring toward Kazuyama.
"Wind Release is naturally suppressed by Fire Release, so Kakashi made an excellent choice here," Sakumo observed, nodding in approval of his son's decision.
As the blazing fireball rushed toward him, Kazuyama wisely stopped using Wind Release. Wind would only feed the flames, and he had no intention of being scorched.
"Ahh, Uchiha's Fire Release is quite useful."
"But it's still not enough."
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall."
Kazuyama didn't even move as he completed the ninjutsu before the fireball reached him, despite his unimpressive hand seal speed. A blue wave instantly surrounded him, replacing the incoming Great Fireball Technique.
The collision of fire and water erupted into a massive expanse of steam.
Kakashi seized the opportunity, drawing his short sword from behind his back. At the same time, he shouted, "Shadow Clone Technique!"
With a bang, Kakashi split into four. Blue lightning flared from the hands of the four Kakashis as they drew their short swords. The lightning covered the blades in a dazzling blue flash.
"Oh? The Hatake Clan's Kenjutsu? Not bad, I've never seen it before."
Activating his Hive Mind, Kazuyama observed Kakashi's movements through the steam. This time, he moved. Getting hit by that lightning would be extremely unpleasant, and he wasn't about to let it happen.
Using his superhuman eyesight, he spotted a flaw between the four Kakashis and vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
Kakashi caught the movement and turned sharply, raising his blade again. From shurikenjutsu to ninjutsu, and now kenjutsu—it was clear Kakashi had been going all out from the start. Now, he was even more relentless.
"I can't let you keep hacking at me."
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Seizing a momentary advantage, Kazuyama suddenly dodged, quickly forming hand seals. He took a deep breath and violently exhaled a powerful gale.
The technique covered a wide range. A fierce wind swept across the training ground, leaving Kakashi no time to evade. He raised his short sword to block.
But the gale was only the beginning; the real threat lay in the wind blades within. As they cut through, Kakashi's three clones vanished into white smoke. His main body wasn't spared—his defenses faltered, and the wind blades left him wounded.
The cuts of the wind blades carried faint red lines.
"Kakashi!"
Obito, standing outside the arena, shouted in alarm.
Hearing Obito's voice, Kakashi let out a sharp cry and bent down swiftly to minimize the damage from the strong wind and the wind blades. His battle was far from over.
In an instant, a dazzling blue light appeared on his right hand—a concentrated burst of Lightning Chakra. He raised his glowing hand high, charging straight toward Kazuyama with unwavering determination.
"This is my final blow!"
Pouring all his chakra into the attack, Kakashi carved a path directly through the stormy wind.
Kazuyama, maintaining his Wind Release, saw the incoming attack and felt his pupils contract.
Damn it! He's using the Lightning Cutter?
Though not a perfected version, it was a potent application of the lightning element. Kazuyama knew better than to underestimate it—lightning techniques were infamous for their destructive power and penetration.
If that hits me, it'll hurt like hell.
Kazuyama immediately interrupted his jutsu, casually flinging a kunai across the training ground. The blade embedded itself precisely on the far side.
Just as Kakashi was about to close the distance, Kazuyama vanished with a whoosh.
He reappeared behind Kakashi, his expression calm and observant. The Flying Thunder God Technique had transported him effortlessly.
Kakashi, now without a target, couldn't halt his momentum. His right hand remained extended as he charged uncontrollably down the training ground.
Kazuyama shook his head slightly, watching with mild amusement.
As expected, the Lightning Cutter is difficult to control without a Sharingan. Once it's initiated, stopping or steering is almost impossible.
"Boom!"
The ground quaked as Kakashi's attack collided with it, leaving a smoking crater. His technique, though powerful, remained incomplete—a glaring flaw.
Kakashi struggled to his feet, frustration etched on his face. He hadn't even managed to graze Kazuyama. Despite his all-out effort, he felt the sting of failure.
Just as despair crept in, a slow clap echoed through the training ground.
"Not bad, Kakashi," Kazuyama said with a faint smile. "Three minutes have passed. You've passed the assessment."