"An outstanding performance!"
Kimura Katsuya couldn't hide his admiration.
Without a doubt, Kakashi had wasted a technique, needlessly draining his stamina. And the ordeal wasn't over yet.
Though Hoshita Shūichi's clones lacked combat prowess, their sheer numbers forced Kakashi to expend energy eliminating them while remaining hyper-vigilant against the real Shūichi's ambush.
Which one is the real one?
Back pressed against his earthen wall, Kakashi systematically dismantled the clones while analyzing the situation.
Uchiha Obito? Sarutobi Asuma?
Suddenly, he noticed three figures—left, right, and center—forming hand signs simultaneously.
Which is the real Shūichi? Or is this another trick?
In a split-second decision, Kakashi destroyed two more clones and swiftly weaved signs. Another wall erupted from the ground, sandwiching him between two barriers.
Meanwhile, Shūichi completed his seals.
The real one was on the left. Disguised as Asuma, Shūichi exhaled a thin line of fire that pierced through his own clones and into the narrow space between the walls. The flames rapidly expanded into a blazing orb.
Boom!
The explosion rocked the training ground, but Kakashi had already leaped upward, narrowly evading the blast.
Clang! Clang!
Mid-air, Kakashi deflected two kunai while more clones swarmed him, obscuring his vision.
Poof! Poof! Poof!
One after another, the clones dissipated. Seizing the moment, Shūichi—now disguised as Obito—landed a solid kick, sending Kakashi tumbling across the dirt.
Kakashi recovered swiftly, hands already forming a familiar sequence at his lips.
Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!
Almost simultaneously, Shūichi completed his own seals and unleashed an identical technique.
Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!
Kaboom!
The collision of two fireballs sent shockwaves through the air, scorching the earth and leaving cracks in their wake.
As the flames subsided, Kakashi stood panting heavily. The prolonged battle had taken its toll.
Shūichi, too, was breathing hard, though marginally better off.
He'd employed clones, transformations, and two fire techniques. Kakashi had used two earth releases and one fire jutsu. Yet clones and transformations demanded far less chakra than elemental techniques.
But by now, both combatants were running on fumes.
Shinobi battles—especially among genin and chūnin—rarely devolved into flashy jutsu exchanges. Taijutsu, weaponry, traps, and subterfuge were the norms. Most lacked the chakra reserves or arsenal for prolonged ninjutsu duels.
Shūichi's father, a chūnin, had mastered only the basic three techniques, Body Replacement, and Shunshin, alongside two offensive jutsu. His mother, a genin, knew just one wind technique—Gale Palm.
Jutsu barrages?
Unthinkable.
Having deliberately drained Kakashi's stamina, Shūichi reverted to close-quarters combat. Fists flew, each strike sapping their remaining strength.
Kakashi held the edge in technique, power, and raw speed. But Shūichi's stamina and superior reflexes balanced the scales.
The match ended in a stalemate, both boys collapsing from exhaustion.
"A magnificent duel!" Kimura applauded, finally understanding why the Third Hokage had orchestrated this clash. No other student could've pushed these two to their limits.
Especially Shūichi. Last semester, he'd been merely above average in practical combat. Now, he'd forced the top-ranked Kakashi into a draw.
The spectacle left Uchiha Obito and others gaping. Shūichi had always aced written exams, but his previous sparring performances paled in comparison. Today's display—first the clone-transformation combo, then this deadlock—was nothing short of shocking.
Hokage's Office
Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his crystal ball, deep in thought.
Both boys had demonstrated skills surpassing typical genin—many of whom couldn't have matched this intensity.
Kakashi's prowess was expected. Today, Hiruzen's focus had been on Shūichi.
Danzo's dossier hadn't exaggerated.
Combined with the boy's maturity, discipline beyond his years, and—most crucially—his grasp of the Will of Fire, Shūichi was unquestionably a rare talent among common-born shinobi.
In ten years, he might become another Minato...
Hiruzen smiled, his expectations soaring. This demanded a tailored training regimen.
But who should mentor him?
Orochimaru was immediately ruled out. Since Nawaki's death, the Sannin had grown increasingly... detached.
Tsunade, too, had been broken by losing both her brother and lover.
The thought darkened Hiruzen's mood.
Jiraiya?
He shook his head inwardly. On paper, the Toad Sage was ideal—a powerful, experienced teacher. But his obsession with "destiny" kept him wandering the world, neglecting even Minato's training.
Shūichi possesses greater advantages than Minato did at his age. That discipline means he only needs guidance—especially in ideology...
A decision crystallized in Hiruzen's mind.
September, Year 38 of Konoha
The month passed swiftly.
Shūichi mastered his third fire technique—Dragon Flame Jutsu—leaving just two C-rank fire releases to unlock [Fire Release Mastery].
On a weekend visit to Ten'shō Shop (his explosive tag production now limited to nights and weekends), Shūichi handed over ten tags—worth 2,000 ryo—before flashing Ten'un a hopeful smile.
"Ten'un-nee, you know fire techniques, right?"
The kimono-clad woman chuckled. "What, looking to learn?"
Shūichi nodded eagerly, his eyes wide.
Here, he wasn't the academy's composed genius or the Third Hokage's shrewd prospect—just a diligent, orphaned five-year-old.
Ten'un relented. "Fine. Since you've worked so hard on those tags, I'll teach you one."
She led him to the shop's small training ground.
"Watch closely. This is Phoenix Sage Fire Technique—it creates multiple fireballs."
"You've already learned Flame Bullet, so this shouldn't be too hard. The challenge lies in controlling the fireballs' trajectories."
She demonstrated the hand seals slowly: Boar → Tiger → Dog → Ox → Rabbit → Tiger.
Ignoring her curves (with effort), Shūichi memorized the sequence.
Ten'un exhaled, and three fireballs shot forth in a triangular pattern.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ground bore three new craters, smoke curling from their edges.
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