Kunai clashed, sparking metal.
Danzo and Hiruzen locked eyes, leaping back to disengage.
Mid-jump, both formed hand seals.
Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!
Sharp, weasel-like gusts shot from their mouths, slicing forward.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The wind blades collided, erupting in loud crashes, sending powerful gusts outward.
Danzo and Hiruzen landed simultaneously.
"You've gotten stronger, Danzo," Hiruzen said, dropping his combat stance, praising him.
"Tch." Danzo sheathed his kunai. "Using the same technique as me on purpose? Still so sly."
Different chakra natures countered each other.
If Hiruzen had used Fire Release, Danzo would've been in serious trouble.
"I'm still a step behind Hiruzen," Danzo thought, sighing. Compared to a monster like Kazuku, the gap was even wider.
Since losing to Kazuku, Danzo, Hiruzen, Kagami, Koharu, Menma, and Torifu had trained daily in combat.
Though Kazuku's talent seemed impossible to catch, they didn't want to fall too far behind.
"Hiruzen, Danzo, your moves were solid, but…" Kagami, with his Sharingan, took on the role of reviewing.
His eyes recorded their actions, pinpointing areas for improvement.
That was the point of these training sessions.
Thanks to Kagami's Sharingan, everyone had grown significantly.
But…
Mid-sentence, a massive boom came from the east.
Startled birds fled the forest, circling above.
The sudden noise shocked everyone.
"Such… strong chakra…" Hiruzen, with sensory skills, immediately focused.
"It's Kazuku! He's fighting!"
Hiruzen exclaimed.
Konoha was still developing, with few areas for combat training that didn't disturb others.
Their training spot was just dozens of meters from Kazuku's.
Sometimes, they'd even see Kazuku jogging with Batsu.
But since Kazuku had been doing physical training, they hadn't paid much attention.
"Kazuku's fighting? With who?" Danzo and Kagami said in unison, already picturing someone.
Might Batsu!
"It's Batsu. He… opened the Eight Gates!" Hiruzen's eyes widened, staring toward the noise.
After a brief pause, he sprinted full-speed.
Kazuku and Batsu's fight piqued his curiosity.
Danzo and Kagami exchanged a glance, nodded, and followed.
Then Koharu, Menma, and Torifu joined.
After a quick dash, they reached the training field and saw Kazuku and Batsu.
Both were flushed red, radiating green energy.
Clearly in Eight Gates mode!
On the battlefield…
Two green figures clashed rapidly, trading blows, fists and feet colliding fiercely.
Each clash sent powerful shockwaves rippling outward.
The ground cracked, spiderweb fractures spreading everywhere.
One had to wonder why Tobirama bothered repairing the field.
But Hiruzen and the others…
Their eyes were wide, locked on Kazuku, not daring to blink.
His speed was too fast!
A single blink, and it took effort to track him again.
Kagami activated his Sharingan to observe.
"Is it my imagination, or is Kazuku stronger than a few days ago?" he couldn't help but say.
When Kazuku fought Danzo, his strength and speed didn't compare to now.
"Yeah," Hiruzen nodded, agreeing. "Must be the result of his physical training."
Danzo's face darkened.
He'd thought that by training relentlessly, he could close the gap with Kazuku.
Now, that seemed delusional!
Kazuku not only had terrifying talent but never slacked, pushing to grow stronger!
Someone better than you works harder than you—what's the point of your effort?
Danzo's fist clenched tightly. "Lord Hashirama's genes…"
"Hm? This chakra…" Hiruzen froze, his gaze on Kazuku and Batsu, but he sensed a familiar chakra behind a bush.
"Lord Tobirama?"
Hiruzen's mouth fell open, identifying the source.
Not only were they hiding in the bushes watching, but Tobirama was too!
In truth, Tobirama knew every detail of Kazuku's training.
Knowing today was his first combat training, he'd come to observe.
"Not bad," Tobirama murmured, crouching in the bushes, watching with relish.
What amazed him most…
Kazuku wasn't fighting recklessly.
He was absorbing experience from Batsu at a jaw-dropping rate!
Most crucially, if Kazuku could make the Eight Gates his combat norm…
He'd be unmatched in taijutsu!
"Making Batsu Kazuku's teacher was the right call."
"Batsu's speed and strength surpass Kazuku's now."
"This fight is Batsu holding back to let Kazuku gain more taijutsu skills."
No matter how Tobirama looked at it, this training was perfect for Kazuku.
Kazuku, unaware, couldn't sense chakra and was fully focused on Batsu.
He was like a sponge, soaking up Batsu's combat techniques.
"I think… I can use that move now," Kazuku muttered, an idea forming.
Though Hashirama and Tobirama knew monstrous strength, they relied on unmatched Wood Release or space-time ninjutsu.
They didn't depend on it.
But his sister, Tsunade, lacking Wood Release or Tobirama's ninjutsu…
Built on monstrous strength to create Painful Sky Leg!
And now, Kazuku felt he could do it too.
(End of Chapter)