Konoha, Training Ground 43.
Under the moonlight, the seven Chunin outside the training ground—Might Guy, Sarutobi Asuma, Mitaraishi Anko, Yūhi Kurenai, Izumo Kamizuki, Kotetsu Hagane, and Ebisu—all watched the center of the field with solemn expressions.
Uchiha Yoru, who was tall and developed early, faced Hatake Kakashi, whose entire body radiated a deathly stillness. The two had been classmates at the academy. They could not be called particularly close, since Kakashi had graduated shortly after arriving at the academy, but Yoru was certainly one of the few friends Kakashi had gotten along with well.
"Kakashi, how about we loosen up a little?" Uchiha Yoru said with a smile and a shrug. Although someone had deliberately stirred this up, he had his own selfish motives as well. Losing would not cost him anything—after all, Kakashi was already Konoha's most dazzling genius. But if he won, he would gain fame.
Kakashi looked at Uchiha Yoru, then at the gazes cast his way by all his former classmates. Perhaps someone had schemes behind this, but everyone also meant well and wanted to reignite his fighting spirit. He naturally understood that.
"Fine."
Kakashi was currently still in his Anbu period, the darkest time of his life. His words were short and straightforward, while his entire presence exuded coldness and indifference.
The night wind swept past as a leaf slowly drifted down. Under everyone's solemn gazes, the two figures vanished from their spots in an instant.
Bang! Bang!
When Kakashi and Uchiha Yoru reappeared, they were already exchanging rapid blows in taijutsu. The spectators' initial disdain for Uchiha Yoru vanished in an instant, replaced by solemn expressions.
They were all Chunin, after all. Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, and Mitaraishi Anko were even Elite Chunin, yet all they could see were afterimages—the afterimages of the two fighters