He tested with shuriken, used Shadow Clones to confuse and lure in his opponent, feinted with Lightning Style Ninjutsu, and finally combined the Body Flicker Technique with the Hatake Clan Sword Technique to deliver a killing blow.
It could be said that Kakashi Hatake had displayed his tactics, strategy, and combat abilities to the fullest in this battle. He was also far stronger than many Chunin.
Just like Eiji Momoshiro, who had just lost to him.
When the battle ended, Hiruzen Sarutobi rose from his seat as well. In his capacity as the Third Hokage, he slowly walked to the front and faced the visibly exhausted Kakashi Hatake. With a benevolent smile, he said, "Kakashi, your performance completely exceeded my expectations. Even your father would be proud of you."
"It is precisely the appearance of gifted children like you that will allow Konoha to continue growing stronger."
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi addressed everyone present. "When we grow old, you will become the pillars of Konoha's future. I also hope you will remember the Will of Fire. Wherever leaves dance, flames will burn. The firelight will continue illuminating the village and allow new leaves to sprout."
With only a few words, Hiruzen Sarutobi had practically stirred up the emotions of everyone present. Even Kakashi Hatake and Eiji Momoshiro on the Training Ground were no exception.
Most of the students, having received such praise and expectations from Hiruzen Sarutobi, flushed with excitement.
Veigar, standing below the stage, recalled the people who had helped him during this time after hearing those words, despite not having much attachment to Konoha.
It had to be said that Hiruzen Sarutobi's ability to brainwash people with that pyramid-scheme spiel—cough! His ability to spread the Will of Fire—was incredibly powerful.
The evidence was conclusive: Hiruzen Sarutobi was absolutely using that pyramid-scheme brainwashing routine. Ahem.
The reactions of those around him left Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had surveyed the area, extremely satisfied. He immediately continued smiling as he said to Kakashi Hatake, "Kakashi, I hope you will uphold the Will of Fire, become a self-reliant ninja, and become one of Konoha's future pillars."
Before Kakashi Hatake could react, Hiruzen Sarutobi announced, "In my capacity as the Third Hokage, I hereby authorize Kakashi Hatake to officially graduate and become a Genin."
At last, he had received the result he wanted. Kakashi Hatake quickly dropped to one knee before Hiruzen Sarutobi and replied, "Thank you, Lord Third Hokage."
Kakashi Hatake forcibly suppressed his excitement, but the student crowd erupted.
"Wow, Kakashi is amazing! I want to graduate too."
"Kakashi is so incredible. If only I could date him..."
"Kakashi Hatake? I will definitely surpass you."
There were devoted boys, lovestruck girls, infatuated admirers, and those unwilling to lose to Kakashi Hatake. Though their attitudes differed, they all shared one thing at that moment: every pair of eyes was focused on Kakashi Hatake.
It was easy to imagine that from this moment onward, the news of Kakashi Hatake graduating from the Ninja Academy at the age of five as a genius would spread throughout the entire shinobi world over the next few days.
Konoha was also about to find itself at the center of attention, and the main reason for all this was merely Kakashi Hatake, a newly graduated rookie Genin.
In Kakashi Hatake's former elite class, the girl who had always paid attention to him, Rin Nohara, offered him her congratulations in her heart with a charming smile after seeing him become a Genin.
"Congratulations on becoming a Genin, Kakashi."
Obito Uchiha, who had always focused his attention on Rin Nohara and regarded Kakashi Hatake as his romantic rival, saw that Rin Nohara's gaze remained fixed on Kakashi Hatake. His jealousy boiled over, and he deliberately shouted, "So what if he graduated early? I, for one, will definitely become a ninja more powerful than Kakashi in the future."
Obito Uchiha's declaration did not win him any support, however. Instead, many of his classmates laughed at him because he was the Dead Last of the class.
Yet this very Dead Last would stir up the Fourth Great Ninja War in the future and truly become a ninja more powerful than Kakashi Hatake.
As for Kakashi Hatake's best friend, who could only use taijutsu now and would only use taijutsu in the future—the taijutsu master and Konoha's Azure Beast, Might Guy—he set himself the goal of defeating Kakashi Hatake.
"To celebrate Kakashi's graduation, I have decided to run twenty laps around the entire village after school."
"If I can't do that, I'll run thirty laps on my hands."
The classmates standing beside Might Guy all felt that he had gone insane.
It was four in the morning once again.
Five days had passed since Kakashi Hatake's graduation assessment. Veigar, who had kept a low profile and quietly developed his abilities, had already mastered the Body Replacement Technique.
Just as Veigar spotted the slaughterhouse where he worked in the distance, a figure suddenly appeared from the darkness and blocked his path.
"Hey, Vega Koshima."
Kakashi Hatake called out as he emerged from the darkness.
Veigar, who had been running, quickly stopped and stood a short distance in front of Kakashi Hatake. He asked in confusion, "Good morning, Kakashi."
"May I ask if something is wrong?"
"By the way, congratulations on graduating early and becoming a Genin."
Looking at Kakashi Hatake, Veigar felt as though he had deliberately been waiting for him. Though he was puzzled, he still greeted him with a smile.
"I helped you once last time. Now let's have a match."
Kakashi Hatake calmly stated his purpose to Veigar.
"Kakashi, I..."
Veigar had just begun to refuse when Kakashi Hatake interrupted him.
"Besides, I've been secretly observing you for several days. You should have mastered the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques by now."
As he spoke, Kakashi Hatake drew the short sword strapped to his back. Its cold blade flashed with a chilling gleam beneath the moonlight.
Upon hearing that Kakashi Hatake had been watching him for several days, Veigar's expression abruptly changed, becoming extremely ugly.
No one liked living under someone else's surveillance. Veigar was no exception.
However, knowing that he still could not defeat Kakashi Hatake, Veigar shook his head and refused. "Kakashi, I can't fight you."
"I'm sorry, but I still have work to do later. I'm leaving."
After saying that, Veigar prepared to walk around Kakashi Hatake and leave. Unexpectedly, Kakashi Hatake reached into his Ninja Tool Bag and pulled out something resembling a scroll, then threw it at Veigar.
Veigar instinctively caught it.
"This contains a sensory-type ninjutsu. If you fight me once, it's yours."
Kakashi Hatake had grasped Veigar's weakness perfectly. As someone born a civilian, Veigar truly needed ninjutsu right now.
"Why me?"
Though Veigar was tempted as he held the ninjutsu scroll, he still cautiously voiced the doubt in his heart.
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