Truly Amazing

Chapter 24: Truly Amazing

"I'm ready too."

Saito Daisuke was shocked by Kagato's strength.

Suzuki Genji smiled faintly.

"Then I have no problem here either."

Kakashi flickered and appeared in the center of the training ground, hands in his pockets, bells casually hanging from his waist.

"Well then, let's begin."

Kakashi would not actively attack during this test; he would only defend passively. Therefore, even though he said "begin," as long as Kagato and the others didn't attack first, Kakashi wouldn't make a move.

Kagato didn't intend to attack immediately. He first looked towards the other two and asked.

"I think, if possible, it would be best for us to introduce our abilities first. You've already seen mine; I specialize in the Body Flicker Technique. Besides the Three Body Technique, I also know the Great Fireball Technique and the Flower Scattering Dance Crimson Claw Technique. What about you two? Of course, it's okay if you don't want to say; I just thought introducing our abilities beforehand would be helpful for our future cooperation."

Suzuki Genji looked at Kagato with a playful expression.

"Hey, Kagato, do you think, or rather, do you believe we can cooperate?"

Kagato pursed his lips, remaining silent. He understood what Suzuki Genji meant and couldn't answer immediately.

Suzuki Genji continued, "But there are only two bells! Kagato."

This was the crux of the problem. Kagato knew they could pass the test if they cooperated, but did the other two know that?

They didn't. In their eyes, there were only two bells, and one person had to be eliminated. In that case, what was the point of cooperating? Anyone could be eliminated, meaning everyone was an enemy, and cooperation was impossible.

Kagato took a deep breath. "Let's cooperate. I'm willing to give up my bell..."

"However, I am willing to cooperate with you."

Before Kagato could finish speaking, Suzuki Genji interrupted him.

Kagato looked at Suzuki Genji strangely. He couldn't quite figure her out. She had previously pointed out the key issue and seemed unwilling to cooperate, but then, just seconds later, she said she was willing to cooperate.

Kagato didn't know what she was thinking and could only offer his thanks.

"Thank you."

Then, Kagato turned his gaze back to Saito Daisuke.

"Daisuke, what about you? Let's cooperate. I'm willing to give up my spot so you two can advance."

Daisuke looked at Kagato in disbelief, then spoke angrily.

"Damn it!! Are all Uchiha guys as arrogant as you?! Don't take becoming a ninja lightly, you bastard! Fight with all your might to grab a bell! I'm willing to cooperate with you, but only if you fight with all your might to grab a bell. You absolutely, absolutely cannot deliberately let me have it, understand? You damn Uchiha!"

Kagato looked at Saito Daisuke before him, feeling a warmth in his heart, and said with a chuckle.

"It's fine, I don't mind."

Saito Daisuke became completely enraged.

"Genius! Genius! Is this what geniuses are like? You easily obtained what others desired, and so you think it's nothing, right? You graduated from the Ninja Academy in a year. In your eyes, the so-called Genin means nothing. But, but do you know how people like us, ordinary people, feel? The Genin that you geniuses can get effortlessly, and even look down upon, is, in my eyes, the result of six years of hard work! Don't you dare look down on this Genin, you bastard!

Although I don't want to be eliminated here, I even less want to see my six-year dream being looked down upon. That was, that was my six-year dream!"

Kagato couldn't help but be moved. He fell silent. Then, Kagato bowed to Saito Daisuke and said with deep apology.

"I'm very sorry, Daisuke. Let me say it again: Daisuke, are you willing to cooperate with me? However, I will not give up the bell that belongs to me."

Saito Daisuke said indignantly.

"Of course. Let me tell you about myself first. I know the basic Three Body Technique, but as for anything else, hmph, even so, I will definitely grab a bell and become a ninja!"

Clearly, Saito Daisuke's talent was average. Like many ordinary students, he only knew the Three Body Technique when he first started. Other aspects, like shuriken and taijutsu, weren't very strong.

Suzuki Genji smiled faintly.

"I know the basic Three Body Technique too. Likewise, I won't give up my bell."

Suzuki Genji's meaning was clear: she was saying she was no different from ordinary students.

As the three were still discussing, a hint of warmth flashed in Kakashi's eyes. Looking at Saito Daisuke, Kakashi felt as if he were seeing Obito back then – mediocre talent, even somewhat lacking, but possessing the resolve and drive to fight for his dream.

Saito Daisuke's words just now had also touched Kakashi. Yes, hadn't he himself looked down on the so-called Genin back then? A Jonin at twelve, stealing the spotlight. At that time, looking at Obito, who was a Genin, he simply saw him as a burden. If he had valued Obito and Rin more back then and cooperated actively with them...

A pang of pain in his heart, Kakashi refused to think further. He turned to look at Kagato. In him, Kakashi seemed to see his younger self, also bearing the name of a genius, also convincing his teammates with his strength. Would such a person value his teammates?

Thinking of Kagato's apology just now, a genius bowing in apology to an ordinary person? Kakashi smiled slightly and thought to himself.

Perhaps, he is different from me.

Meanwhile, on Kagato's side, the arrangements were made.

"Alright, let's begin the operation!"

As the words fell, the three began to move, circling Kakashi rapidly.

This was a formation taught in the Ninja Academy, a very simple one: the three would continuously circle the target, taking turns attacking, preventing the target from reacting to the successive assaults and thus defeating them.

This formation wasn't very effective against a Jonin like Kakashi, but Kagato couldn't think of a better plan in such a short time. The best he could do was use tactics everyone knew, which would at least make their attempt look somewhat decent.

Suzuki Genji attacked first, suddenly charging out of the formation and reaching for the bell on Kakashi's waist.

With a spin, Kakashi easily dodged Suzuki Genji's attack.

But immediately following was Saito Daisuke's attack!

Of course, while it was called an attack, in Kagato's eyes, it was no different from simply running over to try and grab the bell.

Kakashi easily dodged Saito Daisuke's attack, circled behind him, and gave him a strong shove, sending Saito Daisuke flying and tumbling.

And after Saito Daisuke came Kagato!

Kakashi instantly grabbed the hand reaching for the bell and, without hesitation, spun and kicked sideways.

"Pfft!"

Kagato's main body was sent flying by the fierce kick.

The Shadow Clone Jutsu he'd sent to grab the bell and distract Kakashi also vanished into a puff of white mist.

Kakashi blocked attacks from the other two after Kagato while speaking.

"Your Body Flicker Technique and Shadow Clones are pretty good, but don't expect me to fall for the same trick twice."

Kagato didn't care what Kakashi was saying; he just wanted to complain, "Why is he hitting me so hard?"

Next, Kagato and the others continued their assault without pause.

At this point, Kagato noticed that Kakashi always just dodged Suzuki Genji's attacks, only toyed with Saito Daisuke, making him fall, but when it came to him, Uchiha Kagato, Kakashi was kicking him hard. Although Kakashi controlled the force and didn't cause any serious injuries, this preferential treatment really made Kagato depressed.

There wasn't much to say about the three of them fighting; it was hardly different from ordinary people fighting for bells, maybe just a bit faster. The only one with any hope was Kagato, but Kagato also realized that Kakashi was playing around with Saito Daisuke and Suzuki Genji, but he was seriously dominating Kagato.

Kakashi seemed to be giving Kagato special "attention," making him, who had the most hope of grabbing the bell, now seem like the least likely to succeed.

Suzuki Genji and Saito Daisuke could still exchange blows with Kakashi after a while, but Kagato? He'd get kicked back every time he charged forward, without wasting any time.

Kagato declared that he had three words he absolutely had to say today! Kicking him like this, did he really think Uchiha Kagato had no temper? He would risk his life to loudly shout those three words.

Well, looking at Kakashi's kind eyes, Kagato shouted.

"Amazing!"