The Match Against Hyuga

Kakashi quickly drew a kunai. Inuzuka Yasha simply turned his hands into claws and clashed directly with Kakashi's kunai. The Inuzuka clan's hands were their strongest weapons. The two were evenly matched.

Kakashi kept Inuyasha in the corner of his eye. When Inuyasha opened his mouth to bite, Kakashi used his hand for leverage, flipped over, and landed behind Inuzuka Yasha, escaping the dog's jaws.

Inuyasha couldn't stop himself in time and slammed his head straight into Inuzuka Yasha's arms.

"Hey, Inuyasha, what are you doing? I told you to attack Kakashi, and you went and bit me instead. I'm cutting your food in half."

Inuzuka Yasha held the dog's head and scolded him.

"Woof~"

Inuyasha let out a plaintive whimper.

Inuzuka Yasha released the dog's head and formed hand seals.

"Beast Mimicry Ninjutsu: Four Legs Technique."

He pressed both hands against the ground. A pale blue Chakra radiated from his body, and the nails on his hands grew longer and thicker.

"In this state, both my speed and strength will multiply. You can still give up while you have the chance."

On all fours, Inuzuka Yasha spoke to Kakashi. This was the last chance he was giving him.

"Don't waste everyone's time. Just hurry up and attack."

Seeing that Kakashi wouldn't budge, Inuzuka Yasha spoke up.

"Inuyasha, let's go!"

"Woof!"

Inuzuka Yasha moved so fast he became a blur, charging straight at Kakashi.

"So fast!"

Kakashi quickly threw the kunai in his hand, then immediately drew several shuriken in an attempt to slow his opponent down. But things didn't go as he'd hoped. The kunai and shuriken were deflected by the Chakra coating Inuzuka Yasha before they could reach him. They were completely ineffective.

With no other choice, Kakashi had to fight at close range. But he was clearly no match for Inuzuka Yasha in this state—especially with Yasha's partner helping him. After a few exchanges, Kakashi was already injured. A single swipe sent him flying.

Hatake Sakumo, watching from the stands, felt his heart twist when he saw Kakashi get hurt. He believed in Kakashi's abilities, but seeing him injured still worried him.

"Give up, Kakashi! You've done well to last this long. You're still too young to take the Chunin Exams."

Inuzuka Yasha proudly proclaimed his strength, hoping Kakashi would come to his senses.

The only response was Kakashi's calm, cool voice.

"Come on, then."

"Hmph. You refuse to take the easy way out, so I guess I've been too kind. I'll finish you off in the next round."

"Inuyasha!"

Inuzuka Yasha shouted. With a "poof," two Inuzuka Yashas appeared on the field. This was the Inuzuka clan's unique Transformation Technique.

Then the two of them charged at Kakashi. Kakashi retreated while forming hand seals, his hands moving so fast that only someone who'd been single for twenty years could manage it. They blurred with speed.

"Lightning Release: Ground Run!"

Lightning flashed in Kakashi's hand. He swept it toward the ground, and thin streaks of electricity spread outward from him. The two Inuzuka Yashas had no time to react. No matter how fast they were, they couldn't outrun lightning.

The electric arcs struck them directly. Their bodies went numb, and their movements slowed.

Kakashi wasn't about to let such a good opportunity pass. He rushed in and kicked Inuzuka Yasha in the stomach, sending him into the air. While Yasha was airborne and unable to brace himself, Kakashi leaped up and kicked him again.

With a "thud," Inuzuka Yasha landed face-down on the ground. Just as Kakashi moved in to press his advantage, Inuyasha stood in front of his partner and blocked Kakashi's attack. The tide of battle turned in an instant.

Inuzuka Yasha took the opportunity to recover and got back to his feet. The arrogance he'd shown earlier was gone; now he treated Kakashi as a worthy opponent.

Kakashi knew he had no choice but to take a risky approach.

He threw out several smoke bombs, then drew the ninja sword strapped to his back and charged straight at Inuzuka Yasha. The smoke blocked their vision, and its smell was a potent weapon against the Inuzuka clan. When Inuzuka Yasha caught the scent, he hurriedly covered his nose and mouth, but it was too late. He could only cough uncontrollably, giving Kakashi an opening.

Kakashi swiftly pummeled Inuyasha with punches and kicks. As a dog, Inuyasha was even more affected by the smell than Inuzuka Yasha and had no chance to fight back. Inuzuka Yasha couldn't get to him in time. Kakashi kicked Inuyasha into a wall, knocking him unconscious.

Now only Kakashi and Inuzuka Yasha remained, one-on-one. Seeing how Kakashi had treated his partner, Inuzuka Yasha flew into a rage. He was even faster than before, and Kakashi struggled to defend himself. His wounds kept multiplying. He knew this had become a contest of stamina: whoever ran out of strength first would lose. Inuzuka Yasha gradually slowed, and his blows weakened. Kakashi knew his chance had come. He wielded Hatake Family Swordsmanship faster and faster. One slash tore through Inuzuka Yasha's clothes, drawing blood.

Kakashi pressed his advantage. The moment he landed a hit, he intensified his assault. Inuzuka Yasha's wounds piled up, and the Chakra sustaining his Four Legs Technique began to run out. He returned to his original state. After maintaining the technique for so long, his body couldn't take any more. He couldn't dodge Kakashi's final strike.

Kakashi's sword came to a steady stop at Inuzuka Yasha's throat.

"I lose."

Inuzuka Yasha paid the price for his pride, then collapsed.

Kakashi also lacked the strength to go on and dropped to one knee in the arena.

The Jonin examiner announced:

"The winner is Hatake Kakashi!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the arena erupted in enthusiastic cheers, celebrating the match.

Kakashi was carried away for treatment. There was nothing seriously wrong with him; he was simply exhausted.

Three more matches followed, and then it was time for the final match.

"Up next, Hatake Karot versus Hyuga Koji. Both contestants, enter the arena."

Karot and Hyuga Koji jumped into the arena at the same time.

Hyuga Koji wore an extremely serious expression, the typical look of someone from the Hyuga clan. His teammate Hyuga Sanada was completely different—he was a total tsundere.

"Begin!"

At the examiner's words, the final match of the Chunin Exams began.

"I won't go easy on you."

The veins bulged at the sides of Hyuga Koji's eyes as he activated his Byakugan.

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

Hyuga Koji used his Byakugan to examine Karot's entire body and was astonished to find not a trace of Chakra inside him. He was shocked.

"Your body...?"

Hyuga Koji asked in surprise.

"You noticed."

As expected of the Hyuga clan's Byakugan. Using it to see through people would be a surefire way to make a profit.