On Konoha's dedicated training ground, fierce winds howled past, wildly sweeping up the withered yellow leaves piled on the ground. The leaves danced through the air like hidden weapons on a battlefield, carrying a murderous chill. The air was thick with suffocating tension, so oppressive it was hard to breathe.
Guy's face was etched with worry as he carried the unconscious Genma in both arms. Summoning all his strength, he leaped to the edge of the training ground and landed steadily, hitting the ground with a heavy thud that sent dust flying.
After a long while, Genma finally came to. His eyes were clouded with confusion as he weakly glanced around, his gaze eventually settling on the two men fighting fiercely in the training ground. "Kakashi... has he gone mad? Can Haotian win?" he asked hoarsely, his voice filled with undisguised worry. His cracked lips trembled slightly.
Guy folded his arms tightly across his chest, his eyes blazing as he watched the fight. His voice was firm and decisive. "Have faith in Haotian. He can do it!" Yet his brow furrowed ever so slightly, and deep down, a trace of unease lingered. The fight was far more intense than anyone had expected. Would Haotian really strike to kill? Could he actually kill Kakashi? This wasn't an ordinary sparring match. Their lives could be decided in an instant.
From the very start, Kakashi had moved like a cheetah poised to pounce, displaying astonishing speed and strength. He knew that against a formidable opponent like Haotian, the key was to end the fight quickly. The Kunai in his hand gleamed with a chilling light as he thrust it at Haotian's throat like a bolt of lightning, moving so fast that it was almost impossible to follow.
Haotian's eyes narrowed at once. He didn't dare let his guard down for a moment. He nimbly dodged to the side, barely avoiding the fatal strike, while his right fist shot out like a cannonball, aimed at Kakashi's abdomen. Kakashi reacted with incredible speed and immediately raised his arm to block. A dull thud rang out, like a sledgehammer slamming into a steel plate. Kakashi felt a tremendous force crash into him like a landslide, leaving his entire arm numb and aching, almost as if he'd lost all feeling in it. This guy's strength is incredible! Kakashi marveled inwardly, though his expression remained calm and composed.
In the blink of an eye, the two were locked in close combat, trading blows in a relentless flurry. Every clash of fist and foot produced a heavy, powerful thump that echoed across the empty training ground like the pounding of war drums. Kakashi's Taijutsu was superb, every move vicious and unpredictable, leaving no room for defense. Yet Haotian's extraordinary strength repeatedly disrupted Kakashi's attacks. Every time their strength collided, Kakashi felt as though he were wrestling a beast of tremendous power, his entire body shuddering with each impact.
In the heat of the battle, Haotian keenly seized on a tiny opening in one of Kakashi's attacks. He picked his moment and slammed a heavy punch into Kakashi's chest. Crack! Kakashi even heard the faint snap of one of his ribs. He stumbled backward uncontrollably, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his mouth and standing out starkly against his pale face.
Seizing the opportunity, Kakashi struck back without hesitation. His Kunai shot out like a venomous snake, and Haotian grunted as a deep gash opened across his shoulder. Bright red blood gushed out like a burst dam, staining his clothes. But just as Kakashi thought he'd landed his blow, Haotian gave him a strange smile.
Before Kakashi could react, Haotian shot out a hand like a ghost and seized his arm, then twisted it with a sudden wrench. Crack! A sharp bone-breaking sound rang out. Kakashi felt a piercing pain and the Kunai slipped from his hand. "It's over, Kakashi!" Haotian roared, his eyes bloodshot, like a raging beast. Then he drove another powerful punch at Kakashi's abdomen, as if firing a cannonball.
Kakashi felt an unstoppable force slam into him. Like a kite with its string cut, he was hurled through the air, tracing an arc before crashing heavily to the ground and raising a huge cloud of dust. "How is this possible...?" Kakashi struggled to lift his head and looked at Haotian approaching him, shock and resentment filling his eyes.
Haotian steadily closed in, then looked down at Kakashi where he lay on the ground. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he said coldly, "I told you to be careful, or I'd kill you."
Kakashi gritted his teeth and struggled to get back to his feet. Blood from the corner of his mouth mingled with the dust, leaving him looking battered. His breathing was rapid and heavy; every breath seemed to tug at the pain throughout his body. Each of Haotian's blows had landed like a sledgehammer, as if determined to drain every last bit of strength from him. Yet there wasn't a hint of retreat in Kakashi's eyes. Instead, his fighting spirit burned even brighter.
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