Haotian Wins the Stunning Duel, Kakashi Falls, and a New Journey Begins

The atmosphere in the Hokage Building's conference room was so heavy it seemed ready to drip with water.

Beyond the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, the dust on the training ground had yet to fully settle, but the outcome of the battle had been clearly conveyed to everyone's eyes.

The Third Hokage took a deep drag from his pipe. Amid the curling smoke, a complicated light flickered in his weathered eyes.

"I never expected Kakashi to lose," Minato said quietly, his fists clenching unconsciously.

He had wanted to step in and stop the duel, but the Third Hokage had stopped him.

"Let them continue, Minato. This battle is crucial to both of them." The Third Hokage's voice was low and firm, as though it carried some deeper meaning.

Minato turned his gaze back outside. He was not worried about Kakashi's safety; what concerned him more was the blow this defeat might deal Kakashi.

Kakashi's talent was beyond doubt, but his heart had always carried the weight of a painful past.

Would this defeat plunge him once more into the abyss of self-doubt?

The other higher-ups in the conference room also fell silent.

Some were stunned by Haotian's strength, some regretted Kakashi's defeat, and some were puzzled by the significance of this duel.

But no matter what, they all understood that this battle would have far-reaching consequences for Konoha's future.

Meanwhile, outside the training ground, Genma's eyes were wide, his mouth open enough to fit an egg inside.

"H-How is this possible?" he muttered, as though unable to believe what he was seeing.

In his eyes, Kakashi's strength far surpassed Haotian's. This victory was practically unbelievable.

Guy, however, appeared unusually calm, with even a faint smile at the corner of his lips.

"I knew Haotian would win!" He clenched his fists, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

"The flames of youth never go out!"

The other nearby shinobi were likewise stunned.

Some revered Haotian's strength, some regretted Kakashi's defeat, and some were puzzled by the significance of the duel.

But no matter what, they all understood that Konoha was about to enter a new era.

On the training ground, Haotian's hand was still clamped tightly around Kakashi's throat. Kakashi struggled to breathe, his face flushed red. He tried to speak, but only broken sounds came out. "You... why...?"

Haotian looked at him coldly, without the slightest hint of pity in his eyes.

"Why?" he repeated Kakashi's words, a cold smile tugging at his lips. "Want to know the answer?" He violently hurled Kakashi to the ground and looked down at him. "Then remember every word I'm about to say..."

Amid the dust-filled training ground, Haotian's hand gripped Kakashi's throat like an iron vise.

Kakashi's face was red, ragged gasps tearing from his throat like those of a dying beast.

He struggled, but he could not break free from Haotian's powerful grip.

The feeling of suffocation surged over him like a tide. The world gradually blurred before his eyes, while a persistent buzzing filled his ears.

He forced out a few words. "...Wh...y..."

Haotian looked down at the powerless Kakashi struggling beneath him, a cold curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Why? Kakashi, do you really want to know why?" His voice was low and hoarse, like the whisper of a demon from hell.

At that moment, Haotian radiated a terrifying pressure, like a beast poised to devour its prey.

Kakashi's heart was filled with fear and unease.

He felt like prey caught by a hunter, left with no choice but to be slaughtered at another's mercy.

That sense of helplessness reminded him of the pain of losing his father, of the mocking and contemptuous stares, of the loneliness of licking his wounds alone in the dark.

"Because you're too weak," Haotian said, enunciating every word. Each one struck Kakashi's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Weak?" Kakashi managed to force out a single word.

"Because I'm standing here right now, while you're lying on the ground like a dead dog." Haotian tightened his grip, making it even harder for Kakashi to breathe.

"You..." Kakashi's eyes were filled with anger and humiliation. Clenching his teeth, he roared with all his strength, "You only... won because... you used despicable methods..."

"Despicable?" Haotian suddenly laughed, the sound cold and piercing. "Kakashi, you and that so-called hero father of yours both live in false glory. He abandoned a mission for the sake of so-called 'rules,' causing his comrades to die. Is that the 'hero' you're so proud of?"

"Shut up!" Kakashi's eyes flew wide open, bloodshot with rage. "Don't you dare insult my father!"

"Insult?" Haotian's gaze turned sharp. He swung his hand and viciously slapped Kakashi across the face. The crisp smack rang especially harshly across the silent training ground.

Kakashi's cheek immediately swelled, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

The shinobi watching from around them all held their breath, not daring to make a single sound.