In a flash of sharp light, Biwa Juzo's real body silently appeared behind Kakashi. His kunai slipped into flesh, completing an almost perfect Silent Killing Technique.
"A ninja's battle is all about deception."
"Kid... this lesson isn't free."
Biwa Juzo's icy voice echoed.
"Is that so..."
"I think so too."
Kakashi's voice came from nearby. He calmly watched the 'himself' that had been stabbed through.
Biwa Juzo's expression changed completely, fear and disbelief written across his face.
"How is that possible?! I clearly stabbed the real one!"
Kakashi held out his right hand, revealing the [Thousand Transformations]. His one eye showed that everything was under control.
The 'Kakashi' in front of Biwa Juzo immediately scattered into a mass of threads. Like venomous snakes, they coiled around him, baring their sharp fangs.
Ninja Art: Thread Clone Technique.
It was a clone technique Kakashi had developed after obtaining [Thousand Transformations]. It used less Chakra while granting greater resistance to attacks than a Shadow Clone.
Kakashi had tested it. The Thread Clone Technique's durability was second only to Yamato's Wood Clone Technique. Even Biwa Juzo, with his countless kills and finely honed instincts, had believed he'd stabbed a real body.
"This lesson really isn't free..."
Kakashi slowly closed his right hand. A metallic screech that set one's teeth on edge rang out.
The Cutter Threads surrounding Biwa Juzo moved in an instant. Flesh and limbs flew everywhere, leaving a former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist with no body intact.
Seeing Biwa Juzo truly dead, Kakashi let out a sigh of relief.
As a Ninja Swordsman who wielded Kubikiribōchō, Biwa Juzo was exceptionally powerful. His near-peerless assassination skills, in particular, made him difficult to detect.
In only a few exchanges, he had repeatedly put Kakashi in danger.
"If this had