Autumn Day's Instant vs. Kakashi

After his number was called, Akiyama Shun opened his eyes and stepped onto the combat arena.

He then used a summoning scroll to call forth a sword.

This was the item that came with drawing Gekko Hayate; since it was inconvenient to carry around, Akiyama Shun had simply stored it inside the summoning scroll.

The sword wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't great—it definitely couldn't compare to the White Fang of Konoha—but for the current Akiyama Shun, it was simply comfortable to use.

This move by Akiyama Shun immediately drew gasps from his classmates; after all, it was a form of ninjutsu, and they hadn't seen many students use one yet.

The only previous user had been a genius like Asuma, who had performed a Fire Style technique.

Hatake Kakashi's gaze remained indifferent; it was just a C-rank ninjutsu, something he could do as well. What surprised him more than that was the fact that Akiyama Shun had actually pulled out a sword!

However, since he was using a sword...

His confidence surged!

He had to admit that in many aspects, Akiyama Shun was stronger than him, but if it came to swordsmanship, he was confident he could crush Akiyama Shun!

This was the confidence instilled in him since childhood by his father, the White Fang of Konoha!

Hatake Kakashi drew the short blade his father had given him and walked into the combat arena.

As Hatake Kakashi entered the arena, the students present were stunned for a moment before erupting into enthusiastic cheers.

Even some passing teachers, seeing this scene, walked over to watch.

There was no helping it; these two were just too famous.

One was the Konoha genius who had been renowned since childhood, the son of the White Fang of Konoha, Hatake Kakashi!

The other was Akiyama Shun, who had begun to stand out after entering the Ninja Academy and had outperformed Hatake Kakashi in every aspect!

They all wanted to see what the result would be when these two geniuses clashed.

"Shun! Go for it!"

Yuhi Kurenai cupped her hands around her mouth and cheered loudly for Akiyama Shun.

"Akiyama Shun! Go! Beat that guy Kakashi into the ground!"

Just like when they were throwing shuriken earlier, Obito continued to cheer for Akiyama Shun; as long as he saw Hatake Kakashi getting beaten, he was happy.

"Damn it, who should I cheer for?"

Might Guy was different from them; at this moment, he was completely caught in a mental tug-of-war.

One was his rival, the other was his comrade.

Damn it!

It was so hard to choose!

In the end...

"Akiyama Shun, go for it!"

Hatake Kakashi didn't care who cheered for Akiyama Shun, but upon hearing Might Guy's voice, he completely lost his composure, turning his head to look at Might Guy with an indescribable expression.

You traitor!!

Being glared at by Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy felt a bit awkward and scratched his head.

"Kakashi, go for it too!"

The other students also split into two factions, one supporting Akiyama Shun and the other supporting Hatake Kakashi.

Just like that, amidst the lively cheers.

Kazama Shinya spoke up.

"Akiyama Shun versus Hatake Kakashi, both sides, perform the Seal of Confrontation!"

After saying this, Kazama Shinya turned and walked away, leaving the arena to the two of them.

Akiyama Shun and Hatake Kakashi simultaneously raised two fingers in front of their chests, completing the opening ritual.

The moment they lowered their hands!

"Whoosh!"

Hatake Kakashi's figure vanished from his spot in an instant, his short blade already drawn!

Moving at high speed, the swing of his blade cut through the air with a whistling sound, aimed straight at Akiyama Shun's chest!

Hatake Kakashi had intended to rely on this surprise attack to end the fight before Akiyama Shun could react!

However, Hatake Kakashi saw Akiyama Shun looking at him with a smile in his eyes.

The next moment.

"Clang!"

The sound of blades colliding rang out as Akiyama Shun easily blocked the attack.

Only then did the other students realize what had just happened.

The teachers watching from the sidelines grew solemn; Kakashi was truly a genius, having mastered the Body Flicker Technique at such a young age, but Akiyama Shun, who had blocked the attack with such ease, was even more terrifying.

Seeing his attack parried, Kakashi retreated rapidly to a distance he deemed safe.

The short blade slashed out once more!

"Clang!"

It was blocked effortlessly by Akiyama Shun yet again.

Refusing to accept this, Kakashi began attempting to strike Akiyama Shun from various angles!

In an instant, several slashes converged on Akiyama Shun from all directions almost simultaneously!

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

"..."

A dense, rhythmic clashing of steel rang out incessantly from where their blades met, with every one of Kakashi's attacks being perfectly parried by Akiyama Shun.

If the two were playing Sekiro, Kakashi's posture bar would have been full by now.

From the perspective of the others, they could only see dozens of blade flashes forming a circle around the pair, enveloping them both!

The movements of the two were completely impossible to track!

"This guy... is he really that strong?"

Obito clenched his fists; he had always known Kakashi was strong, but he never imagined Kakashi had reached such a level!

He wouldn't even be able to catch a single one of Kakashi's casual attacks!

The students could only watch the spectacle, but the teachers were different; they saw the battle with perfect clarity.

The fight appeared to be a stalemate, but in reality, it was nothing more than a mockery!

Some teachers who practiced swordsmanship even recognized that Akiyama Shun's technique was none other than the Konoha Style Swordsmanship developed by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama!

Kakashi's attacks were easily deflected by Akiyama Shun, and while Kakashi's expression grew increasingly grave, Akiyama Shun's remained unchanged, always carrying an air of ease.

A bead of sweat dripped from his forehead; Kakashi knew he could not remain in this stalemate any longer.

Seizing the moment Akiyama Shun parried, he twisted his wrist, and the short blade in his hand suddenly changed its trajectory, thrusting straight toward Akiyama Shun!

However, with a mere flick of his sword, Akiyama Shun easily blocked this attack as well.

He could even block that!?

While Kakashi was stunned and left wide open, Akiyama Shun delivered a heavy, powerful kick to his chest, sending Kakashi's body flying backward from the impact!

Mid-air, the sharp pain radiating through his body finally brought Kakashi to his senses, and he hurriedly adjusted his posture, holding his short blade in front of his chest.

However, the moment he steadied himself, Akiyama Shun was already upon him.

Dance of the Crescent Moon!

Two shadow clones appeared, striking simultaneously from the left and right, aiming directly for Kakashi's vitals!

Combined with Akiyama Shun's main body, all of Kakashi's escape routes were completely sealed off!

Too fast!

Kakashi had no time to parry with his short blade, and there was no way to dodge; every path of retreat had been cut off!

In his vision, it took only the blink of an eye for Akiyama Shun and his two clones to descend upon him.

However, this was merely a standard practical exam, not a real battlefield slaughter.

Akiyama Shun did not actually strike; he simply had the two shadow clones hold their blades against Kakashi's vitals before knocking his short blade away.

"Poof!"

After two sounds, the shadow clones vanished.

Only then did Kakashi react, collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion.

The sword in Akiyama Shun's hand followed, coming to rest pointed at Kakashi's neck.

"Well, it's over."