The scattered white snakes lay all over the ground, then suddenly surged toward Kakashi, gathering like flowing water.
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Kakashi was surprised for only an instant. His keen combat instincts immediately put him on guard, and he leaped into the air, drawing his short sword as he flipped backward.
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A pale blue chakra coated the blade, slicing through the gathering "current" as streaks of lightning danced along it.
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Lightning Release Chakra conduction!
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The maddened white snakes were swallowed by the spreading current. They hissed as they burned to ash.
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But Kakashi didn't pursue. Instead, he put some distance between them.
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Kakashi had already become a jōnin at twelve. Later, he joined the Fourth Hokage's Shadow Guard. After the Fourth's death, Danzo had manipulated him into joining Root, but when Kakashi switched sides during the assassination attempt on the Third Hokage, the Third recruited him into the Anbu.
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His life had taken a remarkable turn in just two short years.
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Yet that only proved he had extraordinary talent.
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But facing Akashi, Kakashi felt some pressure. Despite their succession of ninjutsu clashes and exchanges of attacks, he hadn't gained a clear advantage.
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His opponent was also at jōnin level.
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The fierce attacks he'd launched—including Fire Release, Wind Release, Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, and Snake Clone Technique—had consumed a great deal of chakra, yet Akashi still seemed full of energy.
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By now, both of them had forgotten why they'd started fighting. It had become a contest of sorts.
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There was a thrill in facing an even match!
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Perhaps my advantage over him still lies in kenjutsu.
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Kakashi made his decision in an instant.
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The next moment, he charged at Akashi. It was a simple thrust, yet impossible to dodge.
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There were no dazzling techniques, only speed that was hard to match.
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Fast!
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Kakashi had rarely used kenjutsu in public since White Fang's blade broke, but that didn't mean he'd grown rusty. On the contrary, he was called a genius precisely because he was better than others in every respect!
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Akashi sensed the danger and quickly reached for his ninja tool pouch, raising a kunai to block. The weapons struck with a clang, metal ringing against metal!
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The piercing sound made his teeth ache and his eardrums throb.
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The legendary lightning-fast slash of Konoha's White Fang had been recreated in Kakashi's hands. It wasn't perfect yet, but it already captured some of its essence.
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Hatake Kenjutsu was truly powerful!
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Kakashi had learned only the surface of his father's art, yet he'd already reached this level. How terrifying would it be if Hatake Sakumo himself wielded it?
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Akashi wanted to see that kind of kenjutsu.
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Unfortunately, as Kakashi grew up, he didn't pursue that path. Instead, he relied too heavily on the power of the Sharingan.
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Even so, Kakashi was confident he could win with the kenjutsu he took pride in. In another instant, he stepped forward, kicking up a cloud of dust and vanishing from Akashi's sight.
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His figure shifted slightly, and he attacked from the side again.
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His downward slash was intercepted once more.
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Then he changed direction again!
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Kakashi unleashed one slash after another, gradually gaining the upper hand.
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Akashi tightened his grip on the kunai, feeling the air currents. Gusts of wind swept past, cutting across his cheeks like blades.
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The Sharingan tracked Kakashi's movements as Akashi's nerves stretched taut.
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Here he comes!
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A flash of steel came at him from a diagonal angle, forty-five degrees to the side.
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Akashi twisted aside, turning his waist as far as he could and swinging his arm. With a clang, he knocked the short sword away.
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But the kunai snapped in half in an instant. Cracks spread across it, reaching even the handle, before both pieces fell to the ground.
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Akashi made a snap decision and retreated.
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Taking advantage, Kakashi leaped to the treetop and concealed himself, preparing to deliver a decisive blow.
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Rustling reached Akashi's ears. His gaze shifted as he pressed one hand to the ground, his sleeve twitching while he set white snakes in ambush.
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Soon, Kakashi's short sword stabbed toward him.
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Akashi watched for the instant Kakashi emerged, then swung his arm!
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Clang!
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With his last kunai, he blocked the thrust. His wrist trembled as they struggled for leverage, and the blade edged closer.
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"Give up." Kakashi switched to a two-handed grip.
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Akashi's expression didn't change. "So this is Chakra Blade kenjutsu?"
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"That's right."
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"Impressive." Akashi smiled faintly. "But unfortunately, I haven't lost yet."
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A hint of confusion crossed Kakashi's eyes, but then he felt something wriggling beneath his feet. It was... a snake!
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Snakes burst from the ground, coiling around his ankles and arms.
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"When?"
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"While you were inside the tree, I made a few preparations," Akashi explained. "You shouldn't underestimate me."
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Kakashi clenched his fists and tried to steady his breathing. "You shouldn't underestimate me, either."
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Poof!
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A cloud of smoke burst open, and Kakashi vanished.
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"A Shadow Clone?"
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Akashi was startled. Just then, another figure burst out of the treetop and appeared behind him.
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"That's right." Sweat dripped from Kakashi as he thrust with his short sword. "It's over."
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In an instant, Akashi spun around and flicked his sleeve. A long snake lunged out.
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Kakashi's expression grew even more serious, his hand slick with sweat around the hilt.
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They clashed again. This time, Akashi used both hands: one snake lunged at the blade while another coiled straight around Kakashi's arm.
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The next second, they both froze.
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Akashi's Gray Snake gaped wide, just two inches from Kakashi's neck. Kakashi's blade had severed most of the snakes before stopping at Akashi's shoulder, the Chakra Blade just barely cutting through his clothes.
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Surprise showed behind Kakashi's mask. Few people his age could trade blows with him so evenly.
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He'd defeated many Uchiha, but he'd never faced anyone like this.
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They were evenly matched.
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As if by mutual agreement, they both stopped and slowly backed away.
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Akashi deactivated his Sharingan and looked at the scattered pieces of snake. He let out a long breath. "This time, it's a draw."
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"Maybe you're right. I couldn't deliberately follow you without being noticed." Kakashi sheathed his sword. "But I'll say it again: I was just passing by."
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"I misunderstood. I'm really sorry. I'll treat you another day to make up for it." Akashi smiled.
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He knew Kakashi's personality. Kakashi kept insisting on it, so he must mean it. From the perspective of stealth and surveillance, making that much noise really didn't seem intentional.
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Kakashi gave a quiet snort. "Weirdo."
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With that, he glanced at Akashi and leaped away.
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Akashi watched Kakashi disappear into the distance, lost in thought. In this cruel world, everyone suffered in their own way, but Kakashi's life had been one tragedy after another.
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Could Kakashi really have no darkness in his heart?
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Or had his anger and confusion been buried beneath the bright, polished Will of Fire? Had he deceived himself to cover his wounds, forgotten his sorrowful past, and finally made peace with reality?
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The person who knew the most about what had happened back then was Orochimaru.
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There was still time, so Akashi immersed himself in training. Only when the sky had grown dim did he head out of the village.
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He passed through a narrow stone passage. Beyond the heavy door, Orochimaru was handling various reagents. Though his back was turned, he recognized Akashi's footsteps.
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"Why are you here? I didn't call for you today."
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"I thought I'd come and help."
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"Heh." Orochimaru clearly didn't believe him. He turned and, seeing Akashi covered in dust, grew curious. "What happened?"
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"I had a fight with Hatake Kakashi."
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"Oh?" Orochimaru suddenly grew interested. "That genius? Who's stronger, you or him?"
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Who was stronger?
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Akashi quickly reviewed their fight. In ordinary ninjutsu and taijutsu, they were evenly matched. Hatake Kenjutsu was indeed sharp, and their ninjutsu was about equal in power. But Akashi had a wider range of techniques and more chakra.
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Kakashi had only one Sharingan, and it consumed a great deal of chakra.
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If they kept fighting, Akashi estimated he would win by a narrow margin.
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He thought for a moment. "He's not weaker than me."
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But at that moment, strength wasn't what concerned him. He wanted to know the truth about what had happened back then.
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"Lord Orochimaru, I'd like to ask you something."
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"Go ahead."
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"White Fang's death."
Before you continue