First Battle, Kakashi

Hatake Kakashi was cold and aloof, but that didn't mean he lacked a competitive streak.

Especially after seeing Uchiha Yue's strength grow at an astonishing rate, and his own title as the Ninja Academy's top prodigy challenged, Hatake Kakashi had subconsciously begun to regard Uchiha Yue as a formidable rival. He probably wouldn't have been willing to admit it, but he truly saw Uchiha Yue as a threat.

However, Uchiha Yue remained completely unfazed by Hatake Kakashi's provocation. It wasn't enough to make him angry.

But Hatake Kakashi's actions did enrage someone: Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Yue's friend. After spending so much time together, Uchiha Obito had come to regard Uchiha Yue as his best friend. How could he stand by and watch someone provoke his friend? Besides, ever since meeting Hatake Dansui, Uchiha Obito had disliked everyone in the Hatake Clan.

Now, seeing Hatake Kakashi openly issue a challenge, the impulsive Uchiha Obito rolled up his sleeves and stormed toward him. As he went, he angrily exclaimed, "Yue, those Hatake Clan guys are so annoying! Let me take care of this guy for you!"

"Obito, don't forget. This is my stage."

Stopping Uchiha Obito from going to challenge him, Uchiha Yue slowly shook his head. "Obito, as long as we're at the Ninja Academy, you'll have a chance to challenge Hatake Kakashi. But this is my stage, and you can't interfere. We're good friends, aren't we? You wouldn't want me to embarrass myself in front of all these people, would you?"

Hearing Uchiha Yue's words, Uchiha Obito snorted. "Fine, I'll listen to you, Yue! But don't forget to teach that annoying guy a good lesson. Just looking at him makes me mad!"

"Of course. I'll make sure to teach him a good lesson!"

After speaking briefly with Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Yue watched him and Rin head toward the stands to watch the fight in the training ground. Once they had left, Uchiha Yue shifted his gaze to Hatake Kakashi, a fierce fighting spirit suddenly rising in his eyes.

He had waited for this for three whole months. Uchiha Yue could hardly wait to fight Hatake Kakashi.

And Hatake Kakashi, the Ninja Academy's top prodigy, hadn't faced a worthy opponent in who knew how long.

So, just like Uchiha Yue, Hatake Kakashi was eager to meet a worthy opponent. Uchiha Yue was clearly a challenger worth getting excited about!

Before the fight, neither Uchiha Yue nor Hatake Kakashi said another word. They silently adjusted their states.

Though Uchiha Yue and Hatake Kakashi stood below the arena with serious expressions, the spectators in the stands were quite relaxed.

To the audience who had come to watch the duel, it didn't matter who won. They were just there for the spectacle.

Still, they were hoping Uchiha Yue could defeat Hatake Kakashi. After all, Hatake Kakashi was so famous in Konoha that someone needed to knock him down a peg.

Then...

As the surrounding noise gradually died away, Uchiha Yue and Hatake Kakashi finished adjusting their states.

Perhaps because he hadn't faced a worthy challenger in a long time, Hatake Kakashi was so excited after preparing himself that he launched the first attack without waiting!

"So fast!"

Someone in the stands cried out, and the spectators around him echoed the exclamation.

Hatake Kakashi really was incredibly fast. Even his chakra control was far beyond that of ordinary Ninja Academy students. The instant his feet left the ground, he released chakra beneath them, accelerating to his maximum speed. That was why he could close the distance to Uchiha Yue like a bullet leaving the barrel of a gun.

As Hatake Kakashi drew closer, he also kept in mind the ninjutsu Uchiha Yue had used last time. The new technique Uchiha Yue had demonstrated in their previous battle had caught the attention of many observant people, and Hatake Kakashi was one of them.

To defeat Uchiha Yue, Hatake Kakashi had done his homework. Studying his opponent's abilities was part of it.

With Uchiha Yue right before him, Hatake Kakashi finally closed to within two steps. A flash of cold light suddenly appeared!

"The White Fang Blade!"

Uchiha Yue had been watching Hatake Kakashi's every move, so he could naturally see his opponent's attack clearly.

But even with his powerful spiritual energy, which let him analyze Hatake Kakashi's attack trajectory, Uchiha Yue's pupils still contracted when he saw the weapon Hatake Kakashi drew. The weapon in Hatake Kakashi's hand was none other than the peerless blade that had accompanied Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, as he made his name throughout the Shinobi World!

What concerned Uchiha Yue even more was that Hatake Kakashi's skill in Hatake Sword Style clearly surpassed that of his cousin, Hatake Dansui, by far!

"I can't take him head-on!"

Seeing Hatake Kakashi's skill for himself, Uchiha Yue suddenly had that thought. He immediately formed Hand Seals.

"Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist!"

"Bang..."

Just as Hatake Kakashi's White Fang Blade was about to strike Uchiha Yue, Uchiha Yue formed Hand Seals and used Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist. All that remained was an afterimage for Hatake Kakashi to attack. But Hatake Kakashi had apparently guessed how Uchiha Yue would dodge, and as soon as Uchiha Yue used Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist, he began searching for him.

Sure enough, Hatake Kakashi sensed Uchiha Yue's presence to his right.

Without the slightest hesitation, Hatake Kakashi swung again, slashing straight toward the spot where he sensed Uchiha Yue!

"Whoosh..."

The force of the blade flashed past. Hatake Kakashi's attack was so swift and fierce that some spectators couldn't even see the path of his sword.

But after Hatake Kakashi slashed toward the spot where he sensed Uchiha Yue, a flicker of surprise suddenly crossed his otherwise calm gaze!

An afterimage of Uchiha Yue remained where Hatake Kakashi's blade had passed!

Though the afterimage was slowly fading, its presence meant that Hatake Kakashi's attack had missed once again!

And just as surprise flashed across Hatake Kakashi's eyes, as he realized Uchiha Yue had completely outplayed him...

Uchiha Yue's voice suddenly came from behind him!

"Hatake Kakashi, that was a new technique I developed—the Falling Moon Style: Double Afterimage Fist!"

"You fell for it!"