A Worthy Rival

"Falling Moon Style: Double Afterimage Fist?"

"Uchiha Yue actually developed another new jutsu?!"

When Uchiha Yue's voice came from behind him, shock flashed through Hatake Kakashi's eyes, and even his normally calm mind fell into disarray.

Seeing Hatake Kakashi frozen in place, Uchiha Yue's lips curled into a faint smile.

Clearly, he had said those words to throw off Hatake Kakashi's concentration, then launch an attack!

"Whoosh..."

Uchiha Yue pulled a kunai from his weapon pouch and threw it without hesitation, aiming straight for the small of Hatake Kakashi's back.

But just as the kunai was about to strike, Hatake Kakashi abruptly turned and knocked it aside with the White Fang Blade in his hand. Still, one failed attempt wasn't enough to discourage Uchiha Yue. He immediately began putting distance between them, intending to defeat Hatake Kakashi with his own sharp kunai-throwing technique.

Meanwhile, because Uchiha Yue and Hatake Kakashi's fight was so intense, the spectators who had been watching casually grew solemn. The only sounds in the training ground were the two boys' battle and the audience's heavy breathing.

Before anyone realized it, Uchiha Yue and Hatake Kakashi's thrilling fight had captivated everyone in the stands!

"Whoosh..."

Another kunai flew through the air, only for Hatake Kakashi to knock it to the ground with the White Fang Blade.

Uchiha Yue had thrown three kunai, and Hatake Kakashi had knocked down every one. Yet there wasn't a trace of emotion on Uchiha Yue's face, which only made Hatake Kakashi more puzzled. By all rights, having his attacks repeatedly seen through should have stirred some unease in him. But Uchiha Yue's composure so far was almost frightening.

And that only made Hatake Kakashi feel more exhilarated as he fought.

"It's been a long time since I've felt this way. I should thank you, Uchiha Yue!"

"But..."

"I'll be the one to win in the end—I, Hatake Kakashi!"

Firming his resolve once more, Hatake Kakashi's eyes suddenly flashed. Under Uchiha Yue's watchful gaze, he finally unleashed his full strength. In an instant, Uchiha Yue felt as if even his spiritual energy could no longer slow Hatake Kakashi's attacks.

It wasn't that anything was wrong with Uchiha Yue's spiritual energy. Hatake Kakashi was simply attacking so fast that it gave him that impression!

The Hatake Clan's swordsmanship had been fully incorporated into ninjutsu by Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo. It was no longer the sole province of samurai.

And when Hatake Kakashi used the Hatake Sword Style, there was a hint of Konoha's White Fang in it.

That fierce sword style seemed as if it had been created just for Hatake Kakashi. Even Uchiha Yue's spiritual energy couldn't lock onto his position in time!

The next second, Hatake Kakashi appeared in front of Uchiha Yue and kicked him hard in the chest.

But Uchiha Yue had timed his Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist with pinpoint accuracy.

So the instant Hatake Kakashi's toe touched his chest, Uchiha Yue calmly dodged the attack once more.

And the moment he slipped past Hatake Kakashi's attack, Uchiha Yue flung out six kunai!

Seeing all six kunai flying through the air at once, Hatake Kakashi's pupils contracted. He clearly hadn't expected Uchiha Yue to have another trick like this!

"He can throw six kunai at once and block off every avenue of escape!"

"Impressive!"

Hatake Kakashi praised him silently, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.

Clearly, Hatake Kakashi believed this was Uchiha Yue's final move. If he could counter the danger before him, he felt sure he would win. Uchiha Yue's kunai-throwing technique was so good that even an ordinary Genin would struggle to escape unscathed from an attack like this.

But who was Hatake Kakashi?

Hatake Kakashi was the top genius at the Ninja Academy, and the son of Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo. How could he compare to an ordinary Genin?

It was no exaggeration to say that Hatake Kakashi was already qualified to graduate from the Ninja Academy and become a Genin.

He simply wanted to build up his skills a little longer and make a brilliant debut once he became a ninja, which was why he hadn't graduated yet.

Then...

As the six kunai Uchiha Yue had thrown traced graceful arcs through the air and reached Hatake Kakashi, he finally swung the White Fang Blade in his hand. Hatake Kakashi had never intended to dodge the kunai. The moment Uchiha Yue threw them, he had already decided to take them head-on.

The kunai did wound his arm as he blocked them.

But the injury did nothing to hinder Hatake Kakashi's attack. A moment later, all six kunai Uchiha Yue had thrown clattered to the ground.

"You've lost, Uchiha Yue!"

Seeing that he had withstood Uchiha Yue's final move, Hatake Kakashi gripped the White Fang Blade with confidence and launched his last attack.

By now, neither Uchiha Yue nor Hatake Kakashi had much chakra left.

Hatake Kakashi especially had little to spare. If this attack failed, he might not have enough chakra to attack again.

As Hatake Kakashi advanced step by step, Uchiha Yue's spirits sank as well. He could tell this was his opponent's bid for victory!

"I have to win. I can't lose!"

As Hatake Kakashi drew closer, the same fierce determination to win spread through Uchiha Yue.

Uchiha Yue had more chakra than Hatake Kakashi, but it was worth remembering that he had also used far more chakra during their earlier fight. Gathering what little chakra he had left, Uchiha Yue took a deep breath as he faced Hatake Kakashi's fierce attack.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, Uchiha Yue didn't dodge Hatake Kakashi's attack!

He looked as if he intended to risk his life in a fight with Hatake Kakashi!

"He... isn't dodging!"

The White Fang Blade was only three steps away from piercing Uchiha Yue's chest.

If Hatake Kakashi really went through with it, no matter how tough Uchiha Yue was, the blade would kill him on the spot.

So, as he attacked, Hatake Kakashi hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to kill someone during a spar.

But that brief hesitation gave Uchiha Yue his opening!

Then...

With the White Fang Blade only centimeters from Uchiha Yue's chest, Uchiha Yue suddenly curled a finger.

"Whoosh..."

At the same time, the kunai Hatake Kakashi had knocked to the ground shot toward him from behind, guided by the movement of Uchiha Yue's finger!

Time seemed to freeze in that instant!

Hatake Kakashi's White Fang Blade was about to pierce Uchiha Yue's chest...

At the same time, the kunai controlled by Uchiha Yue was about to pierce Hatake Kakashi's back!

But in the next instant, just before they could kill each other...

Uchiha Yue and Hatake Kakashi both stopped. The White Fang Blade and the ordinary kunai halted at the same moment.

Looking at the White Fang Blade, now only a fraction of an inch from his chest, Uchiha Yue lifted his gaze to Hatake Kakashi. A smile appeared on his face.

"Hatake Kakashi, this time..."

"I guess it's a draw, isn't it?"