Sparring, Sparring, Sword Training (Please Bookmark, Follow, and Vote)

Ninja Academy, Training Ground.

It was another practical sparring class, and Taiichi and Might Guy were the ones on the field.

The two had already far surpassed ordinary Genin in Taijutsu. Even Yamada-sensei, a Chunin, had to stay fully focused whenever they sparred, lest an accident occur.

"Taiichi, you've gotten stronger again!"

"But I won't fall behind at all!"

Might Guy felt the pressure, but it only made his blood boil hotter. With every punch and kick, his strength grew greater and his speed faster.

Bang! Bang! Bang! The sounds of fists and feet colliding rang out without pause.

The two traded blows back and forth, neither able to gain the upper hand.

The watching students cheered for both of them. Interestingly, most of those cheering for Taiichi were girls, while most of those cheering for Guy were boys.

Kakashi, who was also watching, keenly noticed that Taichi Matsushita's strength had improved significantly. He knew Taiichi's Ninjutsu was quite impressive, especially his Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, which he had developed in all sorts of ways. Yet now, without using Ninjutsu, he was evenly matched with Guy through Taijutsu alone. One could only imagine how strong he truly was.

Yamada-sensei watched the match and nodded to himself in approval. It was not just Taiichi—there were quite a few outstanding ninja in this class. Still, it was a pity about Might Guy. His Taijutsu talent was so exceptional, yet his talent for Ninjutsu was poor.

After several dozen more exchanges, the two locked in close combat withdrew their fists at the same time and separated. Taichi Matsushita and Might Guy both dropped to one knee, drenched in sweat. Their heavy breathing could be heard even from the edge of the field. Neither had any strength left to continue.

"Taichi Matsushita, Might Guy, draw," Yamada-sensei announced.

After the two steadied their breathing and formed the Seal of Reconciliation, Yamada-sensei continued, "Next match: Hatake Kakashi versus Obito Uchiha."

Upon hearing their names, the two looked at each other. Kakashi maintained his usual aloof demeanor as he slowly walked onto the field. Obito Uchiha, however, turned to Rin and said, "Rin, watch me beat that annoying Kakashi flat." Rin Nohara could only look at him helplessly.

On the field, Obito said, "Kakashi, this time you'll definitely lose to my fists."

"If you didn't show up late every day, I might believe you," Kakashi replied flatly.

Obito immediately gritted his teeth. "You smug bastard, Kakashi. Just you wait."

Once the two formed the Seal of Confrontation, Obito charged forward impatiently. Their fierce clash began, and it was no less impressive than the battle between Taiichi and Guy just now.

The girls watching around them cheered for Kakashi in unison. This only made Obito even more furious, and his attacks became increasingly fierce.

Taiichi shut out all distractions, his gaze fixed tightly on the two fighters.

He was not the only one improving. Everyone was improving. Even Obito had made tremendous progress.

After more than twenty exchanges, Kakashi seized an opening and sent Obito flying with a kick.

While still in midair, Obito adjusted his posture. After landing, he used the momentum to roll several times, then leaped back to his feet and rushed forward again with a Kunai in hand.

Kakashi also drew a Kunai. Amid the clanging of the weapons striking each other, sparks flew from where the two figures clashed.

"Looks like Kakashi has started learning swordsmanship." Taiichi could see traces of swordsmanship in Kakashi's moves, a marked difference from their previous fight. After all, Kakashi had a father who was a master swordsman known as the White Fang of Konoha.

Thinking about it, Taiichi wondered if he should learn swordsmanship too. Compared to a close-range weapon like a Kunai, he personally preferred a sword.

After another dozen exchanges, Obito, who had once again fallen into a disadvantage, suddenly retreated repeatedly. After putting some distance between them, he began forming hand seals. His cheeks puffed out, and then he opened his mouth and spewed forth a torrent of flames.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique. This was practically a standard Ninjutsu of the Uchiha clan.

Taiichi was startled when he saw it. This was the first time he had seen Obito use Ninjutsu.

But he soon understood. Even though Obito lived only with his grandmother, he was still the descendant of a powerful clan. His family naturally had a standard ninja training system, unlike civilian ninja, who had to struggle desperately just to acquire a single Ninjutsu.

Kakashi, meanwhile, remained completely calm. He formed hand seals as well, then slammed his hand onto the ground. The earth immediately churned, and a wall of earth rose up from the ground.

It was Earth Style: Earth Wall.

Boom!

The spherical flames crashed into the earth wall, then scattered outward in all directions, forcing the many watching students to retreat.

"Tch."

His carefully prepared Ninjutsu had accomplished nothing. Obito pursed his lips unwillingly and charged forward again.

"That's the gap between people!"

Although this class was full of geniuses, the differences between individuals were still enormous. In Taiichi's class alone, people like Kakashi and Obito had already mastered several Ninjutsu, while some civilian ninja still could not even use the Three Body Technique proficiently.

Taiichi could not help sighing to himself.

It was obvious that Kakashi had not gone all out when he fought them in the past. He had relied purely on Taijutsu. Judging from how skillfully he used the technique now, he clearly had not only just learned Earth Style.

You could see your own efforts, but not the efforts of others. That did not mean they did not exist.

With Kakashi's background, he had probably begun training when he was three or four years old.

Still, Taiichi would not belittle himself. With the panel, as long as he worked hard and advanced step by step, he would not be inferior to anyone. Had he not already caught up now?

After another dozen exchanges, Kakashi used a clone to deceive the reckless Obito. He then kicked Obito away and, before he could get back up, held a Kunai before his eyes.

Obito was unwilling, but he could only lower his head and admit defeat.

Watching their battle from the side, Yamada-sensei sighed repeatedly. "Kakashi is the son of the White Fang of Konoha. He is naturally gifted and has inherited his family's skills. He will definitely become an outstanding ninja in the future."

"As for Obito Uchiha, his practical combat ability is also quite good. At such a young age, he can already use the Great Fireball Technique. That shows he lacks neither talent nor diligence. He is just a little rash by nature, and that still needs to be tempered."

When Kakashi saw Obito concede, he graciously extended a hand. Obito glanced at it, then reluctantly took Kakashi's hand and got to his feet.

The two then formed the Seal of Reconciliation.

Next, Asuma, Rin Nohara, Shizune, and the others took the field one after another. Their months of study and training had not been for nothing. Unlike the sparring match at the start of the school year, everyone could now mix the Three Body Technique and Ninja Tools into their fights. Asuma and the others could even occasionally show off one or two Wind Style techniques.

It was clear just how much everyone had improved during this time.

After school, Taiichi, Guy, and Kakashi gathered again and headed to the grove to train. When training ended, Taiichi took the initiative to stop Kakashi and asked, "Kakashi, I saw traces of swordsmanship in your sparring match today. Have you started learning swordsmanship?"

Kakashi was surprised to hear that. He had only begun learning swordsmanship a little over a month ago, yet Taiichi had already noticed. His eye for such things was truly remarkable.

"Yeah. Is there a problem?"

"Well, I want to learn swordsmanship too, but I don't have any way to do so. Could you teach me?"

"You only need to teach me the basics of swordsmanship," Taiichi emphasized.

"I don't have a problem with that, but I need to go home and ask my father first. After all, I'm only a beginner myself."

"Thank you so much! I wasn't prepared this time, but next time I'll cook for you myself and treat you to a meal!"

Kakashi's eyes lit up at those words, and he became even more motivated.