Brilliant Performance

Kakashi was fast; although he had not yet mastered Lightning Flicker, Chidori itself was a Lightning Release technique that provided a boost to speed.

Genma did not weave hand signs, as his Lightning Flicker required none.

His speed was even greater!

Under the gaze of many, two figures rapidly closed the distance.

BOOM!

The ground exploded.

Kakashi narrowly dodged a punch from Genma, then continued his assault with Chidori.

Genma's superior reaction time and speed allowed him to evade Kakashi's attacks time and again, finding the perfect openings to counter.

For Kakashi, every moment was perilous.

Though he appeared to be the one launching a fierce offensive, in reality, he was the one constantly forced to dodge.

"It seems Genma was right to prioritize developing Lightning Flicker first!"

Kakashi pushed his speed and reflexes to their absolute limit, yet he remained flustered and overwhelmed.

BANG!

A kick to the chest landed squarely, sending Kakashi tumbling backward through the air.

After steadying himself and seeing Genma charging again, Kakashi reached out to draw his short blade, Chidori chirping once more as electric light coiled around the steel.

He leaped into the air, rushing toward Genma again.

Genma smiled slightly as he watched, raising his hand to draw his own blade, which bloomed with blue electric light.

The next moment, the two were locked in combat once more.

Kakashi relied on Lightning Release and swordsmanship.

Genma, however, utilized Lightning Release, swordsmanship, and Strength of a Hundred!

Beyond his blade, he used his left fist and both feet.

Every strike that landed caused the ground to explode, leaving behind crater after crater.

After only a dozen exchanges, Kakashi fell into a disadvantage once more.

Taught by the same teacher, neither could break the other's techniques, but Genma's speed advantage allowed him to suppress Kakashi completely.

By now, the many spectators were dumbfounded.

The intensity of the clash was truly staggering.

"This level... it's not even in the same league as us!"

Ebisu couldn't help but raise a hand to wipe away his sweat.

Shiranui Genma, with a Senbon between his teeth, looked solemn: "I had a hunch before, but I have to say, these two guys really are... like monsters."

Might Guy, however, was dancing with excitement: "As expected of Genma, as expected of Kakashi!"

"They didn't use their full strength when sparring with me; clearly, my efforts are still not enough!"

"But this is the kind of strength my lifelong rival should possess!"

Shiranui Genma couldn't help but sigh helplessly: "You really are thick-skinned!"

"Being in the same generation as such geniuses puts too much pressure on us."

Might Guy gave a thumbs up: "That's true."

"But this is youth!"

"Passionate youth requires immense pressure."

In the surveillance room, Namikaze Minato couldn't help but marvel: "Powerful genjutsu, medical skills, exquisite taijutsu, swordsmanship, and Lightning Release... he truly is a perfect ninja."

"Genma already possesses the combat qualities required of a Jonin."

Hatake Sakumo replied: "He still lacks experience. If they want to become ninjas like you, Minato, they still have a long road ahead."

Namikaze Minato smiled: "With you here, Senior, there won't be any problems."

Hatake Sakumo also smiled: "I'll have to trouble you to look after that child Kakashi, Minato!"

Namikaze Minato nodded solemnly: "I will do my absolute best!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was very satisfied.

Konoha had produced two more geniuses; after Namikaze Minato's generation, there would be worthy successors.

On the field, Kakashi changed his tactics once again.

He retreated, sheathed his blade, and wove hand signs. Pressing his palms to the ground, a Stone Wall rose from the earth, placing a barrier between himself and Genma.

Genma halted his advance, only to see Kakashi dart out from the left side.

Stepping back, Kazekaze Genma flicked his right hand out with lightning speed, precisely grabbing Hatake Kakashi by the neck and slamming him down.

BOOM!

The ground collapsed, and Hatake Kakashi burst into smoke.

The moment the dust rose, another Hatake Kakashi lunged from the right.

However, Hatake Kakashi struck empty air.

Kazekaze Genma appeared in mid-air, then crashed down like a cannonball.

Hatake Kakashi's expression shifted, and he immediately retreated.

RUMBLE!

The ground was blasted into a massive crater by Kazekaze Genma, sending debris flying everywhere. The retreating Hatake Kakashi was struck by a piece of rubble and instantly exploded into a spray of electric sparks.

At the same time, not far away, at the very edge of the range of Kazekaze Genma's Strength of a Hundred, Hatake Kakashi scrambled out from underground in a sorry state.

He had been hiding beneath the surface just moments ago, nearly killed by Kazekaze Genma's Strength of a Hundred.

His plan had been to use two clones to stall Kazekaze Genma, but it was clearly seen through.

Looking at the disheveled Hatake Kakashi, Kazekaze Genma smiled: "Hatake Kakashi, I know you too well."

"Besides, I won't fall into the same trap twice."

He had been tricked by his teacher Hatake Sakumo's Lightning Style Clone before, and he had learned his lesson long ago.

Panting, Hatake Kakashi felt helpless and raised his hand to the examiner: "I concede!"

He didn't have much stamina left.

"Truly a spectacular display of a duel."

Hisato Yuto sighed to himself, then announced: "Kazekaze Genma wins!"

He could naturally tell that if Kazekaze Genma wanted to win, he wouldn't have needed to fight for so long; it was clear he had held back some of his strength to allow Hatake Kakashi to fully showcase his own abilities.

However, that child Hatake Kakashi probably isn't feeling too great right now!

Hisato Yuto chuckled inwardly, withdrew his gaze from the two, and continued to preside over the exam.

Returning to the stands and chatting with Shizune and the others for a bit, Kazekaze Genma made a silent assessment.

The current Hatake Kakashi basically possessed the strength he had during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge after his promotion to Jonin in the original timeline, perhaps just lacking a bit of practical combat experience.

If Hatake Kakashi could master the Lightning Flicker he had taught him, his strength would undergo an astonishing transformation.

With his speed further increased and his neural reaction time improved, the flaws of the Chidori would no longer exist.

Compared to the Hatake Kakashi who possessed the Sharingan, (the current him) was perhaps just not as well-rounded.

However, Kazekaze Genma estimated that it would take Hatake Kakashi at least three or four years to reach his current level of mastery with the Lightning Flicker.

This was also because Hatake Kakashi's own chakra was limited, making it impossible to use *Shadow Clone*s to grind for experience.

Otherwise, the Lightning Flicker could have been leveled up using *Shadow Clone*s.

After all, it didn't require tempering the physical body.

Excluding Kamui and the later Susanoo experience card, Kazekaze Genma felt that a Hatake Kakashi without the Sharingan would have even greater combat power!

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

The third round of the exam concluded.

Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared at the testing grounds and announced on the spot: "The candidates capable of serving as Chunin in this assessment are: Kazekaze Genma, Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Enjin, Hyuga Sorai, and Shizune."

There were only five people.

Yet, more than 60 people had participated in this assessment.

After announcing the results, Sarutobi Hiruzen offered a few words of encouragement to the others, continuing to output the Will of Fire.

Kazekaze Genma wore a serious expression, appearing to listen intently.

Where the leaves dance, the fire also burns on.

Protection and sacrifice.

Kazekaze Genma acknowledged these ideals; what one protects are friends and family, and on a larger scale, one's home and country, while sacrifice is the sacrifice of the self.

For the sake of one's own friends and family, what is wrong with fighting to the death?

It is just that if a slogan lacks the strength to be put into practice, it is merely a slogan, and will eventually rot away.