Team Battle!

July 12, 1:30 p.m.

Shita Genichi arrived outside Training Ground 29.

Before long, Uchiha Namiichi and Yamanaka En arrived as well.

The three climbed over the fence and entered the grounds, then went up to the examiner.

Unlike the training grounds in Konoha's central district, this one was set in the woods and covered a large area.

After a short wait, another team arrived.

Shita Genichi's eyes lit up. "Kakashi, looks like we're facing each other after all!"

Their opponents were none other than Team Kakashi.

He'd met Kakashi's other two teammates yesterday. One was a Chunin from the Sarutobi Clan, and the other was a Chunin from the Hyuga Clan.

The two teams stood ten meters apart.

The examiner held a flag. Once he confirmed both teams were ready, he waved it at once. "Begin!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the examiner leaped backward and landed on a branch.

Both teams sprang into action.

Uchiha Namiichi charged forward as Shita Genichi formed the Tiger Hand Seal.

Demonic Illusion: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!

Across from them, Kakashi and his teammates didn't charge forward right away.

The Sarutobi ninja formed hand seals, while the Hyuga ninja's veins bulged as he activated his Byakugan.

In the next instant, their vision was sealed off, plunging them into absolute darkness.

But the Byakugan could see through the darkness. As the Hyuga ninja formed hand seals to dispel the illusion, he warned Kakashi.

And Kakashi was the first person he freed.

After all, Uchiha Namiichi was targeting him.

Clang!

Their ninja blades clashed.

Uchiha Namiichi used the impact to leap backward, sheathing his blade as he did. He formed hand seals with both hands, then opened his mouth midair and spat out a huge fireball that bore down on Kakashi.

At the same time, Shita Genichi and Yamanaka En both used Demonic Illusion: Binding Technique.

It was a paralyzing jutsu.

The moment Kakashi landed, the two of them immobilized him.

Rumble!

A wall rose from the ground, blocking Uchiha Namiichi's Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu just in time.

The Hyuga ninja behind it hurried to dispel the illusion on Kakashi.

Just then, two figures appeared on either side of the wall.

Shita Genichi and Uchiha Namiichi.

Kakashi had just regained his freedom when he sprang into the air, clashing with Uchiha Namiichi again.

Shita Genichi, meanwhile, took on the Sarutobi ninja.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of rapid clashes rang through the woods.

After more than a dozen exchanges, Shita Genichi kicked the Sarutobi ninja away.

The ninja slammed into a tree trunk, then dropped onto his backside.

He endured the pain in his chest and was just about to form hand seals when his gaze went blank.

Mind Body Switch Technique!

The Sarutobi ninja leaped up and lunged straight at Kakashi.

Shita Genichi had already gone after the Hyuga ninja.

If not for the Hyuga ninja, Bringer-of-Darkness would have given Team Kakashi the upper hand. It might not have taken them down instantly, but they would have lost the initiative and quickly fallen.

Bringer-of-Darkness could counter the Sharingan, but it couldn't counter the Byakugan.

That was because the area of darkness was limited, while the Byakugan could see through it.

So, whether or not Kakashi could withstand Uchiha Namiichi and Yamanaka En's attack, Shita Genichi had to take out the troublesome Hyuga ninja first.

Once the Hyuga ninja was out of the way, all Shita Genichi would need was one Bringer-of-Darkness to defeat Kakashi.

The Hyuga ninja knew this too, but he didn't retreat. Instead, he moved in to engage.

He knew that if he fell back, Kakashi would have to face three opponents.

He could try targeting Yamanaka En's real body and take him down in exchange.

But in the end, he'd still be facing two opponents.

So, keeping Shita Genichi tied up was the best option.

Their hope of winning lay with Kakashi.

Kakashi understood that perfectly.

When he saw Shita Genichi go after the Hyuga ninja out of the corner of his eye, he knew the situation had become dire.

If he couldn't break through the two opponents in front of him—or even take one of them out—he was bound to lose.

He knew Shita Genichi's strength well. Hyuga Haru wouldn't hold out for long.

The opening was Yamanaka En, but Uchiha Namiichi was far too difficult to deal with.

For the first time, Kakashi saw just how formidable the Sharingan was. It read his movements and intentions clearly, allowing Uchiha Namiichi to block him with precision every time.

Elsewhere, Shita Genichi used his short blade to deflect every shuriken Hyuga Haru threw at him. Then, with a flick of his hand, he sent the blade flying.

Hyuga Haru slapped the blade away, then exclaimed in surprise, "So fast!"

Shita Genichi was already right in front of him. With no time to think, Hyuga Haru immediately used Gentle Fist to counter him, since Shita Genichi was unarmed.

But in the next instant, Shita Genichi drew a blade with his right hand.

Shing!

A bright slash flashed like a streak of white silk.

Shita Genichi swept past Hyuga Haru.

Hyuga Haru's body stiffened. He looked down.

His clothes were slashed at the waist, and a shallow line of blood marked his skin.

He knew Shita Genichi hadn't made a mistake. He'd held back.

"What incredible kenjutsu!"

That strike had been so fast that Hyuga Haru hadn't had time to react.

Only Rotation could have blocked that strike.

Hyuga Haru retreated from the fight.

Shita Genichi looked toward Kakashi and happened to see the Sarutobi ninja, under Yamanaka En's control, get kicked away by Kakashi.

But in the next instant, Uchiha Namiichi spotted an opening and kicked Kakashi away too.

Whoosh!

Shita Genichi vanished from where he stood.

Kakashi had only just steadied himself when Shita Genichi's long blade was already at his throat.

The examiner leaped down from a tree and announced, "Sakumo Squad wins!"

Kakashi couldn't help saying, "Your speed's gotten a little faster."

Shita Genichi smiled. "Likewise."

Sarutobi Fufu grumbled, "You two can quit complimenting each other. I think Genichi's illusions are even scarier."

"That was Bringer-of-Darkness, right? It's an extremely advanced illusion, yet you only needed one hand seal."

"Thank goodness Haru had his Byakugan. Otherwise, we would've lost in a minute."

Shita Genichi looked puzzled. "Doesn't Bringer-of-Darkness only need one hand seal?"

The examiner chuckled. "Only a ninja skilled in illusions can use it with one hand seal. Most can't."

"As far as I know, the Scroll of Seals lists two different sets of hand seals for it."

"Genichi, you really have a talent for illusions. It's been a long time since I've seen someone your age master an illusion this advanced."

"Keep it up!"

With that, he vanished.

Shita Genichi spread his hands helplessly.

The version he'd learned only needed one hand seal.

After gathering their things, the two teams headed out together.

The next day, at 8:30 a.m.

Shita Genichi arrived at the venue for the third round, the individual matches. It was a huge indoor arena.

There were spectator stands and an electronic screen.

Everyone who had passed the first-round written test had gathered here for the individual matches. The second round hadn't eliminated anyone.

As it neared nine, more and more people filled the arena.

At nine o'clock, the examiner appeared and announced the rules. "The individual matches will be drawn at random. Losers are eliminated, while winners continue to the next match."

"Let's begin!"

Whoosh!

Shita Genichi and the others looked up at the huge electronic screen. Two names appeared.

"Sarutobi Fufu and Nomura Taisei!"

Kakashi's teammate, Sarutobi Fufu, immediately leaped into the arena.

Shita Genichi and the others called out their encouragement.

The individual matches had officially begun!