Sparring with Kakashi

Time passed quickly.

Half a month had passed since Uchiha Aoba awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan.

During this period, he returned to his duties in the Anbu, continuing to serve as security around the Hokage Building.

Uchiha Aoba didn't know whether to be happy or upset about this.

After all, being able to guard the Hokage practically meant he had become a trusted confidant of the Hokage's faction—something even Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi had failed to achieve in the original plot.

On top of that, Namikaze Minato had recently sought him out for a heart-to-heart conversation.

From the content of their talk, Uchiha Aoba could clearly sense that Namikaze Minato's trust in him had climbed several rungs following the Rōran mission.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was now treated entirely as one of their own.

This day.

A rare day off.

At Training Ground 7 in the village, a long-awaited spar was underway, growing increasingly intense.

This could barely be considered Uchiha Aoba's first battle since reaching the Kage level.

Facing Kakashi, who wielded the White Fang Blade.

Although there was already a significant gap in their strength, out of respect for Kakashi, Uchiha Aoba didn't intend to hold back too much, utilizing 70% of his power.

Even so, Kakashi was suppressed throughout the fight, with almost no room to counterattack.

How does it feel like Aoba has gotten even stronger? He's already surpassed the limits of a Jonin.

Namikaze Minato stood on the sidelines as the referee, watching the battle intently, and thought to himself: Could it be that at thirteen years old, he has already broken through to that level?

Regardless, I feel more and more how correct the Hokage's decision was.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The figures of Uchiha Aoba and Kakashi flickered constantly across the field, the sound of weapons clashing ringing out in succession.

Following another exchange, the two quickly separated.

At this moment, Kakashi's eyes had become incredibly sharp; he had been pushed to the brink.

In the next instant.

He flashed behind Uchiha Aoba, the White Fang Blade in his hand carrying a biting, cold glint.

Clearly, Kakashi had unleashed his full strength.

The speed was fast, the offensive fierce.

Had it been an enemy with strength inferior to Kakashi's, they surely would not have escaped the ensuing lethal blow.

Even Uchiha Aoba, back when he only had the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, would have had to face this seriously.

After all, the thirteen-year-old Kakashi was a genuine Jonin; there was no fluff in his ability.

Unfortunately, the current Uchiha Aoba had received a version upgrade.

His right hand traced a sword flourish, the blade swinging rapidly backward to block directly against the tip of the White Fang Blade.

Seeing this, Kakashi's pupils constricted, and he decisively retreated to open up distance.

"A opening!"

However, Uchiha Aoba would not give him another chance. After a low shout, his left hand grabbed Kakashi's sword-wielding right hand and pulled hard, closing the distance between them once more.

His left leg kicked out rapidly, aiming straight for Kakashi's knee; once struck, he would surely lose his ability to fight.

On the sidelines, Namikaze Minato was already prepared to step in and interrupt.

After all, a spar was not a life-or-death struggle, and he did not wish to see either side injured.

Fortunately, Kakashi lived up to his reputation as a genius ninja.

Caught in an opening by Uchiha Aoba, he showed no panic, his reaction remaining remarkably sharp. As he lifted his leg to block, his left hand swung out in a punch.

"I expected you to do that."

Uchiha Aoba laughed heartily, his own free right hand grabbing Kakashi's fist.

In an instant.

The two in the arena stood with their hands locked, beginning a contest of pure strength.

"Yo-ho, dead-fish eyes, you've got quite a kick to you."

Uchiha Aoba teased.

Hearing this, veins bulged on Kakashi's forehead: "Red-eye disease, just say it if you can't hold on anymore."

"Is that so?"

"I still have plenty of strength left, but I can't say the same for you."

Uchiha Aoba's face was relaxed and at ease. Seeing the sweat breaking out on Kakashi's face while he still stubbornly refused to admit defeat, he found it quite amusing.

He decided not to keep messing around with Kakashi any longer.

"Dead fish eyes, lend me your hand."

"What!?"

Under Kakashi's shocked gaze, Uchiha Aoba's right hand manipulated his left, forming one hand seal after another in rapid succession. Is this kind of operation even possible?

He desperately wanted to break free, but under Uchiha Aoba's strength, he couldn't move at all.

As the final seal was completed.

Uchiha Aoba finally released Kakashi and leaped backward into the air.

"Fire Style! Great Fire Dragon Technique!"

"You bastard with the red eyes! Are you really trying to kill me!?"

Watching the fire dragon charging toward him, Kakashi cursed loudly, yet his hands never stopped moving.

"Earth Style! Earth Style Wall!"

A sturdy earthen wall rose from the ground, standing between the two.

Almost the instant the ninjutsu took form, the fire dragon collided with the wall, erupting with a thunderous BOOM.

Kakashi crouched on the ground, watching the wall before him crack under the impact of the fire dragon, forcing him to keep his hands pressed to the earth to maintain a constant flow of chakra.

Only in this way could he prevent the wall from shattering completely.

At that moment, he could only pray that Namikaze Minato would act fast enough so he wouldn't have to take a Great Fire Dragon Technique head-on.

However, this resulted in Kakashi successfully blocking the attack, but leaving him with no strength left to fight.

He could only watch helplessly as Uchiha Aoba strolled toward him, a playful smirk on his face, and lightly rested his long blade on Kakashi's shoulder.

The damage was minimal, but the insult was immense.

Kakashi's dead fish eyes reappeared. He irritably swatted away Uchiha Aoba's blade and gritted his teeth, saying, "Fine, you win this time."

"Hahaha, you're too kind!"

Uchiha Aoba didn't mind Kakashi's venting at all; he sheathed his blade and stood with his hands on his hips, laughing heartily.

"Not bad, that was truly a brilliant battle."

Namikaze Minato walked over to the two and offered his assessment, then looked at Uchiha Aoba with a smile: "It seems your strength has improved again. Kakashi is no longer a match for you."

"You flatter me, Captain."

Uchiha Aoba quickly reined in his smugness and said modestly, "It was just luck; Kakashi is very strong as well."

"..."

Kakashi looked displeased, itching to retort that Uchiha Aoba certainly hadn't acted like that just a moment ago.

However, reflecting on the fight, he realized he had been suppressed from start to finish.

He didn't want to lose both the battle and his composure.

So, he simply closed his eyes, choosing to ignore what he couldn't change.

At the same time, he couldn't help but clench his fists tightly, resolving to train even harder, determined to win back everything in their next spar, including this loss.

A moment later, having adjusted his mindset.

Kakashi reopened his eyes, looked at Uchiha Aoba, and asked, "How much of your strength did you use just now?"

"If I said I went all out, would you believe me?"

"Stop lying to me!"

Hearing Uchiha Aoba's blatant falsehood, Kakashi, who had just calmed down, was once again infuriated.