Isn't It Just a Contest to See Who Has No Bottom Line?

Earth Release: Earth Prison!

Asuma Sarutobi cast an Earth Release ninjutsu, intending to restrain Dumpling. Stone pillars formed a prison around Dumpling, leaving only gaps for him to breathe through.

Earth Release: Earth Dragon!

He immediately formed more hand seals. Three earth dragons burst from the ground beneath their feet and clamped down on Dumpling.

Dumpling was at a loss for what to do. He lowered his hands, releasing his psychic power.

Kakashi's body returned to normal.

Kakashi looked at Asuma Sarutobi with some helplessness.

He had clearly inherited the Third Hokage's formidable mastery of all five chakra natures, especially Earth Release, yet he had insisted on fighting Dumpling at close range just now.

When it came to combat strategy, he was nothing like the Third Hokage.

Rumble—

The Earth Prison was smashed apart by Dumpling's Iron Head Kung.

Everyone stared in disbelief. What kind of strange hobby was this?

Why did he have to use his head to ram things?

Dumpling took off his hat, pulled out a towel from who knew where, and began wiping his bald head.

No! There was still one strand of hair, stubbornly standing tall.

After wiping it clean, his head gleamed brightly.

His head was harder than diamond. He simply did not use it often because he had to protect his one and only strand of hair.

This time, however, those bizarre techniques had thoroughly provoked him, and he was finally prepared to go all out.

Once Tien came to this world, he would definitely get revenge.

The three of them—Kakashi and the others—seemed to be planning something.

Kurenai Yuhi gripped a kunai and charged at Dumpling.

Dumpling instinctively used his psychic power, freezing Kurenai Yuhi's charging body in place.

Now! Earth Release: Yellow Springs Swamp! Asuma Sarutobi formed hand seals with both hands.

A swamp appeared beneath Dumpling's feet, churning as tentacles stretched out and bound his legs, locking his body in place.

Chidori—

Kakashi had already set off, passing Kurenai Yuhi's body as it remained immobilized by Dumpling's psychic power.

As expected, he can only use his ability on one person at a time with both hands.

Holding Chidori, Kakashi aimed to pierce through Dumpling's body.

Hypnosis!

Dumpling's eyes turned scarlet. Under the pressure, he forced himself to activate his hypnosis technique, and two streams of blood ran from his nose.

Hatake Kakashi's eyes became dazed, and the Chidori in his hand dissipated.

Before him, the scene he feared most appeared once more.

"Rin..." Kakashi muttered the name he least wished to remember.

"Kakashi!" Asuma Sarutobi had no idea what had happened, but that did not stop him from continuing his attack.

There was no time to form hand seals. The fist blade in his hand radiated Wind Release chakra as he charged at Dumpling.

Dumpling panicked. He had no way to deal with so many people at once.

Iron Head Kung!

Dumpling's body spun rapidly as he shot toward Asuma Sarutobi, slamming into his abdomen again.

Crack—

A crisp snapping sound rang out.

This time, it's really broken! A sharp pain flared in Asuma Sarutobi's waist, and that was the only thought in his mind.

Dumpling did not press his advantage. He had yet to complete the task Uchiha Feng had assigned him.

The qi in his body was nearly depleted. He needed to hurry and leave a deep impression on Uchiha Sasuke.

"You reminded me of bad memories!"

Hatake Kakashi's face twisted viciously as Chidori condensed in his hand once more, its power even greater than before.

During that hypnosis, he had relived the memory of killing Rin. The pain had been unbearable!

Solar Flare!

Dumpling covered his gleaming bald head with both hands and unleashed the secret Solar Flare technique.

Hatake Kakashi's Sharingan was directly blinded by the intense light.

Whoosh—

Clang—

Dumpling's body dropped as Chidori sliced across his head.

The only strand of hair on Dumpling's head was severed.

Now he was truly bald.

"Hatake Kakashi, I'll remember this!"

Boom—

Dumpling's body began spinning at high speed. He flew like an arrow released from a bow, straight toward the Hokage's office.

Crack—

Bang—

He smashed through the Hokage's office window and crashed directly into Uchiha Sasuke's face.

Two of Uchiha Sasuke's front teeth were knocked out.

"Remember, this is only the beginning!"

Bang—

After saying that, a terrifying smile appeared on his face, harmonizing perfectly with the two large red circles on his cheeks.

Dumpling's body turned into a puff of white smoke and vanished!

"A Clone Technique?"

The Third Hokage stared at the spot where the clone had disappeared. Nothing had been left behind on the ground, and he let out a sound of surprise.

"How could it be a Clone Technique? It even looked like a Shadow Clone?"

The Third Hokage was beginning to doubt whether his title as the Professor of Ninjutsu was truly deserved.

If it had been a clone of another nature, such as a Water Clone, it should have left behind a puddle of water or something else.

Yet the Dumpling clone that had just dispersed had left nothing behind.

But that clone had been injured several times while fighting Kakashi. Why had it still been able to remain?

Then where was the original body?

The Third Hokage's heart was filled with doubts.

At the battlefield before the Hokage Building.

Might Guy appeared in front of Kakashi. "Kakashi, it looks like you're in trouble!"

With a serious expression, Might Guy spoke heavily to Kakashi.

"Yeah. Lord Hokage will definitely reprimand us." Kakashi thought Guy was referring to the Hokage's punishment.

"No, perhaps you don't know that his one and only strand of hair might have been his sole emotional support. Yet you cut it off. How could he not hate you?"

Might Guy flashed his gleaming white teeth and shook his thick bowl cut.

"What a pain! His ability is too bizarre. By the way, Guy, where did you go just now?"

Kakashi stared at him in astonishment, unable to understand Guy's train of thought. Instead, he was curious about Guy's sudden disappearance and reappearance.

"I was guarding against Yajirobe's sneak attack. His sword-drawing technique is very strong. I didn't expect him to infiltrate Konoha alone this time. Even though it was a clone, there wasn't the slightest flaw to be seen."

Might Guy was somewhat embarrassed as well. Rather than fight alongside his companions, he had been providing support from the shadows.

"The Shadow Clone Technique was originally developed by the Second Hokage to counter the Sharingan. I never expected someone from the Uchiha Clan to be so proficient in it!"

Although the Shadow Clone Technique was only a B-rank ninjutsu, its special effects surpassed even A-rank ninjutsu in certain situations.

"Let's go. Time to accept our punishment. We can't escape it this time."

Kakashi's gaze fell on the window Dumpling had smashed through. He still could not understand how this so-called greeting amounted to a suicidal attack.

The group arrived at the Hokage's office, where the Third Hokage sat in his personal chair with an ugly expression.

Uchiha Sasuke lay beside the window, already unconscious.

His originally handsome face had been caved in on one side, and two teeth lay on the floor. He looked utterly miserable.

Is this what he called a greeting?

The same sentence echoed in Kakashi's mind.

"Kakashi, Konoha's defenses have too many loopholes. You need to write a self-criticism." The Third Hokage spoke in a deep voice.

It was truly troublesome for Konoha's defensive vulnerabilities to be exposed at a time like this.

"Yes!" Kakashi responded solemnly.

"Take Sasuke back to Konoha Hospital. Remember to take good care of him." Seeing his rebellious son beside him eager to object, the Third Hokage waved his hand.

Kakashi and the others began to take their leave. Dumpling's surprise attack had made them recognize their own shortcomings, and they all resolved to train harder.