A Narrow Victory Over Kakashi

What did a hundred Shadow Clones even mean?

Forget Kakashi Hatake—even Naruto was dumbfounded. The Shadow Clone Technique was Naruto's proudest ninjutsu, and he had trained hard for a long time before achieving any results.

Yet Qingchuan Tianming had learned it after seeing it once?

Sasuke Uchiha's expression changed drastically. He had never expected this transfer student who had suddenly appeared to be so formidable.

Kakashi Hatake froze for a moment before slowly saying, "Oh? So you're the child rumored to possess ultimate chakra. Learning the Shadow Clone Technique in an instant and summoning a hundred Shadow Clones... That's a bit of a headache."

Though he said that, Kakashi Hatake was not afraid. He grew serious, drew out the shuriken he had just confiscated, and launched his attack.

Kakashi Hatake swept through the battlefield like a gale, tearing it apart! As the shuriken flew, Shadow Clones were struck down one after another.

One against a hundred—he was just that confident.

Positioned far in the rear, Tianming controlled the Shadow Clones as they surrounded and attacked Kakashi Hatake wave after wave.

The three standing nearby could only stare wide-eyed at such a battle.

Watching Kakashi Hatake advance in a manner that nearly tore through the encirclement, Tianming did not panic too much.

"Qingchuan Tianming, do you have any other ninjutsu?" Kakashi Hatake asked with a smile as he gripped a shuriken and continuously slaughtered Shadow Clones.

"Teacher Kakashi, you can try it," Tianming said mysteriously.

"Then I'll test your limits." Kakashi Hatake came to a stop. The instant he threw out the shuriken, chakra burst from his palm and formed streaks of lightning.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Lightning gathered in Kakashi Hatake's palm, radiating an overbearing aura.

Even the sky seemed to darken a little.

"Lightning Cutter..." Tianming's gaze sharpened as he immediately recognized Kakashi Hatake's ninjutsu.

Lightning Cutter was one of Kakashi Hatake's preferred ninjutsu. Later on, Sasuke would learn it and develop Chidori and Kirin...

"Don't be afraid. I'm only using thirty percent of my strength." After saying that, Kakashi Hatake shot forward in a straight line, swinging the Lightning Cutter in one hand. Like a lightning spear, it pierced straight through the Shadow Clones ahead of him!

In the span of a single breath, Kakashi Hatake had wiped out every Shadow Clone in front of him.

Only ten out of the hundred Shadow Clones remained.

"Qingchuan Tianming, aren't you going to make a move?" Kakashi Hatake approached Tianming step by step as the lightning in his palm began to howl once more.

"Then as you wish." Tianming formed a brand-new hand seal.

Great Fireball Technique!

At the same time Tianming moved, the remaining ten Shadow Clones formed hand seals and unleashed the Great Fireball Technique in unison.

Eleven massive fireballs came crashing down upon Kakashi Hatake, blotting out the sky and setting half the forest ablaze.

Boom! Boom!

Not long after the flames soared into the sky, tyrannical lightning shattered the fire.

In the middle of the forest, Tianming and Kakashi Hatake stood facing each other.

Kakashi Hatake had lost all his usual composure. He was covered in soot and dust, and several large holes had been torn into his clothes.

"I lost," Kakashi Hatake suddenly said.

The three watching nearby snapped out of their daze. "Lost? Teacher Kakashi lost?"

"No, we won? How did we win?"

Kakashi Hatake smiled and threw a punch at Tianming. The instant his fist touched Tianming, it turned into a piece of wood with a bang.

At that moment, Tianming emerged from behind a nearby rock, a bell in his hand.

Everyone drew in a sharp breath at the sight.

What kind of monster was this?

In that brief exchange, Tianming had unleashed three ninjutsu in succession! Whether it was the Shadow Clone Technique, the Great Fireball Technique, or the Substitution Technique, he had used them all with remarkable mastery.

Most surprising of all was Tianming's combat awareness. He had used a hundred Shadow Clones to force Kakashi Hatake into action. When Kakashi Hatake was about to defeat all hundred of them, the remaining clones instantly unleashed the Great Fireball Technique. At that distance, it was impossible to dodge—and the one who had remained in the rear all along was not even the "real body"!

"Looks like Konoha has produced another genius ninja." Kakashi Hatake patted Tianming on the shoulder. "Qingchuan Tianming, well done. You all pass."

"Woohoo! Tianming, congratulations!" Naruto ran over and bumped fists with Tianming.

Sasuke Uchiha clicked his tongue, then left without saying a word.

Thus, Team 7's first gathering came to an end.

And because of this, the series of events involving Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha would later deviate from their original course.

As the sun set, it was already late by the time Tianming returned to the Aokawa Clan residence. After being busy for half the day, he made himself a lavish meal as soon as he got home, then reviewed his battle with Kakashi Hatake while eating.

Tianming had not lied. When Team 7's three members had made their moves, he truly did not know any ninjutsu.

But after they acted, whether it was Naruto's Shadow Clone Technique, Sasuke's Great Fireball Technique, or Kakashi's Substitution Technique—

With a single glance, he instantly understood the hand seals for every technique, as well as how chakra circulated through their bodies when they cast them.

Combined with his ultimate chakra reserves, he had directly replicated all three ninjutsu!