The White Fang Incident

In a flash, countless thoughts raced through Tsukimi's mind. No wonder Kakashi had been distracted today. He couldn't even focus on a fight.

The reason for it all had to be Hatake Sakumo.

Once Tsukimi understood why, he stopped holding back. He had only traded blows with the little white-haired boy to gauge his condition. Now that he knew what was wrong, it was time to end the match.

Shadow energy gathered beneath Tsukimi's feet. Flash Step erupted without warning, and he vanished from his original path.

The four spectators saw a blur. Only Tsukimi's afterimage remained; he was already nowhere to be seen.

Kakashi's pupils contracted. Instinct warned him of danger, and he tried to turn and raise his short sword to block. But with his mind elsewhere, he was half a beat too slow.

His arm had barely risen when a hand closed around his throat. Several strands of dense, pitch-black shadow wrapped around him, pinning his limbs firmly in place.

Clang!

Kakashi's short sword slipped from his hand and struck the ground.

It had taken less than a second. A fight that had seemed evenly matched was over.

Bound by shadows, Kakashi stood rigid and utterly unable to resist.

Asuma and the others stared in shock. The two had traded dozens of blows without either gaining the upper hand, yet the moment Tsukimi got serious, the gap between them proved enormous.

Obito froze for two seconds before delight swept over his face. He couldn't wait to start gloating. "Hahaha! You lost, Kakashi! I told you you couldn't beat Tsukimi! That's what you get for laughing at me—"

"Quiet for a moment, Obito."

Tsukimi spoke gently, but his calm tone left no room for argument. Obito's heckling stopped at once.

All the taunts Obito had been ready to