Just as Kakashi was about to land the blow, Hiruzen Sarutobi's left hand shot out!
His hand came up from below, fingers spread, and clamped around Kakashi's wrist!
His fingers locked above the wrist bone with astonishing force, gripping it like an Iron vise. He had clearly been ready!
Kakashi's Lightning Blade stopped in midair!
Blue electricity danced less than a fist's width from Hiruzen's clothes, right in front of his stomach, but it could advance no farther!
Hiruzen pulled back the right hand he had used to release the Adamantine Staff and clenched it into a fist. Chakra gathered around his knuckles and flared with dazzling light!
His fist slammed into Kakashi's chest, and the Chakra exploded on impact.
Kakashi flew backward as if a charging rhinoceros had hit him head-on, his feet leaving the ground.
His back smashed through the wooden window frame. Glass sprayed through the air, glinting coldly in the moonlight. He crashed onto the stone slabs in the courtyard and slid three or four meters before stopping.
A long scrape marked the stone.
Neither wanted a drawn-out fight, so both had gambled on dangerous moves!
In the end, the wily Hiruzen had the edge. Kakashi had never expected him to let go of the Adamantine Staff, and Hiruzen had seized the opening to win in one stroke!
Kakashi lay on the ground, coughing up mouthfuls of blood. The Lightning Blade went out in his palm. Its blue light vanished, and its shrill crackle fell silent.
He braced his right hand against the ground, dug his fingers into a gap between the slabs, and forced himself up. Kneeling with his back hunched, he struggled to draw breath.
Hiruzen leaped through the window. His geta landed on the courtyard stones with a dull thud.
His black clothes