Across from him, Kakashi Hatake stood at ease, his posture all but saying, "Come at me."
Uzumaki Hayashi never slowed, charging straight at Kakashi with his sword held close.
That first exchange had been Kakashi testing him.
This time, it was his turn to set the test.
He already had the question ready.
The distance closed rapidly.
Thirty paces, twenty-
Halfway through his charge, the chakra inside him condensed-
Ice Release: Swallow Snowstorm!
Cold air exploded before him. Moisture froze, and more than a dozen ice spikes formed out of thin air-then shot toward Kakashi's head!
Ice spikes cost next to nothing.
Chakra was the one thing he had no shortage of.
Hitting would be ideal, but even a miss had its uses.
Kakashi Hatake flickered and vanished from the spot.
Thud, thud, thud-
The ice spikes missed, sinking one after another into the dirt beside his feet. Most of their length disappeared underground, leaving only short ends exposed.
Having regained his footing, the Copy Ninja glanced down at the row of ice spikes buried beside him and paused briefly.
Then he laughed.
"Now you really are trying to kill me."
Uzumaki Hayashi added silently, How else am I supposed to make you take this seriously if I don't play rough?
Outwardly, he smiled.
"I won't pass your test without that kind of attitude, will I, Jonin Kakashi?"
By the time he finished speaking, he was already within striking distance. Gripping his tachi with both hands, he used the momentum of his charge to bring it crashing down from overhead!
Clang!
Kakashi Hatake raised a kunai and casually caught the slash.
The blade pressed down, but his wrist barely dipped. As he blocked, his other hand reached out, closed around Uzumaki Hayashi's sword arm, and yanked downward-
He meant to