The following evening, Xue Ge visited the Hatake Clan compound.
Before dinner, Xue Ge and Kakashi faced off again under Hatake Sakumo's watchful eye. It had been over half a month since their last match.
Only then did Xue Ge learn that Kakashi was a genius with all five chakra natures. The Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, Water Release: Water Clone, and Lightning Release: Swift Fang he unleashed in succession all gave Xue Ge a great deal of trouble.
But Kakashi did not get off lightly either. Xue Ge's taijutsu was as unorthodox as ever, and his combination of the Body Flicker Technique, Strangling Line, and Rasengan made it almost impossible for Kakashi to get close. Coupled with Xue Ge's keen combat instincts, Kakashi could not pose any real threat to him.
They fought for a little over ten minutes, but neither gained the upper hand before Sakumo stopped them. The three sat down to eat together.
"You've improved a lot since half a month ago, Xue Ge," Kakashi mumbled between bites of salt-grilled Pacific saury. "I thought you'd fall behind a little after not showing up for half a month."
Thinking back on what he had experienced half a month earlier, Xue Ge shook his head. "You're stronger than me."
"Being too modest isn't a good thing. Apart from me, I doubt anyone in our class could last more than a minute against you now." Kakashi picked up another piece of eggplant as he spoke.
"You're just praising yourself."
"I'm just telling the truth."
Xue Ge did not know how to handle Kakashi's prickly pride, so he let the conversation drop. He turned to Sakumo. "Mr. Sakumo, it's been a while."
"It has. Children grow so quickly. I haven't seen you in a while, and you already look like you've