Chapter 243: Decided by the Blade
"They've been in a stalemate for a while now. Why haven't they started fighting?" Kurenai asked, a puzzled look on her face.
As the least experienced of the group, it was no surprise that she couldn't grasp the subtleties of the confrontation. Even Guy could only hazard a guess. It was the "worldly" Asuma Sarutobi who finally offered an explanation.
"They're using their killing intent... or, to be more precise, the unique aura of a master swordsman, to try and achieve a victory without even drawing their blades."
"Uh, is that really what's happening?" Kurenai asked, her voice filled with skepticism.
"Ahem. Well, that's what my old man told me, anyway," Asuma said, quickly shifting the blame to the Third Hokage.
He wasn't entirely wrong, just a bit overly dramatic. Like any other clash of powerful shinobi, Kyosuke and Kakashi were using their auras to try and gain an advantage. The only difference was that in a contest between two master swordsmen, the loser was far more likely to be defeated with a single strike.
Logically, Kakashi should have been no match for Kyosuke, who had already reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. The reason for their apparent stalemate was twofold: Kyosuke was holding back, and Kakashi's own mastery of the "Hatake Sword Style" had reached an incredible level.
Since his return to the village, Kyosuke had fulfilled his promise, sharing all of his and the Uchiha clan's knowledge of swordsmanship with Kakashi. Kakashi had channeled his grief into a period of intense training, and the results were clear. By incorporating the strengths of all three styles, his mastery of the blade, divorced from his base stats and chakra, was now on par with that of his father, Sakumo Hatake.
Sensing this, Kyosuke's relaxed expression tightened. He increased the pressure of his own aura and slowly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
The atmosphere in the training ground became thick with tension. Just as the three spectators took a step back, their chests tight with anticipation, the two figures in the center vanished.
"Single Sword Style Iai: White Fang Flash!"
The original White Fang style was all about speed. Now, having incorporated the strengths of three different schools of swordsmanship, Kakashi's Iaijutsu was a blur that was almost impossible to follow with the naked eye. Even if Kyosuke still had his Mangekyo Sharingan, it was doubtful he could have tracked the trajectory of the blade.
He was forced to rely on pure instinct.
"Sword Drawing Technique: Immovable Flame Slash!"
"Clang!"
The sharp ring of steel on steel jolted the three spectators from their stupor. They looked on in shock as a spray of blood erupted from both of them.
The first exchange had ended in a draw.
The result was completely unexpected. They had all been cheering for Kakashi, but none of them had actually believed he could win. Even Guy had been skeptical.
Kyosuke touched the wound on his left side and slowly turned to face the serious-looking Kakashi.
"A fast blade," he said with a smile.
"Your sword-drawing technique is also impressive," Kakashi replied, his voice calm. "But you focus too much on power, which sacrifices speed."
"Yes, I know," Kyosuke said, giving his Kusanagi a light swing. "Shall we continue?"
"Of course."
The two of them clashed again, their blades a blur of motion. Foregoing ninjutsu, they engaged in a pure contest of swordsmanship.
Compared to Kakashi's blindingly fast attacks, Kyosuke's style was much more fluid and unpredictable. Every time the White Light Chakra Sabre was about to find its mark, the Kusanagi would appear from an impossible angle, deflecting the blow.
But Kakashi was relentless, his attacks growing faster and faster, until the entire training ground was filled with the brilliant light of his blade.
"No way... Kakashi is actually suppressing Kyosuke... this is... incredible," Asuma stammered, his mouth agape as he watched Kyosuke being forced onto the defensive.
"I think so... Kakashi is amazing," Kurenai said, her eyes darting back and forth, trying to follow the action.
"No, that's not it."
It was Guy who spoke, his eyes glued to the fight. Seeing the questioning looks from the other two, the master of close-quarters combat explained.
"On the surface, it looks like Kakashi has the upper hand," he said, pointing to the relentlessly attacking Kakashi. "But look closely. Aside from that first strike, none of Kakashi's attacks have even touched Kyosuke."
Seeing that they still didn't understand, he continued. "Kakashi's style is all about speed. He needs to end the fight as quickly as possible. The longer it drags on, the less of a threat he becomes. And he's facing Kyosuke, who is a master swordsman in his own right. That weakness is being magnified tenfold."
"This fight... Kakashi is going to lose."
And just as Guy had predicted, Kakashi's all-out assault was beginning to falter. He couldn't land a single hit on the evasive Kyosuke. The moment his pace slackened, Kyosuke's long-awaited counterattack exploded forth.
Ignoring the retreating Kakashi, Kyosuke turned sideways, holding his sword at shoulder level with both hands.
He took a deep breath, and his blade suddenly split into three, each one aimed at one of Kakashi's vital points.
"Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal."
Kakashi's senses went into overdrive. He prepared to block the bizarre attack. But a technique that transcended the physical realm was not so easily parried.
He swung his own blade twice, but both times, he hit nothing but air. The third image of Kyosuke's sword bypassed his defense and sliced through the green flak jacket on his chest.
The life-or-death exchange was over in an instant. Kakashi stood frozen, his mind reeling.
After a long moment, he looked at Kyosuke, who now stood with his sword sheathed, a complex expression on his face. "I lose..." he said, the words barely a whisper.
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