Chapter 38: I'm the Hokage
The onlookers involuntarily let out a cry of surprise.
Ever since he enrolled, Kakashi Hatake had been an unbeatable presence. This was the first time they had seen him struggle.
Obito Uchiha rubbed his eyes; he simply couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Rin Nohara clasped her hands tightly, her face filled with anxiety.
The battle continued.
Taking advantage of Kakashi Hatake's unstable footing, Hoshikawa charged forward like an arrow shot from a bow.
He raised the katana high and brought it down.
Danger!
Kakashi Hatake dared not meet the attack head-on. He rolled awkwardly on the ground, then quickly changed his short sword's direction, slashing at Hoshikawa's thigh.
A gust of wind rushed past.
Hoshikawa channeled chakra and jumped straight up.
While in the air, he spun his right leg, landing a kick on Kakashi Hatake's chest.
Bang!
Kakashi Hatake rolled backward.
Hoshikawa landed and, without a moment's pause, swung his katana towards him.
A cry of surprise erupted again.
Kakashi Hatake narrowly avoided the katana.
The katana landed, leaving a gash in the ground.
Kakashi Hatake had no time to catch his breath before another flash of the blade appeared before his eyes.
He quickly raised his short sword, blocking the katana with precision.
"Ah!" Kakashi Hatake gripped his sword with both hands, letting out a roar as he resisted the immense force.
But he knew this was not a good idea.
After blocking for only half a second, he suddenly let go, and the short sword was sent flying.
Caught off guard, Hoshikawa's body lurched forward.
Kakashi Hatake leaped up, pulled a kunai from his waist, and stabbed close to Hoshikawa's body, acting as a kidneys-stabbing assassin.
"Hoshikawa!" Kurenai Yūhi subconsciously cried out.
"He won!" Obito Uchiha was overjoyed.
He naturally wanted Kakashi Hatake to win.
Hoshikawa getting first place was too much of a threat to him.
He didn't want to see Rin Nohara get attracted to him.
Asuma Sarutobi shivered in shock.
How were both of these guys so strong?
He could understand Kakashi Hatake, after all, his father was the White Fang of Konoha, Sakumo Hatake.
But what was the deal with Hoshikawa?
Kidney stab!
Hoshikawa's heart pounded. It was too late to adjust his body.
He made a quick decision, turning his right hand and throwing the katana like a ninja tool.
What?!
In a moment of desperation, Kakashi Hatake had to turn and block the katana with his kunai.
Just then, his pupils contracted.
He saw Hoshikawa, with astonishing core strength, spin his body and grab the katana with his right hand.
Under his control, the katana and kunai clashed, creating a shower of sparks.
This was immediately followed by a crescent moon slash, aimed at Kakashi Hatake's body.
Clang!
Kakashi Hatake pulled out another kunai with his left hand, blocking the katana just in time.
Hoshikawa pressed down with his right hand, forcing him to hold the katana with both kunai, then he swung his left fist.
Kakashi Hatake watched as the fist came closer and closer, finally making intimate contact with his face mask.
The strength, far exceeding that of a peer, caused his face to swell, and he tumbled backward.
Hoshikawa stepped forward, pointing his katana at him and stopping him from getting up.
The training ground was deadly silent.
"Konoha-Style Kenjutsu, is it?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with some surprise, stroking his beard.
Hoshikawa's proficiency was higher than he had expected.
And most importantly, so were his genjutsu and ninja tool skills.
To have reached this level in less than a year was simply beyond his imagination.
"Good swordsmanship!" Sakumo Hatake's eyes lit up. "Kakashi didn't lose for nothing."
But this didn't mean the Hatake clan's swordsmanship was weak.
If their proficiency were equal, Konoha-Style Kenjutsu might not even have a chance to block.
"Well done!" Shinku Yūhi, who had a serious face, couldn't help but say.
He genuinely hadn't expected Hoshikawa to defeat Kakashi Hatake.
After all, the fame of this genius was well-known even among Jonin.
The only thing that troubled him was that Hoshikawa used Konoha-Style Kenjutsu instead of ninjutsu.
Obito Uchiha took two steps back.
How could this happen?
The invincible Kakashi had fallen?
Was he really this useless today?
"Yay!" Kurenai Yūhi was so excited.
Rin Nohara looked at Hoshikawa and slowly let out a breath.
She felt it was like a dream, and her perception of him was unknowingly changing.
"Ah! Hoshikawa-kun!" The next second, many girls shrieked.
Strong and handsome, they immediately defected, and Hoshikawa's popularity skyrocketed.
"Winner, Hoshikawa!"
After a long pause, Eichiro came to his senses and announced.
Oh my god!
Comparing people to people is a surefire way to drive you to a rage!
Is this the world of a genius?
But on second thought, this was his opportunity.
Teaching a student like this would surely lead to a promotion, a salary increase, marrying a beautiful wife, and reaching the peak of his life.
"You okay?" Hoshikawa walked up and offered his hand.
"..." Kakashi Hatake silently grabbed his arm and got up.
He had considered that he might lose, but to genjutsu, not swordsmanship.
Losing in the swordsmanship he was most confident in left him with no room for an excuse.
Hoshikawa's mind stirred, and a new entry arrived as expected.
[E-rank Talent Entry: Lightning Blade.]
[Trigger Condition: Defeat a young Kakashi Hatake.]
[Effect: Lightning Release talent and swordsmanship talent are increased by 10%.]
Hoshikawa was a bit surprised.
Was it a dual effect?
He truly was Kakashi.
"What a wonderful duel," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with emotion. "The future of Konoha is in their hands."
What made him most happy was Hoshikawa's attitude after the battle.
He wasn't arrogant or conceited, perfectly demonstrating that the result was secondary.
The practical exams continued.
The remaining matches seemed like a bunch of unskilled fighters pecking at each other.
After watching for a while, Hiruzen Sarutobi left the training ground.
"Lord Hokage," an Anbu ninja appeared in front of the Hokage's office. "Lord Danzō is waiting for you inside."
"Danzō? What is he doing here?" Hiruzen Sarutobi mused as he pushed open the door.
Danzō Shimura heard the footsteps and reluctantly got up from the Hokage's chair.
"What do you want?" Hiruzen Sarutobi walked to the Hokage's chair and sat down.
He sat in my chair again?
He felt a slight warmth and was speechless.
Oh, my old friend, I'm going to kick your butt hard!
"Hand Hoshikawa over to me! Shinku Yūhi can't bring out his full potential!" Danzō Shimura said, getting straight to the point. "With my guidance, he will definitely become a sharp weapon for Konoha!"
He brought up the old matter again because he had just heard the news that Hoshikawa had defeated Kakashi Hatake.
Kakashi Hatake was a genius he coveted, but his father was Sakumo Hatake, who was difficult to control, so he had to give up.
Hoshikawa was different; he had no powerful backing and only needed to persuade Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"What I want is not a sharp weapon," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, shaking his head. "It's the future of Konoha."
"You're too naive!" Danzō Shimura said forcefully. "Emotions only get in the way of a ninja!"
"There's no point in talking anymore," Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him. "Unless you have something else, don't interrupt my work."
"Hiruzen! You'll regret this!" Danzō Shimura's face darkened, and he said angrily.
"I am the Hokage," Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly.
Bang!
Danzō Shimura slammed the door shut as he left.
....
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