Chapter 337: Kakashi: Shisui, Have You Ever Been Defeated?
"Fire Release: Small Fireball Technique!"
Anko finished her hand seals with textbook precision, gathered chakra in her throat, transformed it into fire, and spat out a fireball about the size of a person's head.
The flames slammed into the ground with a dull bang, leaving behind a dark scorch mark.
Seeing the result, Anko grinned triumphantly.
"Hehe, it really has to be me. Next time, I am definitely taking first place in Group C," Anko declared, laughing with her hands on her hips.
Kotetsu Hagane, who had only managed to spit out a few faint electric sparks just now, silently stopped practicing.
"Izumo, do you think Fire Release is easier to learn?" Kotetsu asked, leaning over to Izumo Kamizuki, who was working on Water Impact nearby. "It feels like everyone who picks Fire Release learns it really fast."
Izumo nodded seriously and even gave analysis.
"I think so too. Maybe it is because Mugetsu sensei is best at Fire Release, so he teaches it better than the others."
Anko immediately frowned.
"Is it really that hard to admit that I am just too excellent? No matter how much you slander my strength, it is still real," she shot back.
"It is very hard," Kotetsu replied honestly.
If he had to sincerely praise Anko for being a genius, he would rather go argue with his cousin for an hour.
"In my heart, there is only one genius in Class One, and that is Shisui," Izumo said meaningfully. "Since you learned a Fire Release ninjutsu too, why do you not find a chance to challenge Shisui? If you win, I guarantee the whole school will praise you as a genius."
Izumo did admit Anko had some skill.
But compared to Shisui, he felt that even this year's Anko might not be able to beat last year's Shisui.
Although Shisui had not joined this year's special training, Izumo was certain Shisui was undergoing even harsher training in the clan, learning clan ninjutsu and getting stronger and stronger.
"Why do you not go fight him? If you win, I will even call you Big Brother," Anko snapped back without hesitation.
To be honest, the thought of the whole school calling her a genius was very tempting, but Anko was not stupid.
She had seen Shisui fight before.
Shisui's Fire Release from a year ago was already far stronger than what she could do now.
There was no way she could win. Going up there would just get her beaten.
Izumo showed a regretful expression.
Anko had been tricked too many times.
She had built up immunity, and normal bait no longer worked.
"Everyone, gather up."
Mugetsu's voice carried across the training field.
The students of all three groups quickly stopped their practice and hurried over to gather around his main body.
Class time had almost ended, but no one was resting or packing to leave.
They were all still training.
"The Third Hokage heard that everyone is working very hard," Mugetsu said directly. "So he plans to come observe and give guidance during your final exam."
This news was not completely new.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had come last year as well.
But he was still the Third Hokage, and very popular among the students.
Just the mention of his visit was enough to boost motivation.
"Mugetsu sensei really has influence. Hokage sama did not come at all during the second special training last year."
"Yeah. Maybe we should thank the teachers from that one. If they had not been so bad, Mugetsu sensei might not have been called back to lead special training again."
At first, the students reacted with surprise.
Then they naturally shifted to complaining about last school year's second special training.
Back then, Mugetsu had been focused on the intern program.
Hiruzen had also wanted to see if other teachers had talent, so he picked a few that usually did well in class and gave them the special training to run.
There is no harm without comparison.
After that second special training, the students understood even more clearly how terrifyingly good Mugetsu's teaching really was.
There were indeed differences between teachers.
"Izumo, looks like our chance is coming again," Kotetsu said in a low, serious tone.
"Yeah," Izumo agreed, just as solemn. "It has been a year. Maybe Hokage sama has already forgotten us. We need to give him a deeper impression this time."
In his view, this was an important opportunity.
If he and Kotetsu could stand out and leave a mark in the Hokage's mind, they might be entrusted with important duties soon after graduating.
"But aside from Enemy Confusion Technique, we do not really have any other impressive ninjutsu. And we already used Enemy Confusion Technique last time. What are we supposed to do this time?" Kotetsu frowned.
He also felt this was a rare chance, but he could not think of a way to show off.
"True. Enemy Confusion Technique is great, but using it a second time might not have the same impact," Izumo admitted, rubbing his chin.
"Izumo, you are the one with ideas. Quickly think of something," Kotetsu pleaded, placing all hope on him.
"I cannot think of any brilliant plan right now," Izumo admitted, shaking his head.
He thought for a moment, then still offered one half plan.
"We can put our heads together with Big Brother Ebisu. If he cannot help, then we go to Big Brother Asuma."
Kotetsu's eyes lit up.
That made sense.
Of course, the two of them did not forget to invite their good friend Anko.
But Anko was too busy training, intent on taking first place in Group C, and she had no interest in their scheme.
The two grumbled about Anko together for a bit, then dashed off before she could react and went hunting for Ebisu.
For some reason, when Ebisu saw Kotetsu and Izumo approach with shining eyes, a chill ran down his spine.
"Big Brother Ebisu, we need your help," Kotetsu and Izumo said seriously.
"Please teach us how to leave a deep impression on the Third Hokage."
Ebisu's mouth twitched.
Memories of last year's special training resurfaced.
Rather than "leaving an impression," Ebisu wished Hiruzen could forget everything related to him from that time.
"I see," he said slowly. "How about this? After the exam ends, you follow Hokage sama and challenge him. Use your best Enemy Confusion Technique in a direct challenge. Let Hokage sama see your resolve as ninja."
To avoid being dragged into their mess again, Ebisu decided to strike first and send them far away from himself.
"As expected of Big Brother Ebisu," Kotetsu breathed.
He thought this idea was perfect.
Izumo nodded in agreement.
It was a bit direct, but sometimes the most direct approach created the strongest impact.
…
After another week of second phase training, Obito finally understood what true harshness meant.
He trained all day, did written work after going home, then kept getting woken up during the night.
When morning came and he dispelled his Shadow Clone, the fatigue from staying up late came crashing back into his body.
If Obito had to describe how tired he was, it would be like this:
He did not even have the energy to talk to Rin during breaks.
He just used that time to sit and rest with his eyes closed.
Of course, Obito was not the only one exhausted.
All of Mugetsu's disciples were drained in both body and mind.
Every day, aside from training and sleeping, they barely had room for any other thoughts.
The training intensity was high, but the results were obvious.
Even though they could not fully guarantee stable Breathing Technique in their sleep yet, when awake, the four disciples could basically maintain their Breathing Technique without interruption.
Their training efficiency rose sharply, and their bodies also grew tougher.
Perhaps because they were too tired, some kind of protective mechanism kicked in.
Without realizing it, Obito completed the second phase of training.
On Saturday of the second week, he slept through the night, and his Breathing Technique did not break even once.
That same day, Kakashi also managed a full night's sleep without a single lapse.
Shisui hit the goal on Sunday, and Might Guy completed it in the third week.
Guy's slower progress was mainly because he had devoted a period of time entirely to the Eight Gates, letting his Breathing Technique fall slightly behind.
And even though all of them had cleared Phase Two, that did not mean every disciple's Breathing Technique had reached the proficient level.
Only Kakashi and Obito's Breathing Techniques had fully reached that stage.
Shisui and Guy were still just a bit short.
Kakashi and Obito had an advantage.
Their Breathing Technique upper limits were already high.
One had already stepped into the Transparent World, and the other had half awakened his Mark.
Before Constant State training even began, they had been just a step away from proficiency.
Once they learned to maintain their breathing without interruption, they naturally pushed into the next level.
Under normal circumstances, you would need to complete Phase Three special training to reach full proficiency.
Phase Three was an enhanced version of Phase Two, requiring you to maintain Breathing Technique twenty four hours a day while also keeping it in a focused state to push your upper limit even higher.
After Phase Two, Mugetsu did not immediately throw them into Phase Three.
Instead, he temporarily returned to normal daily training.
They had been enduring high intensity training for almost a month.
The Chunin Exams themselves had not been easy either.
Obito and the others needed some time to breathe.
"Shisui, can we have a match?" Kakashi asked during lunch break.
He had originally planned to challenge Shisui once his body recovered after the exams, but Mugetsu's Constant State training had been so brutal that he had not wanted to move at all.
Now, after two days of regular training, his spirit had finally returned to its peak.
So he issued the challenge right away.
Kakashi had not forgotten that three match losing streak.
He had lost to Guy, Obito, and Shisui in a row.
He, who had never lost to a peer before, suddenly lost three times in succession.
For a while, those defeats had made Kakashi doubt himself.
He had wondered if he was not a genius at all, but just an ordinary ninja.
Now that he had regained his confidence, he had already defeated Obito and Guy in the Chunin Exams.
All that was left was Shisui.
Once he defeated Shisui, he would reclaim the title of peerless genius, Kakashi.
"No problem," Shisui replied.
He hesitated for a moment, glanced at Mugetsu, then still nodded.
He knew very well that his chances of winning were slim.
But he did not want Mugetsu to think he was a coward who shrank back from a challenge.
Mugetsu, as usual, acted as referee.
The other disciples, who had been resting, gathered around at once to watch.
"Go, Shisui. I am cheering for you!" Obito shouted.
He was hoping Shisui would give Kakashi a good beating right in front of Rin.
"What a day of burning youth, my rival. After your match, let us fight too!" Guy yelled, already fired up.
"Sure. Rock paper scissors only," Kakashi answered casually.
Guy's smile froze in place.
Yes, that was still a match.
But how could rock paper scissors compare to clashing fists and feet?
"Battle start," Mugetsu announced after the two took their positions opposite each other.
"Flame Breathing, Full Concentration."
"Thunder Breathing, Full Concentration."
Both of them focused their breathing, letting their Breathing Techniques amplify their bodies to the limit.
Shisui already knew from the Chunin Exams just how strong Kakashi had become, so he approached the fight with maximum caution.
Kakashi did not know exactly how far Shisui had progressed, but Shisui's track record as a super genius made him equally unwilling to be careless.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Barrage!"
Shisui rapidly formed hand seals, condensed chakra, then spat out two Great Fireball Techniques in quick succession, one after the other, downrange at Kakashi.
Each individual fireball was slightly weaker, but the combined coverage was much wider and better for testing the opponent.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall."
Instead of relying on Thunder Breathing's speed to dodge, Kakashi chose to raise an earthen wall to block both fireballs head on.
Dodging would have cost him less chakra and been a more efficient option, but Kakashi was wary that Shisui might have tricks he had not yet revealed.
He chose Earth Release for a safer defense.
In this match, Kakashi was the one at an information disadvantage.
Shisui had observed all of Kakashi's techniques during the Chunin Exams.
Kakashi, on the other hand, had no idea what new ninjutsu Shisui might have learned in that time.
If he were facing Obito, Kakashi would not have thought this deeply.
But against Shisui, who had the advantage of information, he decided it was better to be cautious.
"Kakashi is definitely going to use Shadow Clones to trick people again," Obito muttered as the tall earth wall rose and blocked their view of the field.
He had been fooled by Kakashi's Shadow Clones countless times.
He had the scars to prove his experience.
"Not necessarily," Rin said. "Kakashi did not use Shadow Clones at all in the Chunin Exams."
"That is because he knew I was too smart to fall for it, so he did not bother," Obito replied confidently.
Rin covered her mouth and laughed.
In truth, Kakashi had not used Shadow Clones against Obito, but Obito had still been tricked in another way, misjudging the situation and using Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet to burn the field.
Unlike Obito and Rin, who were focused on Kakashi's actions, Guy's attention stayed on Shisui.
He was very curious to see how far this genius who had never lost had grown.
To Guy, Shisui was also an undeniable genius, someone who had possessed the strength to defeat genin even in his first year.
No matter how hard Guy trained, he had never managed to beat Shisui even once.
"Mugetsu sensei, who do you think will win?" Obito asked, looking at Mugetsu beside him.
No one understood their abilities better than Mugetsu.
"Just watch. You will know soon enough," Mugetsu answered with a small smile. "But you can be more confident in your current strength."
He did not answer directly, but his hint was clear.
Shisui was undeniably gifted.
The fact that he had always been the strongest disciple at the youngest age spoke for itself.
But the strength that Kakashi and the others now possessed was not simply the result of daily effort.
It was power forged on the brink of death.
Twice now, they had faced jonin from the Land of Lightning and the Hidden Mist.
Each life and death crisis had forced them to transform.
From Mugetsu's perspective, he had always been able to intervene and ensure their safety.
But for the disciples themselves, Mugetsu had not been at their side in those moments.
From their point of view, those had been real, lethal crises.
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