Today, there was a rare sparring class for the entire grade on the training ground. Hoshino-sensei specifically sought out Naraku before class to ask if he was in a state to be paired with Kakashi.
"If only I had known your situation back then... Naraku, I'm sorry for always pushing you so hard before."
Hoshino's face showed apology. The thought of always making Naraku, who had long suffered from malnutrition, spar with Kakashi Hatake, known as a genius, made him wish he could slap his past self.
"It's alright, Hoshino-sensei. I know you were trying to ensure everyone had a suitable opponent."
Naraku considerately comforted Hoshino, showing him his fully recovered hands. "I'm all better now. Please pair me with Kakashi."
"Are you really sure?" Hoshino couldn't help but confirm again.
"Really." Naraku nodded. When Hoshino once again called out the names "Kakashi Hatake" and "Naraku Uchiha," the students' reactions were vastly different from before.
"Who will win this time?"
"It'll probably still be Hatake, after all..."
"Maybe it'll be Naraku Uchiha?"
The disdain and whispers were greatly reduced. Most of them were seriously guessing who was stronger this time, Naraku Uchiha or Hatake. Some appearance-obsessed girls even changed their usual attitude, encouraging Naraku to perform well.
"Go, Naraku-kun!"
"Although Kakashi-kun is also very handsome, Naraku-kun is more my type..."
"Ah, Yuko, you fence-sitter!"
Feeling the completely different treatment from before, Naraku seemed uncomfortable. He didn't dare to look at the crowd and quickly walked onto the field, only gradually relaxing once he was there.
He couldn't help but sigh internally. Ever since he changed that gloomy hairstyle and revealed his face, he had truly witnessed the reality that "appearance is justice" these past few days.
"Hmph, so what if he's handsome? It's no big deal."
Asuma Sarutobi grumbled under his breath, a hint of sourness in his tone. He now considered Naraku his imaginary rival, constantly worried that Kurenai Yuhi might someday be enchanted by this pretty boy and abandon a fine man like him.
"Woohoo, this time I'm not fighting Hatake!"
Genma Shiranui, who had been forced to pair with Kakashi in the last sparring class because Naraku was sick, let out a long sigh of relief. He grabbed Raido Namiashi next to him, speaking rapidly: "Raido, please, let's be partners again this class!"
Raido Namiashi's eyebrow twitched. "What progress can you make always fighting me? Wasn't it good last time? Some people don't even qualify to fight Hatake."
On the other side, Obito Uchiha suddenly sneezed, eliciting a worried inquiry from Rin about whether he was getting sick. He was so delighted he wished he could sneeze a few more times.
"What's so good about it?" Genma Shiranui retorted. "Getting instantly defeated by Hatake won't lead to any progress either!"
Raido Namiashi pointed to Aoba Yamashiro, who was waiting nearby for the teacher to assign opponents, and patted Genma Shiranui's shoulder. "Even if it's not Hatake, at least change your opponent. Aoba Yamashiro seems pretty free."
"Alright."
"Shikaharu, who do you think will win this time?"
Choji Akimichi was still gnawing on a chicken leg, nudging Shikaharu Nara with his free elbow. Ino Yamanaka, next to them, also cast a curious glance.
"Probably still Kakashi Hatake," Shikaharu Nara said, crossing his arms and tapping the outside of his arm, a habitual gesture when he was thinking. "Even if Naraku Uchiha's condition has improved, he can't possibly catch up to Hatake in such a short time."
... Standing in the center of the field, looking at Kakashi, who was still adjusting his weapons not far away, Naraku remembered the day he first arrived. He had not yet adapted to his new identity when he had to face an unbeatable opponent. That feeling of weakness, powerlessness, and utter helplessness was something he never wanted to experience a second time.
Fortunately, today was different. His Chakra and stamina were plentiful, and he was more familiar with the Hatake Clan swordsmanship than before. It wouldn't be so easy for Kakashi to win within three minutes.
Naraku gripped the tantō Sakumo had given him, his body slightly bent, ready to counter Kakashi's initial attack.
Kakashi also finished adjusting and assumed a drawing stance.
"Begin!"
At Hoshino-sensei's command, Kakashi instantly vanished from his spot, appearing before Naraku the next second. His tantō was already unsheathed, slashing from diagonally below with a formidable cold glint.
Naraku, who was well-prepared, immediately raised his sword to block. After fending off two attacks, he found a momentary opening when Kakashi's previous momentum had passed and new strength had not yet gathered. He attempted to break through with his most practiced thrust.
But Kakashi's Kenjutsu was still superior. At the last moment, he used the flat of his blade to block Naraku's sword tip. Then, he pushed off the ground with his toes, quickly retreating to create distance, adjusted his posture, and attacked again.
The two exchanged blows several times, and time quickly approached the end of the third minute. The sparring match had about ten seconds left.
Kakashi stood with his sword held horizontally. He had been silently counting down in his mind since the start of the match, so he knew time was running out and decided to deliver one final move.
He watched Naraku's next movements, waiting for the moment the latter showed a clear opening, which would be the time to strike.
Even in such an intense duel, he couldn't help but marvel at how much stronger Naraku had become—truly as his father had said, exceptionally talented.
—Now!
Kakashi's eyes sharpened, and in an instant, he surged forward with an upward slash aimed at Naraku's chest. The sword tip, trailing a stream of light, cut through the air, his clothes, and sleeves, finally stopping on Naraku's blade, sparking a few embers.
Naraku's body was leaning back at this point, his center of gravity unstable, and he swayed slightly from Kakashi's force. He had no time to counter; in fact, Kakashi could have landed a hit with just one more strike.
But, time was up.
"Time's up! It's a draw!"
Hoshino-sensei's announcement, ending the sparring, echoed across the entire training ground, informing everyone that the old Naraku Uchiha was gone forever.
Perhaps with more time, he would have lost, but within three minutes, he would no longer lose to Kakashi Hatake.
In the future, three minutes would become five minutes, ten minutes, an hour... Naraku Uchiha had truly become Kakashi Hatake's rival.
"You're amazing, Naraku-kun!"
"Kakashi, you have to win next time!"
"Tch, he almost lost anyway..."
"Then you go fight Hatake for three minutes?"
"..."
"Shikaharu, you make mistakes sometimes too?"
"I'm not a god; so what if I make a mistake?"
"Hahahahaha..."
"Well done, Naraku! You've brought honor to us Uchiha! Kakashi, just you wait; I'll be the next one to defeat you!"
"Naraku and Kakashi drew, Obito."
"Such a small matter isn't important, hahahaha."
The crowd was a chaotic mix of voices. Naraku wasn't focused on what they were saying; instead, his eyes shining brightly, he approached Kakashi and extended his index and middle fingers, forming the Seal of Reconciliation with him.
"Although time ran out, but..." Naraku said softly, as if in wonder, "Kakashi, this time we finally drew."
Kakashi, ever the literalist, quietly retorted: "Actually, no, you didn't use that."
Naraku found it a bit amusing; he hadn't expected young Kakashi to be so competitive.
That's right, in the original timeline, when he was the sensei of Team 7, whenever Might Guy challenged him, he would always give his all. It was probably a habit he developed since childhood.
"If I had used it, I would have lost very quickly, because my Chakra wouldn't have been enough."
Naraku showed no surprise; instead, he gave a slight smile and explained in a volume only they could hear, gently appeasing the somewhat unwilling Kakashi-cat.
His smile was faint, almost imperceptible, but it was sincere and open, possessing a dazzling and captivating charm in Kakashi's eyes.
Kakashi exhaled softly, a rare smile gracing his face in front of others.
"Next time, I'm going to win."
Naraku's smile remained gentle and resolute: "I won't lose easily either."
Only equals are worthy of standing beside you.