Danzō continued,
"You've surely heard of Hatake Kakashi—the Copy Ninja. Since Kurenai-jōnin claims your strength surpasses hers, today, as long as you can last one stick of incense against Kakashi, you will pass the Chūnin assessment."
"Furthermore, if you display enough strength and gain recognition from us—the leadership of Konoha—as well as the ANBU elites present, you may even be exceptionally promoted to jōnin."
"I understand, Danzō-sama."
Kamikawa replied solemnly.
"Then take your positions."
Danzō waved his hand impatiently, his expression still dark.
The Konoha leadership seated themselves in the VIP area. Kurenai and the ANBU-clad Uchiha Itachi stood beside Hiruzen and Danzō respectively.
The rest of the ANBU remained hidden among the surrounding trees.
A wide open space was cleared in the center.
Kamikawa and Kakashi stood twenty paces apart.
An ANBU stood between them as referee.
"Begin."
At Hiruzen's signal, the referee leapt back.
Both Kamikawa and Kakashi formed the Tiger Seal with one hand—a sign of respect.
"Start!"
The moment the word fell—
Kamikawa moved.
His hands blurred through seals, and in an instant, his body dissolved into drifting cherry blossom petals.
Genjutsu: Three Petal Cherry Blossoms!
"Genjutsu… This child has grown to this level already…"
Hiruzen calmly disrupted his own chakra to dispel the illusion.
The others—except Itachi—quickly followed suit.
Even so, they were all inwardly shocked by Kamikawa's mastery.
So fast.
Before most had fully broken free—
a flash of white blade cut through the air.
Kamikawa reappeared mid-strike, his sword descending toward Kakashi's head.
"So fast… Not just speed—his hand seals, his strength…"
Kakashi's lazy gaze sharpened instantly.
No more underestimation.
He drew his blade at once and blocked.
Clang!
"Shatter… Kyōka Suigetsu."
Kamikawa murmured internally.
He deliberately held back his strength.
At the exact moment everyone's attention focused on his blade—
His Zanpakutō was released.
Then—
He continued exchanging blows with Kakashi as if nothing had happened.
Steel clashed against steel.
Sparks flew.
From the viewing stand, Hiruzen stroked his beard.
"Not just genjutsu—even his taijutsu and body flicker are highly refined. Among jōnin, he would already be outstanding."
"Kurenai, you've trained a fine student."
The two advisors nodded subtly in agreement.
Only Danzō's expression remained unreadable.
As for Itachi—
his shock deepened.
With his Mangekyō Sharingan, his perception far surpassed everyone present.
And yet—
he could tell.
Kamikawa is still hiding something.
He wasn't going all out.
"Lord Hokage overpraises me," Kurenai quickly said.
"I've only offered minor guidance. His strength is his own."
Meanwhile—
Kamikawa and Kakashi had already exchanged dozens of blows.
Shuriken, kunai, body flicker—
even substitution techniques appeared intermittently.
To ordinary eyes, only two blurs could be seen clashing in rapid succession.
Finally—
as the incense neared its end—
both stopped.
Their taijutsu was evenly matched.
Timing, reactions, execution—
Neither held a clear advantage.
Continuing would only stall until time ran out.
"Kakashi-senpai, as expected of the Copy Ninja. Truly impressive."
Kamikawa spoke politely while forming seals again.
"Likewise. Be careful—here comes the next attack."
Kakashi planted his blade into the ground and began forming seals.
Without bloodline limits… This kid is on par with Itachi.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Kakashi inhaled deeply—
and expelled a massive fireball, blazing like a miniature sun.
Kamikawa finished his seals—
and stood still.
The flames swallowed him whole.
"Kamikawa!"
Kurenai shouted in alarm.
"Don't worry," Hiruzen said calmly.
"He's stronger than you think."
As the flames dissipated—
a shallow crater remained.
Kamikawa's body lay within, scorched and motionless.
"Did it work…?"
Kakashi muttered, stepping forward.
But just as he approached—
poof!
The body vanished in smoke.
A Shadow Clone.
"Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu!"
In the next instant—
Kakashi was dragged underground, leaving only his head exposed.
"Kakashi-senpai… looks like I won this round."
Kamikawa rose from the earth.
But then—
"Not necessarily."
Kakashi's voice came from behind him.
A blade rested at Kamikawa's neck.
The "captured Kakashi" vanished into smoke.
Another clone.
"How did you see through it? The Sharingan?"
Kamikawa asked calmly, without turning.
"Yes."
Kakashi didn't deny it.
"When you formed seals earlier, I could already tell—you were preparing both Headhunter Jutsu and a shadow clone."
"Headhunter Jutsu isn't just for ambush—it's also one of the best ways to evade frontal attacks."
"To combine the two techniques… and execute them so quickly…"
Kakashi's tone carried genuine admiration.
"Kamikawa… you're truly exceptional."