“From now on, you need to engage in more battles to understand the breathing technique better.”
“Fighting… Damn, does that mean I have to challenge that guy Kakashi?” Obito sighed, recalling Mokutsuki’s words.
Although Might Guy and Shisui were close to his strength, they were both still immersed in their breathing technique training and didn’t have time to spar with him. Obito realized that Kakashi was the only suitable opponent left. He couldn’t just challenge Asuma; with his current strength, fighting Asuma without using the breathing technique would be too easy, and using it was necessary to improve. So, Kakashi it was.
Obito couldn’t help but laugh to himself, feeling confident. He now believed he could challenge Kakashi, especially since he had mastered the concentrated breathing technique. If it hadn’t been for a slight instability, he would have called Rin along to witness his victory over Kakashi and prove who the real genius of Konoha was.
As Obito laughed to himself, he suddenly heard a voice.
“Why are you standing outside my house, laughing like that?” Kakashi asked, noticing Obito.
“Laughing? I’m celebrating my upcoming victory!” Obito replied, realizing he had unconsciously walked to Kakashi’s house.
“So, you’ve come to challenge me?” Kakashi inquired.
“Yes,” Obito nodded. “Kakashi, prepare to face defeat! I recently secured the top spot in the ninja academy!”
“Is the academy ranking something to brag about? I got tired of that three years ago,” Kakashi said nonchalantly. “How many times have you been first? Probably just once, right? I was first every year until I graduated.”
“Well, the number of times doesn’t matter. I’ve reached the top just like you,” Obito retorted, giving up on comparing academic records.
“I thought you might have become a ninja already, given how confident you are. But I’ve been a Chūnin for several years now,” Kakashi continued.
Obito was silent. Sure, Kakashi graduated at five and became a Chūnin at six. But what did that matter? If Obito had graduated early, he wouldn’t have met Mokutsuki-sensei. He used this thought to console himself.
“Kakashi, enough talking. Let’s fight,” Obito said, not wanting Kakashi to affect his focus.
“Fine, it won’t take long to deal with you,” Kakashi said, leading Obito to their usual training spot.
“Don’t underestimate me. You’ll pay for it,” Obito growled, his anger surging. He remembered how easily Kakashi had defeated him with the Body Flicker Technique three months ago. But now, he has learned new techniques and strengthened his abilities.
“Let’s begin,” Kakashi said calmly.
Kakashi didn’t take Obito’s challenge seriously. He’d be more interested if it were Guy, knowing Guy had significantly improved. But Obito was still the same, right?
Obito immediately entered the breathing technique state, inhaling deeply to enhance his body.
Whoosh!
Obito disappeared from his spot, aiming a punch at Kakashi’s abdomen.
Kakashi’s eyes widened in surprise at Obito’s speed. He barely managed to block the punch, sliding back two meters.
“Such speed and strength,” Kakashi thought, realizing Obito was not the same. If not for his combat experience, he might have been hit.
Taking Obito seriously, Kakashi drew a kunai and threw it at him.
Obito dodged the kunai using the “Soru” technique and charged at Kakashi again.
This time, Kakashi was prepared. As Obito rushed in, Kakashi nearly landed a punch on his face. Kakashi’s superior combat rhythm turned the tide, forcing Obito to retreat, covered in dust.
“Damn, is Kakashi’s taijutsu even stronger than Guy’s?” Obito thought, frustrated. He had managed to go toe-to-toe with Guy using the breathing technique, but Kakashi was overwhelming him.
Bang!
Kakashi found an opening and knocked Obito to the ground with a punch and a kick.
Obito quickly distanced himself, no longer willing to engage in close combat. He formed hand seals to use a fire jutsu.
“Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!”
Obito expelled a massive four-meter-tall fireball at Kakashi.
“Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!” Kakashi calmly formed seals, summoning a large earth wall.
Boom!
The fireball crashed into the sturdy earth wall but didn’t break through. Seeing the dog-head relief on the wall, Obito was annoyed.
He had hoped to force Kakashi to dodge, allowing him to launch a surprise attack with the concentrated breathing technique. But Kakashi had opted for a defensive jutsu instead.
“Flame Breathing, Full Concentration Breathing!” Obito decided to show Kakashi the full power of his technique. He wasn’t using his full strength yet.
Obito leaped onto the earth wall, spotting Kakashi standing behind it. Enhanced by the breathing technique, he infused fire chakra into his hand and lunged at Kakashi, palm ablaze.
Seeing Obito’s fierce attack, Kakashi dodged, keeping a safe distance to avoid the flames.
Realizing Kakashi’s caution, Obito had a flash of inspiration. He decided to attempt a one-handed seal to launch a jutsu.
“Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!”
Obito pulled out three kunai, hiding his left hand behind his back to form a seal, and threw the kunai at Kakashi. Although only two of the kunai ignited, it was a partial success.
As Obito threw the kunai, Kakashi also hurled two kunai at him.
Obito dodged Kakashi’s kunai with a sidestep and laughed. His kunai would explode, making it hard for Kakashi to escape unscathed.
Boom!
Kakashi evaded the kunai at such close range, but they exploded nearby.
“I won!” Obito thought excitedly. The explosion wouldn’t seriously injure Kakashi but would make the rest of the battle difficult for him.
(Chapter End)
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