"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Sasuke's Sharingan spun rapidly.
Watching the Kakashi clone relentlessly pursue him, Sasuke ford hand seals without hesitation and unleashed a massive fireball in an attempt to intercept the enemy.
Yet Kakashi easily dodged it.
The distance between them failed to widen in the slightest.
"Damn it…"
Sasuke frowned deeply.
"He's ridiculously fast."
"If he closes the distance…"
Kakashi's speed far exceeded Sasuke's expectations.
In fact, Kakashi imdiately realized Sasuke intended to create distance and support Naruto remotely.
Thus, the clone instantly dragged Sasuke into close-quarters combat instead.
Exactly as Kakashi predicted, Sasuke attempted to use ninjutsu to buy ti—
While Kakashi chose the complete opposite approach.
Close-range pressure.
As a result, Sasuke instantly lost the initiative.
Still—
Sasuke's combat instincts were genuinely excellent.
Without hesitation, he activated the Sharingan imdiately, preventing Kakashi from slipping outside his visual range.
Two-tomoe Sharingan.
Strong Fire Release.
Physical abilities capable of barely keeping up with my Shadow Clone…
The real Kakashi sitting nearby silently analyzed everything.
And before long, Sasuke realized he couldn't break free from the clone quickly.
Thus, without warning, he suddenly turned and leapt directly into the dense forest.
A more complicated environnt.
Interesting.
Kakashi inwardly nodded with satisfaction.
With more obstacles around, extre speed becos harder to utilize effectively.
A good judgnt.
However—
Sasuke still hadn't realized a fundantal problem hidden within his assumptions.
Still, this also fell completely within Kakashi's expectations.
Compared to Sasuke, Hinata's performance actually surprised him more.
Just like Sasuke, Hinata originally intended to rush toward Naruto's side imdiately after being intercepted.
Yet only monts later—
She completely refocused her attention onto the opponent standing before her.
Chakra gathered into both fists.
Under the support of the Byakugan, she carefully and effectively pressured the Shadow Clone before her using Gentle Fist.
Surprisingly—
She seed entirely unaffected by Naruto's current "desperate" situation.
And because of the Byakugan's special vision, Hinata beca the only person on the field besides Kakashi capable of clearly observing every battlefield simultaneously.
Yet despite Naruto's and Sasuke's increasingly pressured states, Hinata's movents never wavered in the slightest.
The Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist unfolded beautifully in her hands, forcing Kakashi's clone into temporary difficulty.
After all, Kakashi couldn't truly attack them with lethal force.
Ironically, that made Hinata the most aggressive fighter on the field.
Is she genuinely calm…
Or is her trust in Naruto even deeper than I expected?
Kakashi touched his chin thoughtfully.
Originally, he assud Hinata would be the first to lose composure.
After all, she seed exactly like the type of young girl overly worried about the boy she liked.
Yet unexpectedly—
During battle, she remained even calr than Sasuke.
In comparison, Sasuke had clearly been affected more by Naruto's condition.
Even now, he continued trying to bypass Kakashi's clone and reach Naruto.
There's still obvious impatience in their combat patterns…
But honestly, their performances are excellent.
Maybe it's ti for another test…
"Kakashi-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, what should I do next?"
Naruto's voice suddenly reached Kakashi's ears.
At this mont, Naruto looked extrely miserable.
Rolling, flipping, and dodging frantically beneath the assault.
Yet Kakashi understood perfectly—
It was all fake.
This brat…
Even while barely avoiding deadly attacks, he still has enough energy to casually speak into my ear like this.
Relying solely on taijutsu to reach this level…
Just how much is he hiding?
Rembering Naruto already mastered the Three Basic Techniques at absurdly high levels when he was only six years old, Kakashi felt increasingly speechless.
"You really are ridiculously relaxed."
Kakashi inwardly complained.
Still, he intentionally kept his voice low enough to prevent Hinata—who remained relatively nearby—from overhearing.
"Hehe, that's because Kakashi-sensei's holding back!"
Naruto "barely" dodged another lightning-fast strike.
Several strands of blond hair were even sliced away from his forehead.
The scene looked incredibly dangerous.
Yet Naruto still sohow found ti to stick his tongue out at Kakashi.
Holding back?
Kakashi nearly rolled his eyes.
Aside from avoiding ninjutsu and the Sharingan, this Shadow Clone was already attacking Naruto at full power.
Because Kakashi genuinely didn't believe a single clone could actually defeat Naruto anyway.
Whether Flying Thunder God or other hidden abilities—
Naruto absolutely possessed enough thods to protect himself.
Kakashi already understood that years ago when the Third Hokage used Naruto's abilities to demonstrate certain truths.
And now?
Defeating Naruto with only one Shadow Clone was obviously impossible.
Seriously…
How exactly did he beco this strong?
Even Minato-sensei wasn't this terrifying at his age, right?
"Hm…"
Kakashi quietly continued:
"Judging by things now, Hinata and Sasuke are already starting to realize you aren't actually in danger."
"If you suddenly recover montum next…"
"They'll completely focus on defeating my clones."
"Hehe."
Naruto grinned while flipping backward through another strike.
"That's because they're really strong too!"
"And they definitely know I'm strong, so they won't stay worried forever."
"And that…"
Kakashi suddenly sighed softly.
"Is exactly their current weakness."
"Sorry."
Kakashi's tone lowered slightly.
"This next part might hurt a little."
Then suddenly—
Lightning exploded around Naruto.
The piercing shriek of Chidori-like chakra erupted alongside a flashing blade that suddenly pierced straight through Naruto's arm!
Naruto imdiately cried out in pain and stumbled backward.
Blood stread continuously from the wound as he stared at Kakashi in apparent shock.
His body swayed weakly.
As though the injury was severe enough that he could no longer remain standing.
"Naruto."
Kakashi's voice sounded light and calm.
"You stepped outside the circle."
Internally, however, Kakashi deeply admired Naruto's acting.
If he didn't already know the truth beforehand, he genuinely might have believed Naruto had just suffered a near-fatal injury.
And Naruto's understanding of tactics was terrifyingly sharp too.
Just one glance was enough for Naruto to perfectly synchronize with Kakashi's intentions.
That level of understanding absolutely ca from professional training.
"Naruto-kun!"
Hinata—who until now remained completely calm while observing the battlefield through the Byakugan—finally cried out in alarm.
Completely ignoring everything else, she instantly tried rushing toward Naruto's side.
And precisely because of that montary distraction—
Kakashi's Shadow Clone suddenly reversed the blade in his hand and returned it to the sheath.
Then he delivered a powerful kick directly into Hinata's body, sending her flying backward several ters and completely breaking her balance.
Yet Hinata still hadn't realized the opening created by her emotional reaction.
She imdiately forced herself back to her feet.
But the instant she raised her head—
She saw Kakashi's Shadow Clone already completing hand seals.
Not good.
Genjutsu!
Hinata's eyes widened.
Yet by the ti she realized it—
It was already too late.
Her gaze instantly beca vacant.
She had already fallen completely into Kakashi's illusion.
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