anwhile, deep within the forest, Sasuke had also observed the battlefield through his Sharingan.
Unlike Hinata, however, the mont Naruto and Hinata were defeated, Sasuke imdiately focused entirely on escaping and retreating with everything he had.
Konoha Jōnin are far stronger than I imagined…
Even Naruto got defeated that easily?
Watching the Kakashi Shadow Clone relentlessly close the distance no matter what he tried, Sasuke's expression grew increasingly agitated.
Even his breathing rhythm had begun destabilizing.
Seeing this, the Shadow Clone chasing Sasuke suddenly seed to notice the perfect opportunity.
Just like the technique that defeated Naruto earlier, the clone drew its lightning-covered blade once more.
The shriek of Chidori echoed violently.
The clone's speed exploded forward instantly.
"Lightning Cutter: Blade!"
Kakashi's Shadow Clone even deliberately shouted the technique's na.
Not good!
The instant Sasuke saw the sa move that had previously defeated Naruto, his heart jolted violently.
Without even thinking, he instinctively crossed both arms before his chest in a defensive posture, desperately trying to reduce the damage from the unavoidable strike.
However—
Bang.
The Shadow Clone vanished the mont it reached him.
"Haa… haa…"
Cold sweat slid down Sasuke's forehead as he landed weakly on the ground.
Only then did he suddenly realize—
Without noticing during his desperate retreat, he had already left the boundaries of the training ground.
"Tch…"
"So I lost because I ignored the boundary too…"
"Just like that idiot?"
Strangely enough, Sasuke felt slightly relieved.
Deep down, he almost felt fortunate that he successfully avoided the terrifying attack that defeated Naruto earlier.
At least he wasn't seriously injured.
Still—
This ant all three of them had failed the exercise completely.
And that realization finally suppressed a small portion of Sasuke's pride.
In his mind, Kakashi-sensei's overwhelming strength was probably intended to remind them there would always be stronger people above them.
"Looks like nobody gets lunch now."
Yet to Sasuke's and Hinata's shock—
The person standing before them shaking his head and sighing was Naruto himself.
The sa Naruto who monts ago appeared critically wounded and barely conscious.
"... What exactly…?"
"Let explain."
Kakashi glanced toward Naruto, who clearly could no longer keep pretending, before sighing softly.
"First, you, Hinata."
"At the beginning of the battle, even though Naruto fell into a disadvantageous position, your trust in him allowed you to remain calm."
"Honestly, you perford very well."
"Whether it was suppressing my Shadow Clone…"
"Or continuously monitoring both Naruto's and Sasuke's battlefields simultaneously…"
"I think from the very beginning, you already noticed that the clone fighting you wasn't nearly as strong as the one pressuring Naruto."
Kakashi looked toward Hinata, who still worriedly stared at Naruto's shoulder.
"But…"
The tone of his voice suddenly turned colder.
"The mont Naruto was truly injured, you completely panicked."
"You—who originally could have defeated or at least restrained my clone before rushing to support Naruto—beca the easiest target to break through instead."
"And do you know what would happen next if this were a real battlefield?"
Kakashi's expression beca completely serious.
"Because of your mistake…"
"An injured Naruto would suddenly be forced into one of two choices."
"Either abandon you…"
"Or face multiple enemies alone while already wounded."
"And even worse…"
"If you were captured and turned into a hostage…"
"The burden on your teammates would beco even heavier."
"And your chances of survival…"
"Would beco even smaller."
"I…"
Hinata opened her mouth slightly.
Then slowly closed her eyes as she replayed everything that happened earlier.
Her expression gradually turned extrely pale.
Because she understood—
Kakashi wasn't exaggerating at all.
In fact, if that situation truly occurred, things would likely beco even worse.
Because Naruto would never abandon her—
Or any teammate—
To escape alone.
I…
Would beco Naruto-kun's burden?
That was sothing Hinata absolutely could not accept.
"As for you, Sasuke…"
Kakashi's tone softened slightly as he turned toward the silent Sasuke.
"Looks like you already realized your problem too."
Sasuke lowered his head without speaking.
Especially after hearing Kakashi ntion Hinata could potentially defeat the Shadow Clone.
"Your problem is that your judgnt of the enemy's strength beca far too absolute."
"You never once directly clashed with my clone the way Hinata did."
"Of course…"
Kakashi continued calmly.
"Avoiding stronger enemies isn't necessarily wrong."
"In many situations, facing a dangerous opponent ans first figuring out how to gather information."
"Your initial retreat was actually rational and correct."
"But if I'm not mistaken…"
Kakashi's eye narrowed slightly.
"The mont you saw Naruto imdiately fall into a disadvantage against …"
"You subconsciously concluded my clone was unbeatable."
"And from that point onward…"
"You never once truly considered fighting head-on."
Sure enough—
Kakashi's words struck directly into Sasuke's weakness.
The handso boy lifted his head unwillingly, clearly wanting to argue.
Yet he found himself unable to speak.
"And after that…"
"You still focused all your attention on Naruto."
"You never seriously stopped to consider why Hinata—whose direct combat ability is weaker than Naruto's—could suppress my clone for a short period of ti."
"In truth…"
"The clone fighting you possessed roughly the sa chakra amount as the one fighting Hinata."
"With your abilities, if you calmly analyzed the situation, observed carefully, and tested things gradually…"
Kakashi spoke calmly.
"I believe defeating that clone would simply beco a matter of ti."
"But until you ignored the rules and escaped the training ground…"
"You still failed to realize that."
Each sentence struck Sasuke's heart like needles.
After years of ANBU experience and countless missions outside the village, Kakashi's observational skills were terrifyingly sharp.
The weakness he identified in both Hinata and Sasuke originated from the exact sa source:
Their understanding of Naruto's strength.
Hinata—
Was driven by trust and concern.
Sasuke—
Viewed Naruto as an insurmountable goal.
And once that ntality ford, while it created excellent teamwork…
For them personally becoming independent shinobi—
It beca an enormous problem.
Dependence on the strong.
That ntality beca both shackles upon themselves…
And imnse pressure upon the one they depended on.
Exactly like himself back then.
And Minato-sensei before him.
"So…"
"Although both of you remained calm at the beginning of this simulated battle…"
"And your decisions were genuinely impressive…"
"And you both showed trendous trust in Naruto…"
Kakashi slowly summarized everything.
"The mont that trust shattered…"
"The impact on both of you beca enormous."
"You are shinobi of Konoha."
"And sooner or later, you will walk this path yourselves."
"You must understand…"
"No matter how strong or reliable your companions are…"
"There may still co a ti…"
"When they cannot arrive in ti."
"Or even fall into danger themselves."
Kakashi's voice gradually lowered.
"The greater your trust and expectations toward soone beco…"
"When those expectations eventually collapse soday…"
"Will your reactions still remain this pathetic?"
Kakashi's final question struck like thunder.
Both Hinata and Sasuke fell completely silent in reflection.
That should be enough.
They're smart children.
This reminder should make them realize the issue now…
Next…
Kakashi slowly turned his gaze toward Naruto, who had also fallen deep into thought.
Now it's this brat's turn.
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