NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24: Chapter 24
________________________________________
Kakashi formed the Tiger Seal.
"Konoha Secret Technique, Taijutsu Secret – Thousand Years of Death!"
With a scream, Naruto fell straight into the river.
Even though Naruto tried to counter with his multiple Shadow Clones, Kakashi easily handled it, leaving Naruto in total defeat, tears streaming down his face.
"Next!" Kakashi said slowly, taking out his favorite book, Icha Icha Paradise.
Sasuke stepped up to the challenge. He tried using the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique, but Kakashi was still too much for him, defeating Sasuke with relative ease.
Sakura's turn was next, but her theoretical knowledge was of no use in actual combat. Her abilities in real battle were almost nonexistent, leading to her swift defeat.
Finally, it was Toshi Ikeno's turn.
Kakashi had always wanted to spar with Ikeno but had never had the chance. Seeing him gather the rest of his team for a quick strategy session, Kakashi thought to himself, "He seems to have a good sense of teamwork."
However, right after the huddle, the other three team members quickly dispersed to hide, while Ikeno casually walked up to Kakashi.
Without warning, Ikeno unleashed a powerful punch, whistling through the air with deadly precision. The speed, accuracy, and force of the attack were enough to make Kakashi react instantly, stretching out his right arm just in time to block the blow. Even so, the power behind Ikeno's punch made Kakashi's expression change as he quickly retreated to avoid injury.
Ikeno's relentless assault didn't stop. He smoothly transitioned from a punch into a claw, grabbing Kakashi's right arm, while raising his elbow to strike Kakashi's face diagonally. With his right arm restrained, Kakashi was forced to jerk his head back to avoid the hit.
But just as Kakashi lost his balance, Ikeno pulled him forward, sending Kakashi reeling backward. The sudden metallic sound of a kunai clashing against Ikeno's elbow rang out, revealing the weighted training gear on his arm.
"Weight training? Isn't that Guy's method?!" Kakashi thought in surprise, realizing the young man's physical prowess.
Kakashi knew he was dealing with an opponent with formidable physical skills. Despite the brief exchange, it was clear that Ikeno Jun's strength was leagues beyond what Kakashi had expected from a Genin.
"Your taijutsu is impressive, Toshi Ikeno! I was going to hold back, but it looks like I'll need to get serious now," Kakashi said, retracting his kunai and staring at his opponent.
But Ikeno only grinned, "That was just a warm-up, Kakashi-sensei. In close combat, you won't stand a chance. Now, 'let me show you Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred technique!'
With a burst of Chakra, Ikeno launched a strike directly at Kakashi's abdomen, moving so fast that Kakashi barely had time to react. The blow missed Kakashi by a hair's breadth, but the force of the wind alone was enough to send chills down his spine.
"What incredible speed!" Kakashi thought, barely keeping up with Ikeno's relentless attacks.
The two engaged in a fierce, close-quarters battle, with Kakashi struggling to keep up with Ikeno's lightning-fast punches and kicks. Every time Kakashi tried to retreat, Ikeno was on him in an instant, refusing to give him any space.
"I'm a Jōnin, but this kid is pushing me to the limit..." Kakashi thought in disbelief.
Ikeno, on the other hand, was enjoying the fight. "Kakashi-sensei, you're struggling, aren't you?" he teased, deliberately not going for the bell yet.
"Your taijutsu may be excellent, but ninja aren't just about physical skills," Kakashi responded, capitalizing on an opening and breaking free from Ikeno Jun's barrage of attacks.
As Kakashi retreated, his hands moved in a blur, forming hand seals. But before he could finish, Sasuke appeared behind him, launching a barrage of fireballs with his Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu.
Kakashi was caught off guard. "Sasuke can already use C-rank ninjutsu?" he thought, dodging as several fireballs rushed toward him. Two fireballs hit Kakashi directly, causing an explosion that kicked up dust and debris.
Sasuke and Ikeno stood on either side of the dust cloud, waiting. Naruto appeared as well, summoning multiple Shadow Clones to surround the area.
As the dust settled, Kakashi emerged, looking slightly singed but otherwise unscathed. "Not bad teamwork for Genin," he remarked. Naruto beamed at the praise, but Kakashi quickly dashed their hopes. "But if you think that was enough to defeat me, you still have a long way to go."
"That's what you think!" Ikeno and Sasuke charged at Kakashi together.
Suddenly, Kakashi vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Where did he go?" Sasuke muttered, scanning the area.
"Not good!" Ikeno realized too late what was happening. In an instant, Kakashi's hands shot up from the ground, grabbing both of their ankles.
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!" Kakashi's calm voice echoed from the earth, and within seconds, both Ikeno and Sasuke were buried up to their necks, unable to move.
Kakashi laughed, walking away with his comic book in hand. Sakura and Naruto ran over, horrified at the sight of their buried teammates. They immediately began digging to free them.
Kakashi glanced back, chuckling. "Good teamwork, but at that speed, you'll never dig them out in time."
Ikeno, not wanting to waste time, infused his shoulders with Chakra, breaking out of the ground like a rocket. He summoned his invisible helper, Ritoru, to assist in digging up Sasuke. Then, he summoned multiple Shadow Clones to speed up the process.
[Ding! Congratulations to Host for discovering the third use of Shadow Clone – makeshift excavator!]
However, the system quickly added a reminder.
[Reminder: Host must complete the task of challenging Kakashi independently and cannot rely on external help, including teammates or summoned beasts.]
Ikeno sighed. "Alright..."
"Kakashi-sensei! Wait!" he called, running after Kakashi.
Kakashi turned, surprised. "He escaped the Headhunter Jutsu so easily... What does he want from me?"
________________________________________