Chapter 2: Kakashi, You Lost Again
Standing in the open space, Kakashi had already drawn his White Fang short blade.
This was the only relic left to him by his deceased father.
"Are you ready?"
Kakashi's gaze shifted from the White Fang short blade to Gekkou Tenya, his body slightly leaning forward, already prepared for an attack.
Opposite him, Gekkou Tenya stood calmly, holding a long sword horizontally in front of him with his left hand, his right hand gripping the hilt, looking at Kakashi with a serene expression.
"Bring it on!"
Swoosh!
As soon as Gekkou Tenya's words fell, Kakashi charged straight at him.
The White Fang short blade in his hand turned into an afterimage, pressing down towards Gekkou Tenya.
In an instant, Gekkou Tenya's front was almost completely covered by sword light, seemingly about to be swallowed up by it.
Gekkou Tenya's eyes narrowed slightly, and two flashes seemed to pass through his eyes.
Immediately after, the long sword in his hand left its sheath in an instant, slashing out a dazzling sword light.
"Clang!"
After a fierce clash, the countless afterimages dissipated in an instant, leaving only a snow-white short blade.
Kakashi seemed to have expected this, his expression unchanged, continuing his fierce assault.
The sharp sword light came again, seemingly faster than before.
In contrast, Gekkou Tenya remained unperturbed.
He swung the long sword in his hand at a leisurely pace.
Each strike accurately intercepted Kakashi's attacks, and each hit targeted Kakashi's weak spots.
Facing Gekkou Tenya's precise strikes, Kakashi felt his swordsmanship was completely suppressed.
Despite using all his strength, he couldn't gain any advantage and was at a constant disadvantage.
However, he was not ready to give up.
Kakashi's eyes sharpened.
He increased the intensity of his attacks, trying to turn the tide.
Unfortunately, the situation did not change.
He found himself even more trapped.
All his attacks were still blocked by Gekkou Tenya.
Clang!
Another fierce collision.
Kakashi's right hand, holding the White Fang short blade, trembled slightly.
Gekkou Tenya's eyes flashed, and his long sword swung aside Kakashi's White Fang short blade, delivering a swift slash to Kakashi's chest.
In an instant, Kakashi's figure turned into smoke and disappeared.
Shadow Clone!
Immediately, a bone-chilling sensation came from behind.
The White Fang short blade, wrapped in lightning, streaked through the air, about to pierce Gekkou Tenya's body.
"Secret Sword: Bubble Shadow!"
Leaving behind a seemingly real and illusory bubble shadow, Gekkou Tenya's true form had vanished.
Pop!
The White Fang short blade pierced through the bubble shadow, as if bursting a bubble.
The bubble instantly shattered and disappeared.
No trace was left, and no smoke rose.
What kind of jutsu is this?
Kakashi's heart shook, unable to see through this move.
Clone Technique?
Doesn't seem like it!
Shadow Clone?
Not that either!
"Kakashi, losing focus in battle is a grave mistake!"
From behind came Gekkou Tenya's familiar voice.
Kakashi immediately regained his focus and used the Body Flicker Technique, disappearing from his original spot in an instant.
When he steadied himself.
Not far away, Gekkou Tenya was looking at him leisurely.
There was no intention to take advantage.
If Gekkou Tenya had attacked while he was dazed, Kakashi would have already lost.
Thinking of this, Kakashi couldn't help but blush.
If not for the mask, he might have already given up the duel out of embarrassment.
"This round, it's my turn to attack!"
Gekkou Tenya smiled, maintaining a sword-holding stance, leaving multiple afterimages on the ground in the blink of an eye.
Phantom Step Slash!
That move again!
Before Kakashi could distinguish which was the real Gekkou Tenya, a sword light like a flying dragon slashed down from the sky.
Boom!
A puff of white smoke rose, and a log was split in two by Gekkou Tenya.
Substitution Jutsu!
Shing!
At that moment, Kakashi emerged from beneath Gekkou Tenya, less than a meter away, with the White Fang short blade pressed against Gekkou Tenya's back.
"You've lost!"
Sweat beaded on Kakashi's forehead, his eyes showing excitement.
This was the first time he had beaten Gekkou Tenya in a duel!
However, at that moment, Gekkou Tenya's familiar voice sounded from behind him: "Are you sure?"
How?
When did he get behind me?
Could it be...
Recalling something, Kakashi stabbed the White Fang short blade at the figure in front of him.
Pop!
It felt like the White Fang short blade pierced through a thick membrane.
Then, the figure of Gekkou Tenya in front of him burst like a bubble and vanished.
No smoke, no log, not a trace left.
It was as if it disappeared into thin air.
What a terrifying jutsu!
Before Kakashi could react, a long sword was suddenly placed against his neck.
"Kakashi, you lost again!"
Feeling the cold blade on his neck, Kakashi lowered the short blade he intended to raise.
At some point, the short blade left to him by his father had developed several tiny nicks, which pained Kakashi.
Seeing Kakashi give up the struggle, Gekkou Tenya retracted his long sword.
Turning around, Kakashi looked at the long sword in Gekkou Tenya's hand.
"Can I take a look at your sword?"
"Here!"
Gekkou Tenya unhesitatingly handed his sword to Kakashi.
Drawing the long sword.
The blade shone like new, with no nicks on the edge.
Just this alone made the sword superior to the White Fang short blade left by his father.
What a divine weapon!
"What's the name of this sword?"
After sheathing the sword, Kakashi returned it to Gekkou Tenya and asked.
"Mumei!"
"What a strange name!"
It was the first time Kakashi had heard of such a famous sword.
"Kakashi, now that the duel is over, shouldn't you fulfill your wager?"
Gekkou Tenya smiled, showing a hint of anticipation.
"Don't worry, you'll get it!"
Kakashi gave Gekkou Tenya a sideways glance, then took out the promised sword technique scroll.
"This sword technique scroll doesn't contain the techniques of White Fang, does it?"
Receiving the scroll, Gekkou Tenya half-jokingly asked.
"You're overthinking it!"
Kakashi gave Gekkou Tenya a blank look, still holding a grudge over his defeat.
"Kakashi, do you want to learn the [Phantom Step Slash]?"
Gekkou Tenya's voice sounded in Kakashi's ear, filled with temptation.
Kakashi had been eyeing this move.
But, having lost the duel, he had to give up the unrealistic fantasy.
Now, with Gekkou Tenya offering, Kakashi was naturally interested again.
Having interacted with Gekkou Tenya several times, Kakashi knew him well.
This person would never do anything without benefit.
So, Kakashi directly asked, "What's your condition?"
"Very simple!" Gekkou Tenya smiled slightly, "If you're willing to exchange White Fang's sword techniques, I'll teach you not only the [Phantom Step Slash] but also the [Secret Sword: Bubble Shadow] I used earlier. What do you think?"
As soon as Gekkou Tenya finished speaking, Kakashi turned and left without looking back.
No hint of hesitation.
Seems like he rejected the offer!
Gekkou Tenya seemed to have expected this, not caring about Kakashi's reaction.
If he were in Kakashi's shoes, he might react even more strongly.
After all, someone coveting his deceased father's sword techniques was not a pleasant thought.
After walking a distance, Kakashi suddenly stopped.
However, he didn't look back.
"I'll come back for you!"
"Next time, I won't lose to you again!"
With these words, Kakashi vanished in a flash.
"Always ready!"
Gekkou Tenya wasn't annoyed, instead, a bright smile appeared on his face.
As long as Kakashi kept challenging him, there would be a steady stream of sword technique scrolls coming his way.
Why not enjoy it?
Gekkou Tenya was quite confident in his abilities.