SWNOVELXO Chapter 23: kakashi.
As soon as the instructor gave the signal, Kakashi moved.
I didn't even need to activate any jutsu—his body language gave away everything. He dashed to my left, aiming a punch toward my face.
I tilted my head slightly and raised my leg, launching a kick at his side. Kakashi reacted fast, faster than anyone else in the class—his left arm shot up and blocked my kick just in time.
Still, even without using my full strength, the impact pushed him back.
We stood across from each other. I was calm, maybe a little amused. Kakashi, though... he was intense. Focused. That usual stoic look on his face had sharpened into something even colder.
This time, I went on the offensive.
We clashed again in the center. My right fist met his left arm in a block, and I caught his incoming punch with my own left hand. The chakra in our bodies clashed subtly—raw taijutsu, but still precise. I pushed harder, my control better, and sent him stumbling.
Without pause, I accelerated and delivered a swift kick to his stomach.
The hit landed.
Kakashi dropped, rolling on the ground once before flipping back up with a kick-up. But his expression cracked for a moment—pain flickered across it. His right hand instinctively rested on his stomach, and I knew he was injured.
I looked at the instructor. He understood what I was trying to say without a word.
But before he could call the match, Kakashi rushed at me again.
He was slower now.
I easily sidestepped and thrust a punch forward—but stopped it just a hair's breadth from his face. Kakashi froze, staring at my fist. Then he slowly stepped back, lowered his hands, and gave me a small bow.
Without another word, he turned and walked away—leaving before the instructor even announced the winner.
"Ren Senju is the victor!" the instructor declared after a short pause.
My classmates erupted with cheers and rushed over. They patted my back, congratulated me, and even Guy gave me a big thumbs-up. Everyone was smiling… except for the one boy who mattered most in that match.
Kakashi hadn't just lost.
He left before anyone could see his pride crack.
After the match ended and class was dismissed, I returned to the Senju compound, but my mind wasn't on the victory.
I still had work to do—training to finish, jutsu to master. Even Hashirama used hand signs for S-rank techniques. My goal was to cast them with just intent. I already had perfect chakra control, and nature energy enhanced my efficiency further. But I wasn't done—not yet.
(Kakashi)
After the tournament, I received light treatment from the medic-nin at the Academy. As I walked back home, I felt eyes behind me.
"Yo, Kakashi!" Guy's voice rang out.
I turned. He was waving energetically, jogging to catch up.
"Man, I never thought you'd lose too! Ren's crazy strong, huh? But don't worry—we'll beat him together next time! Let's go train!"
Guy was loud, annoying… and surprisingly loyal. Even though I usually ignored him, I didn't say no this time. Instead, I followed him, and we trained lightly—my ribs still ached from that kick.
(Instructor)
After the tournament, I headed straight to the Hokage's office.
I bowed deeply before Hiruzen Sarutobi and gave a full report.
"…Ren Senju is far beyond Academy level, Lord Third. He defeated both Might Guy and Kakashi Hatake without taking a single blow."
Hiruzen nodded silently, dismissing me with a wave. I bowed again and left.
(Hiruzen Sarutobi)
I had already watched everything through my crystal ball.
Ren Senju… He had talent beyond anything I expected.
I always had high hopes for Kakashi, especially after Sakumo's death. But Ren? He surpassed those expectations. Calm, composed, talented—he reminded me of both Hashirama and Tobirama. Maybe the Senju clan will regain its strength once more.
I should keep a close eye on that boy.
(Danzo Shimura)
Danzo stood in the shadows of Root headquarters, waiting for the report from the Jōnin spy he sent after Ren.
But it never came.
Hours passed. Then a full day. Nothing.
Danzo wasn't stupid. Something had gone wrong. The spy was either dead or captured. And if someone had killed one of his best scouts, it could only be one person…
"Tsunade," Danzo muttered.
He clenched his cane tightly.
She must've sensed the spy and eliminated him. It made sense. She was a medical-nin with near-Kage level strength. If she wanted someone dead, there would be no noise, no trace.
But Danzo didn't know the truth.
He didn't know that I was the one who killed the spy in the forest.
Not Tsunade.
He had no idea the very child he was trying to watch had already outmaneuvered him.
And that would be one of his greatest mistakes.
Author's Note:
Ren defeats Kakashi in a clean, dominating match, and begins to cement his place as the strongest in his class. Meanwhile, Danzo, unaware of the real threat, continues to misjudge the danger Ren poses. The storm is coming—and Danzo won't see it until it's far too late.