Overdrafting the Future, Starting in Naruto

Chapter 44: Kakashi's Battle!

Time ticked by. Namiichi Uchiha and Yamanaka En subsequently had their turns in the arena. However, they were just there for show, so they didn't use their full strength against the candidates who were truly aiming for a promotion to chunin this year. En even lost his match intentionally.

"Hatake Kakashi, Shimura Torii!"

Finally, it was Kakashi's turn. Genichi was a little disappointed that he wasn't facing Kakashi himself. But, Shimura Torii? A member of the Shimura clan... the original story had almost no depiction of the Shimura clan, as if they didn't exist. But in reality, the Shimura clan, much like the Sarutobi clan, was one of the main ninja clans of Konoha. The Sarutobi clan specialized in Fire Release, while this clan specialized in Wind Release.

In the current Konoha, there was no doubt that Shimura Danzō was the number one Wind Release user.

"Go, Kakashi!"

"Watch out for his Wind Release!" Genichi shouted as he watched Kakashi leap into the arena.

Kakashi didn't look back, simply raising his hand in an "OK" gesture. He already knew that the Shimura clan specialized in Wind Release. In fact, he was more knowledgeable about the situations of the various clans in Konoha than Genichi was. This was something Sakumo had told him about since he was a child. After all, the Hatake clan was also a small ninja clan of Konoha, it was just that their numbers had dwindled significantly now.

At the same time, in an observation room, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hatake Sakumo, and Shimura Danzō were all watching a monitor. With both his son and his disciple participating, Sakumo was naturally here to watch. As the Hokage, Hiruzen also had to observe the performance of the new talent, especially Kakashi and Genichi, whom he was paying close attention to. As for Danzō, his expression was grim; he was likely here to watch the performance of the Shimura clan's younger generation.

As for snatching up geniuses, that was impossible. The manpower for Root, apart from its initial members, was all nurtured internally. The core of its forces came from various ninja clans. For example, the Ino-Shika-Chō, Shimura, and Mitokado clans would all have members who were noticed by Danzō and then entered Root from a young age to be trained. Secondly, Danzō selected talented individuals from among civilians and orphans, who were also trained in Root from a young age and did not go through the Ninja Academy.

The principal of the Ninja Academy was always the current Hokage, which meant the Academy was under the sphere of influence of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Of course, as the Hokage, even Root ninja were nominally under his command. So, even if they were trained in Root from a young age, their official records would still show that they had gone through the process of studying at the Ninja Academy. For example, the future Wood Release construction master, Yamato, had a record of graduating from the Ninja Academy, but in reality, he had never attended it.

As for whether Danzō had planted spies among the Hokage's subordinates, or whether Hiruzen had planted his own people in Root, only they themselves knew for sure.

On the screen, Kakashi and Shimura Torii had already begun their battle at the proctor's command.

Neither of them used ninjutsu at the start. In such an open space, and at such a close distance, there was no opportunity to lead with ninjutsu. Both drew their swords and charged, clashing in close quarters to compete with their swordsmanship.

After a dozen exchanges, Danzō spoke. "As expected of the White Fang's son. Sakumo, this child has truly inherited your swordsmanship."

Sakumo was very humble. "You flatter me, Lord Danzō. Kakashi still needs a lot of work."

Hiruzen smiled. "Kakashi is a hardworking child. His future achievements will be no less than yours, Sakumo."

Just then, in the arena, Shimura Torii found an opportunity, retreated to form hand seals, and with an open mouth, unleashed Wind Release: Great Breakthrough. A violent wind rose up and swept towards Kakashi.

Kakashi immediately formed seals in response, pressing his hands to the ground.

Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!

A wall of earth shot up from the ground, blocking the incoming gale.

Genichi also saw that after using Great Breakthrough, Shimura Torii immediately formed another seal. First, he created a clone, and then his real body formed seals again. Wind Release: Violent Wind Palm!

Genichi saw a current of air surround Torii's body, especially his hands. He drew his sword again, and the airflow coated the blade, enhancing its sharpness. He then charged towards Kakashi again. Under the enhancement of the Violent Wind Palm, Torii's speed was noticeably faster.

His clone went first, acting as a decoy. It leaped over the high wall and threw shuriken at Kakashi.

Clang!

Kakashi blocked with his sword in one hand, while his left hand flicked out a shuriken of his own.

Poof!

The Torii in the air exploded into a puff of smoke. The real one, however, attacked from the side.

Kakashi turned to meet the enemy but was forced into a continuous retreat by Torii's fierce assault, and was then sent flying by a kick.

Thud!

Kakashi crashed to the ground. Torii immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to close the distance, his ninja blade coming down on Kakashi's neck. But the next moment, the "Kakashi" on the ground exploded into a puff of smoke with a poof.

"A shadow clone!"

Torii's expression changed slightly. He was about to retreat, but the ground in front of him split open, and the real Kakashi shot out from underground, landing an uppercut on Torii's chin.

Stars appeared in Torii's vision. He staggered, and was then kicked away again by Kakashi. After tumbling across the ground several times, Torii suddenly leaped up, his hands flying through seals.

Genichi watched with some surprise. Seeing the blood at the corner of Torii's mouth, he immediately understood that the boy had bitten his own tongue to forcefully clear his head. His reaction was incredibly fast, and his fighting spirit was very strong.

Shimura Torii once again performed the Violent Wind Palm, and circles of strong wind shot towards Kakashi. Kakashi, thinking he had won, had not expected his opponent to be so tenacious. He was directly enveloped by the gale and could only cross his arms to block.

Torii then flicked his hands, and several shuriken flew out. He then brought his hands together again, and the Violent Wind Palm reappeared, enhancing the shuriken and increasing their speed and destructive power.

Zzzzt!

Lightning sparked to life on Kakashi's hands, and he forcefully broke free from the enveloping wind.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

His figure flickered, now moving even faster. Kakashi deflected the shuriken one by one, but one of them still managed to slice through the sleeve on his left forearm, leaving a bloody mark.

But Kakashi ignored it. With a leap, he descended from the sky, chopping down at Shimura Torii.

Clang!

Torii blocked the blow with a horizontal slash. Just then, the lightning on Kakashi's hands surged again, traveling down his blade and striking Torii.

His whole body trembling, Torii was instantly kicked away by Kakashi, who then closed the distance and placed his blade at his neck.

"Hatake Kakashi is the winner!" the proctor announced.

Back on the spectator stands, Genichi treated Kakashi's wound. "Kakashi, you were careless."

Kakashi nodded, but said, "Don't waste your chakra. A small wound like this just needs a bandage."

Genichi glanced at the electronic screen. "It's fine, it's not my turn yet."

"Besides, a wound like this won't consume much chakra."

Kakashi looked across at Shimura Torii, who had returned to his teammates. "That guy is very strong."

Genichi also looked over and nodded. "He is very good. His swordsmanship and Wind Release are both excellent." Although Torii had lost, his strength was by no means weak. And judging by his age, he was probably only a year or two older than them. He might have even graduated after them.

Two more matches passed below. Genichi finally saw his own name. But when he saw his opponent's name, he couldn't help but be taken aback for a moment.

Uchiha Tekka!