Chapter 18

At the age of four, Kakashi didn't possess a vast array of ninjutsus.

While Kyomu managed to learn quite a few ninjutsu through stealth, he was constrained by his chakra levels and the need for consistent mental training. He could only use a handful.

However, the significance of these limitations depended on the context and the individuals being compared.

Take Obito, for instance; at this moment, his mouth was wide open, as if it could fit a fist.

"How is this possible? How can this be?" he roared in disbelief. "Both of those who are my age can already use ninjutsu in battle?! Compared to them, I seem like a complete waste. Can I really catch up with them once I open my eyes?"

Obito fell into self-doubt, while his classmates around him entered a collective state of speechlessness.

Ninjutsu, for them, was an elusive term. It was as if their classmates were still in the Stone Age, while Aragami Kyomu and Kakashi Hatake had already entered the era of firearms.

There was no comparison, no basis for any comparison.

What other words could express their current feelings other than astonishment? A clown is actually me?

Kyomu, punished for standing outside the classroom, and Hatake, skipping classes for almost a month, should have been an opening for criticism. However, reality slapped everyone in the face.

"Why explain? Let's just look at the results."

Do we really need to listen to the knowledge taught in ninja school?

"We... are just a joke."

"No, no, no, that doesn't include me. From the beginning, I knew that both Kyomu and Kakashi are geniuses that are hard to match. The only difference is who is a bit more of a genius between the two."

"Yeah, that's right. I never thought Kyomu and Kakashi had any issues from the start. Geniuses can't be judged by common sense."

"Have you forgotten? I said it back then that Kyomu and Kakashi definitely have their own strengths. Look, I was right, wasn't I?"

At this moment, the direction of public opinion completely flipped. Everyone became the person who supported Kyomu and Kakashi from the beginning, as if they had never said a bad word about them.

Even though the reality was not true, with the conclusion in hand, who cared about the process?

When Kyomu and Kakashi , in comparison to others, had an overwhelming advantage, admiration, envy, and jealousy couldn't even rise.

Unconsciously, the two became the ultimate goal in everyone's eyes. In just four years, they had almost completed the path that most lower-ranked ninjas would take throughout their lives.

And in the field, except for Shuzo, no one could understand the details and strategies of the battle between Kyomu and Kakashi.

Even Shuzo, at this moment, was already sweating.

"If I were to face these two kids and go all out... I might actually be killed by them. It's even possible that I can't even trade one for one. Do they have to be this terrifying?"

Ignoring Shuzo's self-doubt for now, Kyomu and Kakashi were now on the verge of exhaustion.

Yes, exhaustion.

In the comprehensive confrontation of ninjutsu, apart from the risks, in a situation where the strengths were evenly matched, it became a test of endurance and willpower.

At their current age, the chakra in their bodies was quite limited. Just one or two C-rank ninjutsu could almost drain both of them.

Bang.

Kyomu landed a punch on Kakashi's face.

Thunk.

Kakashi retaliated with a kick, hitting Kyomu's stomach.

"Spit." Kakashi Hatake spat out a mouthful of blood. "No strength left, Kyomu?, just collapse already!"

Roaring, as if cheering himself on, Kakashi was squeezing out the last bit of strength from his body.

"Heh, you're thinking too much." Kyomu endured the twisting pain in his abdomen. "Before you admit defeat or I knock you down, you don't need to think about this."

Clang, Kyomu landed two consecutive punches. One was blocked by Kakashi , and the other broke through the defense, landing on Kakashi's shoulder.

Kakashi immediately retaliated, swaying his body, twisting his waist, and a powerful punch landed on Kyomu's face.

Next, the two no longer had the intention to dodge; they simply exchanged blows, testing who could endure longer.

"Did you forget to eat!" Kyomu kicked Kakashi, making him stagger.

"I think it's you. And you're about to give in, right?!"

Getting up, Kakashi pounced, embracing Kyomu's waist, and tackled him to the ground.

Raising his fist, Kakashi Hatake landed a punch on Kyomu's face. But before he could revel in his victory, Kyomu exerted force with his waist, flipping Kakashi over and pinning him beneath.

"Isn't you, Kakashi?!"

Two consecutive punches hit Kakashi's face, but the strength in Kyomu's body visibly diminished.

"Haha, still talking tough!"

Kakashi, not knowing whom he was addressing, was in a similar state. Just a while ago, a C-rank Fireball Technique and a C-rank Lightning Release ninjutsu had drained him.

Aragami Kyomu fared a bit better, but a C-rank genjutsu, coupled with two C-rank Fire Release techniques, had severely depleted his chakra reserves and consumed a considerable amount of stamina.

Both being wanderers, the two had lost their earlier dignity and turned into children fighting.

Ignoring Kyomu and Kakashi's strained situation, Shuzo couldn't help but tug at the corners of his mouth.

"These two kids have an outrageous desire for victory."

He could see that their current battle relied solely on willpower. The seemingly heavy punches didn't have much impact, mostly just scratching the surface.

Lying on the ground side by side, Kyomu and Kakashi, who had just stabilized themselves, turned their heads simultaneously, and their voices rang out in unison.

"I won't be friends with someone whose strength and mouth are both lacking."

"I won't be friends with someone whose mouth stinks and knows nothing."

Kyomu and Kakashi retorted simultaneously, making Shuzo burst into louder laughter.

At this moment, the gazes of Uchiha Obito and Might Guy also fell on Kyomu and Kakashi. They both had a common thought in their hearts.

Is this what bonds are?

(End of this chapter)