Chapter 23 Round Two

Konoha - The Third Training Ground

Two figures, one large and one small, stood several meters apart, facing off in tense silence.

**"Wind Style: Finger Gun."**

Naruto raised his hands, shaping his fingers like pistols. The wind chakra compressed at his fingertips, launching sharp, bullet-like projectiles toward Kakashi. This technique, inspired by the *Navy Six Styles* from One Piece, was Naruto's upgraded version of the Wind Style: Vacuum Ball. Shooting with his fingers not only looked cooler but also made the technique faster and more versatile.

As a barrage of wind bullets streaked toward Kakashi, Naruto clapped his hands, summoning several shadow clones that immediately began forming Rasengan.

In ninja battles, speed is everything. Mastering unmarked ninjutsu allowed Naruto to bypass hand seals entirely, giving him a crucial advantage. By striking first, he forced Kakashi into a defensive position.

Kakashi's sharp eye narrowed. The kid's movements were improving rapidly. Without hesitation, he formed a quick series of seals.

**"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall."**

A sturdy wall of earth rose before him, its surface etched with intricate carvings of a dog's head. The vacuum bullets slammed into the wall, exploding in a cloud of dust. Kakashi immediately retreated, his mind racing.

**"It's not over yet, One-Eyed Uncle!"**

Naruto's taunt rang out as he leapt onto the Earth Flow Wall, a glowing Rasengan spinning in his hand. With a sharp cry, he drove the spiraling chakra into the wall, shattering it in an instant. The ground shook as debris scattered everywhere.

Kakashi quickly repositioned, weaving another set of hand seals.

**"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu."**

A massive fireball roared toward Naruto, engulfing him in flames. But instead of a scream, the fire cleared to reveal only a puff of smoke—another shadow clone.

Kakashi's gaze darted around the battlefield. **"Clever brat."**

From beneath the ground, four Narutos erupted simultaneously, each holding a Rasengan. They aimed for Kakashi's landing spot but stopped short when they realized their target wasn't there.

High above, Kakashi hovered mid-air, having evaded the attack with a well-timed Body Flicker. He countered immediately.

**"Wind Style: Vacuum Bullets."**

The concentrated wind projectiles tore through the clones, dispersing them in bursts of smoke. But something felt off. Kakashi scanned the surroundings, his senses on high alert.

From behind, a sharp gust of wind surged toward him.

**"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"**

The sudden gale threatened to knock Kakashi off his feet. Forced to defend, he formed another set of seals.

**"Water Style: Water Wall."**

A towering barrier of water rose around him, neutralizing the gust. Through the cascading water, Kakashi spotted Naruto's location and instantly closed the gap using the Body Flicker Technique. In a flash, he was behind Naruto, kunai poised to strike.

But the boy vanished in another puff of smoke.

**"Another clone?"** Kakashi muttered, his patience wearing thin.

Suddenly, a real Naruto burst from the dust cloud, chakra-enhanced fist hurtling toward Kakashi. Reacting instinctively, Kakashi dodged, but Naruto was relentless.

**"Take this! Uzumaki Elbow!"**

With a final leap, Naruto descended from above, his elbow coated in chakra, aiming directly for Kakashi.

Kakashi formed a seal mid-dodge.

**"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"**

The wall rose to meet Naruto's strike, but the boy's chakra-enhanced elbow smashed through it as though it were paper. Kakashi crossed his arms to block, but the sheer force sent him flying.

As Kakashi tumbled through the air, his body dissipated in a puff of smoke.

The real Kakashi appeared behind Naruto, kunai pressed lightly against his neck.

**"Got you."**

Naruto froze, then broke into a wide grin. **"Not bad, One-Eyed Uncle, but you didn't even go all out."**

Kakashi's expression remained neutral as he lowered the kunai. **"Your unmarked ninjutsu is troublesome. It forces your opponent into a reactive state. Very effective in disrupting rhythm."**

Naruto laughed, brushing the dust from his clothes. **"Of course! Why waste time on seals? Just practice enough, and you don't need them."**

Kakashi gave him a deadpan look. **"Seals allow better chakra control and conserve energy. It's about efficiency."**

Naruto shrugged. **"Efficiency's overrated. Who's running out of chakra here?"**

Kakashi sighed, pulling out a familiar yellow book from his pouch and retreating to a nearby tree.

**"Fine. Practice on your own. Might Guy will take over your taijutsu training later."**

Naruto glanced at the book in Kakashi's hands and smirked. **"You should really read less of that smut. It's making you weaker."**

Kakashi rolled his eyes but said nothing, flipping a page.

Naruto shook his head in mock disappointment. **"Hopeless."**

With a sigh, he turned his focus back to his training, eager to push his limits even further.