Chapter 4: Challenging Kakashi

"Boom!"

A loud roar echoed as the air seemed to split apart.

Guy delivered yet another fierce whip kick, landing squarely on Obito's abdomen.

Obito was sent crashing to the ground once again. This time, he truly didn't want to get back up.

His entire body was on fire. Every muscle screamed in agony.

Why is completing a simple mission so hard...? he thought bitterly.

"Don't—don't stop—keep going!" Obito trembled as he groaned. To an outsider, it might've sounded like he was... enjoying a massage.

Across from him, Guy withdrew his fists and solemnly shook his head.

"Obito, your determination is admirable. But our duel ends here!"

Even their sensei seemed moved by Obito's spirit.

I really misjudged this kid before, Sensei thought. Such unyielding perseverance... he truly has the makings of a Jonin.

With a gratified expression, Sensei said, "Obito, you've done well. Let's call it a day."

But Obito immediately retorted, "No!"

As a severe perfectionist, he refused to allow a single mission failure to stain his record.

With great conviction, he declared to Guy, "Youth does not tolerate even a shred of compromise."

"Please continue to push me until my youth burns out! I won't give up before then!"

He glanced at his [system panel], muttering under his breath, "Hmm, my flame of youth still has six minutes and forty-seven seconds left to burn."

Obito's impassioned speech about youth struck a deep chord in Guy's heart.

In this moment, Guy felt as though he had found a true kindred spirit. Tears streamed down his face as he exclaimed,

"Obito, this is what youth is all about!"

"I'll give it my all because that's the greatest respect I can show you!"

Crying uncontrollably, Guy resumed pummeling Obito, fists and feet flying with full force.

The bizarre scene left the onlookers struggling to keep a straight face.

A stifled laugh escaped someone's lips, setting off a chain reaction. Soon, laughter erupted all around, even Rin couldn't help but laugh through her tears.

Obito lay sprawled on the ground, shielding his face with his arms, looking utterly defeated.

Damn it, this idiot Guy... He's actually hitting harder than before!

Feeling a pang of regret, Obito lamented, Who would've thought that my first beating after transmigrating would be something I asked for?

Fate truly is like a girl—completely unpredictable.

[Choice complete! Reward obtained: Taijutsu boost (Genin level)!]

The moment the system notification rang, Obito shouted at the top of his lungs,

"Stop! Stop! I surrender!"

Guy immediately halted his assault, crouching down to help Obito up.

"Are you okay, Obito?"

Obito's legs wobbled as he gritted out, "Do I look okay to you?"

His eyes were bruised, blood dripped from his nose, and his swollen face was barely recognizable—he looked more like a pig's head than a person.

"I'm sorry, Obito…" Guy scratched his head awkwardly, guilt written all over his face.

Seeing Guy's genuine remorse, Obito felt a little embarrassed. After all, he had been the one who insisted on the beating.

If Guy had a fault, it was simply that he was too earnest...

With that thought, Obito extended two fingers towards Guy—his index and middle fingers.

Guy blinked in surprise before lifting his own hand, clasping Obito's fingers with his own.

The Seal of Reconciliation was complete.

Their sensei led the applause, and soon, the surrounding students followed suit, clapping earnestly. Even Kakashi joined in.

This battle had changed Kakashi's impression of Obito.

As the applause faded, Sensei began healing Obito with medical ninjutsu while providing commentary.

"Thank you, Obito and Guy, for an excellent match," he said.

Obito felt a swell of pride at his teacher's praise.

But then, Sensei's next words shattered his confidence.

"Though Obito's fundamentals are utterly atrocious and need serious improvement, his indomitable spirit is something we should all strive to emulate!"

"Alright, who's up next?"

From the crowd, a freckled boy stepped forward. It was Nagano.

Cracking his neck, he announced, "I'll go. I challenge Kakashi!"

"Oh?" Sensei's gaze sharpened as he nodded. "Very well. The second match: Nagano versus Kakashi."

Kakashi stepped out from the crowd, meeting Nagano in the clearing. The two stood face-to-face, forming the Seal of Confrontation.

"Good luck, Kakashi!"

"Oh my gosh, Kakashi looks so cool even when forming seals!"

"Just wait—he'll look even cooler when he fights!"

The girls' cheers were overwhelmingly one-sided, causing Nagano to grit his teeth in annoyance.

Before Kakashi could lower his hands, Nagano roared and drew a kunai, charging at him.

The kunai cut through the air in a deadly arc, heading straight for Kakashi's face.

But with a slight pivot of his foot, Kakashi sidestepped effortlessly, evading the strike.

"Hmph!"

Nagano snorted, pulling back his kunai to slash at Kakashi again with a swift reverse grip.

Gasps rang out from the crowd.

"Watch out, Kakashi!"

Kakashi's calm gaze didn't waver, as though the incoming kunai wasn't worth his concern.

Instead of retreating, he stepped forward, raising his arm diagonally.

A casual tap on Nagano's wrist sent the kunai clattering to the ground.

"Pitiful. Thinking you can challenge Kakashi?"

"Exactly! Who gave him the confidence?"

The scornful laughter pierced Nagano's pride, making his face darken with humiliation.

Damn it!

Nagano growled, "I only planned to toy with you, but now I have no choice but to use that move."

"You forced my hand… Taijutsu: Nagano Style!"

His movements suddenly quickened as he unleashed a flurry of punches, enveloping Kakashi in a storm of strikes.

Sensei's eyes lit up with recognition.

He nodded approvingly, then shook his head. Nagano's performance wasn't bad, after all, his father was a Chunin—a distinct advantage over most students.

But this time, his opponent was Kakashi.

Nagano's pride in his lineage and talent meant nothing against Kakashi.

In terms of aptitude, no one in Sensei's decade of teaching came close to Kakashi.

As for heritage, with the legendary White Fang of Konoha as his father, the Hatake clan was undeniably among Konoha's elite.

But… Sensei sighed, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, the fight continued.

Despite Nagano's relentless attacks, Kakashi's form remained elusive, like a leaf drifting through a storm. No matter how the waves surged, the leaf never capsized.

Frustrated, Nagano found himself hitting nothing but air. A series of furious strikes later, he was left panting and exhausted, while Kakashi remained untouched.

"Do you want to continue?" Kakashi asked coolly.

One calm and composed, the other furious and defeated—it was clear who had the upper hand.

The crowd's taunts grew louder, further humiliating Nagano.

Consumed by shame and anger, he launched himself at Kakashi once more, determined to land at least one blow.

I'll make you pay! he thought, as he attacked with all his might.

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