30 Kakashi's Choice

Konoha.

Examination Square.

The whole venue was quite at this moment everyone's focused on the dust that obscured their sights.

Kurenai and Shizune both of them looked straight at the dust nervous waiting for the it's clearance.

Soon, the dust that obscured everyone's sight started to dissipate as the two figures were revealed.

"This..."

Kakashi looked at his hand that should have pierced Kozuki Shoulder but was held tightly in Kozuki's grasp with some thunder still around it his face horrified.

"How's this possible..."

Whether it was Tsunade, Orochimaru or anyone else, they couldn't believe at the sight in front.

"That Jutsu would have even pulverized a boulder but he stopped it with bare hands"

Orochimaru couldn't keep his calm expression anymore as no matter how strong a person's body is this isn't possible.

"Looks like we all underestimated Kozuki"

Jiraya could only blame his own incompetence for not seeing his potential.

While Jiraya and the rest were surprised, Kurenai and Shizune both were the only one who cheered for Kozuki in the stunned atmosphere.

"Chidori a good Jutsu but not enough Kakashi"

Kozuki held Kakashi's hand and looked at him a little surprised.

Kozuki was surprised to see the Chidori, because as much he remembered Kakashi developed this Jutsu at the age of 12 and now he was only 9.

If he didn't use the Busoshoku Haki to cover his hands he would not be able to stop it.

"Looks like his father being alive has helped him"

This was the only reason Kozuki could think of Kakashi progress.

"Do you still want to continue?"

Kozuki asked Kakashi as he let go of his hand setting him free.

Kakashi took few steps back and looked at his hand which was caught easily and then looked at Kozuki his eyes a bit dull.

Kozuki saw his state and knew he was hit hard since Kakashi has always been in the limelight and such a setback wasn't easy to overcome.

The densely packed audience was still quiet looking at the two and their conversation could also be heard by them in the pin drop silence.

"Kakashi it's the end"

Kozuki put his hands on the sword handle as it was half sheathed and his face showed killing intent as he moved towards him step by step.

Hearing him call his name, Kakashi looked up and saw Kozuki moving towards him with his hand on his sword and for the first time felt powerless.

"Stop the match..."

Minato who saw Kozuki moving towards Kakashi who had given up immediately wanted to stop the match.

In the quite square, his voice was immediately heard by the Proctor who hesitated a bit and looked towards the Hokage for his opinion.

Sarutobi thought for a while and decided not to stop the match since he wanted to see whether Kozuki would Kill Kakashi since it wasn't forbidden.

"The match will continue..."

Sarutobi loud voice was like a death knell which sounded throughout the Venue.

"Sensei he's going to Kill him..."

Minato couldn't keep calm anymore and asked Jiraya for help.

"Calm down Minato..."

Jiraya couldn't defy Sarutobi's order and was powerless.

All of the classmates whether it was Guy, Obito, Rin and even Kurenai and Shizune all of them were stunned looking at Kozuki who excluded Killing Intent all over.

"Will he really Kill him?"

Obito said a bit scared looking at the unfamiliar Kozuki from his memory.

Obito didn't get an answer for his words as everyone didn't know what to say.

"Kozuki..."

Kurenai called his name hoping what she was seeing was an illusion.

Walking step by step, Kozuki finally arrived and stopped at an arms length distance from Kakashi looking at him.

Klang...

The sword was fully pulled out from the scabbard as he held it high above his shoulder facing towards Kakashi.

"Kakashi I give you an option give up and I'll let you go otherwise you know the consequences"

Unlike before, Kozuki had an indifferent expression on his face like a king looking at an ant that could be crushed any moment.

Kakashi saw the sword that could end his life at any moment and thought of his training with his father, his friends and more importantly with Kozuki who he always wanted to defeat but today he was going to end his life.

Kakashi let his arms loose like totally giving up resistance.

"So have you decided Kakashi?"

asked Kozuki as the grip on his sword tightened.

Everyone in the stands were out of there seats looking at the scene in front wondering what would his choice will be.

I... I'll never give up!!!

Kakashi took out a Kunai waving it at Kozuki in front with extreme determination.

Klang...

Kozuki easily deflected the Kunai as it fell out of Kakashi's hand's and kicked him on the stomach and Kakashi sat down on his knees holding his stomach in front of Kozuki.

"Farewell Kakashi"

Kozuki indifferent voice spread throughout the square as parents cover their children's eyes as the sword slashed down.

No!!!!

Minato and even the calm Sakumo couldn't see it anymore and wanted to help his son but it was already too late.

The air around Kozuki's sword seemed to compress as a huge nearly 30m high red slash appeared in front of everyone as it crashed down towards Kakashi.

The time seemed to stop for a moment as the whole world lost its colour.

Boom...

a huge explosion resounded throughout the square as numerous small rocks along with fast wind and dust flew everywhere around.

The whole venue started Shaking as Ninja wearing strange masks appeared in front of the audience using earth style to protect them.

After a minute or so. the after shocks of the attack finally stopped as the dust in the fighting arena also dissipated revealing the sight in front.

Kozuki stood with his sword right beside Kakashi's Shoulder who sat in front of him his eyes still wide from the near death experience.

Kakashi turned around and saw the same long slash that he had seen in the death forest, the ground was divided into two.

"So it was him..."

Tsunade and others were stupefied looking at the sight in front finally remembered the destruction and the same exaggerated slash like in the death forest.

"Why didn't you kill me"

Kakashi was a bit confused as he looked at him for an answer.

"Kakashi what do you think is the most important for a Ninja?"

Kozuki didn't answer his question and asked him one as his voice spread throughout the whole venue.

Kozuki just wanted to remind Kakashi that he was a ninja so, that's why he acted indifferently before to lift his spirit.

Kakashi was puzzled by his sudden question but answered honestly

"Hard Work and Strength"

Kakashi believed this to be the answer as to survive strength was required.

"Then why couldn't you defeat me I was an orphan who didn't have anyone home to guide but I still defeated you, it's not because I trained more then you but there's another important thing"

Kozuki loud voice was heard by everyone in the stance as they looked forward to what he had to say.

"What is it..."

asked Kakashi wanting to know what wrong he did.

"To have a goal that no one ever had before, your dream is to be like your father then you'll be limited to him but I had a goal to be the strongest swordsman, a goal that has no limit"

Kozuki wasn't joking because whether it was Naruto, Hashirama or Madara all of them had goals that no one had even thought of before.

Kakashi dull eyes that had lost there purpose finally began to shone again as he stood up and came in front of Kozuki and said.

"I didn't have a goal before but I think i do have one now"

Kakashi said these words passionately like Guy had possessed him as the whole crowd burst into a thunderous cheer by his words.

The Proctor also smiled as he came forward and held Kozuki's arm and lifted it up announcing the winner.

Winner Kozuki Shiro!!!

The whole crowd stood up in applause as they acknowledged his strength and his spirit as a Ninja.

"This kid will be a sensation in the future"

said Jiraya looking at Kozuki as he was impressed by his words.

"Yeah"

nodded Tsunade as she remembered her brother who had a goal as well.

Orochimaru on the other hand strengthened his belief to the eternal life after hearing his words.

"Kozuki..."

Kurenai was happy as her eyes were a bit red, happy that Kozuki has finally proven himself.