Chapter 217: Severing the Past with Lightning Speed
Chapter 217: Severing the Past with Lightning Speed
The emergence of the Sharingan supplemented Obito with a considerable amount of chakra. However, as Might Guy and Kakuzu were entangled in battle, Obito chose not to use fire-style jutsu and instead focused on his breathing, drawing out a kunai to engage them.
Although Kakuzu intended to deal with the mightiest opponent, Might Guy, first, he also kept a wary eye on Obito, preventing any sneak attacks. After all, Obito's strength far surpassed Might Guy's, and even while occupied with Guy, Kakuzu could still handle him with ease.
"Sharingan, so you're not ninjas from the Sand Village but from the Leaf, huh?" Kakuzu exclaimed, revealing his surprise as he delivered a powerful kick to Might Guy.
Immediately, a tinge of regret colored Kakuzu's voice as he lamented, "What a shame. It would've been perfect if it were the Byakugan."
The Cloud Village had no particular craving for the Sharingan; it was a power mostly suited for the Uchiha clan. On the other hand, the Byakugan was an entirely different story. While its combat prowess was formidable, its true value lay in its strategic importance.
Ninjas with sensory abilities were highly sought after in any ninja village. Only with such sensory capabilities could one learn sensory jutsu, and the Byakugan was unparalleled in this regard, granting its user the ability to directly see through objects over a wide range, akin to having wallhacks in a battle.
If Kakuzu could bring the Byakugan back to his village, even just one, his status for the rest of his life would be secured. This achievement would far surpass the merit of killing a jounin from an enemy village.
"If you have the guts, come and get it," Obito challenged.
"As you wish," Kakuzu replied.
Lightning crackled around Kakuzu's legs as he dashed towards Obito with incredible speed.
Before Obito activated his Sharingan, he couldn't even see Kakuzu moving with his Lightning Body Flicker Technique; he could only vaguely discern a figure within the lightning flashes.
However, once Obito unlocked his Two Tomoe Sharingan, he could clearly see Kakuzu rushing towards him, even making out the dust particles on Kakuzu's body with startling clarity.
"So this is the power of the Sharingan," Obito thought to himself, "No wonder Kakashi was so easily defeated by Obito after he obtained the Sharingan. If they were to fight now, Obito would undoubtedly win."
Yet, Obito didn't let this newfound power make him complacent. After all, even without the Sharingan, he had defeated Hyuga Hiashi, a user of the Byakugan.
Sometimes, just because you can see it coming doesn't mean you can catch or dodge it.
"Kakashi, today I'll show you the true power of breathing!"
As Kakashi took a hit from a sword to protect him, Obito felt his breathing become more focused than ever before. His heart blazed with determination—he wanted to avenge Kakashi, to defeat their enemy before him with flames.
"Breath of Flames, Total Concentration Breathing!"
With his Two Tomoe Sharingan fixed intently on his target, Obito inhaled a large amount of oxygen, enhancing his physical abilities and the speed of his nature transformation.
Swish!
Kakuzu appeared before Obito in an instant, swiftly swinging his sword towards Obito's chest.
But something unexpected happened—Obito effortlessly sidestepped the attack and retaliated with a kunai.
Clang!
Kakuzu swiftly changed his stance and blocked the incoming kunai.
Clash! Clash!
The two engaged in a rapid exchange of blows. Although Obito's kunai techniques weren't particularly powerful, with the dynamic vision granted by his Sharingan, he successfully withstood Kakuzu's attacks.
"As expected of the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan. Your strength has increased so much in an instant," Kakuzu said, genuinely shocked by Obito's growth.
"Leaf Great Gale!"
Since his cover was already blown, Might Guy let out a battle cry and unleashed a heavy kick towards Kakuzu.
Now, Kakuzu was in a tight spot. While he could easily handle either Might Guy or Obito alone, dealing with both of them simultaneously proved challenging.
Might Guy was fast, strong, and agile, while Obito possessed keen insight, able to see through his movements. Moreover, Obito had mastered a fire-style jutsu that he could perform without hand seals.
Most importantly, Kakuzu's condition was gradually deteriorating. He didn't have an abundant supply of chakra, and compared to his combat abilities, his chakra reserves were somewhat lacking.
Kakuzu wanted to take out Might Guy first, but Obito could predict his actions, warning Might Guy each time and foiling his attacks with his own.
Taking out Obito first would be even more difficult. The Sharingan's powerful insight made it hard for Kakuzu to land a surprise attack, and Might Guy's support was swift and relentless.
Kakuzu would rather face two Obitos or two Might Guys than the combination of these two. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with—one with exceptional insight and the other a master of frontal assaults. Their teamwork brought about a qualitative change.
Even Kakashi, observing from the sidelines, was astonished by their combined might. These weren't just any ordinary ninjas; they were jounin capable of leading squads on critical missions!
And yet, Obito and Might Guy weren't even officially ninjas yet. They were merely apprentice ninjas, still in training and not yet graduated.
"Completely surpassed... They are the true geniuses," Kakashi thought to himself.
Compared to him, who had graduated ahead of schedule, Might Guy and Obito were the true embodiments of genius.
Once, Kakashi and Obito had teamed up against Kakuzu, only to be thoroughly beaten. But now, with Might Guy and Obito, empowered by his Two Tomoe Sharingan, they were giving Kakuzu a hard time.
"Thunderclap Blade!"
Sensing that things were taking a turn for the worse, Kakuzu decided to go all out, unleashing his chakra without restraint and counterattacking furiously with various ninjutsu.
A desperate jounin was a force to be reckoned with, and both Obito and Might Guy sustained some injuries, although they were minor wounds that didn't hinder their combat abilities.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Claw!"
Taking advantage of Kakuzu's relentless counterattack, Obito swiftly threw four shuriken imbued with flames at Kakuzu.
The shuriken, engulfed in flames, moved at incredible speed, forcing Kakuzu to use his Lightning Body Flicker Technique to evade.
"Right side!"
Might Guy, who had been poised and ready, instantly charged forward.
"Noon Tiger!"
Might Guy channeled all the absorbed power into enhancing his physical strength, infusing his legs with the chakra of the Eight Inner Gates. He poured every ounce of his remaining strength into this final kick.
Total Concentration Breathing was a burst technique, and forcibly opening the second gate only amplified its power. After such a prolonged battle, Might Guy was already pushing his limits.
Roar!
Might Guy, moving at breakneck speed, transformed into a ferocious tiger, pouncing forward with deadly force. His leg became the tiger's sharp fangs, tearing apart anything it touched.
BOOM!
Berkli crashed through over a dozen large trees in succession like a cannonball before finally coming to a stop.
After delivering that kick, Might Guy could no longer stand. He braced himself with his hands on the ground, his forehead dripping with sweat as he managed to stay upright.
"Are you alright, Dai?" Kakashi asked with concern as he quickly helped Might Guy lean against a tree.
Might Guy pushed down the pain and flashed a brilliant smile, giving him a thumbs-up. "Of course, a successful hunter always comes out on top. Now, let's focus on the enemy."
Might Guy understood the importance of finishing off their opponent, but he knew he couldn't fight anymore.
Dai nodded, keeping an eye on Berkli with his peripheral vision as he supported Might Guy.
"Damn it... Am I going to be defeated by a bunch of brats?" Berkli trembled, his pride refusing to accept this outcome.
He had been a ninja for 24 years, starting at the age of nine and becoming a jounin at 23. He had lost count of the number of A-rank missions he had undertaken for the Cloud Village, and he had even completed some S-rank missions.
He had always imagined that one day he might meet his end at the hands of a powerful opponent, which was a common fate for ninjas given the cruelty of war, where even Kages weren't guaranteed safety.
However, he never imagined that he would be bested by three kids who, combined, weren't even as old as he was.
Berkli's pride wouldn't let him stay down. He still had a bit of chakra left, and he was determined to fight on, even if it meant taking at least one of them down with him.
His first attempt to stand failed, and his second attempt only got him halfway up before he fell again. It was only on his third try that he managed to shakily get to his feet.
Dai silently pulled out a few throwing knives.
Just as Dai prepared to finish off Berkli with his ninja tools, Kakashi sprang into action. He stood up, his eyes now clear and focused, clutching the White Fang in his hand.
"Stay true to your ninja way, and hold firm to your beliefs..." Mu Yue's words echoed in Kakashi's ears.
Kakashi still didn't fully understand what kind of ninja would earn the admiration of others, nor did he know if the village valued missions or comrades more.
But one thing Kakashi now understood was that, to him, his comrades came first.
If it came down to sacrificing Might Guy and Dai for the sake of a mission, Kakashi would rather refuse the mission and face the consequences.
Even in this dire situation, neither Dai nor Might Guy had ever considered abandoning him, not even when he was injured and unable to move. They had fought with all their might to protect him, even when he had asked them to leave him behind.
They had never given up, neither on themselves nor on him.
Watching Might Guy stumble after delivering that final kick, Kakashi's eyes misted over.
His teammates were fighting with everything they had, while he had been nothing but a burden.
"Kakashi Hatake, what are you doing? What have you been doing these past two years?" Kakashi berated himself.
He used to be the genius who graduated at five and became a chunin at six, and now he could only watch as Dai and Might Guy fought.
He had been too decadent these past two years, and Kakashi deeply regretted it.
Thinking of Might Guy's expectations of him, Kakashi felt unworthy. Might Guy, on the other hand, was shining brilliantly.
"Am I going to stay like this forever?" Kakashi asked himself inwardly.
Kakashi answered his own question with his body. His breathing was more focused than it had ever been, and the leg that had been numb now seemed to have regained sensation. He slowly stood up, tightening his grip on the White Fang.
He refused to be the Kakashi Hatake who wasted his days in a daze, lost in the past. He wanted to be the genius Kakashi Hatake who valued his comrades.
Kakashi closed his eyes slightly, his mind filled with memories of Mu Yue teaching him the Lightning Breathing technique. In this moment, all those fragmented memories came together.
Not only did he recall Mu Yue's teachings, but also the scenes of his father instructing him in swordsmanship, and now the two merged as one.
"Lightning Breathing, Thunderclap Flash!"
With his breathing rapidly focused, Kakashi felt a power like never before. Chakra surged in his hands and feet, and dazzling lightning crackled around them.
Kakashi channeled most of his strength into his uninjured right leg, and in an instant, he vanished from his original spot in a flash of lightning.
"I will..." Berkli had just steadied himself when he saw a dazzling flash of lightning rushing towards him.
He wanted to resist, but his current state was worse than ever. His chest had caved in, and he didn't have much chakra left.
The next moment, Berkli lost consciousness forever.
The lightning faded, and Kakashi reappeared behind Berkli, the White Fang in his hand gleaming in the sunlight.
THUD!
Berkli's body fell into two pieces, collapsing to the ground as blood gushed from the severed parts.
Kakashi exhaled, knowing that he had not only slashed apart his enemy's body but also the nightmare that had haunted him for the past two years.
"Kakashi, have you learned the Lightning Breathing technique?" Dai asked in surprise, noticing the sudden increase in Kakashi's speed.
"Haha, as expected of my dear friend, I look forward to our next battle!" Might Guy congratulated Kakashi.
Kakashi nodded calmly and replied, "Then you'd better be careful, because a genius like me improves at an incredible pace."
Genius Kakashi had returned.
(End of Chapter)
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