Chapter 703: A Single Slash
Chapter 703: A Single Slash
"What are your thoughts on Konoha's request?" The Third Mizukage asked, turning to Kikyo Shizuka and Master Yuan.
"I think we should refuse. Konoha has ulterior motives, and those brats are not as simple as they seem," Kikyo Shizuka replied.
If Kirigakure could win, sending a few elite Jonin to guide the Konoha ninjas wouldn't be a problem.
The issue was that Kirigakure might not win.
Having been on the battlefield during the final battle, he had some understanding of their strength.
"I think we should give it a try," Master Yuan suggested, contrary to Kikyo Shizuka's opinion.
Of course, this wasn't because he was confident in Kirigakure's strength or believed they wouldn't be defeated.
Although he hadn't been on the battlefield, he had studied the intelligence reports.
"We are already lagging behind Konoha in terms of strength. Now that we've started learning from them, why not use this opportunity to boost the morale of our village's ninjas?"
"Let them witness the gap between Kirigakure and Konoha firsthand. It might be more beneficial for their growth."
After the Third Shinobi World War, the Third Mizukage proactively proposed to halt the high-pressure policies within the village, also known as the Bloody Mist policy.
Kirigakure implemented the Bloody Mist policy to strengthen the village's ninja strength, believing that ninjas trained through ruthless battles from the Ninja Academy would be more powerful.
However, Kirigakure was proven wrong. The harsh Bloody Mist policy didn't make the village significantly stronger, and their strength couldn't compare to Konoha.
Since the village's ninja training policies had changed due to Konoha, Master Yuan thought that losing a little face in the exchange wouldn't be a big deal.
"Elder Master Yuan speaks wisely," the Third Mizukage nodded in agreement.
Then, the Third Mizukage assigned Master Yuan to handle the matter, leaving only the two of them in the Mizukage's office.
"Shizuka, you should work on your temper," the Third Mizukage sighed and spoke frankly.
Kikyo Shizuka was too proud, and the first thing that caught his attention was his reputation, not the situation.
The reputation of the Five Great Shinobi Villages was important, of course. But losing a few battles with Jonin wasn't a significant blow to their reputation; it wasn't as if the Mizukage was defeated by a genius.
As a former child prodigy and a well-known strong ninja in the ninja world, Kikyo Shizuka had the right to be proud. However, as the Mizukage, this mindset was unsuitable, and he lacked sufficient consideration.
"I understand, Third Mizukage," Kikyo Shizuka nodded obediently.
If others had spoken to him like this, he would have been furious. But since the Third Mizukage was grooming him as a successor, even in defeat, he would try to defend him, undoubtedly for his own good.
...
The three days before the exchange were primarily for Chunin-level interactions.
There were individual battles and small team competitions.
In the individual battles, Douen Jang stood out, defeating many older Kirigakure Chunin.
Her team also performed relatively well in the group battles.
Additionally, the team that Moonlight Swift Wind belonged to also had a decent showing, easily defeating the Kirigakure team.
There were also Kirigakure teams that performed well and defeated Konoha, but overall, Konoha had more exceptional ninjas in both individual and team battles.
Facing the outstanding performance of their ninjas, even a serious ninja like Akatsuki True Red couldn't help but smile.
The Kirigakure ninjas were not furious, but their faces didn't look any better.
The gap among the young Chunin indicated that Kirigakure not only lagged in this generation but also had a significant gap with Konoha in the next generation, which undoubtedly made them feel uncomfortable.
Apart from battles, there were also theoretical exchanges and discussions on ninja techniques and combat experiences.
However, this took place on the third day.
On the fourth day, it was time for the Jonin-level exchange.
There were no team battles among the Jonin; only individual battles were held. The participating Jonin could challenge any opponent they wished.
Chi Mei Ming, Kiten Mangetsu, and Kanto Kyo Shukaku all participated in the Jonin exchange battles.
Kiten Mangetsu, holding a halibut, challenged Kakashi Hatake, "Hatake Kakashi, I've been training hard for you. I hope you won't disappoint me."
During the last Youth Martial Arts Tournament, Kakashi had swiftly defeated him, which made Kiten Mangetsu, who had been called a "child prodigy" and "genius" since childhood, feel very dissatisfied.
To defeat Kakashi, he had significantly increased his training intensity. With every improvement, he sought sparring opportunities with his clan elders, doing everything to become stronger faster.
After the Five Great Swords of the Mist were returned to Konoha, Kiten Mangetsu, with his outstanding talent and strength, became the youngest member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.
When someone challenged Kakashi, many Kirigakure ninjas subconsciously turned their attention to Kiten Mangetsu.
A few years ago, Kakashi had earned the title of "Lightning Fang" on the Kirigakure battlefield. Jonin who had been on the battlefield or followed the battlefield intelligence were more or less aware of Kakashi's reputation as a formidable genius.
Kiten Mangetsu remained unfazed. He had trained hard for this moment.
"Challenging the most difficult opponent is indeed his style," Chi Mei Ming wasn't surprised and quickly withdrew her gaze, scanning the many Jonin from Konoha.
She didn't plan to challenge Kakashi, Daigo, or Might Guy.
The reason was simple; she felt she had a low chance of winning. As someone who aspired to become the Mizukage, she preferred to avoid defeat in such an exchange.
"If you haven't given up by then, I can fight you," Kakashi replied.
Kiten Mangetsu was stunned, "What do you mean?"
"The literal meaning. My first opponent won't be you," Kakashi said indifferently.
Kiten Mangetsu became angry. When had he, a child prodigy, ever been treated like this?
He glared at Kakashi, wanting to know who this person was that Kakashi refused to fight.
"Sorry, kid. His opponent is me," Jiba Xiang Shizou said, carrying a beheading broadsword and walking over.
Kiten Mangetsu frowned, remembering that Jiba Xiang Shizou's name wasn't on the exchange list.
They were both members of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, but Jiba Xiang Shizou wasn't a new genius like him. He was a member of the first generation of the Seven Swordsmen and had gained some reputation as a powerful Jonin even before the Third Shinobi World War.
It was somewhat inappropriate for such a Jonin to participate in the exchange.
Although Kakashi might be significantly stronger than Jiba Xiang Shizou, Kakashi was younger. He was only thirteen.
"Then I'll go first," Kakashi said.
He had come to hone his sword skills, and a member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist was the perfect opponent.
Daigo and Might Guy both nodded, not feeling a strong desire to challenge Jiba Xiang Shizou.
The two of them arrived at the battle area and sized each other up.
Action: "At least it's not that monster Might Guy," Jibaxiang Shizou thought to himself.
That day, when Might Guy unleashed the Sixth Gate and entered the Stone Breath Chakra Mode, it left an indelible impression on Jibaxiang.
Despite his small stature, Guy's Taijutsu effortlessly broke through defensive Ninjutsu, shattering the executioner's katana and severely injuring him.
Prior to that, Jibaxiang had never witnessed such an outrageous and pure display of Taijutsu from a ninja.
After that battle, Jibaxiang often dreamed of that fleeting flash of golden light that sliced through everything.
Given the choice, he would rather face Kikyo Kaguya than Might Guy, as losing to the latter would be more humiliating.
"The Executioner's Katana..."
Kakashi was more focused on examining the katana itself than on Jibaxiang as a person.
The Executioner's Katana lived up to its name; its blade alone was larger than Kakashi's entire body.
"The White Fang should be enough," Kakashi judged internally, gripping the hilt of the White Fang with his right hand.
Jibaxiang tightly held onto the Executioner's Katana, his body tensed and ready for action.
"Begin!"
At the referee ninja's signal, both ninjas released their chakra, their figures disappearing from their original positions.
Whoosh! Clang!
The two ninja swords clashed violently, emitting a crisp metallic clanging sound, and sparks flew in all directions.
Jibaxiang's gaze intensified as his chakra erupted again, using the massive blade of the Executioner's Katana to overpower Kakashi.
Kakashi, with a stoic expression, focused on enhancing his physical abilities through controlled breathing. He then utilized his Lightning-attribute chakra nature transformation to activate his body, unleashing immense power from his small frame.
Not only did Jibaxiang fail to suppress Kakashi, but he also took a half-step back due to Kakashi's sudden burst of strength.
Sizzle!
Kakashi seized the opportunity and swung his sword in a powerful slash.
As an experienced Jonin, Jibaxiang reacted swiftly, immediately blocking Kakashi's attack with the Executioner's Katana.
Bam!
The Executioner's Katana shook violently, and a noticeable dent appeared where the White Fang had struck.
Jibaxiang, realizing he couldn't match Kakashi's offensive rhythm, immediately channeled his entire chakra, maximizing his strength, and swiftly wielded the Executioner's Katana.
With its broad blade, the Executioner's Katana, when swung with great force, possessed formidable power, and each swing stirred the surrounding airflow.
However, in front of Kakashi's agile movements, Jibaxiang's attacks all missed, resembling a dizzy person wildly slashing.
Only ninjas familiar with Jibaxiang's combat habits understood that this was intentional.
Suddenly, Jibaxiang changed his tactics, abandoning his wide, sweeping slashes. He wielded the massive Executioner's Katana with incredible agility, directing each strike towards Kakashi's vital points.
However, Kakashi proved to be even more challenging than Jibaxiang had anticipated. He seemed to anticipate every subtle change in Jibaxiang's movements.
Kakashi skillfully used his katana's agility to continuously engage in rapid and precise clashes with the Executioner's Katana, neither retreating nor advancing recklessly, perfectly neutralizing Jibaxiang's offense.
Whether it was Jibaxiang's sudden onslaught or his cunning feints, Kakashi maximized his defensive effectiveness with minimal movements, leaving Jibaxiang feeling frustrated and powerless, as if his strength had nowhere to go.
"Not bad sword skills, but if it's only at this level..."
Kakashi suddenly retreated, focusing his breathing to the extreme, his right hand tightly gripping the hilt of the White Fang.
"Lightning Flash: Divine Might!"
Kakashi unleashed his Lightning-attribute chakra nature transformation, and dazzling yellow lightning flashed across his body, activating his body and providing him with immense strength and lightning-fast reflexes.
With the support of the Transparent World, Kakashi perfectly concentrated every ounce of his strength, distributing it rationally throughout his body.
Boom!
A thunderous roar of lightning erupted, and Kakashi charged forward like a yellow bolt of lightning.
The surrounding ninjas only saw Kakashi suddenly retreat and then vanish in a flash of yellow light, leaving behind a charred mark on the ground.
Sizzle!
The terrifying aura emanating from Kakashi made Jibaxiang's eyelids twitch uncontrollably. With his extensive combat experience, he instantly made a judgment—he couldn't dodge.
In that moment of realization, Jibaxiang immediately raised the Executioner's Katana to block the attack.
Crack!
A yellow bolt of lightning flashed by, leaving a fine line on the wide blade of the Executioner's Katana.
Clatter!
The Executioner's Katana split in two, with one half falling to the ground, its thick blade kicking up a cloud of dust.
Clink!
After the strike, Kakashi sheathed his sword without even glancing at it, returning the White Fang to the scabbard on his back.
"So fast!" Jibaxiang's pupils dilated in shock, his face filled with astonishment.
In the instant the Executioner's Katana shattered, his mind had already begun to recall his past at the Ninja Academy.
If Kakashi hadn't controlled the direction of his slash, he would have undoubtedly died.
"How did that one strike become so powerful?!" Kiten Mangetsu's expression turned grim.
It wasn't that the strike triggered his psychological shadow, but he realized with dismay that he might still be unable to counter that attack.
So, should he still challenge Kakashi?
"The son of the White Fang is even more troublesome than his father," the Third Mizukage's eyes flickered.
Skilled ninjas could tell that in the previous battle, Kakashi had only gotten serious towards the end, initially fighting Jibaxiang with pure swordsmanship without using his full strength.
In other words, if Kakashi wanted, he could have defeated Jibaxiang in less than half a minute without even using a single technique.
The ability to eliminate one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist's elite in half a minute was beyond the realm of genius.
It was the ninjas who failed to grow up who were geniuses; the current Kakashi was undoubtedly a true powerhouse in the ninja world!
"Kakashi's strength is truly terrifying!"
The surrounding Mist Hidden ninjas were astonished.
They knew of Kakashi's reputation as a genius, but many of them also remembered that just two or three years ago, Kakashi had defeated a member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist at a great cost, alongside his teammates.
And now, Kakashi alone could defeat an elite member of the Seven Swordsmen with such ease, leaving them in awe.
"As expected of Kakashi," Haruno Rin smiled, her eyes shining as she looked at Kakashi.
"Always showing off," Kaito muttered.
Sheathing his sword with his back to the enemy, exposing all his vulnerabilities, what a remarkable Transparent World user.
It wasn't his Divine Might that could dodge all attacks.
"Hatake Kakashi wins!" the referee ninja announced, having recovered from his surprise.
(End of Chapter)
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