From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 367 Genius, merely the threshold before me

A great teacher produces outstanding students!
This is a two-way street. Do you think teaching apprentices is such an easy thing?
Do you know how difficult it is for a renowned teacher to find a genius to inherit his mantle?

Your strength poses no threat to me, but you can ruin my reputation in the education field. There are countless examples of this, and Orochimaru is one of the most recent victims.

Kakashi is a genius, and in Sakumo's eyes, he is a successor who can perfectly inherit the Hatake family's swordsmanship, ensuring that the Hatake family has a worthy successor. However, now, he sees another, better option.

It's not that his beating of Kakashi makes him superior, but rather that the two dodges he made just now were incredibly beautiful. Hiruzen Sarutobi was in a fit of rage, and although he wasn't going all out, Hiruzen could tell that the first slap was definitely not held back, and while he might have held back a bit in the following two punches, the speed and angle were absolutely not lacking.

Asuma's flash was even more beautiful, showing a completely effortless and confident demeanor.

"Saku, Sakumo, it was my fault." Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't landed his punches on Asuma, but instead damaged the entrance hall. He felt an urge to disappear into the ground. "I'll have someone fix the entrance hall tomorrow."

“It’s alright.” Sakumo didn’t even turn his head, but just stared at Asuma and said, “Your taijutsu is good, but first, I need to see your foundation.” As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Kakashi, “Kakashi, go and get two wooden swords for practice.”

Kakashi was taken aback, but then he understood his father's meaning. He glanced at Asuma; although his face still hurt, he felt he was ready again, and this seemed like a chance to wash away his shame!
He immediately replied, "Yes!" and quickly ran towards the practice field.

Hiruzen's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't stop him. He also wanted to see what kind of swordsmanship Asuma would display in front of Sakumo.

Soon, Kakashi returned with two identical wooden practice swords, tossing one to Asuma. Asuma caught it casually, weighed it in his hand, and with a slight flick of his wrist, the wooden sword twirled in his hand, a casual gesture yet possessing an indescribable sense of rhythm.

Sakumo and Hiruzen's eyes narrowed simultaneously.

In the center of the courtyard, moonlight cast its soft glow. Asuma and Kakashi stood facing each other, Kakashi's wooden sword pointing diagonally at the ground, his gaze fixed intently on Asuma's face, which wore a faint smile.

"Begin," Sakumo commanded.

"Drink!" Kakashi moved instantly, increasing his speed to the limit in an instant. His figure was like a silver lightning bolt, and the wooden sword in his hand cut through the air with a sharp whistling sound, aiming straight for Asuma's throat!

A strike unleashed in anger—swift, accurate, and ruthless!

Let alone a six-year-old child, even a normal genin would find it difficult to escape.

However, a mocking smile flashed across Asuma's lips as he quietly watched Kakashi charge towards him. Just as the tip of Kakashi's wooden sword was less than an inch from his throat, Asuma moved!

His movement was minimal; he merely slid his left foot back half a step, his body tilting slightly to the side like a willow branch swaying in the wind. Kakashi's seemingly certain thrust grazed his neck by the narrowest of margins…

At the same time, Asuma's right hand, which was holding the sword, moved. It wasn't a block or a slash, but rather, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, it struck Kakashi's wrist, which was holding the sword, with unparalleled precision!
"Ugh!" Kakashi felt a sharp pain and numbness in his wrist, and his fingers involuntarily loosened, causing the wooden sword to fly out of his hand! But it didn't end there.

The instant Asuma knocked Kakashi's weapon away, he shifted his weight forward, his sideways movement instantly transforming into a forward lunge. His left hand stealthily reached out and precisely grabbed Kakashi's right arm, which was swinging forward due to exhaustion. He pulled Kakashi sharply backward, and Kakashi, already unsteady from the forward lunge and the blow to his wrist, staggered forward and fell over. Asuma's right knee, as if calculated, had already silently risen and slammed heavily into Kakashi's soft abdomen!

"Ugh..." Kakashi's stomach was hit hard, his vision went black, all his strength was instantly drained, and his body curled up like a shrimp. Asuma pressed down on his left arm, while at the same time, the blade of his wooden sword in his right hand slapped Kakashi's back with a "smack!" as if swatting a fly.

"Thump!" Kakashi collapsed heavily to the ground, curled up, clutching his stomach and cheek, gagging painfully, unable to utter a sound, only heavy breathing remaining. The battle, from start to finish, lasted a mere two seconds...

The entire courtyard was deathly silent.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitched slightly, and he subconsciously reached for his pipe, but then restrained himself.

Sakumo Hatake's eyes lit up even more!
In that brief exchange, Asuma demonstrated something far more than just overwhelming strength and speed!
It's about calculation! It's about precision! It's about efficiency!
Asuma's every movement was streamlined to the extreme, with not a single superfluous action. It was as if he had anticipated all of Kakashi's attack routes, points of force, and shifts in balance. The slash to the wrist, angled, forceful, and timed perfectly, shattered Kakashi's weapon without injuring his bones. The subsequent grappling, knee strike, and sword strike were executed with fluidity, as if practiced a thousand times. Each step struck precisely when Kakashi's strength was exhausted and his energy was just beginning to rise, utterly dismantling Kakashi's posture!
This is not about brute force or experience; it's about absolute control over space, distance, timing, and the opponent's physical dynamics. It's an almost instinctive and precise combat intuition!
Even he doesn't possess this kind of intuition.

Although the core of his ninja swordsmanship is "one-hit kill" and efficiency, what Asuma just demonstrated was a different level of "precision," a path that was very similar to his own but fundamentally different.

"it is good!"

After a two-second silence, Sakumo couldn't help but let out a low shout, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Asuma as if he were a rare treasure, even temporarily forgetting his son who was still curled up in pain on the ground.

Asuma casually tossed the wooden sword aside, looked at Sakumo, and asked in a flat tone, "Sakumo-senpai, your basics are alright, aren't they?"

“Your ‘foundation’ is quite special.” Sakumo’s voice carried a hint of seriousness. “Kakashi’s strength is too weak to fully demonstrate your foundation. Pick up your sword and attack with all your might. Let me see how far your instincts can take you.”

Asma's smile vanished as he sensed an invisible, sharp aura, seemingly capable of cleaving the air, instantly spreading out and enveloping the entire courtyard.

He didn't speak, but grinned, bent down to pick up the wooden sword from the ground, and gripped it tightly. The chakra within his body began to flow faster; although the total amount was not large, he manipulated it precisely.

Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively took a few steps back, giving the two in the room complete space. Kakashi also struggled to his feet, clutching his stomach as he retreated to the corridor.

At this moment, a somber atmosphere filled the courtyard.

(End of this chapter)