I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 59: The Showdown with Kakashi

Outside the Konoha BBQ restaurant.

As night fell, the streets were nearly deserted, with most people at home preparing to rest, leaving only a few ninjas and civilians who needed to work.

Meanwhile, under the cover of night, the darkness seemed like a paradise for ninjas, with black dots flashing and jumping on the houses in the village.

"Kakashi."

As they parted, lamenting the past that could never be returned to, Uchiha Yoru called out to him, and Hatake Kakashi turned around and stared at him lifelessly, as if to say, "Is there something wrong?"

However, Uchiha Yoru shook his head upon seeing Kakashi's appearance. But then, seeing Might Guy's expectant eyes, he felt a little selfish and chuckled, "Who knows when we'll meet again? How about the training ground?"

An unyielding stone, hands that can never be washed clean, Sharingan eyes that can never be closed, and an inescapable paradise of intimacy—this is the life of Kakashi Hatake.

It might be difficult to say who the most tragic character in Naruto is, but Kakashi Hatake is definitely on the list.

Losing his father at the age of seven left him all alone, turning him into a cold machine who only knew how to complete tasks. Just when he finally found warmth in the bonds of friendship, he suffered the sacrifice of his comrades.

First, Obito Uchiha was pinned down by a boulder he couldn't push away. Then, he personally plunged Chidori into Rin Nohara's chest, the blood staining his hands a stain he could never wash away. During the Third Shinobi World War, Kakashi lost all his teammates, and during the Nine-Tails' attack, he lost his teacher and his teacher's wife.

"Wow, a duel between genius ninjas! Haha, Kakashi, this is youth!"

Upon seeing Uchiha Yoru's question, Might Guy immediately became incredibly excited, shouting like he'd been injected with adrenaline. He even patted Kakashi heavily on the shoulder, saying, "Kakashi, you're Konoha's most outstanding genius ninja! Before the duel between our peers of genius ninja, let's have a duel! Let's see who gets to the training ground first, shall we?"

After saying this, Might Guy even winked at Uchiha Yoru with his clumsy acting, as if to say thank you. Uchiha Yoru, however, simply shrugged and smiled casually. He understood Might Guy's desire to help Kakashi, though he didn't think it would be of much use, but it had given him an opportunity.

What Uchiha Yoru was thinking was unknown to others, but just as they were about to leave, everyone became interested after hearing this, especially Sarutobi Asuma, who looked at Kakashi with a meaningful smile.

"Kakashi, this time you'd better show us the true strength of a Jonin." When he said the last few words, Sarutobi Asuma raised his voice slightly, clearly wanting to see him make a fool of himself.

After seeing this scene, Kurenai's crimson eyes glanced expectantly at Anko beside her, and then a glint flashed in her beautiful eyes. Perhaps Yoru wasn't as much of a jonin as outsiders thought, after all, Yoru was Orochimaru's disciple.

Kakashi Hatake stared at everyone with a deadpan expression. He naturally saw through their intentions and was about to refuse when Might Guy grabbed his shoulder and laughed loudly, "Kakashi, my eternal rival, before your genius duel, let's settle this once and for all! I'll count to three, let's see who gets there first at Training Ground 43."

"The duel between Kakashi and the Uchiha is also an absolute clash between Sharingan users. Yoru, don't lose and embarrass yourself!" Mitarashi Anko, always eager to stir things up, waved enthusiastically at the two of them, instantly creating a lively atmosphere.

"I'll be the referee." Mitarashi Anko, with a carefree attitude, walked up to the group with a big laugh, raised her hands high, pointed at Kakashi and Might Guy, and shouted, "Are you ready? Let's start the first round."

"3, 2, 1! Go!"

At his command, Might Guy roared with fervor and instantly transformed into a green blur, speeding through the streets of Konoha. Kakashi Hatake wanted to refuse, but it was clear he had no chance. Moreover, Might Guy was always looking for opportunities to duel him, so he instinctively followed closely behind. However, his indifferent demeanor clearly showed that he didn't take the match seriously.

Training Ground No. 43.

Under the moonlight, a strong wind swept across the grass of the training ground, and amidst the fluttering leaves, Kakashi Hatake's deathly calm figure appeared, followed closely by a series of dark figures rushing towards him.

"Yo! Kakashi, you truly are my eternal rival!"

It was obvious that Might Guy had lost this farcical match, but he showed no sign of dejection after the defeat. Instead, he laughed with a fighting spirit and even gave Kakashi a thumbs-up, as if trying to rouse Kakashi.

However, Kakashi, who is only fifteen years old now, has experienced too many tragedies in his life. To be honest, it would be surprising if Kakashi hadn't fallen into darkness.

Despite watching Might Guy's clumsy acting and knowing that his friend Might Guy was deliberately trying to provoke him, Kakashi Hatake's eyes remained completely unmoved, and he calmly stared at everyone with that deathly still expression.

"Asuma, do you think Yoru's Chidori is stronger, or Kakashi's?"

At that moment, a series of flea-like black shadows flashed by. Sarutobi Asuma landed and had just taken a cigarette out of his cigarette case and put it in his mouth when Ebisu, who had just arrived, casually spoke to Asuma as if it were an unintentional conversation.

The next moment, Ebisu seemed to realize that he had said the wrong thing, and he awkwardly lowered his head slightly and pushed up his glasses. The sunglasses well covered his eyes. Asuma, who was next to him, slowly curled up the corner of his mouth after hearing this, but he did not say anything. Instead, he flicked the lighter and lit the cigarette in his mouth.

It's obvious that Ebisu said this on purpose in order to curry favor with someone powerful. In any world, there's never a shortage of people who want to climb the social ladder by currying favor with others. Even Uchiha Yoru was one of those people.

"Haha, Kakashi, it's Yoru's turn to challenge you next."

At this moment, Might Guy's heart was clearly set on Kakashi. He pretended to laugh and gave a thumbs up. When he turned his head, he winked at Uchiha Yoru, as if to say, "Yoru, you have to rouse Kakashi's fighting spirit!"

At school, besides Kakashi, Might Guy's closest friend was Uchiha Yoru, since Yoru had never looked down on him.

Under the moonlight at Training Ground 43, the ninjas could see everything clearly. Mitarashi Anko, her face beaming with excitement, cheered, "Yoru, you can't let Orochimaru-sensei down!"

Meanwhile, Kurenai Yuhi, observing the atmosphere, suddenly had a glint of light flash in her eyes.

Sarutobi Asuma, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, stared intently at the center of the training field, his gaze serious. Behind him, Kotetsu, Izumo, and Ebisu also wore grave expressions. After all, the name of the Shadow Tree was well-known, and just how strong was their contemporary genius ninja, Hatake Kakashi? And what about the Uchiha who had awakened his bloodline limit?

Kurenai Yuhi and Anko Mitarashi were also looking at the center of the arena. Among the crowd, only Might Guy secretly gave Yoru Uchiha a hand gesture, signaling him to go all out, and there was also a hint of worry in his eyes.

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(End of this chapter)