Swish.
Kakashi formed a one-handed seal. He used the Body Flicker Technique.
He appeared before Dosuke instantly. His dagger, infused with chakra, slashed at Dosuke.
Without preparation, Dosuke leaped backward at high speed.
"Wind Fang Blade!" Kakashi shifted his attack. A blade of wind chakra sliced forward swiftly.
Dosuke, just landed, dodged sideways in a way that defied physics. He sprang behind Kakashi the moment he touched the ground.
Dosuke aimed his right index finger at Kakashi's back.
"Water Gun!" A palm-length water jet shot at Kakashi.
Puff.
The jet pierced a wooden stake on the ground.
Kakashi had used the Body Flicker Technique and Substitution Jutsu.
"How do you move like that?" Kakashi asked, his face grim, watching Dosuke shift positions. It was as if Dosuke stood still, yet his body bounced off the ground without muscle movement. This unnatural motion baffled Kakashi. * If I do not understand it, my chakra will run dry * , he thought.
"Byakugan!" Daisuke, the Hyuga clan leader, observed from the stands.
He spoke. "The kid in the orange jacket leaves a blue footprint each time he lands. That footprint fraction of a second before he touches down, is a water trap formed under his feet. It bursts with force, and he directs it with precise chakra control. This lets him move without preparing his muscles."
"His control is remarkable. Even the Hyuga, with our kekkei genkai, only control chakra within our bodies. This external chakra control is beyond us," Daisuke said.
"If he were born a Hyuga, he could rival Lord Tobirama when grown," Shoma, a branch Hyuga, said.
"If he married into our clan, could his children inherit that chakra control?" Yuta, a Nara jonin, said, stroking his beard.
"Focus on the match," Hiruzen interrupted.
Dosuke faced Kakashi, his expression sour. * I must end this quickly. My chakra is nearly gone. If I had Tsunade's strength, I would crush you * , he thought.
"Lightning Release: Thunderbolt!"
A blue lightning bolt surged at Dosuke.
Swish.
Four Dosukes leaped in different directions.
"Water Gun!" The four Dosukes moved in unison.
* Another clone technique. If I cannot spot the real one, I will destroy them all * , Kakashi thought.
"Blade Technique: Rapid Slash!"
Slash. Slash. Slash.
Sword energy cut toward the Dosukes. The fake water jets vanished when struck mid-air.
Kakashi dodged the real water jet. He saw a blue flash on Dosuke's body, blocking his sword energy.
* Long-range attacks are useless. That blue layer stops them * , Kakashi thought.
"Clone Technique!" Four Dosukes appeared again, rushing Kakashi.
Dosuke, holding a kunai, clashed with Kakashi up close.
Kakashi evaded a clone's attack.
"Water Fang!"
A thin water blade formed on Dosuke's palm, slashing at Kakashi. It could extend briefly from his hand. Dosuke had developed this close-range ninjutsu based on chakra control.
The water blade grazed Kakashi's left arm. Kakashi vanished in smoke.
* Shadow Clone * , Dosuke thought.
"Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu!"
Hands emerged from the soil beneath Dosuke, grabbing his ankle.
Swish.
Dosuke moved unnaturally again. Kakashi surfaced, holding only dirt.
"Clone Technique!" Four fake Dosukes appeared nearby.
"Dosuke, let us tie for first. Your chakra is low. Fight me head-on," Kakashi said, eyeing the four Dosukes.
"No way. I can fight until night," the four Dosukes said, pouting.
"The boy in the orange jacket is out of chakra. For ungraduated ninja school students, both are geniuses," Daisuke said, watching.
"They are Konoha's new flames," Hiruzen said, gazing at them.
"Kakashi, take this! I made it for you!" Dosuke said, feeling his remaining chakra.
"No problem, Dosuke! I have an unfinished technique. I hope it surprises you," Kakashi said, eyes sharp.
The four Dosukes charged at Kakashi with irregular movements.
Kakashi watched them, spinning his body. * One chance. Dosuke's style relies on those footprints * , he thought.
Lightning sparked in Kakashi's right hand. He had only practiced gathering chakra for this move, never used it in combat.
* The soil was wet when I grabbed it earlier. Dosuke's movements leave blue footprints. His clones look real but lack chakra. I just need to spot the footprints to find him * , Kakashi thought.
"One chance, Dosuke!" Kakashi locked onto one Dosuke. His hand crackled with lightning, chirping loudly.
Dosuke moved, forming a water layer on his right hand. With precise chakra control, the water spun faster, sharpening.
"Kakashi, here I come!"
"Come on, Dosuke!"
Bam.
Smoke cleared. A man with a Konoha headband, ninja vest, silver-white hair, and a ponytail stood between them. He gripped Dosuke's right hand with his right hand and Kakashi's with his left.
Dosuke's water jutsu and Kakashi's lightning jutsu did not affect him.
Boom.
Dosuke's water jutsu shattered the ninja school's wall. His technique could be launched.
"Father!" Kakashi said, seeing the man holding his hand.
"You both did well," Sakumo said, eyeing the broken wall. "I was not this strong at your age."
He released their arms.
Thud.
Kakashi collapsed.
Dosuke's right hand fell limply.
Kakashi's lightning had not spread but injured Dosuke's hand.
"Dosuke, you are bleeding!" Rin shouted from the stands.
"I barely admit their strength, though they are not as great as me," Obito said, wearing orange goggles, staring at the wall.
"You hurt Dosuke, Kakashi. You are my lifelong rival!" Guy yelled, gripping the railing.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
Tsunade and Jiraiya appeared before them.
"Are you okay, kid? Tsunade, his arm is hurt," Jiraiya said, seeing Dosuke's bleeding arm.
"I am fine, Jiraiya-sama. I can heal myself," Dosuke said. He used his last chakra to cast the Mystical Palm Technique on his wound.
The wound closed visibly.
"Jiraiya-sama, the wound is healing. I..." Dosuke fainted in Jiraiya's arms.
"Tsunade, he passed out!" Jiraiya shouted.
"It is fine. He overused his chakra. Kakashi is just exhausted, and his unfinished technique hurt his hand slightly. No major issues. Take them to the hospital for recovery," Tsunade said, checking both.
She lifted Dosuke from Jiraiya's arms in a princess carry and headed to Konoha Hospital.
Sakumo followed, carrying Kakashi on his back.