"You... learned it just like that?"
Kakashi stared incredulously at the wall, then turned to look at Kitagawa Minamoto.
For a moment, he felt somewhat dazed himself.
Although he had deliberately slowed down the hand seals, a jutsu wasn't something one could master simply by observing the sequence.
Ninjutsu was a precise art, requiring consistent practice and refinement to fully unleash its potential.
But...
This kid had learned it after seeing it just once?
Not only that, but he had even managed to add his own artistic flourish?
And his hand seal speed—while Kakashi had merely glanced at his book, this kid had already completed the technique?
What kind of joke was this?
"Well, I've encountered this jutsu before, so..."
Kitagawa Minamoto replied humbly. In truth, he hadn't memorized all the hand seals but had instead sensed the chakra fluctuations of the jutsu.
The Ōtsutsuki bloodline granted him an extraordinary affinity for and control over chakra.
As for hand seals, they were originally devised by the Uchiha ancestor to help people better utilize chakra.
At a level of power like Hashirama Senju's, hand seals were practically unnecessary—he could simply clasp his hands together and summon any jutsu he desired.
Kitagawa Minamoto, of course, couldn't compare to such a legendary figure, but that didn't mean he couldn't achieve similar feats, albeit with less raw power.
As for the carved faces on the wall?
Since Kakashi's Earth Style Wall didn't feature a dog head, why not carve the Hokages' faces instead?
Wouldn't that demonstrate his devotion to the village?
No one loves Konohagakure more than I do!
"I see..."
Kakashi nodded reluctantly. Guy hadn't mentioned anything about this particular talent.
"It seems your abilities are even more impressive than I initially thought."
"Thank you for the compliment..."
Kitagawa Minamoto smiled modestly.
"Guy-sensei said something similar. He even planned to personally mentor me, but unfortunately, his application wasn't approved this year..."
"......"
Kakashi's disinterested eye rolled slightly. So he was just a substitute?
Still, he felt that if this kid had been assigned to Guy, it might have been somewhat of a waste.
Granted, Guy was exceptional and could certainly ensure the boy's growth, but his expertise lay primarily in taijutsu.
"So, it's best that he's with me?"
Strangely, this thought surfaced in Kakashi's mind.
Especially since this kid resonated with Obito's past words, which only deepened Kakashi's growing affection for him.
With that realization, Kakashi's expression turned slightly more serious.
"In that case, let's test your true capabilities."
"Huh? But yesterday, didn't we already..."
Kitagawa Minamoto was caught off guard, but before he could finish speaking, Kakashi had already made his move!
In an instant, Kakashi appeared behind him, his hand forming a knife-edge as it swung toward Kitagawa Minamoto's neck.
As he attacked, Kakashi even had the presence of mind to explain.
"Yesterday was a test for your team. But since your team has been disbanded and you're now on your own, the situation is different. That's why I need to assess your limits."
Whoosh!
Before the hand knife could connect, Kitagawa Minamoto had already vanished!
"This kid's Body Flicker Technique is remarkably fast."
Even though he had witnessed it before, Kakashi couldn't help but marvel again.
With a technique like this, escaping danger shouldn't pose much of a challenge.
"Tch..."
Kitagawa Minamoto crouched atop the Earth Style Wall, eyes fixed on Kakashi's position. In an instant, several kunai materialized in his hands, which he hurled toward Kakashi in the next moment!
"Your aim is mediocre."
Kakashi easily evaded the kunai with a casual leap, but he soon noticed four more kunai flying toward him.
This time, however, Kitagawa Minamoto's aim was exceptionally precise, targeting Kakashi's vital points, causing the Jōnin to raise an eyebrow.
Not only that, but Kakashi also observed that Kitagawa Minamoto had already completed a sequence of hand seals.
In the next moment, the boy expelled six medium-sized fireballs, which hurtled toward Kakashi alongside the kunai!
"This is..."
The four kunai, combined with the six fireballs, seemed to completely encircle Kakashi. However, he quickly identified a potential escape route.
The problem was that the opening coincided with the trajectory of the earlier kunai, and upon closer inspection, Kakashi detected nearly invisible steel wires attached to them!
"Phoenix Sage Fire Technique... and with this kind of tactical setup..."
Wasn't this the classic Uchiha-style shuriken jutsu?
"Where did he learn this?"
Kakashi was puzzled but recognized he needed to approach this more seriously.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Choosing not to evade, Kakashi swiftly formed hand seals and unleashed a massive fireball that surged forward.
The fireball not only consumed Kitagawa Minamoto's Phoenix Sage Fire Technique but also altered the trajectory of the kunai, heading straight for Kitagawa Minamoto!
"As expected of a Jōnin... Well then... Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Kitagawa Minamoto didn't dodge. He formed a few symbolic hand seals before clasping his hands together.
Boom!
A fireball nearly as large as Kakashi's erupted from him, colliding with Kakashi's fireball in a deafening explosion.
The intense flames superheated the air, and patches of the training ground's grass ignited instantly.
Kitagawa Minamoto quickly relocated to a new position, unwilling to remain a stationary target. All the while, he maintained vigilant awareness of his surroundings, searching for Kakashi's location.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Kakashi materialized behind Kitagawa Minamoto, pressing a kunai against his neck!
"The fight isn't over; you can't afford to be careless."
Kitagawa Minamoto didn't respond. Instead, he swung his own kunai backward to parry.
Clang!
The sound of clashing metal rang out as their kunai collided.
Kitagawa Minamoto then drew another kunai with his left hand, slashing it toward Kakashi, who sidestepped to avoid it.
But Kitagawa Minamoto pressed on, continuing to engage Kakashi in close combat.
Although his body and chakra had been greatly enhanced, his combat experience remained limited.
The Ōtsutsuki bloodline was no trivial matter; otherwise, figures like Urashiki and Momoshiki, despite their shockingly poor combat intelligence, wouldn't have been capable of devastating entire planets!
However, their lack of battle acumen ultimately led to their downfall—one being defeated by an invisible Rasengan, and the other effectively poisoned to death by Jiraiya...
Kitagawa Minamoto was determined not to make such foolish mistakes. Besides, he had discovered something intriguing.
"It seems I can refine certain techniques through sparring with Kakashi?"
Not just ninjutsu—he could even refine Kakashi's Swordsmanship, which he had received as a reward yesterday...
Even though Kakashi was wielding kunai, his movements were identical to the sword techniques now imprinted in Kitagawa's mind.
If that was the case...
Kitagawa Minamoto's gaze sharpened as he closed the distance with Kakashi even more aggressively.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of clashing metal echoed continuously as their figures darted across the training ground.
Kakashi was clearly restraining himself, while Kitagawa Minamoto fought with utmost intensity. At this moment, they appeared evenly matched.
However, Kakashi's expression gradually grew more perplexed.
"This kid... is he copying me?"
He could distinctly sense that Kitagawa Minamoto was mirroring his movements.
Initially, the boy's actions were somewhat 'clumsy,' with awkward transitions between techniques.
But as the fight progressed, he became increasingly proficient. His movements grew more fluid, and even his adaptability began to shine.
For a brief moment, Kakashi felt as though he were fighting against himself!
This level of learning ability was simply extraordinary.
"No wonder he knows the Uchiha shuriken technique..."
Finally, observing Kitagawa Minamoto, who was becoming increasingly reminiscent of himself, Kakashi decided to conclude the match.
"Alright, that's enough for now."
"Understood."
Kitagawa Minamoto immediately ceased his attacks and stepped back.
"I have a good grasp of your abilities now. Honestly, you're more capable than I anticipated."
Kakashi gave Kitagawa Minamoto a long, contemplative look before speaking softly.
"What you're lacking is combat experience. I know what to do now. Prepare yourself—tomorrow, we might leave the village."
"Really?"
Hearing this, Kitagawa Minamoto's spirits soared instantly.
At that moment, his System flashed.
[Side Quest Completed: Who Is the True Copy Ninja?]
[Reward Acquired: Kakashi's Lightning Release]
"Of course it's true."
Kakashi waved dismissively, glancing with mild frustration at the burning sections of the training ground.
"Alright, head home for now and be ready early tomorrow."
"Yes!"
Kitagawa Minamoto nodded eagerly, already anxious to examine his reward.
After a respectful bow, he turned and departed, leaving Kakashi alone to contemplate the blazing fire and...
The Earth Style Wall, its carvings of the four Hokages' faces gradually consumed by the flames.
At that moment, Kakashi fell into deep thought...
....