Chapter 8: Total Domination! (Please continue reading!)

Swish! Swish!

At the command of Ryusei Futaki, Genichi Kinoshita and Asuma Sarutobi leapt backward almost simultaneously. While still airborne, they each threw a shuriken.

Clang!

The shurikens collided and fell to the ground.

As Asuma Sarutobi landed, he pushed off with his foot to rush forward, but not in a straight line—he curved his path.

Genichi Kinoshita charged straight ahead.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Fists and palms clashed as their bodies intertwined, and Genichi swept a leg toward Asuma’s head.

Asuma raised his arm to shield the side of his head while preparing to attack Genichi’s lower body.

But in the next moment, his body staggered involuntarily, his expression changing sharply. “This guy’s strength is intense!”

Seizing the advantage, Genichi pressed the attack, forcing Asuma to retreat repeatedly.

Their relentless skirmish held the watching students spellbound, eyes wide, yet no cheers or shouts of encouragement broke the tense silence.

Shizune, hands clasped in prayer, fixed her gaze on Genichi, her heart pounding with admiration. “Impressive!”

Nearby, Might Guy watched excitedly. “As expected of Genichi, who’s beaten both Kakashi and me!”

However, Genichi had not yet unleashed his full power.

Suddenly, Asuma leapt back a great distance to evade the continuous assault and formed a hand seal, creating a clone.

Two clones, flanking left and right, charged at Genichi once more.

Genichi stood his ground.

He could tell which was the clone and which the original by throwing shuriken, but this place was unsuitable for such recklessness—for fear of hitting spectators, even with teachers standing by.

Of course, Asuma’s ordinary clone technique wasn’t beyond Genichi’s perception.

So the clone charging head-on was shattered with a single punch.

Meanwhile, Asuma’s original circled behind him.

Genichi ducked to avoid a sweeping leg attack and countered by striking at Asuma’s lower body.

Asuma leapt up, raising his leg to deliver a downward chop.

The strike was powerful and heavy, but Genichi didn’t retreat or dodge. Instead, he stepped forward, using his shoulder to brace Asuma’s thigh while grabbing the collar of his chest with his right hand, exerting force to fling Asuma away.

Before Asuma could rise, Genichi pressed a kunai to his neck.

“Genichi Kinoshita wins!” Ryusei Futaki announced, then instructed both, “Form the reconciliation seal!”

They complied, and Asuma said, “Next time, I’ll win.”

Genichi smiled gently. “Asuma, I believe you can. Besides, it’s more interesting when we chase and challenge each other.”

Asuma was momentarily taken aback.

“Keep it up!” Genichi said, then returned to Shizune’s side.

Shizune whispered, “Genichi, you’re amazing. Asuma is the son of the Third Hokage.”

Though being the Third Hokage’s son didn’t guarantee greatness, it meant some early education—something Genichi lacked.

In just a few months, he had become so formidable. Shizune’s eyes brimmed with admiration.

She had witnessed Genichi’s swift progress step by step.

The sensation was indescribable yet utterly marvelous.

The practical training continued, with students taking turns.

Most matches were unremarkable, lacking the excitement of Genichi versus Asuma.

Genichi grew slightly bored, until the names Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha echoed nearby, awakening his spirit.

Here they came!

The rivals Kakashi and Obito stepped into the arena.

After the opposing seals were formed, they began exchanging attacks.

“That Obito is no slouch with his hand-to-hand skills,” Genichi thought, observing the back-and-forth combat.

The pivotal moment came when Kakashi used the substitution jutsu, luring his opponent, then struck from behind with a kunai, sealing his victory.

Obito was stunned, clearly unprepared for Kakashi’s mastery of substitution and transformation jutsu in such a short time.

Genichi inwardly sighed, “As expected of Kakashi—already so adept with the triple body technique.”

If Asuma had been able to use his clone technique as covertly, taking advantage of visual angles, he might have had a chance to win.

Of course, if he had Shadow Clone Jutsu instead of mere illusory clones, it would have been even better.

“Ordinary substitution jutsu is troublesome, requiring prepared substitute objects. Using clones as substitutes, combined with transformation jutsu, complicates identification.”

“Too bad I can’t learn Shadow Clone Jutsu or Water Clone Jutsu right now...” Genichi sighed silently.

He had no access to ninja techniques at all.

“Don’t rush, don’t lose the plan.”

“It will come, it will all come...” Genichi comforted himself, calming his inner urgency.

After school that afternoon, as they left the gates, Kakashi suddenly asked, “Genichi, want to spar with swords?”

Genichi’s eyes lit up. “No problem. I’ll go get my sword. Let’s meet by the cliff!”

With that, Kakashi vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

When Genichi arrived at the foot of the cliff with his short sword, Kakashi and Might Guy were already nearing the summit.

Carrying his sword on his back, Genichi climbed swiftly using both hands.

This was a form of training, too.

He could only use his hands to climb, no footholds allowed—unlike rock climbing from his previous life.

This tested the strength of his hands and arms severely.

Upon reaching the top, Kakashi and Might Guy sat resting, facing the vast crimson sunset.

After resting beside Kakashi for a moment, Genichi leapt up. “Kakashi, let’s go!”

Kakashi and Might Guy rose as well.

Ready, Might Guy shouted, “Begin!”

Clang!

Two short swords clashed, sending sparks flying.

A continuous symphony of metal rang out as Kakashi’s blade moved swiftly, striking from all angles—slashes, stabs, swipes, and cuts aimed at Genichi.

The speed was dazzling.

Genichi struggled to block with his own short sword, sweat quickly beading on his forehead.

Fast—too fast!

But not just speed; the attack angles were complex.

Without battle experience, Genichi was sure he would have been defeated quickly.

After the first move, he abandoned all basic sword techniques, treating his sword like a kunai instead, which felt more natural.

Kakashi exhaled in relief.

He had worried Genichi’s sword skills might be as formidable as his water techniques.

After one minute, Genichi conceded defeat.

There was no comparison.

He was completely overwhelmed by Kakashi.

Yet Kakashi comforted him, “Genichi, you haven’t had any guidance, and you’re already quite good.”

Genichi nodded, undeterred.

But he made a decision.

From now on, he would stop practicing other techniques and focus solely on one: the draw slash.

Until someone could properly instruct him in swordsmanship, he would train only in the draw slash.