The Shimura Actually Has Ice Release

Although all sorts of rumors were circulating among the higher-ups, after personally meeting with Danzō, Sakumo found that he wasn't as terrible as the rumors made him out to be.

But at the end of the day, the man was still the leader of the Hawk Faction, naturally at odds with the cautious and steady Third Hokage. Because of this, Sakumo had no desire to get too entangled with him.

So, throughout their conversation, Sakumo maintained a respectful, subordinate-like attitude toward Danzō.

The crafty, experienced Danzō easily picked up on Sakumo's reservations and didn't try to pressure him, instead making harmless small talk.

"No matter how many times I see him, Takeshi's dad still creeps me out a little." Since his grandmother was too old to come, Obito had come alone and now stood beside Rin, whispering to her.

"To be honest, I feel the same way. But seriously, don't let Takeshi hear you say that." Rin whispered back.

"Uh… I don't think he can hear us."

Obito's gaze drifted to the side, where Kakashi was chasing after Takeshi at full speed after being slapped.

"I honestly didn't expect Takeshi to be so fast, actually managing to dodge Kakashi's pursuit."

Asuma, also without any parental escort, joined them.

Kakashi felt the same. He hadn't expected that even when sprinting at full speed, he was still one step behind Takeshi. In other words, this guy's speed…

"Hmph, now this is getting interesting." With his competitive spirit sparked by Takeshi, Kakashi saw that he couldn't catch up and began forming hand seals.

With a whoosh, Kakashi—who had been behind Takeshi—suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Body Flicker Technique?" Takeshi skidded to a stop and instantly changed direction.

But just as he turned, he spotted another Kakashi in that direction as well.

No way… Is this a clone technique or Shadow Clone?

Seeing Kakashi in both directions, Takeshi panicked a bit. This guy was getting serious! And the worst part—he didn't know either Clone Technique or Shadow Clone!

Cursing himself for provoking Kakashi, Takeshi had no choice but to turn again.

Only to find—another Kakashi waiting for him on the other side.

"Shadow Clone, huh." Danzō, noticing the commotion, grew serious.

As expected of the White Fang's son, to have this level of talent...

This kid—he might become Takeshi's...

Watching the dynamic between the two, Danzō suddenly thought of himself and Hiruzen.

They too had grown up together, and one had been a genius far beyond their peers...

In the end, it was the stronger Hiruzen who became Hokage.

Danzō subconsciously clenched his right hand, his fingernails digging into his palm.

"Yeah, he's something." At that moment, Sakumo hadn't noticed Danzō's subtle reaction and looked proudly at Kakashi.

"Kakashi, you brought this on yourself!" Seeing the Kakashi clones charging in with fists raised, Takeshi—who didn't know Body Flicker or Clone Techniques—had no choice but to use an offensive jutsu.

"Hey, no way—that hand sign... isn't that Wind Release?"

Asuma, who had received training in Wind Release at home, instantly recognized Takeshi's hand seals.

"Give it a try." Kakashi didn't slow down in the slightest. Instead, he provoked him, clearly wanting to test Takeshi's strength.

"Don't blame me for this, then—Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!" Fearing he might accidentally slice Kakashi in half with a real Wind Release, Takeshi formed the seals slowly before unleashing a sharp blade of wind from his mouth.

Three Kakashis were sliced in half and vanished into puffs of smoke simultaneously.

"Holy crap, all three were Shadow Clones?" Hearing the signature pop of a Shadow Clone disappearing, Takeshi froze. Then, something clicked in his mind, and he jumped out of the way.

Sure enough, right after Takeshi moved, the real Kakashi—hands formed in the Tiger Seal—launched a sudden thrust from behind, almost making Takeshi's butt bloom into a flower.

"You sneaky perv! You were gonna use the Thousand Years of Death on me?!" Realizing Kakashi's attack style, Takeshi shouted in protest.

He knows the Thousand Years of Death?

Kakashi looked at Takeshi in surprise. But that Wind Release move earlier...

As expected, this guy was secretly training hard on his own.

"For someone so young to master that level of Wind Release... Takeshi's talent is no less than yours, Danzō-sama." Seeing the devastating power of the jutsu, Sakumo gave Danzō some flattering praise.

"Hmph, I suppose he's alright." Danzō relaxed his clenched fist. His face remained calm, but his tone became noticeably lighter.

Of course—how could my own son lose to the White Fang's son?

"Kakashi's so strong." Yūhi Kurenai, having sent her father home earlier, walked up to Asuma with admiration in her voice.

"I could do that too if I really wanted to," Asuma replied stubbornly, a little jealous to hear Kurenai praising another boy.

"Takeshi was cool too, okay? Especially that Wind Release just now." Anko, annoyed that Kurenai had only praised Kakashi and not Takeshi, countered.

"Yeah, yeah, Takeshi was cool—so cool he made Anko fall for him, right?" Kurenai teased, exposing Anko's little crush.

Anko froze, then her face turned bright red.

"Y-Y-You—what the hell are you saying?!"

Furious and embarrassed, she rushed at Kurenai, trying to teach her a lesson.

"Rin, I'm gonna be even cooler than both of them one day. Believe me!" Seeing that Rin was completely focused on Kakashi, Obito tried to draw her attention.

"Mm, I believe you, Obito." Rin smiled at him, then turned her gaze back to Kakashi.

By now, Takeshi and Kakashi had entered into a close-range taijutsu exchange. Thanks to his long experience getting beaten up—no wait, training—Takeshi was able to go toe-to-toe with Kakashi.

Seeing that neither of them could gain the upper hand, Takeshi—having lived an extra life and not too obsessed with winning—was about to raise his hand and surrender.

But—

The old geezer is watching… If I surrender now, he'll definitely crank up my training like crazy.

No choice—gotta use that move!

Kicking Kakashi aside, Takeshi took the chance to form a hand seal.

"Another jutsu?" Seeing this, Kakashi hurried forward to close the gap, hoping to stop him before the jutsu was completed.

Just what I was waiting for!

As Kakashi threw a punch, Takeshi grinned.

His jutsu was already complete—because it only required one hand seal!

"Hey... does anyone else feel a little cold?" Looking up at the sun still radiating heat in the sky, Kurenai slipped free from Anko's grasp and asked the others.

"There is a chill in the air..." Asuma's expression grew serious. The hand seal Takeshi had just made...

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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