'My Shadow Clone is running low on chakra. I can't afford a direct confrontation with her. I need to find an opening to subdue Sakura.'
As Kakashi prepared to move, he found himself utterly paralyzed. In a daze, he seemed to see crystal-clear water droplets rise from the lake, dancing like living jewels.
Leaf-Style Willow!
This was a signature technique developed by Maruboshi Kosuke—a fusion of Genjutsu and swordsmanship that required no hand seals and was designed for close-quarters combat.
First, the user initiates a sword strike while simultaneously casting a Genjutsu, making themselves appear to vanish into the wind-blown leaves.
This illusion binds the enemy, immobilizing them as the user strikes from their blind spot with a swift, fatal thrust—a lightning-fast attack capable of killing with a single strike, leaving no chance for evasion.
However, Sakura favored fists over swords.
With guidance from her teacher Maruboshi Kosuke, she modified this lethal technique, adapting it to her preferred hand-to-hand combat style.
'This... it's Genjutsu!'
Startled, Kakashi hastily channeled his remaining chakra to activate his Sharingan, breaking free from the binding illusion just as Sakura's fist hurtled toward him.
"Trying to run?"
"Are you kidding me?!"
Sakura roared, bursting through the torrential rain. Her already blazing speed intensified, creating massive waves in her wake as she unleashed a devastating punch.
"Is that Teacher Kakashi's Body Flicker Technique?!"
Seeing Sakura's familiar high-speed movement style, Kakashi couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment.
The Shadow Clone, already low on chakra, couldn't evade Sakura's attack. It could only watch helplessly as her fist slammed into it.
Boom!
Sakura's punch shattered Kakashi's Shadow Clone, reducing it to a puff of white smoke that vanished instantly.
Huff... huff... huff...
After the Shadow Clone disappeared, Sakura gasped heavily, panting for breath. Using several advanced ninjutsu techniques in quick succession had taken a considerable toll on her.
But it had all been worth it.
Though it was merely a Shadow Clone, its strength rivaled that of an Elite Chunin. Given Kakashi's extensive combat experience, the clone's effectiveness in battle even surpassed that of most Elite Chunin.
Sakura's ability to defeat Kakashi's Shadow Clone in a one-on-one battle already proved her strength.
A faint smile flickered across Sakura's face before she quickly regained her composure, analyzing Kakashi's Shadow Clone's final words before it vanished.
"Teacher Kakashi said, 'Teacher's Body Flicker Technique'? Does that mean the Body Flicker Technique Grandpa Kosuke taught me was passed down by the Fourth Hokage?" Sakura muttered, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Over the past two years, Sakura had trained under Maruboshi Kosuke, mastering numerous techniques, including Leaf-Style Willow, the Shadow Clone Technique, the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, the Second Hokage's Water Release Technique, and the Body Flicker Technique she had just used.
Sakura had always assumed the Body Flicker Technique she learned was merely the common high-speed movement technique.
But Teacher Kakashi's words suggested otherwise.
The Body Flicker Technique Grandpa Kosuke taught her wasn't ordinary at all—it was the Fourth Hokage's Body Flicker Technique!
Maruboshi Kosuke had naturally learned the Body Flicker Technique from the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
During the Third Shinobi World War, they had served together on numerous missions, becoming trusted comrades-in-arms.
During a mission, Maruboshi Kosuke's lack of speed prevented him from evading an attack, resulting in a permanent injury to his left leg.
The Fourth Hokage personally bandaged his wound and urged him to give up being a ninja.
Moved by the old man's unwavering dedication, the Fourth Hokage taught him his original Body Flicker Technique.
However, due to his leg injury, Maruboshi Kosuke couldn't fully utilize the technique's potential, so he rarely used it during missions.
"Wait a minute!" Sakura suddenly remembered something, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "If Grandpa Kosuke's Body Flicker Technique was taught by the Fourth Hokage and his Water Release Technique by the Second Hokage, then the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique must have been taught by the Third Hokage!"
Sakura knew the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique had been created by the Third Hokage, but when Maruboshi Kosuke taught her the technique, he never mentioned who had taught it to him.
She had assumed Grandpa Kosuke had learned it through some channel in the village, but now it seemed clear that—barring any surprises—the Third Hokage must have been the one who passed it down.
"Ahahahahahaha!"
Lost in thought, Sakura burst into loud laughter.
'I'm practically a disciple of all three Hokage! Hehe!'
Sakura thought to herself, brimming with satisfaction.
At that moment, Sakura couldn't have known that in the original timeline, she would later become the successor to the Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade, inheriting her Medical Ninjutsu and Superhuman Strength Fist.
She would even master the Yin Seal, a technique exclusive to the Uzumaki Clan's main lineage, as well as Lady Tsunade's unique creation, the Ninja Art Creation Rebirth: Hundred Healings Technique!
Moreover, her current team leader, the Jonin Kakashi, would later become the Sixth Hokage. In this timeline, barring unforeseen circumstances, she was destined to become the successor to five Hokage.
And if she could also learn the First Hokage's legendary Wood Release, a technique considered unattainable...
Then it would be no exaggeration to say that Sakura was the inheritor of all the Hokage's legacies, a true heir to the Hokage's mantle!
"Damn you, Teacher Kakashi! How dare you deceive me with that Genjutsu? I'll make you pay today!"
The girl snapped out of her daze with an indignant huff, clenched her fists, and vanished from her spot, racing toward where the group had separated.
__
At Training Ground 3, after the Shadow Clone was destroyed, Kakashi fell into an eerie silence, his mind still churning.
'Who exactly is Naruto's teacher? A retired Jonin who's a master of taijutsu? And how did he learn such formidable techniques?'
Kakashi racked his brain, but he couldn't recall any retired shinobi in the village who were still alive and exceptionally skilled in taijutsu.
Giving up, he recalled Naruto's final ninjutsu, a lecherous grin spreading beneath his mask.
'I have to admit, Naruto's ninjutsu is... cough... truly remarkable—unexpectedly powerful.'
'And what kind of ninja is Sakura's teacher, Maruboshi Kosuke? He knows the Second Hokage's Water Release, the Third Hokage's techniques, and even my Body Flicker Technique!'
'Such a skilled ninja is still a genin? The village elders must be blind or completely insane!'
Kakashi inwardly sighed, suppressing a retort.
After a long moment, under Sasuke's amused gaze, Kakashi chuckled dryly, attempting to diffuse the awkwardness.
"Ahahaha, it seems my students are all exceptionally strong! Each of you is an unexpectedly talented ninja."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Sakura and Naruto burst forward, forming a triangular formation with Sasuke to surround Kakashi.
Glancing at Naruto, his eyes burning with battle intent, and Sakura, her fists clenched tightly, then back at Sasuke, who remained impassive as ever, Kakashi subtly wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead.
He cleared his throat and adopted a cheerful expression.
"Excellent! During your teamwork exercises, I saw genuine collaboration. And in your individual tests, you each demonstrated solid foundational ninja skills."
"Therefore... I declare all of you have passed!"
As soon as Kakashi finished speaking, he eagerly thrust the three bells into Sasuke's hand, as if they were burning hot.
___
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