Chapter 45

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The dinner for three was very heartwarming, and laughter never ceased.

Kyomu could also feel that Sakumo genuinely valued him, and his fondness for his juniors was not pretended at all.

After dinner, Kyomu and Kakashi took the initiative to clean up, while Sakumo leisurely picked his teeth on the side, watching the two busy themselves with a smile in his eyes.

He even occasionally thought that if Kyomu were his own son, it wouldn't be too bad.

Once the two finished cleaning up, Sakumo stood up and walked out into the courtyard.

Kyomu and Kakashi exchanged a glance and followed him out, in perfect harmony.

"The strength you've shown by graduating early is already sufficient, but if you want to become true shinobi or strong individuals, both of you still have a long way to go."

Sakumo stood with his back to them, his figure towering in the moonlight.

"Whether it's practical experience, combat skills, or tactical intelligence, you both are severely lacking. It's not that mental strength and chakra control are unimportant, but they require continuous practice and cannot be achieved overnight.

So, there's not much I can teach you right now. I can only impart some of my experiences and engrave them into your bones in my own way."

Kyomu knew immediately what was coming; he was about to speak when Sakumo turned around with a smile.

"Tomorrow then." He looked at Kyomu. "Bring your ninja tools, all sorts of them. Come find me at daybreak."

"I understand, sensei." Kyomu nodded slightly, preparing to leave.

Watching Kyomu leave the courtyard, Sakumo's smile deepened even further. He turned to Kakashi. "Son, you should also prepare. Tomorrow, I won't hold back."

"Understood, father." Kakashi's face lit up with excitement as he turned and went back to his room.

It had been a long time since he trained with Sakumo, and Kyomu's impending fate tomorrow was already playing out in his mind, haunting him relentlessly.

---

Early the next day, Kyomu was fully armed, carrying various ninja tools in his pouch along with scrolls containing all his belongings.

With a twenty-eight times enhanced capacity, he was ready to take on any beating, even if it meant being beaten single-handedly!

However, as soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Kyomu felt a chill down his spine. Turning around, he saw Kakashi lying on the ground.

Reacting quickly, Kyomu drew his kunai and swept it backward, a fleeting blade of light slashing through the air, accompanied by a sharp gust of wind.

Swish.

The crescent-shaped blade chakra spread rapidly backward, its contained force and explosiveness alarming. 

But it didn't hit anyone; it was all in vain.

Ambushed!

Taking advantage of Kyomu's unguarded moment, Sakumo suddenly emerged from underground, forming the 'tiger' seal with his hands, aiming at...

"Ouch! Damn it!"

Kyomu was sent flying, tears welling up in his eyes as he clutched his buttocks in agony, his hands covering the painful area.

Sakumo, you old rascal!

Meanwhile, Kakashi, lying on the ground, was now laughing uncontrollably, completely forgetting his own similar fate moments before.

Sakumo wasn't just a father; he was even a proper teacher.

And the case was solved: The Thousand Years of Death was Sakumo's signature move, not Kakashi's. Kakashi was merely following in his father's footsteps...

Thud.

Kyomu landed on the ground, trembling with pain.

But at this moment, Sakumo resumed his serious demeanor. "When facing ambushes, you should not only pay attention to your back but also to your feet and above your head.

Although your reaction is faster than Kakashi's, your technique is indeed powerful, but it's too ruthless, leaving no room for yourself and making it easy for others to seize opportunities."

"I... I understand, sensei!" Kyomu gritted his teeth. "But you're too much, aren't you?!"

"This way, you'll have a lasting impression, always being aware of your surroundings and not just your back."

Sakumo stifled a laugh, but his words made sense. The lesson Kyomu and Kakashi received while being 'fingered' up had some legitimacy.

Glancing at Kakashi, Kyomu finally understood where his cunning nature came from. Like father, like son.

It really hurts, damn it!

After allowing the two a moment to recover, Sakumo restrained his laughter and led them deeper into the Forest of Death.

They were technically leaving the village, as the Forest of Death was too vast to be entirely enclosed by walls.

But in the presence of Sakumo, all they needed to do was inform the patrolling shinobi, and everything would be settled without needing official permission.

"This spot will do; the environment is quite complex." Sakumo casually tossed his tanto to Kakashi. "You've been wanting to use this; now's your chance."

"Thank you, father!"

Kakashi took the tanto, treating it as delicately as he would his beloved wife, showing a gentle and affectionate demeanor.

"Come at me." Sakumo stood there casually, hands still behind his back, as he was facing two gusts of wind.

Kyomu and Kakashi exchanged glances, then, in perfect synchrony, they advanced shoulder to shoulder towards Sakumo. As they neared him, they suddenly split apart.

Heaven-Cleaving Sword!

Kyomu unleashed the powerful move he had been practicing for the past month, exuding great momentum.

Sakumo's eyes lit up as he watched the nine intersecting blade chakra, feeling even more satisfied with Kyomu's abilities.

This level of strength was far beyond that of their peers, surpassing even Kakashi and his own childhood self.

However, in an instant, Sakumo shook his head. While the technique was flawless, Kyomu's timing was lacking, leaving room for improvement.

Sizzle~

Sakumo was enveloped in electricity, his Lightning Release chakra activating his body, granting him incredible speed and explosive power.

He dodged swiftly and delivered a powerful kick to Kakashi's shoulder from behind, taking advantage of his attempt to ambush Kyomu.

With one hand, he flipped his kunai, and in a swift motion, brought it down in a straight chop.

Kyomu reacted swiftly, tightening his abdomen and lowering his waist to raise his ninja blade in defense.

But at that moment, Sakumo suddenly stopped his attack, twisting his body in mid-air to strike Kyomu's armpit with the kunai.

Just as he was about to succeed, he twisted his wrist, changing the stab into a punch, sending Kyomu flying.

His heart pounded as he felt the impact, unable to breathe, the sensation of death looming dangerously close.

"When defending, pay attention to feints. The key lies in discerning subtle muscle movements and the opponent's attack angle and intensity.

This is essential when facing opponents who change tactics, and defense always has vulnerabilities. Offense should be your priority when facing an enemy."

With just a few words, Kakashi charged at Sakumo from behind once again, having learned quickly. He feinted a thrust and then struck ruthlessly from underground.

Bang~

With a swift kick from his left leg, Kakashi was sent flying far away. Sakumo scolded, "Idiot, you just learned the technique and used it against me. You need to be more adaptable!"

Undoubtedly, Sakumo's only vulnerable moment was when he was teaching while beating them up. After all, speaking always required some distraction, and Kyomu seized the opportunity to attack once again.

Thud~

The ground beneath his feet created a shallow pit as Kyomu charged forward like an arrow, his ninja blade swinging heavily once more.

Still exerting full force.

The blade glowed red, and the sweeping blade chakra turned crimson, the temperature not high enough to ignite the air but certainly capable of causing burns.

Crimson Moon Slash!

Sakumo furrowed his brows. Although the incoming chakra blade was powerful, Kyomu had not held back at all, leaving himself no room for maneuver.

Dealing with weaker opponents meant a one-hit kill, and even slightly stronger opponents could catch them off guard. But when facing him...

This was a fatal flaw!

It needed to be corrected!

Sakumo prepared to strike harder, his reaction lightning-fast.

He leaned back 45 degrees, allowing the blazing chakra blade to pass by his nose. Then, with both hands on the ground, he straightened his waist and grabbed Kyomu's ankle as he tried to dodge in mid-air.

With a sudden burst of force, he slammed him down.

Bang~

Aragami Kyomu shattered into a cloud of smoke, disappearing in an instant.

"When?!" Sakumo was momentarily stunned, then he realized. "When you swung the Crimson Moon Slash, you used the Transformation Technique to disguise yourself and hid in the shadow of the blade.

Quite a perfect feint; you learned it quickly!"

A smirk appeared on his lips, but Sakumo had already guessed Kyomu's possible hiding spots.

"I hope it's above my head." Hatake Sakumo suddenly bent down, punching the ground, causing the earth to collapse.

It was an impressive display of power, but he still held back.

"Indeed, above my head?" Sakumo's mood lightened. "Kyomu, you've surprised me more than Kakashi, and since you're so outstanding, as a father, I naturally have to test you a bit more!"

Straightening up, he twirled the tanto in his hand, covering it with the chakra of his Lightning Release, then launched it upwards.

Upward Thrust!

The arc of lightning-charged chakra rose rapidly, perfectly intercepting Kyomu's descending Crimson Moon Slash.

Just as the two attacks were about to collide, Kyomu's real body suddenly appeared behind Sakumo.

He and Kakashi had formed a pincer attack.

Sakumo quickly switched tactics, successfully blocking the attacks of the two, but his mind was in turmoil.

"When did this happen?" He couldn't help but ask.

"Just as I swung the Crimson Moon Slash, I used the Transformation Technique to disguise myself and hid in the shadow of the blade."

Aragami Kyomu slowly revealed the truth. "It's easier to hide under the cover of light, making it a perfect strategy."

"Learning from experience and adapting in real-time, you've truly grasped how to use feints in battle." Sakumo praised without reservation, then flicked Kakashi's forehead.

"Compared to Kyomu, you're as dull as a radish."

"Actually, it's not that much different." Kakashi's voice came from behind Hatake Sakumo. "I've also used Shadow Clones..."

Seeing the smoke from the disappearing clones in front of him, Sakumo felt slightly relieved, but he still didn't intend to go easy on Kakashi.

"There's some surprise, but not much, especially with Kyomu's brilliance ahead of you, you seem a bit mediocre, son!"

Kakashi lowered his head, flames burning in his heart. "I'll become better, father!"

"Good, let's set today as a deadline." Sakumo raised a finger. "Come at me again, and let's see how quickly you can absorb combat experience!"

Kyomu and Kakashi exchanged glances, ignoring their fatigue, and once again attacked Sakumo with all their might.

In the world of shinobi, adaptability and constant improvement were the most precious assets, without a doubt, dattebayo!

(End of Chapter)