Naruto: Wait, I'm Not Kakashi the Fifty-Fifty!

Chapter 21 – Reinforcements Arrive

Unlike Kakashi's "first battle," the others—Black Hawk as captain, and his squadmates Phosphor and Foxhound—had already faced Kirigakure shinobi countless times during their earlier missions.

They knew all too well how dangerous Mist-nin could be, especially when hiding behind the Hidden Mist Jutsu. Once a Kirigakure ninja reveals themselves, you must not let them slip away.

Letting them disappear into the fog means falling into a harassing war of attrition.

One pushed forward to maintain pressure.

The other released ninjutsu in tandem for suppression.

Long-time comrades, Phosphor and Foxhound didn't need to speak—just a glance was enough to synchronize.

Diamond-shaped earthen pillars erupted one after another from the ground, chasing and narrowing Hōzuki Genren's space to maneuver—cutting off his freedom of movement.

"Tch… So damn annoying."

His path of retreat severed, Genren was forced to dodge sideways—straight into Phosphor's line.

The man's massive, towering figure brought a wave of oppressive pressure.

Genren's pupils narrowed sharply.

"Mighty Arm Technique!"

With a fierce shout, his special curved blade raised high.

In an instant, his arm swelled with bulging muscle, swinging down with a roar that split the air.

Phosphor's eyes sharpened at the unmistakable danger. On reflex, he crossed both arms, each holding a kunai, bracing for impact.

Clang!

Boom!

Sparks burst forth from the brutal clash.

"Urgh...!?"

Phosphor's stance wavered.

His arms bent under the force.

Pure physical power—utterly overwhelming.

Phosphor's eyes betrayed his shock.

As a member of the ANBU, even if he wasn't elite enough to be a squad leader, he had undeniable strength. In sheer power alone, even Captain Black Hawk wasn't necessarily his match.

But now, facing this Kirigakure shinobi from the Hōzuki clan—he was being overpowered!?

Is this some kind of secret technique!?

Even at this close range, he could barely make out the transformation in Genren's arm. Just as the thought flashed across his mind—

Whoosh!

BAM!

Genren capitalized on his power advantage, pressing harder.

CRACK!

The sickening sound of bone fracturing echoed.

Phosphor's expression twisted in pain.

Still, he gritted his teeth, refusing to give way.

Boom!

More chakra surged forth.

Phosphor roared, lifting both arms with all his might.

"Tch… underestimated them again!"

But it was too late—by the eight o'clock direction, Kakashi had already darted forward, his chakra blade glowing sharply with lethal intent.

Clang!

A flash of light streaked down.

"Not good!"

Genren tried to dodge, but Kakashi's strike was aimed directly at a vital point, an unabashed bid for a killing blow.

He couldn't fully evade.

Shhk!

Clothing torn, flesh pierced, and blood sprayed.

"Ghhh…!"

The impact drew a snarl of pain from Genren.

"You damn brats…!"

Even wounded, he tried to charge again. But the moment he opened a gap—

Bang!

He pulled his arms in close, then flung himself backward.

"!?"

Phosphor's body wobbled from the recoil, losing his balance briefly.

That tiny moment was all Genren needed.

Swinging both arms, his massive curved blade slashed horizontally at Kakashi's throat.

If Kakashi continued pressing forward, he'd lose his head the next second.

The sheer gap in power and speed left no option—Kakashi was forced to retreat, abandoning the follow-up attack.

There was no denying it now.

Whether in power, experience, or combat sense—Genren was far beyond the average shinobi.

Even after fending off both Kakashi and Phosphor, he immediately sensed a new threat from behind—Black Hawk's ambush.

But it wasn't by sight.

It was intuition.

As if he knew where Black Hawk would strike.

With no hesitation, he formed seals and activated his clan's secret: Hydrification Technique.

Boom!

Shhk!

Black Hawk's kunai stabbed only into a pool of water.

A momentary pause.

Genren didn't counter—instead, he retreated at full speed.

But Black Hawk wouldn't let him go that easily.

BOOM!

Chakra burst forth, ripping apart the water.

"What!?"

Crashhh!!

Waves splashed and scattered.

"Water Style – Water Vortex Technique!"

A miniature whirlpool spun from Black Hawk's kunai, disrupting the water and breaking free from the restraint.

Point-blank range.

Genren didn't even have time to react.

Shhk!

The kunai pierced flesh.

"Ghh—!"

Pain etched itself across Genren's face.

Black Hawk seized the opening. Using his angle and strength, he yanked down hard.

Rip!

A deep, gruesome wound tore open—blood gushed. Bone was faintly visible.

"ARGHH!!"

A second severe injury.

This time, Genren couldn't hold back a scream of anguish.

"Die."

Face-to-face.

Their eyes locked.

Black Hawk's gaze was ice-cold, filled with killing intent.

His kunai rose again, aimed straight for the kill.

And then—

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

From every direction—

Over a dozen chakra signatures came hurtling in.

The aura was unrestrained, the killing intent palpable.

"Damn it, enemy reinforcements!"

Kakashi, Phosphor, and Foxhound all turned, their expressions changing in unison.

"Water Style – Water Fang Bullet!"

"Water Style – Water Fang Blade!"

In seconds, shadows dropped from above.

Whoosh. Whoosh.

More than ten shinobi, clad in Mist Village gear, appeared—blades drawn, jutsu flaring.