Talent System In The Naruto Universe

"Hanekawa!"

Kurenai Yuhi jogged up to Hanekawa, clenched her fists, and said, "You have to avenge me!"

"Don't worry," Hanekawa replied with a smile.

"I'll make him kneel and beg for mercy!"

"That's what I wanted to hear!"

Kurenai's lips curved into a sly smile, her eyes forming crescent moons.

"..."

Kakashi Hatake stood silently, speechless.

Saying this right in front of me—is that really appropriate?

"Kakashi, let me heal your wound," Hanekawa said, noticing the blood on his arm—a result of Kurenai's water needles.

"Thanks."

Kakashi didn't refuse and extended his arm.

The third round was over, and only three candidates remained for the fourth round: Kakashi, Hanekawa, and Might Guy.

All three were formidable, and any one of them could be his opponent. Even Kakashi knew better than to enter the next match injured.

Healing Jutsu!

A soft green chakra radiated from Hanekawa's hands.

Kakashi immediately felt his wound heal at an astonishing speed.

A thought crossed his mind:

If Hanekawa can heal himself while fighting, wouldn't that make him invincible?

"Are the fourth-round rules the same as before?" Sarutobi Asuma asked after some thought.

"They should be," Shisui Uchiha replied.

"Most likely, one person will get a bye."

"Wouldn't that person have a huge advantage?" Shizune wondered aloud.

The fourth-round matches wouldn't be easy; they could even end with both participants heavily injured. In that case, the person who got the bye would have an effortless path to victory.

"You don't need to worry," Hanekawa said with a smile. "Have you forgotten my teacher? With her around, even severe injuries can be healed quickly."

"Oh, that's true!" Asuma exclaimed as realization dawned on him.

"How's your arm now, Kakashi?" Hanekawa asked as he finished healing.

"It's completely fine, no issues at all," Kakashi said, rotating his arm to test it.

"For Hanekawa, this kind of small wound is child's play," Kurenai said, once again acting as Hanekawa's biggest fan.

"I wonder who will get the bye?" Asuma mused, trying to steer the conversation away from the "Hanekawa praise fest."

"I hope it's Hanekawa," Might Guy said with a grin. "I want to fight Kakashi first!"

"..."

Kakashi frowned. He wasn't afraid of losing but didn't want to end up like Asuma—watching Guy and his father embrace in tears afterward.

"We'll know soon enough," Hanekawa said casually. He didn't mind; he preferred to fight both matches anyway. It would help him gain more battle experience.

"Rest time is over," Yamanaka Inoichi announced, walking toward them. "The fourth round begins now. The candidate not selected will automatically get a bye."

As he finished speaking, the screen behind him started to scroll rapidly before stopping on two names.

"Fourth round: Hanekawa vs. Kakashi Hatake!" Yamanaka Inoichi announced loudly.

"Ah!"

Might Guy looked disappointed.

Kakashi's expression turned serious.

During their academy days, he had fought Hanekawa countless times, and every time he lost. But nearly two years had passed since then. This time, the outcome might be different.

Hanekawa, on the other hand, looked pleased. Facing both Kakashi and Guy would help him improve his abilities further—a perfect opportunity.

"Kakashi, good luck!" Asuma said, patting his shoulder.

Kakashi sighed inwardly.

As expected, it's my turn to be consoled.

"Don't embarrass Team Three!" Obito Uchiha said earnestly.

He didn't care who won, as long as it wasn't Hanekawa.

"..."

Rin Nohara hesitated. She quietly hoped Hanekawa would win, but she didn't say it aloud.

"Hanekawa," Kurenai joked, "make sure you give him a good beating for me."

"Let's go," Hanekawa said, glancing at Kakashi as he headed to the center of the arena.

---

"This kid's luck is a bit off," Tsunade commented from the spectator seats, shaking her head.

Hanekawa would likely have to fight two consecutive matches. She wasn't sure if his chakra reserves could handle it.

"Odd, considering his luck is usually great when gambling," Kushina Uzumaki said with a hint of regret.

"..."

Tsunade's expression froze.

Could it be... did I drain his luck?

"Minato, who do you think will win?" Kushina asked Minato Namikaze.

"It's hard to say," Minato replied after some thought. As Kakashi's teacher, he didn't want to openly favor Hanekawa. Besides, he genuinely thought it was an even match.

"I think Hanekawa has a better chance," Sakumo Hatake said with a faint smile.

"Eh?"

Kushina looked surprised. "Why do you think that?"

She found it odd that Sakumo, Kakashi's father, wasn't rooting for his son.

"Just a hunch," Sakumo replied after a pause.

"...?"

Kushina tilted her head, confused.

"It's starting," Tsunade reminded them.

The group fell silent, focusing on the two figures in the arena.

---

"Begin!" Yamanaka Inoichi announced before stepping aside.

Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!

Hanekawa formed hand signs and instantly unleashed a massive water dragon.

Body Flicker Technique!

Kakashi vanished in an instant.

The blade gleamed.

The short knife in his hand thrust toward Hanekawa's heart.

Clang!

Hanekawa easily parried the knife.

Chidori Blade!

Kakashi Hatake had anticipated this, and chakra surged forth.

In an instant, the sound of thunder, sharp and piercing like a thousand birds chirping, echoed.

Brilliant lightning coursed through the short knife, tearing through the air as it spread rapidly.

Body Flicker Technique!

Hanekawa retreated without hesitation.

The moment distance was created, he performed the Dance of the Crescent Moon.

Three Hanekawas charged at Kakashi Hatake.

In a flash, countless blades intertwined in a chaotic dance.

Chidori!

Lightning surged from the short knife, enveloping Kakashi Hatake.

He gripped the knife tightly and began swinging it with all his might.

The sound of clashing blades rang out repeatedly.

Two of Hanekawa's shadow clones couldn't withstand the electric charge and dissipated.

Hanekawa frowned slightly, ignored the returned memories, and clapped his hands together.

Fox's Mind Technique!

Kakashi Hatake, focused intently, noticed something was amiss immediately.

Though he quickly dispelled the genjutsu, it still gave Hanekawa the opening he needed.

A blade flashed toward him.

Kakashi barely managed to raise his short knife in time to block Hanekawa's Lightning Fire Sword.

But the hurried defense couldn't resist the immense force.

Kakashi's body was sent flying.

Water Release: Water Bullets!

Hanekawa raised his hand, and water bullets, like speeding projectiles, shot forth.

Still in midair, Kakashi quickly formed hand signs.

Earth Release: Earth Wall!

A sturdy wall of earth rose in front of him, adorned with three dog heads.

Kakashi rolled to safety and landed smoothly, looking up to see the wall shaking violently.

Boom!

A large fireball smashed through the wall.

Chidori Blade!

Kakashi raised his short knife and slashed forcefully, splitting the fireball in two with lightning.

He exhaled and looked at Hanekawa in the distance.

Suddenly, he felt his body stiffen, unable to move.

Konoha-Style Willow!

Hanekawa rushed at him with incredible speed.

The Thunder Fire Sword shimmered in the air, transforming into countless dazzling blade shadows.

A powerful sense of danger struck Kakashi.

Dispelling the genjutsu, he quickly cloaked himself in radiant lightning.

The screeching sound of a thousand birds rang out again as Kakashi moved, but a cold glint reached him.

Kakashi felt a sharp pain in his left arm as Hanekawa's Thunder Fire Sword pierced through.

However, the next moment, lightning erupted wildly.

Hanekawa had to retreat.

Ignoring the pain in his arm, Kakashi drew his short knife and charged forward.

He unleashed the blade techniques inherited from Konoha's White Fang.

Hanekawa countered with Konoha-Style Swordsmanship but was clearly outmatched, quickly falling behind.

Sensing it was time, Hanekawa used Body Flicker Technique to create distance.

He was honing his swordsmanship aptitude.

Of course, whether he succeeded would only be clear after the battle.

Just as Kakashi was about to pursue, he realized he was bound by a tree.

Genjutsu: Release!

Recognizing the illusion, Kakashi immediately broke free.

The tree disappeared, replaced by a massive surge of water.

Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!

Under Hanekawa's control, the water surged like a tidal wave, crashing toward Kakashi.

Body Flicker Technique!

Kakashi leapt, skimming across the water to reach midair.

Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!

Hanekawa continued weaving hand signs.

The water rose, forming a massive dragon that soared upward.

Kakashi's heart sank.

In this environment, Water Release techniques were greatly amplified; he had to close the distance.

Lightning surged from his body again as he activated Chidori, boosting his speed.

Dodging the water dragon, Kakashi reached Hanekawa in an instant.

He raised his short knife and slashed with all his might.

The blade struck Hanekawa effortlessly.

Kakashi froze momentarily.

Bang!

Hanekawa's body dissolved into smoke—it was a shadow clone.

Kakashi's face tensed with caution as he scanned the surroundings.

Suddenly, he felt the water beneath him ripple.

Reacting swiftly, he tried to jump away but was too late.

Rasengan!

Hanekawa burst from the water, a blue sphere in his hand, slamming it into Kakashi.

Even with Chidori, its defenses weren't as robust as Lightning Chakra Mode.

The Rasengan struck Kakashi's abdomen, shredding his clothing.

Hanekawa pulled back at the last moment and kicked Kakashi, sending him flying.

Kakashi hit the ground, his vision spinning.

Shaking his head, he glanced at the injury on his abdomen and realized Hanekawa had held back.

"I concede," Kakashi said decisively.

[D-rank talent "Swift Lightning Blade" has been upgraded.]

[Lightning Release and Swordsmanship talents have increased by 100%.]

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, Objective achieved.

__

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