Uzumaki Rin had no idea what was happening in the Hokage's office—and even if he did, he wouldn't care.
After all, when he was younger, Jiraiya had taken him along "to find inspiration," only to abandon him as bait when they were discovered and run off himself. If he wasn't going to mess with Jiraiya, then who was he supposed to mess with?
Once the Chunin instructor began teaching, Rin simply rested his head on the desk and dozed off. It wasn't because he was sleepy—he just found it boring. Everything the academy could teach, he had already learned. Listening again was pointless.
He might as well lie there and quietly sense the changes within his body.
As sunlight shone on him, his Photosynthesis ability absorbed its energy, enhancing the vitality of his cells and the vigor of his body.
That vitality would then naturally combine with his mental energy to form chakra, steadily increasing his reserves. In other words, as long as he basked in sunlight, it was equivalent to training—and it was fully automatic, requiring no effort on his part.
Once his chakra refinement reached a certain level, any excess life energy would gradually flow into the Strength of a Hundred Seal and be stored.
So even though Rin was only five years old, his chakra reserves had already reached the level of a Jonin.
Of course, that didn't mean his overall combat ability matched a Jonin—but purely in terms of chakra, even Kakashi in the future wouldn't be able to compete with him at this age.
Before long, the day ended, and it was time for dismissal.
Rin got up from his desk and slowly walked out of the classroom.
At that moment, Kakashi suddenly stepped in front of him and said seriously, "I want to fight you."
Rin rolled his eyes at Kakashi, who was brimming with fighting spirit.
Shouldn't your destined rival be Might Guy? He might not have enrolled yet—probably still running laps around the field—but sooner or later, you two will become best friends. Why come after me?
And weren't you supposed to hate unnecessary fighting? Why are you acting like Guy, challenging people all the time?
"Not interested. I might cripple you," Rin said casually.
"I swear on the honor of the Hatake clan—no matter what happens during this match, my clan will not hold you responsible," Kakashi said firmly.
…That's not what I'm worried about. My backing is stronger than yours.
Rin felt speechless. He was about to argue about their respective backgrounds when he saw the burning determination in Kakashi's eyes.
"Fine. Let's go outside," Rin finally agreed. He also wanted to see what level Kakashi had reached.
The two of them headed to the training ground, followed by a crowd of children.
"Go, Kakashi!"
"Kakashi, you've got this!"
"Win, Kakashi!"
The children all cheered for Kakashi. Although none of them dared speak badly about Rin, he still found it annoying.
Swish!
Rin turned his head and shot them a glare filled with killing intent. Instantly, everyone took a step back and fell silent.
"Don't put your blade away. Use it—I'd like to see the Hatake clan's swordsmanship," Rin said, stopping Kakashi as he moved to set aside his blade.
If you don't use your sword, what's the point? If you can last one move without it, I'll consider that impressive.
"Are you sure?" Kakashi asked seriously.
"Of course. Use whatever you want. Don't worry about hurting me," Rin replied arrogantly.
"Don't regret it," Kakashi said, his anger rising.
"Come on. I'm ready," Rin said, beckoning him with a finger.
On a large tree beside the training ground, Minato Namikaze stood with Sakumo Hatake, watching the scene below.
"Senior White Fang, aren't you going to stop them?" Minato asked.
"Letting Kakashi experience defeat will benefit his growth," Sakumo replied calmly.
"You're certain Kakashi will lose?" Minato asked curiously. Rin was strong, but only the Sannin and he and Kushina knew the full extent of it. Sakumo shouldn't know—so why was he so sure?
"Facing Uzumaki Rin, who has been taught by the Sannin since childhood and already possesses Jonin-level chakra at age five, if Kakashi wins, the only explanation is that Rin held back," Sakumo said plainly.
"…That does make sense," Minato admitted after thinking it over.
Back on the field, Kakashi made the first move.
He drew three kunai and hurled them toward Rin's vital points.
"Sealing Art: Adamantine Sealing Chains."
Rin didn't dodge. He didn't even intend to.
He used a sealing technique directly.
After all, he still hadn't mastered many ninjutsu. Aside from sealing techniques, the only things he could rely on were his monstrous strength and the Rasengan—neither of which were suited for dealing with kunai.
Chains of chakra extended from behind him, striking the incoming kunai with precision.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three crisp sounds rang out as the kunai were deflected. At the same time, Kakashi drew his blade and rushed forward.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A series of sharp collisions echoed as Kakashi's blade clashed repeatedly with Rin's chains.
Rin attempted to bind Kakashi with the chains, while Kakashi dodged and slashed them apart as they closed in.
For two full minutes, neither side gained the upper hand.
Rin began to grow impatient.
After all this time, Kakashi hadn't even used a single ninjutsu.
"If you don't use your real techniques, this fight is over," Rin said, standing leisurely within the protection of his chains, arms crossed.
…Damn it.
Seeing Rin standing there without even taking a step, Kakashi felt both shocked and frustrated.
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter!"
Realizing he couldn't get close otherwise, Kakashi finally used a ninjutsu.
"Now that's more like it. Sealing Art: Adamantine Sealing Barrier."
Rin immediately commanded the surrounding chains to form a massive wall, enclosing him completely.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The Wind Cutter slammed against the chains, but ultimately failed to break through their defense.
At that moment, however, Kakashi's voice suddenly came from below Rin.
"Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu."
Kakashi grabbed Rin's ankle from underground, thinking victory was within reach.
But the next second, a tremendous force surged from Rin's leg.
Not only did Kakashi fail to pull him underground—he was kicked out instead, sent flying.
"Let me give you a tip—don't use the Headhunter Jutsu on someone with monstrous strength. If I had stomped just now, you'd have been crushed into paste," Rin said calmly as Kakashi emerged from the ground in a disheveled state.
Kakashi felt a chill run down his spine.
Thinking back to Rin's stomp earlier that day… if that had landed on the ground just now, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Thanks… but I won't give up just like that," Kakashi said, gripping his blade tightly.
"Do you know what it means to be completely crushed?" Rin suddenly asked.
"What?"
"It means… getting beaten while hanging in the air."
With that, Rin activated his only self-created technique—more accurately, a modified version.
"Sealing Art: Adamantine Sealing Chains—Stellar Binding!"
In an instant, chakra surged wildly from Rin's body. The chains expanded dozens of meters, surrounding Kakashi from all directions.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Kakashi formed hand seals and raised a defensive wall—but under the 360-degree assault of the chains, it was useless. The Earth-Style Wall could only block attacks from the front.
In the end, Kakashi was bound tightly by the chains and suspended in midair.
Only then did he fully understand Rin's words.
This… was what it meant to be completely crushed.
"Don't bother struggling. The Adamantine Sealing Chains can restrain even Tailed Beasts—let alone you," Rin said with narrowed eyes.
"I've lost."
Kakashi lowered his head and admitted defeat.
[ New Book Please Send Power Stones And Add To Collection]