Muzan was panicking.
Even though he knew Kakashi would survive the Third Shinobi World War, no one could ever guarantee anything once war began.
As far as bratty little brothers like Kakashi were concerned, Muzan wasn’t about to spoil him.
Thud!
The best cure for frustration?
A good beating.
His fist came crashing down onto Kakashi’s head.
Kakashi yelped in pain, clutching the growing bump before charging at his brother.
“You jerk, Muzan!
Why’d you hit me all of a sudden?!” “Do I need a reason?” Raising an eyebrow, Muzan casually measured the distance with his hand before knocking him on the head again.
“If you can beat me, you’re welcome to hit me back.” “I’m gonna kill you, Muzan!” In the end, Kakashi surrendered under his brother’s overwhelming oppression.
Even so, he stubbornly insisted on taking tomorrow’s graduation exam and passing it flawlessly.
“You’re such a headache…” With Kakashi’s ability, becoming a genin was inevitable.
“I’ll just have to crush his confidence a little.” ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ The next morning, the shinobi Academy was shaken by major news.
Hatake Kakashi had applied for early graduationnd his request had been approved.
“Damn you, Kakashi!
Once I awaken my Sharingan, I’ll definitely challenge you!” “Looks like my youth still isn’t burning brightly enough!
Kakashi!
I’ll catch up to you someday!” “As expected of Sakumo-sama’s son.
His talent is unbelievable!” Early in the morning, the training ground behind the Academy was packed with students.
They had all come to witness Kakashi’s graduation exam.
Kaizen personally presided over the test.
Looking at Kakashi, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
The title of Konoha’s greatest prodigy truly wasn’t undeserved.
“Kakashi, are you ready?” “You may get hurt.
If you want to back out, now’s your last chance.” Normally, Academy students only needed to demonstrate the Three Basic Techniques to graduate.
But early graduation required a special practical exam: surviving against a genin for ten minutes to prove they already possessed genin-level strength.
Kakashi stood ready, gripping a kunai in each hand.
He had prepared for this day for a long time.
There was no way he would quit now.
“I’m ready.” His gaze locked onto the approaching genin.
The man wore a savage scar across his face, making his smile look unnaturally twisted.
“Kid, real shinobi battles aren’t Academy games.
I won’t be holding back.” Watching from the sidelines wasn’t just the students.
An elderly man quietly observed the examination.
“So the leader of this generation is Kakashi…” “The question is, who should become his jonin instructor?” Such outstanding talent had to remain within the Hokage’s direct faction.
Unfortunately, none of his three disciples were suited to teaching apprentices.
With enemy villages becoming increasingly active around Konoha, every elite shinobi already had assignments.
Choosing Kakashi’s future squad leader would require careful consideration.
Renji was a genin who had already served on the battlefield.
Both his combat ability and overall skill ranked among the best of his peers.
Lasting ten minutes against him would be anything but easy.
“So that idiot Kakashi’s really graduating…” Seeing Obito’s dejected expression, Muzan glanced around.
Nearly everyone in the class looked the same.
“Why does everyone look so depressed?” He laughed, not to mock them, but because Kakashi’s strength had earned everyone’s recognition.
“You’ve all still got another year before graduation.” “By then, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up to Kakashi.” Asuma frowned.
“What do you mean, ‘you all?'” “You’ll find out soon enough.” Renji had already met the qualifications for promotion to chunin.
In his eyes, Academy children had no place on the battlefield.
So he intended to teach Kakashi a harsh lesson.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Three kunai flew in perfect coordination.
On the opposite side, Kakashi answered with shuriken.
Each shuriken struck its target with flawless precision, knocking away all three incoming kunai.
Using the opening created by the collision, Kakashi leaped forward.
Bang!
His kick slammed into Renji’s forearm, forcing the genin back a step.
Without giving him time to recover, Kakashi spun and launched another kick.
The movement already resembled the foundation of the Front Lotus.
Outside the arena, Guy’s eyes widened.
“When did he learn my moves?!” “Kakashi isn’t stupid.” Muzan watched with interest.
“You spar with him all the time.
It’s only natural he’d pick up some of your habits.” “And he’s an exceptional learner.” After Kakashi’s consecutive attacks, Renji found himself pushed onto the defensive.
“That’s enough, brat!” Just before Kakashi’s third kick landed, Renji rapidly formed hand seals.
“Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!” A massive fireball roared toward Kakashi’s face, forcing him to abandon his follow-up attack.
Genin simply didn’t possess much chakra.
Most relied primarily on taijutsu.
Creating some distance, Renji drew the staff strapped across his back.
He slammed it into the ground.
Instantly, a pillar of earth erupted beneath Kakashi, launching him high into the air.
“Oh no!
Kakashi’s in danger!” “Is he actually going to fail the graduation exam?
Kakashi, if you fail, I’ll never forgive you!” Obito and Rin both stared in shock.
Only Muzan lowered his head thoughtfully.
That fighting style…
It wasn’t like Kakashi at all.
Up to this point, Kakashi had used nothing but taijutsu and kunai.
He hadn’t even used the Three Basic Techniques.
“He won’t lose that easily.” Muzan smiled.
“Kakashi isn’t trying to survive for ten minutes.” “He’s trying to win.” The moment those words left his mouth, Renji’s attack struck Kakashi directly.
Just as everyone thought the match was over…
The airborne Kakashi dissolved into a puff of smoke.
“What?!” Suddenly, sharp pain shot through Renji’s ankle.
Looking down, he saw two hands grabbing his legs.
“Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu!” With a violent pull, Renji was dragged underground, leaving only his head exposed.
Only then did he realize that his carelessness had cost him the match.
The instant Renji launched his attack, Kakashi had already reacted.
Using the Substitution Jutsu and the cloud of dust created by Renji’s strike, he executed a perfect switch.
There was a reason Kakashi had deliberately avoided using ninjutsu during the battle.
First, to conserve chakra.
Second, to keep Renji from learning what techniques he specialized in.
Controlling information was just as essential to a shinobi battle as strength itself.
Renji had underestimated Kakashi because he looked like a child.
And that single moment of arrogance had opened the door for Kakashi to seize victory.