Chapter 253 Outbreak
Chapter 253 Outbreak
Neji Hyuga's words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone with a strange expression. The name Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, was familiar to the older ninjas present, but for many years, Hiruzen Sarutobi had kept him a secret, even from the younger generation of Konoha. Those ninjas who knew him were wary of the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and dared not mention it lightly. After all, most of the ninjas who supported Sakumo Hatake had perished in the Third Shinobi World War, and even some of his clans were now in decline within Konoha.
However, Hyuga Neji casually mentioned this legendary figure, causing Sarutobi Hiruzen's face to darken considerably. Seeing Hiruzen's expression, the many ninjas present wisely remained silent, refraining from discussion or introducing him to strangers. Meanwhile, in the center of the arena, Hatake Kakashi's face blazed with anger; his previous air of nonchalance vanished, replaced by a palpable killing intent. He least wanted anyone to talk about his father. No matter how illustrious his father had been, his suicide at home was ultimately a pathetic act.
Kakashi's mind flashed back to the scene of his father's death, fueling his anger. He looked at Hyuga Neji with icy eyes.
Over the years, he had long sensed that his father's suicide was not simple, but he had no heart to care anymore. The deaths of his comrades on the battlefield and his teacher's sacrifice to protect Konoha had robbed him of all his spirit. Now he was just passing the time in the village like a walking corpse. If he hadn't promised Obito Uchiha to help him use that Sharingan to see the world's development, he would have given up on his life long ago.
But now, having his father brought up again was like a knife, piercing deep into Kakashi Hatake's heart. The wound, which had gradually been concealed by time, was now ripped open, bleeding profusely. Memories he had tried to forget surged back like a tidal wave, overwhelming him. Each memory was so vivid, so real, that he couldn't escape them. And these memories filled him with unbearable pain and despair.
Kakashi Hatake glared at Neji Hyuga, his eyes blazing with fury. How dare this brat speak to him like that, and even question his abilities? His anger erupted instantly, transforming into a deep hatred for Neji. He stared coldly at him, gritting his teeth, and said, "Shut up! What right do you, a mere brat, have to judge me?" His voice was deep and cold, as if it came from the depths of hell.
The usually composed Kakashi Hatake was now consumed by rage, his eyes flashing with intense killing intent. The killing intent was so strong that his eyes seemed to spit fire. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing a trickle of blood. However, he was unaware of this, as his attention was completely focused on Neji Hyuga. He wished he could tear the man before him to pieces immediately to vent his hatred.
"Oh! Am I not telling the truth? A piece of trash masquerading as a genius." Hyuga Neji said calmly, completely ignoring Hatake Kakashi's angry expression and surging killing intent.
Enraged, Kakashi Hatake's eyes turned icy cold. He was determined to teach this arrogant fool a lesson, to make him understand that he was not someone to be trifled with. Lightning chakra surged through his body, stimulating every cell like a burning flame, filling him with power. At the same time, he would no longer rely solely on taijutsu to fight his opponent; instead, he would unleash even more powerful ninjutsu.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" Without hesitation, Kakashi Hatake unleashed this classic Fire Release ninjutsu, spitting out a massive fireball that hurtled towards Neji Hyuga. From hand seals to release, the entire process was seamless and astonishingly fast. The surrounding ninjas hadn't even had time to react before the massive fireball was already upon Neji. Such speed and power were truly breathtaking. Kakashi's figure vanished from his spot, even his aura disappeared without a trace.
Hyuga Neji leaped away, dodging the incoming fireball. But the instant his feet touched the ground, a hand reached out from beneath and grabbed his ankle, giving him no chance to dodge again.
However, Neji Hyuga remained completely calm, simply concentrating his energy towards his feet. Instantly, a surge of blue energy enveloped his feet, repelling the grabbing hand and preventing it from seizing the opportunity, while simultaneously stomping down with his foot.
With a deafening roar, Hyuga Neji's foot slammed heavily into the ground. Instantly, a huge crater appeared in the ground, and cracks spread outwards at an alarming speed. Within seconds, the ground within a radius of tens of meters was completely shattered by this attack, raising a cloud of dust and debris.
This sudden turn of events caught Kakashi Hatake, who was hiding underground preparing to launch a sneak attack, completely off guard. He had to quickly leap out of the ground to avoid being buried alive. However, just as he jumped out, a figure attacked him like lightning.
Time was of the essence, leaving Kakashi Hatake no room for hesitation. He instinctively raised his arm, placing it in front of his chest in a defensive stance, attempting to block the impending attack.
Hyuga Neji didn't use his full strength; he simply used a regular Gentle Fist technique to strike Kakashi Hatake's arm, who was in a defensive stance. The immense force gave Kakashi no chance to resist, instantly sending him flying. Neji didn't pursue further, showing no intention of finishing him off.
Kakashi Hatake slammed hard onto the ground, but his defensive stance had prevented him from sustaining any serious injury; his arm ached, and he looked rather disheveled. He had already realized that his opponent had held back during the attack; otherwise, the power to shatter the ground instantly couldn't have been resisted by his arm alone.
Kakashi Hatake straightened up, gently brushed the dust off his clothes, and his eyes sharpened with determination. He took a deep breath, composed himself, and faced his enemy once more. He knew that to defeat this powerful opponent, he had to go all out and hold nothing back.
Kakashi Hatake stared at his opponent, thinking to himself, "What an unimaginable genius! So incredibly powerful!" Recalling their brief exchange, a sense of surprise and wariness welled up within him. He understood that if he continued to underestimate his opponent, he would find himself in an even more passive position. Therefore, he decided to hold back and fight with all his might.
Kakashi Hatake's gaze locked onto his opponent. He slowly raised his left hand, removing the headband covering his left eye. In an instant, a crimson light flashed, revealing the mysterious and powerful three-tomoe Sharingan in his left eye. This eye was his most powerful weapon, his secret weapon in battle. As the Sharingan was fully revealed, a powerful aura emanated from Kakashi Hatake. His aura instantly reached its peak, as if he had merged with his surroundings. His figure blurred, becoming ghostly and elusive.
Kakashi Hatake knew this battle would be a tough test, but he was fearless. He believed that by unleashing his full power, he would find a way to break through the enemy's defenses. He clenched his fists tightly, preparing to face the challenge ahead.
The surrounding ninjas were astonished by the battle unfolding before them. Kakashi Hatake, an elite Jonin of Konoha, was completely outmatched by Neji Hyuga, even forced to use his Sharingan. All eyes were fixed on Neji, realizing for the first time that his talent far exceeded their expectations. Even Hiashi Hyuga showed a hint of shock. He knew Neji was strong, but he hadn't anticipated such power. He could only conclude that Neji was indeed a disciple of Kanan Hyuga, far beyond his comprehension.
Upon seeing Kakashi Hatake's left eye, marked by a scarlet three-tomoe Sharingan, Neji Hyuga also showed a hint of interest. After all, he had long heard his father and teacher say that the Sharingan was one of the strongest bloodlines in the ninja world, possessing immense power. Its auxiliary role in battle was enormous, at least elevating one's strength by a significant level. This was why the Uchiha clan was able to become a prominent clan in Konoha, producing many great ninjas throughout history.
Neji Hyuga, a genius of the Hyuga clan, had absolute confidence in his abilities, but when he encountered Kakashi Hatake, a desire for challenge arose within him. Especially after the one-eyed Sharingan-wielding man in black robes he encountered on his way to Konoha, which caused him considerable trouble, this was a good opportunity for him to spar with a Sharingan ninja again and hone his experience in dealing with them.
Kakashi Hatake didn't keep Neji Hyuga waiting. After simply stretching his arm, which had just been hit, he immediately launched his attack. This time, he used Lightning Release chakra to stimulate all the cells in his body, increasing his speed to a whole new level. His attack speed and frequency were significantly enhanced.
The two figures engaged in another fierce battle, even more dangerous than their previous encounter. This rapid and continuous exchange put immense pressure on Hyuga Neji, who was also adept at using his Sharingan.
In this taijutsu exchange, Hyuga Neji gradually fell into a disadvantageous position and appeared somewhat flustered.
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