"If you're going to use the Mangekyo Sharingan anyway, why not just use Kamui directly? Wouldn't that be more efficient in combat? So... is it about balancing the risks?" Habara immediately grasped the key point.
Kakashi's method of using Hiraishin was certainly unexpected, even arguably superior to the Fourth Hokage's Stage One Hiraishin in some respects. However, that didn't mean its combat efficiency would surpass using Kamui directly—if Kakashi could use Kamui proficiently. Weighing the two, since Kakashi chose the former, he naturally had his reasons.
He activated the Mangekyo Sharingan but didn't use Kamui. What did that imply? It implied that in this situation, Kakashi didn't need to bear as much risk.
Sure enough, Kakashi explained, "If I only use this Sharingan to read spatial information—basically just achieving the coordinate targeting effect for Hiraishin—and then use the Hiraishin technique itself to jump, the risk involved in activating the Mangekyo Sharingan is almost negligible. In this situation, I don't have to bear the dual mental and physical strain that comes with using Kamui directly. Plus, with Tenzo's chakra assisting me, I can practically use this as a conventional technique."
The reality was that Kakashi was neither proficient with Kamui nor with Hiraishin. But comparing the two, his proficiency with Hiraishin was still higher. Coupled with the fact that the risks of using Hiraishin were better controlled this way, he preferred using Hiraishin. The whole point was to be elusive and unpredictable.
"So you can jump to locations without coordinates? In that case, not only can you catch enemies off guard, but you can also use Hiraishin kunai to mislead them… That's a bit too overpowered," Habara said. In fact, he had just been misled moments ago, thinking he had tracked all of Kakashi's potential landing spots, only for his overconfidence to lead to his defeat.
"Overpowered… only if my Hiraishin technique could reach the level of Minato-sensei," Kakashi shook his head, not quite agreeing with Habara's assessment.
The same technique yields different results depending on the user; that's a simple truth. Could the Yellow Flash's Hiraishin possibly be the same as Genma Shiranui's Hiraishin? Yet, both were the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Acknowledging Kakashi's creativity in further developing the Hiraishin technique, Habara respectfully declared his surrender… Alright, truthfully, he had been defeated. If he had been prepared, he could certainly defend against a move like Raikiri head-on—Kakashi could probably break his hand trying to stab him and still fail. However, if caught by surprise, Habara couldn't guarantee he wouldn't end up losing his head.
"Then what's the jump range using your Sharingan?" Habara asked further.
"Disregarding chakra and other factors, it's basically my left eye's direct line of sight," Kakashi replied.
Habara: "…"
And that's not overpowered?! This wasn't just exploiting bugs; this was outright hacking! Was there no justice? Were there no laws?!
"Alright, I'm seriously impressed," Habara sighed internally, once again reflecting on how different people could be.
In short, after a brief post-battle analysis, the victor and the defeated opponent left the battlefield together.
On a simple wooden observation tower at the edge of the forest, Kushina Uzumaki and a squad of ANBU ninja following her had been watching the recent battle intently.
In fact, because Habara and Kakashi had exchanged seemingly lethal moves right at the start, both appearing to hold nothing back, the ANBU had been prepared to immediately halt the fight. Fortunately, Kushina stopped them directly. Otherwise, who would have guessed that Habara was actually the weakest link?
Kushina was very satisfied with Kakashi's performance. Watching his retreating figure, she commented, "Perhaps Kakashi really can surpass Minato…"
For her now, it was probably a case of 'if you're raising one son, you might as well raise two.' Kakashi was definitely of the son generation; seeing him grow naturally made the elder generation happy.
But the ANBU behind Kushina, clearly a man of blunt truths, immediately offered a "high EQ" response: "There's only a theoretical possibility…"
To most ninja, the Fourth Hokage was simply too dazzling; surpassing him was practically nonsense. For this ANBU member, his previous statement was already high praise.
With no loser bracket, Habara had nothing further to do and was allowed to leave directly. Speaking of which, he had intended to find a suitable opportunity to intentionally lose anyway; he just hadn't expected the process, even if he'd envisioned the ending.
Meanwhile, Kakashi's use of the Hiraishin technique had already shocked the crowd. Limited by distance, they naturally couldn't discern the trick behind the coordinate-less spatial jumps, but the mere fact that Kakashi had replicated the Fourth Hokage's signature technique was enough to leave them dumbfounded.
After Habara's exit, Kakashi fought several more matches. However, intimidated by his earlier performance, the ninja facing him, while not exactly refusing to fight, had lost the will to seriously contest the outcome… Of course, they still had to make a token effort during the exchange. Not even putting up a token effort would be deceiving everyone's emotions, wouldn't it?
Watching the ninja leave the stage one by one, the blunt ANBU behind Kushina couldn't help but frown. He felt those individuals were being too complacent and couldn't resist remarking, "Even a second-rate ninja armed to the teeth can be intimidated by a first-rate ninja with empty hands…"
Kushina glanced sideways at him but didn't say much.
Over the next three days, the remaining competitors fought the final rounds. Whether due to subjectively not wanting the spotlight or objectively lacking the strength, the final match to decide the champion involved none other than Kakashi Hatake and Shibi Aburame… With one of the initial three eliminated, wasn't it awkward for whoever was missing from the finals?
Since both finalists had the "blue buff," the final match was exceptionally fierce. Kakashi and Shibi Aburame put on a highly entertaining performance for the attending Third Hokage, some high-ranking officials, and the clan heads loyal to the Hokage.
Ultimately, Kakashi, utilizing the Flying Thunder God Technique, achieved victory. Shibi Aburame was defeated and left the stage… It could be said that Aburame understood propriety quite well. Given the nature of this event, he didn't push for a win until the very end. It was similar to how the top scholar wasn't chosen based solely on talent; appearance and age were also key factors. Having Kakashi, a member of the younger generation, win in the end carried more significance.
It clearly demonstrated that Konoha had successors, that the Will of Fire burned brightly!
In any case, the audience, led by the Third Hokage, was extremely satisfied with Kakashi's victory.
However, they weren't just there for the show. As the talent of the younger generation was fully displayed, some couldn't help but start considering broader implications.
For instance, Hizashi Hyuga.
The Hyuga clan had always been an ancient ninja clan upholding tradition and legacy. But to other ninja, their rigidity and rules often carried the scent of decay. They claimed to uphold tradition, but it looked more like clinging stubbornly to the past, oblivious to its flaws.
The Hyuga Patriarch now felt a headache coming on. His younger brother had also participated in this event but was eliminated after just one round. This wasn't just a matter of face; more importantly, the Hyuga clan's strength seemed less stable than before…
Did they, too, need to seek some kind of change?
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