"Why... why is this happening?"
"I actually lost just like that..."
Kakashi Hatake looked at Mirai Uchiha, his face filled with bitterness.
He knew he wasn't Mirai Uchiha's match, but he never imagined he would lose so easily.
After all, during the fight, Mirai had only used several basic *Ninjutsu* techniques.
Neither the Eight Gates nor the triple-comma Sharingan had been used yet.
Even under these circumstances, he had still been completely overwhelmed.
From their equal standing during the graduation exam at the Ninja Academy,
to when Mirai, using the Sharingan, could catch his Chidori single-handedly,
and now...
Mirai hadn't even revealed any hidden strengths yet and had defeated him effortlessly.
The gap between them was widening rapidly, which hit Kakashi Hatake hard—he had always been proud of his abilities.
"Kakashi, don't chase after flashy techniques too much. Sometimes, the most basic skills are often the most effective."
Mirai Uchiha advised Kakashi Hatake earnestly.
In the original story, young Kakashi had astonishing talent, but after obtaining the Sharingan, he chose a different path.
He built his reputation as the "Copy Ninja Kakashi" by using complex and showy *jutsu*.
From Mirai's perspective, this was a complete waste of his natural talent.
If Kakashi focused all his efforts on researching the *Hatake Kenjutsu*, the achievements he could reach would certainly be hundreds of times greater than being known merely as the "Konoha Technician."
At the very least... he wouldn't have had such a hard time defeating someone like Zabuza Momochi.
"Cough... cough..." As Mirai Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake stepped off the training ground, Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed a few times, drawing everyone's attention.
"The battle ended quickly, but it was actually quite spectacular."
"Considering many of you didn't understand what happened, let me explain it here."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said helplessly.
This fight had clearly surpassed the level of an average Chunin duel, leaving many people unable to grasp what had occurred.
To satisfy everyone's curiosity, he had no choice but to step in as an interpreter.
"When the fight started, Kakashi approached Mirai Uchiha first using the Body Flicker Technique, then stabbed him through with a tanto."
"But that was just Mirai's Crow Transformation *Jutsu*—a clone that dispersed into dozens of crows flying in all directions once released."
"At that moment, Kakashi sensed something unusual beneath his feet and leapt into high altitudes to evade Mirai Uchiha's [Double Suicide Decapitation Technique]."
"Actually, the one performing the [Double Suicide Decapitation Technique] beneath was still Mirai Uchiha's Shadow Clone — just a feint."
"Mirai Uchiha's real body used the Transformation Jutsu to hide among those Corpse Crows that were flying around earlier."
"When Kakashi reached the peak of his jump and could no longer change direction, Mirai appeared behind him and struck him down decisively."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's explanation, all the ninja present wore expressions of shock.
They hadn't imagined that in such a brief battle, so many techniques had been exchanged secretly.
Especially Mirai Uchiha...
That guy was truly terrifying; his string of techniques came relentlessly, impossible to defend against.
Even watching from an omniscient viewpoint, they felt overwhelmed by the pressure.
"That was terrifying. If I ever face someone like Mirai Uchiha in the future, I don't know if I'd even stand a chance."
"Shadow Clones, Transformation Jutsu, the [Double Suicide Decapitation Technique]… all basic techniques, yet used so masterfully. Is this what it means to be a genius ninja?"
"Why do I feel like I could pull that off too? Next time I fight an enemy, I'm going to try these tactics!"
"Snap out of it. Have you even considered how fast that whole battle happened? Could you really perform so many jutsus with that level of hand seal speed?"
"…You're right."
Listening to the other ninja's discussion and Hiruzen Sarutobi's explanation, Kakashi Hatake also felt a sudden clarity.
Since his father's death, he hadn't practiced fundamental skills like hand seals for a long time.
He had once believed that the more techniques he mastered, the better — but now that didn't seem entirely true.
To become truly strong, one must first have a solid foundation.
The third round individual matches continued, lasting until afternoon before finishing.
Mirai Uchiha yawned out of boredom.
After defeating Kakashi Hatake, all his subsequent opponents forfeited immediately, leaving him nearly bored to sleep.
Luckily, when the exam ended, the one who came up to summarize wasn't Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Otherwise, Mirai Uchiha was certain that old man would launch into another lecturing rant.
"Alright, this Chūnin Exam has concluded successfully."
"The ninja who have earned promotion will receive related documents and flak vests within the next three days."
With the chief proctor's announcement, this Chūnin Exam officially ended.
Except for Obito Uchiha, who wasn't promoted to chūnin, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Kakashi Hatake, and others all passed the exam.
"How about we all grab dinner tonight?"
Kurenai Yuhi suggested to Kakashi and the others.
Upon hearing her suggestion, everyone nodded in agreement.
They had all been classmates since the academy days and got along quite well. Now that they had all been promoted to chunin, it made sense to celebrate together somewhere.
"I won't go."
Obito Uchiha declined with a shake of his head.
Not becoming a chunin had left him feeling down, and even having dinner with Rin Nohara no longer interested him.
"Obito, it's okay."
"The Chunin Exams are held every three months. You'll definitely pass next time!"
Rin tried to comfort him.
"Haha ha... Of course! After all, I'm going to be the Hokage someday!"
Obito chuckled loudly while puffing out his chest, then turned around facing away from the group: "I promised Grandma I'd help her buy flour. I'll head out first!"
Watching Obito's retreating figure, Rin felt helpless.
Obito was great in many ways, but sometimes he was just too stubborn.
Whenever something happened, he always wanted to shut himself off from others. It was really worrying.
"Well then, shall we go?"
Feeling everyone's eyes on him, Mirai Uchiha asked tentatively.
Why did it feel like he suddenly became the group's backbone?
Led by Mirai Uchiha, the group arrived at the best barbecue restaurant in Konoha village.
Ebisu took out some secretly prepared sake without drawing attention.
Although there was a rule prohibiting underage ninja from drinking alcohol, the atmosphere was right and everyone poured themselves a glass.
Mirai Uchiha clearly noticed how Kurenai Yuhi's face lit up happily after taking a sip of alcohol.
That adorable expression stirred feelings inside him.
Only then did he remember that in the original story, Kurenai Yuhi loved drinking as much as Tsunade.
He wondered whether Kurenai could hold her liquor well. If not, then he might just have a chance.
Just then, a gentle breeze blew past. Lifting his head, Mirai Uchiha saw Kakashi Hatake approaching him with a wine cup in hand.
"Mirai, today you've taught me a valuable lesson again."
"No matter how big the gap between us is, one day I will surely impress you!"
With those words, Kakashi Hatake downed the entire glass in one gulp, his face immediately showing a faint blush.
Looking into Kakashi's eyes, burning with determination, Mirai Uchiha could tell that Kakashi had changed significantly; his personality was also gradually becoming more cheerful.
Most importantly, Kakashi had rediscovered his desire to grow stronger.
If this continued, perhaps soon Kakashi would become an outstanding subordinate of his own.
Thinking thus, Mirai Uchiha raised his glass and drank it all in one go: "Kakashi, I look forward to that day."
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