"It's okay, I won't accept his challenge," Kakashi said, sounding a bit sarcastic.
Lin blinked and said, "Kakashi, can't you be more tactful?"
"Ah, sorry," Kakashi replied casually, flashing his usual laid-back smile.
Fenghuo's eyes twitched, the corners of his mouth tightened, and goosebumps rose on his skin.
Damn this second uncle!
What do these two—dogs or men—want when they team up and sing off-key like this?
Are they trying to provoke me? I'm not the one looking for a fight!
His anger only fueled his determination to beat Kakashi soundly.
While chewing on some grilled meat, Kai smirked, "I don't think Kakashi's the right opponent for you to test your skills right now."
A sincere piece of advice.
Your friend Fenghuo just went online and gave you a thumbs up!
"I agree!" Obito slammed the table with enthusiasm and looked at Kakashi challengingly. "Kakashi, you don't dare accept Fenghuo's challenge because you're scared!"
Such sour grapes—Obito's bitterness could probably be smelled from two villages away.
"Hey, Kakashi's really strong!" Lin loudly defended the Copy Ninja, "I don't think Fenghuo stands a chance!"
The group booed, clearly dismissing Fenghuo and Kakashi as equals.
Fenghuo glanced sharply at Kakashi, frowning.
Kakashi lowered his head slightly, continuing to eat the barbecue, briefly lifting his mask to gnaw on a chicken leg with lightning-fast precision before pulling it back down.
The speed of the move was almost uncanny.
Fenghuo stared but couldn't see his face clearly.
How ugly is this guy? He won't even show his face when he eats.
Fenghuo's mind filled with worst-case scenarios about Kakashi's mysterious habits.
Meanwhile, Lin, Xi Hihong, and the others fell silent, their earlier excitement fading.
Fenghuo and Kakashi had both joined Anbu, so seeing each other again would be rare—possibly not for a year or more.
Obito and Kai, meanwhile, were heartlessly fighting over the last pieces of barbecue.
The next morning, Fenghuo arrived at Huoying Rock, where Matt Dai and Kai were already training.
"Uncle Dai."
"Fenghuo, haha, it's great to see you!" Matt Dai said, clapping him hard on the head with surprising strength. "Now that you're in Anbu, you've got to perform well—try to stick around for at least a month!"
Fenghuo nearly heard the sound of bones cracking under the force.
"Uncle Dai, be gentle!" Fenghuo dodged and then bowed deeply. "Thank you for taking care of me this past year!"
Matt Dai was surprised, then put one hand on his hip, raised a thumb, and smiled with a glint in his eye. "I've learned a lot from you too, Fenghuo. You're great—but don't get arrogant. Otherwise, Kai might surpass you!"
Kai clenched his fists excitedly: "I won't slack off once you're gone! I'll train harder and surpass you! I'll become the best ninja!"
A gentle breeze stirred the birch trees behind them.
Fenghuo took a deep breath and was about to speak when he saw Matt Dai and Kai suddenly break down in tears, their tears splashing on Fenghuo's feet.
Though usually uncomfortable with emotions, Fenghuo couldn't hold back and cried with them.
Afterwards, Kai formally challenged Fenghuo.
"Fenghuo, I want to see how big the gap is between us," Kai said firmly, eyes steady beneath thick eyebrows.
"If you insist," Fenghuo replied without hesitation.
"Don't hold back, stop the fire!" Matt Dai instructed seriously beside them.
"I got it!"
Fenghuo took a deep breath and began to strip off his training gear.
Under Matt Dai's extreme training this year, both had progressed from near-death experiences during practice to gradually getting used to the strain—then wearing heavy weights to push their limits even further.
Weights clattered to the ground, dust flying in the sunlight.
The two opponents stood apart, locked eyes.
"Whirlwind of Konoha!" Kai launched first, rushing forward with a whirlwind kick that blew away a few leaves.
Fenghuo didn't dodge but countered with "Great Whirlwind of Leaves."
Their legs collided with a loud boom!
Kai staggered back two steps to regain balance, while Fenghuo pressed the attack.
"Konoha Goriki Whirlwind!" Fenghuo spun back and landed a hard kick.
Kai crossed his arms to block, then retaliated with "Konoha Bad Yansheng," kicking Fenghuo hard into the air.
Boom!
Fenghuo's form dissipated into a puff of smoke.
Kai crouched, then leapt toward a nearby tree.
Fenghuo chuckled and quickly formed hand seals: "Huo Dun—Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Three flaming orbs, each about a meter in diameter, erupted around him, scorching the grass.
Kai hesitated, teeth clenched.
Even physical techniques need chakra to maximize their power. Kai's chakra control was still weak compared to Fenghuo's, making him unsure if he could kick away the fiery projectiles.
But hesitation lasted only a second before Kai charged.
"Open the door! Open!" he shouted.
"Whirlwind of Leaves!"
Boom!
The explosion created a small mushroom cloud. Kai's blackened figure was thrown out, landing hard on the grass.
At this point, Fenghuo had the power of a Chunin-level ninja, but Kai's chakra was still below Chunin level. Even with his physical skills, he couldn't repel the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.
Even Fenghuo himself would only dare to deflect it with "Konoha Bad Yansheng"—not take it head-on.
After two failed attempts, Kai finally stood, stubborn as ever.
"Continue!" he yelled, rushing forward despite burns and blood.
"Whirlwind of Leaves!"
Kai's kick, enhanced by opening the first of the Eight Gates, was much stronger—a true ninja-level strike.
But Fenghuo instantly activated his Sharingan and cast a genjutsu—Fox Heart Seal—confusing Kai.
Though Kai quickly shook it off, the moment was enough.
Boom!
Fenghuo landed a heavy kick to Kai's abdomen, sending him flying unconscious.
Matt Dai sighed beside them. "He doesn't even have the strength to open the Eight Gates properly yet."
Kai was seriously injured; without Fenghuo's medical ninjutsu, Matt Dai might have been forced to kill him.
Thanks to a year of extreme training, Fenghuo's healing skills had improved dramatically. Using his Palm Healing Technique, he treated Kai's injuries carefully until Kai finally opened his eyes.
His heart was broken but determined.
When Kai saw Fenghuo awake, his eyes lit up like bright lamps.
"Fenghuo, from today, I'll challenge you every day until I finally defeat you!" he declared excitedly.
Matt Dai looked relieved. "That's the spirit of youth!"
"Father!"
"Kai!"
The two hugged, tears flowing again.
But Fenghuo couldn't cry anymore—he felt a strange haze clouding his heart, as if possessed by a ghost, stuck in some stubborn shell he couldn't break free from.
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