"But this is unfair."
Kakashi gave Hatake Kaede Yoru a deadpan look, his expression flat with frustration. "No wonder I can never beat you. Using a bloodline limit... that's basically cheating."
Kaede Yoru chuckled lightly. "Since when is using a bloodline limit considered cheating in a ninja fight? But fine. If it bothers you that much, I won't use that ability against you next time."
The truth was, Kakashi really was a genius.
Although Kaede Yoru inherited the bloodline of Konoha's White Fang, his natural talent for ninjutsu wasn't quite on par with Kakashi's. But that hadn't stopped him from surpassing Kakashi in strength—because he had trained harder, longer.
Thanks to his time-acceleration ability, Kaede Yoru had put in at least twice the training hours Kakashi had since his arrival in this world. That alone had closed any gap in raw talent.
"...Forget it," Kakashi muttered after a moment's thought, shaking his head.
Bloodline limits were an innate part of a shinobi's arsenal. Even if he did beat Kaede Yoru without the use of one, it wouldn't mean much. In the ninja world, no one ever said you couldn't use a bloodline ability in a fair fight.
"Still, just because you have a bloodline limit doesn't mean you'll always be ahead," Kakashi said, narrowing his eyes. "If you slack off even a little, I'll catch up."
Kaede Yoru smiled and reached out to ruffle Kakashi's hair. "Then I'll be waiting for that day."
Kakashi immediately flinched away with an annoyed scowl.
Just as Kakashi opened his mouth to protest being treated like a kid, a loud, energetic voice rang out from nearby.
"Kakashi! There you are! I've been looking all over for you!"
A boy in a green jumpsuit burst from the bushes and sprinted toward them. Kaede Yoru immediately recognized him.
Might Guy.
He charged past Kaede Yoru without hesitation and launched into a flying kick aimed at Kakashi.
"Prepare yourself, Kakashi! Konoha Tornado!"
"..."
Kakashi looked at him with a blank expression and lazily blocked the attack, countering with a swift sidekick.
But Guy was already hyped up. "This time, I'll win for sure, Kakashi! Take this!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In a flash, the two were locked in a full-on taijutsu bout.
Just like in the original timeline, Guy had always seen Kakashi as his eternal rival since their Academy days, constantly challenging him.
Kaede Yoru watched from the trees, not bothering to get involved. Guy was a physical powerhouse, even now, but without the Eight Gates technique, he couldn't truly dominate.
And Kakashi wasn't in a good mood after losing to Kaede Yoru. After a few exchanges, he formed a hand seal and unleashed a Lightning Release jutsu.
Crackle!
Guy was zapped mid-attack, yelping as he flew backward. Smoke rose from his singed hair as he hit the ground, dazed.
"Urgh... next time... I'll win... for sure..."
Kakashi crossed his arms, looking down at Guy. "You should probably give it up. You beating me is about as likely as me beating Kaede Yoru."
"Thanks... for the encouragement..."
Guy groaned and gave him a shaky thumbs-up.
Then he blinked, his mind catching up. "Wait. What did you just say?"
"Nothing important," Kakashi muttered.
Guy squinted suspiciously and looked toward Kaede Yoru, who was still perched casually on a branch.
He couldn't believe what he thought he just heard. Was Kakashi admitting he couldn't beat Kaede Yoru?
Sure, Kaede Yoru was Kakashi's older brother, but no one ever compared their strength seriously. Kakashi had graduated at age five, become a chuunin at six. Kaede Yoru had always just been... top of the class.
He must have misheard.
"Whoosh!"
Kaede Yoru dropped from the tree and landed smoothly.
"You two want to keep training, or are you grabbing a bite first?"
Though Guy and his father Might Duy were often the butt of jokes in the village, Kaede Yoru never ridiculed them.
How could he? Guy would one day open the Eight Gates and beat the living hell out of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Later, he'd go toe-to-toe with Madara in his Six Paths form, nearly kicking Kaguya out of existence!
He respected that spirit.
Still, mastering the Eight Gates was no small feat. It was a brutal, painful, and nearly impossible training regimen. Only monsters like Guy and his father could endure it.
"I lost to Kakashi," Guy declared with fiery resolve. "So I need to do 3,000 squats before I eat."
He dropped immediately and began squatting without hesitation.
Kakashi sighed and looked at Kaede Yoru. "I'm not hungry yet either. I'll keep training."
It wasn't Guy pushing him—it was Kaede Yoru.
That bloodline limit had created a massive gap between them. If he didn't push himself, he'd be left even further behind.
"Alright. Suit yourself. I'll go eat."
Kaede Yoru shrugged.
His schedule didn't match a normal person's. With his accelerated time training, he burned through more energy than anyone. He ate five meals a day and still trained more than both Kakashi and Guy combined.
And the gap was only going to grow wider.