That's right—standing before Aoshi was none other than the genius who carved his name across the entire shinobi world during the Second Great Ninja War. Sakumo Hatake.
A man whose reputation echoed through every nation. A ninja whose strength is respected even by the Legendary Sannin themselves.
And more than that, he was the father of Kakashi, the future Jonin instructor of Team 7, where Naruto Uzumaki would someday train.
His strength was unquestionably Kage-level. Any shinobi with sense would tread carefully in front of him.
"I didn't expect you to be the Jonin in charge of my assessment," Aoshi admitted, unable to hide his surprise.
Considering Sakumo's status and overwhelming strength, assigning him as a proctor for a test seemed wasteful.
There was no reason to have someone of his caliber handle a simple evaluation—unless it had been arranged by someone very deliberate.
Aoshi's guess was accurate.
This was Sarutobi Hiruzen's doing.
With very few Jonin currently capable of truly measuring Aoshi's power, the Hokage had chosen the one person he trusted most.
At this very moment, Hiruzen was using his Telescope Technique to observe the battlefield.
"Hirakawa Aoshi… the young prodigy who shocked Konoha two years ago. Show me just how high you've grown."
Although both Sakumo and Aoshi were Konoha shinobi, they had rarely interacted. They had only crossed paths a handful of times, and this assessment served as their first real encounter.
As the silence settled between them, Sakumo calmly reached behind his back and drew his legendary chakra blade.
The blade known as White Fang, the origin of his title.
Sakumo's fearsome reputation came from the Hatake sword style: Fast. Precise. Ruthless.
Just a single flash of white light was enough to end an enemy. No wasted movements. No second chances.
His combat approach was remarkably similar to that of the future "Yellow Flash," Minato Namikaze, who would dominate the Third Shinobi World War with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Like Minato, Sakumo was the kind of shinobi who could defeat an opponent the instant they met, so long as his enemy's strength was below his own.
A one-man killing machine on the battlefield.
But despite Sakumo's legendary status, Aoshi felt no fear. Instead, excitement surged through him.
He wanted to test himself—to see who was stronger when he wasn't relying on his Rinnegan.
Aoshi drew his sword and slid into a ready stance, his eyes sharp.
"Please enlighten me—!" Before the words fully left his mouth, he vanished.
Chakra surged into his legs as he unleashed the Body Flicker Technique, his figure blurring out of sight and reappearing immediately behind Sakumo.
Faster—faster than he had been two years ago. Had it been any ordinary Jonin, Aoshi's blade would've struck before they even perceived the danger.
Clang! But Sakumo reacted in an instant, blocking the attack with immaculate precision.
"Good speed," Sakumo said, though the surprise in his eyes spoke louder than his words.
His sword style was revered for its overwhelming speed. Yet Aoshi—known for inventing ninjutsu and possessing monstrous chakra reserves—had suddenly displayed a speed and sword technique that rivaled his own.
This was far beyond what Sakumo expected from a ninjutsu-specialized shinobi.
His curiosity—and fighting spirit—were fully awakened.
Sizzle!
The air split as White Fang moved.
Sakumo's counterattack came like lightning—blindingly fast, difficult to track even with trained eyes. Countless Jonin had met their end from this deceptively simple strike.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen leaned forward eagerly, eyes glued to the scene.
Aoshi… how will you face the White Fang's flash?
Fast.
Too fast.
Even through his enhanced perception, all Aoshi saw was a streak of white.
At the critical moment—
Rasengan!
A spinning sphere of chakra blossomed in Aoshi's palm, smashing head-on into White Fang.
BOOM!
The explosion tore through the surrounding terrain, scattering debris everywhere. Fortunately, both combatants reinforced themselves with chakra, preventing injury.
They quickly retreated, putting distance between them.
"As expected from the famed White Fang of Konoha—you really live up to your title!" Aoshi said, admiration in his voice.
Kakashi had once inherited this very sword style.
But after Sakumo's tragic suicide and Kakashi's subsequent emotional turmoil, he abandoned the blade entirely in favor of jutsu. Because of that, Aoshi had never truly witnessed Hatake's swordsmanship until now.
"And you're quite impressive yourself," Sakumo replied honestly. "To react to my sword at that speed… I see why you're regarded so highly."
His expression hardened. "But if this is all you've got, you won't pass this assessment."
Anyone else with Aoshi's performance would've passed already. But Hiruzen had specifically instructed Sakumo not to hold back too much.
Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!
Sensing Sakumo was about to get serious, Aoshi immediately formed hand seals, summoning a massive water dragon swirling violently toward his opponent.
Yet—
Slash!
With a single stroke of his blade, Sakumo cleaved the water dragon cleanly in half.
Then he vanished.
Appearing at Aoshi's side so fast that Aoshi was forced to halt his next jutsu and switch to close-quarters combat instead.
Once Sakumo got serious, he never allowed his opponent the chance to form hand seals. Unless it was a jutsu like the Rasengan that required none.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their blades met repeatedly, sparks lighting the air.
Aoshi countered Sakumo's speed advantage by weaving in Rasengan strikes, which forced Sakumo to evade instead of pressing the assault.
Even White Fang couldn't ignore the destructive power of the Rasengan.
Suddenly—Sakumo slipped past Aoshi's guard and appeared behind him, poised to strike.
But Aoshi moved as if he had predicted it.
He twisted, blocking the blade with his sword and immediately counterattacked with a brutal kick aimed at Sakumo's head.
Instinctively, Sakumo raised his arm to defend. He instantly regretted it.
Such terrifying force—!
His arm snapped back violently, and a sharp crack echoed through the forest. Pain shot through his limb.
Chakra Enhanced Technique.
The chakra-amplified power Aoshi had inherited from Tsunade. With just a concentrated burst of chakra, he could shatter massive boulders.
BOOM!
Sakumo was launched backward like a cannonball, smashing through several giant trees before crashing into a large boulder and leaving a deep impression in it.
Even someone as strong as Sakumo couldn't emerge unscathed. Blood trickled down the corner of his mouth.
His arm refused to move.
"I never thought even Sakumo would fall before you…" Hiruzen whispered, eyes wide.
He'd always believed Sakumo—already renowned throughout the shinobi world—had the advantage.
He had considered the possibility that Aoshi might win… but in his prediction, Aoshi would triumph after a grueling battle, not like this.
"To think… our village may soon produce another Hokage worthy of standing alongside the First Hokage and Tobirama-sensei…" Hiruzen's voice trembled with amazement.