Outside the Training Ground, the crowd moved along as the battle shifted.
"What a strong Clone Jutsu! It's flawless!"
Homura Mitokado exclaimed in admiration.
Even he couldn't perform a Clone Jutsu of this caliber.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes darkened as he sighed softly, "He is talented; it's just that he didn't have many channels to access more Ninjutsu before..."
It hadn't been long since Masahiko obtained the Shadow Clone technique.
To be able to master the Shadow Clone Jutsu to such a level in such a short time was truly rare.
Afterward, he looked at Inoichi and Shikaku, smiling, "What about you two? Share your thoughts."
"For now... he is much stronger than Ebisu."
Shikaku commented, "No matter how perfect a regular Clone Jutsu is, it will still be seen through by a Jonin. So, he took no chances and used the Clone Jutsu to cover the release of the Shadow Clone."
"At the same time, the Shadow Clone can also cover the footsteps of some clones..."
"Once he enters the forest, he can use the trees for cover to further hide and relocate, creating opportunities through the clones' movements."
A hint of appreciation appeared in Shikaku's eyes, "The tactics are quite good."
"However, he will still reveal openings when he attacks; that will be the key next."
Inoichi added.
Masahiko was different from Ebisu.
Ebisu's focus was on "education," which had lower combat requirements, whereas Masahiko's direction was clearly "combat."
Kakashi formed hand seals, also creating two Shadow Clones. Together with his original body, they drew their blades and pursued the three directions he deemed suspicious.
In the forest, Masahiko moved forward quickly. Hearing the rapid sounds from behind, he made a judgment—
Kakashi's speed was superior to his!
It was hard to say if he was holding back, but it was better to overestimate him.
Then... he placed a hide bag filled with oil on a tree branch and bolted forward again.
Behind him, Kakashi caught up and was about to continue the pursuit—
A Kunai flew toward him.
Attached to the back of the Kunai was an explosive tag.
His pupils constricted, and he immediately dodged downward. But the moment he dropped... Kakashi saw something strange on a branch diagonally above.
That seemed to be... Oh no!
He formed hand seals and spat out a large amount of water, forming a surrounding wall of water.
Water Release: Water Encampment Wall!
A second later, from above—
Boom!
A violent explosion, accompanied by billowing boiling oil, ignited everything around.
The water temperature rose, creating a misty fog.
Within the mist, three figures suddenly descended from the air to attack him, each holding a blade with a determined look.
Clone Jutsu?
Kakashi's gaze flickered, but he didn't dare to gamble. He formed hand seals... A second later, a giant fireball erupted from his mouth, blanketing the area above.
At that moment, rapid footsteps came from the side.
Not good!
He immediately stopped the fireball, turned his blade, and used Body Flicker to escape. However... just as Kakashi was fleeing in that direction, a tree suddenly transformed into a person with a blade, slashing down rapidly.
Although it only hit his arm—
Poof!
The Kakashi in front of him vanished into nothingness.
This was a Shadow Clone.
At the same time, a flood of memories rushed into his mind.
Masahiko's Shadow Clone had also died!
...On the other side, Kakashi frowned.
The one before him was undoubtedly a Shadow Clone.
He absorbed the memories, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
There was actually an ambush by Masahiko's real body in the direction of his escape!
But then he understood the reason and couldn't help but praise him.
"First, use an explosion to create chaos, then use clones and Shadow Clones to surround me from three sides, forcing me to flee toward the ambush..."
"A fine tactic."
In the next moment, Kakashi's speed suddenly increased, and his blade slashed through "Masahiko's" body.
"Yagyu Masahiko" also vanished into foam... "Phew!"
Masahiko finished processing the memories and quickly considered his next move.
The other clone just now wasn't a Shadow Clone but a Water Clone. Its main purpose was to deceive Kakashi, so it didn't consume much Chakra.
Even so... having used a Shadow Clone earlier, his available physical and mental energy wasn't much.
Only one chance left!
Masahiko thought for a moment. He didn't flee far but formed seals nearby—
Three Water Clones appeared and, under Masahiko's control, began setting traps in the vicinity.
A Water Clone's ability is only 10% of the original, so it lacks strong combat capability. However, as perfect-level Water Clones, setting traps and coordinating with the Dance of the Crescent Moon to deceive the enemy was more than enough.
Swish!
Kakashi was incredibly fast. In just a short moment, he arrived here from the other side of the Training Ground.
Masahiko, however, had only set up two layers of traps.
It's too late!
But it's enough.
Masahiko listened to the sounds, but the moment the footsteps approached, his hair stood on end. He immediately grabbed hold and used Body Flicker to escape beneath the tree.
Thwack!
The sound of a blade striking wood came from above.
Below, a cracked tunnel appeared before his eyes.
Earth Release Ninjutsu!
Masahiko broke into a cold sweat. With a thought, the three Water Clones immediately triggered the traps.
Swish!
Whistling tree-spike traps flew in from both sides, providing cover for Masahiko.
Simultaneously—
At the location of the previous footsteps, another Kakashi appeared.
Swish!
Kakashi was extremely fast.
The moment he saw the other draw his blade, Masahiko realized that the opponent was so fast he definitely couldn't escape.
In that case... he formed hand seals, instantly creating a Shadow Clone.
In the next instant—
From above, the three Water Clones rushed toward Kakashi.
But.
Swish swish swish!
Shuriken rained down from above, covering the sky.
Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!
The three clones instantly turned into splashes of water.
Surprise flickered in Kakashi's eyes.
Water Clones?
Sensing something was wrong, he held his blade in one hand while tucking the other behind his back.
In the next instant, Masahiko used Body Flicker to close in and threw a hide bag.
From behind, a Kunai shot forward.
It's that thing!
The scene of the previous explosion flashed through Kakashi's mind. He immediately shot a Kunai with a steel wire from his other hand, snagging a large tree behind him.
With a forceful pull, his body came to a halt as he prepared to retreat.
Then, he saw Masahiko and his Shadow Clone flying toward him, with a Kunai and steel cable also being pulled toward a tree on his flank.
In mid-air... Masahiko's real body and his Shadow Clone pressed their palms together, while one of them pressed his other hand onto the bursting water bag.
Ninjutsu activated!
Under the catalyst of Chakra, the water transformed into two clones, each also holding the hand of another clone.
The four of them, linked together, were swung into the distance by the action of the steel wire.
Just as Kakashi landed, he saw the "Masahiko" in front of him let go and form seals.
Such fast hand seals!
He was inwardly shocked but could guess what the technique was from the initial hand seals—
Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!
Kakashi immediately stopped his seals and used Body Flicker to retreat, but in the next second, the other "three" charged at him from three directions.
Konoha Style: Dance of the Crescent Moon!
The arcs of the three blades, like three crescent moons, slashed down simultaneously from three directions.
Kakashi formed hand seals, and then—
A lightning wolf beast scurried in all directions like a gale.
Lightning Release: Tracking Fang!
The Water Clones instantly burst and shattered, and the last one was slashed down the moment it reached Kakashi.
They were all clones!
The real body was the one who used Fire Release earlier.
However—
An explosive tag appeared where the Shadow Clone had vanished.
Only a third of it remained when it appeared.
Kakashi refined Lightning Release Chakra to stimulate his physical activity, further increasing his speed.
A blade from behind, like a crescent moon, slashed down while pulling on the steel cable from the air.
Boom!
The flames erupted. Kakashi slashed back with his blade, but Masahiko's blade slid past, avoiding the edge and cutting across his arm.
In mid-air, just as he was about to deliver a spinning slash... the Kakashi before him also vanished into nothingness.
He was also a Shadow Clone!
On a tree not far away, Kakashi smiled, but his tone quickly turned cold: "Congratulations, you've passed the assessment."
Masahiko sheathed his blade, popped a soldier pill into his mouth, and leaned against a tree trunk, panting heavily.
Finally... all that effort didn't go to waste!
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