An open and honest showdown!
This approach was entirely consistent with Naruto's personality.
Although it seemed identical to his behavior in the original story, the underlying reason was quite different. Naruto was straightforward, yes, but that didn't mean he was a fool. Often, he simply didn't want to overthink things, not that he couldn't.
This direct frontal assault was Naruto's answer.
"Faster than before, huh?"
Watching Naruto charge toward him...
A hint of relief appeared in Kakashi's visible eye.
Although he couldn't leisurely pull out his "treasure" (Icha Icha Paradise) to read like in the original story, Naruto's attack still posed no significant threat in Kakashi's eyes.
Swish!
With a light step to the left and a turn of his body...
Kakashi easily dodged the barrage of shuriken.
Then, he launched a heavy kick straight at Naruto's face. The attack was swift and fierce. Naruto's eyes narrowed, and he instinctively raised his arms to block.
Bam!
A heavy thud echoed.
Dust kicked up from the impact.
Feeling the immense force transmitted through his arms, Naruto's expression changed, and his body was uncontrollably launched backward.
Kakashi pushed off the ground.
Just as he was about to press his advantage and pursue...
From the left and right...
Whoosh!
Sasuke and Menma flashed out simultaneously.
Creating a pincer attack.
Swish.
Swish.
In an instant, they closed in on Kakashi.
Kakashi's expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated their attack. He stepped diagonally backward into the air, effortlessly creating space and escaping their pincer movement.
Their cross attack missed completely.
But Menma and Sasuke seemed to have predicted this as well.
Whoosh!
Whoosh.
They both flipped in mid-air.
Pressing in from the sides and below.
Swish!
Backhanding kunai from their pouches...
They aimed straight for Kakashi's vitals, stabbing viciously.
It was a stance meant to kill.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
He crossed his hands.
Pushing and squeezing.
The kunai were stopped cold.
Clang!
Clang.
He casually blocked Menma and Sasuke's pincer attack.
Sparks flew, and the vibrations shuddered through their arms. Menma and Sasuke's expressions changed. This kind of absolute suppression through raw power wasn't something technique could overcome. And the most terrifying part was that this was just a casual block from Kakashi.
The gap between them was truly terrifying.
Without using the Nine-Tails' chakra, it's impossible for me to contend with an elite Jōnin like this!
He didn't need a prolonged or intense clash.
Just this single parry was enough for Menma to see his current limits clearly.
It was a natural result.
He had zero combat experience.
For the past 12 years, he had either been training alone without guidance or receiving basic education at the Academy.
Leaps and bounds in strength?
Absolutely impossible!
Why could Kakashi become a Jōnin at age 12?
Because after graduating at age 5, he had been constantly fighting on the bloodiest front lines. The same went for Itachi Uchiha!
The greater the genius, the more they needed such trials.
Therefore, the sense of urgency in Menma's heart never relaxed. He knew exactly what he was facing!
"Sasuke!"
A fierce look appeared in Menma's eyes.
He pressed forward without any intention of retreating.
At the same time...
He shouted the signal.
Boom!
A second later.
Another Sasuke appeared behind Kakashi to his left.
"Oh?!"
The identical Sasukes front and back...
Sakura, still hiding in the bushes, looked shocked. But Kakashi remained calm. With his strength, he had long sensed someone lurking nearby.
Shadow Clone plus Transformation Technique? That's already beyond the level of an average Genin!
Menma pressing from the front.
Sasuke closing in from behind.
A hint of appreciation flashed in Kakashi's eye, and he nodded inwardly.
For rookies fresh out of the Academy to show such tacit understanding in their offense...
It was definitely above average.
But still too green, and a bit too hasty!
Kakashi narrowed his eye slightly.
He quickly molded his chakra.
A second later.
Poof!
Menma and his shadow clone forcefully restrained Kakashi. From behind...
Zip zip zip!
Sasuke threw transparent wires that instantly wrapped around Kakashi's body.
Clap!
Sasuke immediately formed hand seals.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
By Genin standards...
His hand seal speed was incredibly fast.
Chakra gathered in his chest.
With a powerful exhale, Sasuke spewed a massive ball of fire straight at Kakashi.
As Menma retreated to create distance...
In the distance...
Naruto, having recovered from being kicked away, had formed his own hand seals at the same time.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
A powerful gust of wind gathered.
In an instant...
It covered the roaring flames.
Wind fueling fire!
The fire expanded explosively.
The inferno engulfed Kakashi completely!
"You actually killed Kakashi-sensei?!"
Seeing this scene...
The naive Sakura Haruno, hiding in the corner, looked horrified. Instinctively, she ran out of the bushes, shouting at Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke in disbelief, her voice pitched high.
It was a farcical scene.
Seeing and hearing Sakura screaming like that...
Forget Menma and Sasuke.
Even Naruto's mouth twitched involuntarily.
If an attack like that could kill Kakashi, his "Big Brother Kakashi" would have died ages ago!
In that moment, even Naruto started to wonder how Sakura had managed to graduate from the Academy!
"My, my. You're still too careless, Sakura!"
Sure enough.
A second later.
Kakashi appeared to Sakura's left.
He whispered softly.
"Ahhhhh?!"
Startled, Sakura screamed.
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"
Kakashi completed the hand seals instantly.
He sank into the ground.
With a gentle tug...
Amidst Sakura's screams...
Thud!
Her body was pulled under.
Only her pink head remained exposed above the ground.