Chapter 06: Battle Between Geniuses, ANBU Investigation
Note: Dōjutsu (literally "eye techniques") are visual-based ninja abilities that utilize the eyes.
From within the crowd, the languid-looking Kakashi raised his eyebrows slightly and stepped forward, albeit reluctantly. In his view, even if Uchiha Tonan had awakened a one-tomoe Sharingan, it was still just another dōjutsu. Judging from past combat classes, Tonan had virtually no combat experience. There was no way he could be a match for Kakashi in any aspect.
Everyone present—including Umino Naoto—thought the same.
"Are you sure you want to do this? You've only just awakened your Sharingan," Naoto asked, clearly concerned.
In Naoto's opinion, the most suitable sparring partner for Tonan was Uchiha Obito. Tonan had always been physically weak, and he didn't know any ninjutsu. At best, the Sharingan granted him enhanced dynamic vision. Obito, on the other hand, had a decent physical constitution, and the two would've been more evenly matched.
Naoto worried that Tonan, who had only just pulled himself together, might get beaten down by Kakashi and lose his confidence again.
"Don't worry, Sensei. Teno-san taught me often. I just never had the chance to show it before—but now, I can."
Tonan had cleverly preempted any doubts others might have, tying his growth to the now-deceased Teno.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed out a smoke ring while reviewing official documents. As if remembering something, he retrieved the Ninja Academy's student records from his drawer.
"Awakened the Sharingan…"
Narrowing his eyes, Hiruzen recalled that the first-year students were having a combat lesson that afternoon. He put the records away and looked at a crystal ball on his desk. Channeling chakra into it, a live image of the training ground materialized before him.
At that moment, Kakashi and Tonan stepped forward from the crowd, exchanged a brief hand sign, and began the match.
The next moment—
Swish—
Kakashi rushed forward at breakneck speed, aiming to end the match with a single punch. But just before his fist could connect, Tonan tilted his head slightly and countered with a kick to Kakashi's abdomen.
Bang!
Kakashi crossed his arms to block the kick and jumped back to create distance.
It only took that one exchange to change Kakashi's opinion. The casual contempt in his eyes vanished.
"Whoa—!"
"They're so fast, I couldn't even see what happened!"
"How did Tonan block it?"
"Is the Sharingan really that powerful?"
Maintaining his stance, Kakashi drew several shuriken from his pouch and flung them at Tonan.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The shuriken collided mid-air, shifting unpredictably to obscure their trajectories. Even so, Tonan charged forward with a kunai in hand, dodging each projectile with sharp, practiced movements.
Kakashi remained calm. He crouched slightly, gripping his kunai. Just as Tonan slashed down with his own weapon, Kakashi made an unexpected move.
He turned around and thrust his kunai upward—
Clang!
Their blades clashed.
"What the—!?" gasps rippled through the crowd.
Tonan had somehow appeared behind Kakashi and launched a surprise attack—only for Kakashi to block it perfectly.
The kunai that had been in front of Kakashi turned into a puff of smoke, replaced by a chunk of wood on the ground.
Naoto's eyes lit up in surprise.
"Clone Technique combined with Substitution Technique—and he used the Transformation Technique to disguise the substitution wood as a kunai!"
"This is already on par with the top graduating students!"
After the failed surprise attack, Tonan leapt back and immediately began forming hand seals, his fingers a blur.
Kakashi, not giving him any breathing room, threw more shuriken and began forming his own seals.
Tonan didn't flinch. His Sharingan tracked the projectiles precisely. Without missing a beat, he twisted and weaved, perfectly evading every shuriken.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
He launched a massive ball of flame at Kakashi.
But Kakashi had just completed his own jutsu.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall Technique!"
A wall of earth rose up to intercept the fireball, successfully shielding Kakashi.
Feigning exhaustion, Tonan staggered and barely dodged a hand that emerged from the ground—Kakashi's surprise attack.
Seeing the ambush fail, Kakashi surfaced nearby.
"A genius… I didn't expect Tonan to be a genius too. This is a pleasant surprise."
Watching the crystal ball, Hiruzen's eyes lit up with satisfaction.
Then, his expression turned serious. "ANBU."
"Lord Hokage," an ANBU knelt down behind him.
"Investigate Uchiha Tonan. Discreetly."
"Yes, my lord."
Back on the training field, Kakashi stood still, arms lowered, watching Tonan calmly.
"Tonan, do you want to continue? Sharingan is indeed powerful, but you look like you're out of chakra."
Panting heavily, Tonan gave a wry smile, put away his kunai, and bowed.
"I never imagined you'd be so strong, Kakashi. If I want to catch up, I'll have to work much harder."
Kakashi returned his kunai to its sheath and, with his usual drowsy expression, walked back into the crowd.
Tonan still had plenty of strength left—but his goal had already been achieved. Today, he had shown just enough of his potential.
If he'd defeated Kakashi outright, it would've drawn too much suspicion. A Sharingan awakening that powerful this early would be unnatural. But by losing after a brief, intense exchange, he showcased his talent without drawing too much scrutiny.
"Kakashi wins. But Tonan performed very well. Kakashi gets an A+, Tonan gets an A. You two, go rest under the trees."
Naoto smiled with clear satisfaction. Kakashi's reputation was already established, but now Tonan had also caught his eye. He'd always appreciated Tonan's respectful and diligent attitude. Now that he had also demonstrated talent, Naoto was thoroughly impressed.
Half an hour later, in the Hokage's office—
An ANBU agent appeared before Hiruzen.
"Lord Hokage, I've completed the investigation on Uchiha Tonan. I even checked his residence."
"Anything unusual?"
"Nothing suspicious. He's a pure-blooded Uchiha. His parents are Uchiha Kotoura and Uchiha Nanako. Both formerly served in the Konoha Police Force. Recently, they volunteered for frontline duty."
"In Tonan's home, I found numerous ninja manuals purchased from the bookstore. There were also books detailing the achievements of previous Hokage by his bedside. On the living room table was a copy of The Will of Fire, signed by you, Lord Hokage."
"I also found Uchiha Tonan's diary."
With that, the ANBU handed the diary over to Hiruzen.