Senju Haruto immediately performed the Transformation Technique, taking on Kakashi's appearance, allowing the real one to rest properly.
Although Naruto had yet to master Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, his golden cloak mode alone already carried overwhelming power. Kakashi might have possessed vast experience, mastery over countless jutsu, and even the Lightning Release: Chakra Mode, but his chakra reserves had always been his fatal weakness. Losing to Naruto now wasn't surprising in the least.
But still…
The relationship between a jōnin instructor and his genin wasn't just teacher and student—it was also superior and subordinate. If Team 7 discovered that Kakashi had been kicked hard enough by Naruto to break multiple ribs, drained of all chakra, and left without the strength to even stand and speak… then the image of Kakashi in their hearts would plummet to rock bottom.
Especially in Sasuke's eyes.
The Uchiha boy's pride ran high. If he ever learned the truth, it would no doubt create endless trouble in the future.
After thinking it through, Haruto decided to step in personally.
"S–Sensei Kakashi…" Sakura grew tense. In her judgment, that last strike from Naruto—both in speed and power—was nothing short of terrifying. Even someone like Kakashi, an elite jōnin, couldn't possibly come out of it unscathed.
Sasuke, who had been about to press Naruto about Mount Myōboku, fell silent. His gaze shifted from Naruto to the direction Kakashi was now emerging, eyes narrowing as he scrutinized him.
To Sasuke, taking that kind of blow head-on should have left even a jōnin crippled.
And yet—Kakashi's expression was completely different from what Sasuke expected.
He merely brushed the dust off his uniform, scratched his head lightly. His Lightning Release: Chakra Mode had already been dismissed, but he didn't look like a man who'd just been hit with a devastating strike. He wasn't tense, cautious, or defensive at all.
Could it be… Kakashi hadn't even taken Naruto's golden mode seriously?
"Senju Haruto…"
Neither Sakura, Sasuke, nor Naruto noticed that the real Kakashi was still hidden in the bushes, nervously watching Haruto.
"That kick earlier wasn't bad at all." Haruto yawned as he casually praised Naruto.
To make sure Naruto wouldn't sense Kakashi's chakra, Haruto had used the Byakugan in tandem with precise Tenketsu strikes, sealing Kakashi's chakra flow completely. As for concealing his own chakra signature? Haruto had countless ways to avoid Naruto's detection.
"But… what a shame, Naruto." Haruto shook his head with genuine pity.
Even in golden cloak mode, Naruto wasn't a threat worth taking seriously to Haruto. He couldn't put himself in Kakashi's shoes—couldn't imagine the pressure Kakashi must have felt. The only truth he knew was that Naruto's power, no matter how dazzling, was still nowhere near his own.
Even golden mode wasn't something that required him to fight seriously.
Naruto, however, frowned deeply. Something about Kakashi-sensei in front of him felt… off.
He couldn't quite describe it, but it wasn't the same as before.
"What do you mean, a shame?" Naruto asked, almost instinctively.
"I assumed Sage Mode was already your ultimate trump card. I overlooked the fact you had something even stronger hidden away."
Haruto paused, keeping perfectly in character as Kakashi. "I don't know how you've managed to control this power, but when you entered this chakra mode, I truly was caught off guard—and you took advantage of that opening."
"But unfortunately, Naruto… you should have aimed for the bells."
The moment the words left his mouth, Haruto vanished.
Naruto's eyes widened. He immediately pushed his sensory abilities to their limit.
Now he understood why this "Kakashi-sensei" felt different from before.
Before, Kakashi had treated him like a serious threat—careful, alert, every move calculated.
But now… now he was utterly relaxed. Detached. As if Naruto didn't even register as a concern.
"He's behind me!"
The instant he sensed chakra behind him, Naruto's heart jolted.
"Such speed… it's on par with Haruto-nii…" he thought, throat tightening as he swallowed nervously.
But this time, Naruto wasn't powerless. Cloaked in golden chakra, he didn't even need to turn—he extended a chakra arm from his back, striking out with explosive force.
BOOM!
The chakra arm smashed forward, detonating the air in a sharp sonic crack. Naruto used that instant to spin around, his feet kicking against the ground, retreating quickly to create distance.
Then he froze.
Because what he saw left him stunned.
Kakashi hadn't even activated his Lightning Chakra Mode. With nothing but bare hands, he had caught the full force of Naruto's chakra arm.
And then—Haruto's palm tightened. With effortless strength, he crushed the Nine-Tails' chakra construct into nothingness.
"Good power. But far too slow." Haruto's tone was casual, as if giving an assessment rather than fighting.
"What… what's going on…" Naruto clenched his jaw, eyes wide. He hadn't held back at all. That strike had been meant to overwhelm—and yet Kakashi-sensei was calm, dismissive.
Gritting his teeth, Naruto forced more chakra forward. From his chest, two golden arms shot outward, surging toward Haruto's shoulders.
Sasuke and Sakura immediately retreated. They weren't anywhere near Naruto's level now, but even they could see it: Kakashi-sensei hadn't even acknowledged Naruto's strength.
The chakra arms clamped down on Haruto's shoulders, pinning him in place.
"He didn't dodge?"
Naruto's heart skipped. He hadn't actually expected to land the grab in one attempt. In his mind, Kakashi would've boosted himself again with Lightning Mode and easily evaded, forcing Naruto into pursuit.
But instead… this Kakashi had simply let himself get caught.
Naruto inhaled sharply. Something was wrong—terribly wrong. It was as if his teacher had turned into a completely different person.
But no matter what…
He had to prove himself. He had to become a true shinobi!
With that resolve burning in his chest, Naruto thrust out his right hand, chakra swirling rapidly into his palm.
Rasengan!
"What the hell is that?!" Sasuke's eyes widened, breath catching. The density of chakra was beyond anything he had ever seen.
Sakura gasped, stumbling back several steps. "Another jutsu?!"
Hidden in the bushes, the real Kakashi's eyes went wide with shock.
"That's… Minato-sensei's jutsu. The S-rank technique he created—Rasengan? Naruto has already mastered it?!"
The chakra arms yanked Haruto toward him, closing the distance in an instant. Naruto's hand drove forward, spiraling sphere aimed directly at his opponent's stomach.
"Rasengan!"