c2: Vs Kakashi
Just as Chiba activated the power of the Flame-Flame Fruit, the wooden gate to the courtyard creaked open. A slender figure appeared in the doorway.
The person was not tall, but clearly taller than Chiba. His cheeks still carried the softness of youth clearly still a child.
It was Hatake Kakashi, Chiba's older brother. Though still a child, he had already earned the rank of Chūnin and was widely regarded as a prodigy in Konoha.
As he stepped inside, Kakashi caught sight of the flames swirling in Chiba's palm and instinctively froze, visibly surprised.
"Chiba... you've started training ninjutsu?" Kakashi asked, walking forward with a trace of concern and curiosity in his voice.
Despite his aloof nature, Kakashi cared deeply for his younger brother. With their father, Hatake Sakumo, often away or burdened by missions, Kakashi had taken on the role of protector.
"Yeah, I figured the time was right. I've begun practicing ninjutsu on my own," Chiba replied with a bright, innocent smile, as he dismissed the flames with a flick of his hand.
Of course, he couldn't just tell Kakashi the truth that he'd awakened a system from another world and had gained access to a Devil Fruit. That would raise more questions than answers.
"You've only just started... and you can already control chakra to this degree?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow, lightly patting Chiba's shoulder. "Your progress is... impressive."
"Don't underestimate me, big brother. Maybe I'm already strong enough to beat you," Chiba replied boldly, his grin confident.
Chiba had just gained the ability of the Mera Mera no Mi. Though his heart still raced with excitement, a part of him wanted to test his limits especially against someone as skilled as Kakashi.
Kakashi was now a Chūnin, having graduated from the Ninja Academy at just five years old. If anyone could help Chiba gauge his abilities, it was him.
"Confidence is good... but overconfidence can be dangerous," Kakashi said with a small smile. "You're two years younger than me. You only just began ninjutsu training, and you think you can beat me? That's underestimating the path of a shinobi. I'm a Chūnin for a reason."
To Kakashi, it seemed Chiba was merely showing off. Beating him? Impossible at least, not yet.
"We won't know until we try," Chiba said, his voice unwavering. "You may be a genius, but don't forget I'm not normal either."
"If that's how you feel... then let's spar. Just don't cry when you lose," Kakashi stepped back, forming a ready stance.
"Hah! I won't lose that easily." Chiba's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he mirrored his brother's stance.
"Don't hold back I won't go easy on you," Kakashi said, retreating several meters and focusing his chakra.
"Bring it on," Chiba responded, the air around him already shimmering with heat.
Without warning, Chiba raised his right arm, and flames burst forth, coiling around his body like a protective veil. The fire churned with energy, responding to his emotions.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. The flames didn't behave like ordinary Fire Style ninjutsu. This wasn't simply expelling chakra and igniting it it was manipulation at a different level.
"Chiba... that flame technique. You're controlling it directly. Is it a jutsu of your own creation?" Kakashi asked, keeping his distance.
"Yeah. I call it the Fire Veil it's something I designed to suit me," Chiba nodded casually.
"You're only four... and you've already created a personal jutsu?" Kakashi was stunned. "That's not just genius-level—that's prodigious. If others heard that, it would shake the whole Academy."
Chiba grinned. "So, ready to test it out?"
"I guess I have no choice." Kakashi exhaled and shifted into motion.
In a flash, Kakashi darted around Chiba in a circular pattern, analyzing the dancing flames. He quickly noticed that the fire hovered a slight distance from Chiba's actual body an opening perhaps?
"If you're not coming to me, then I'm coming to you!" Chiba shouted and charged forward, flames following like a hungry tide.
As he closed the distance, his fist ignited with spiraling fire a flaming punch aimed straight at Kakashi like a wild beast lunging from the forest.
To Kakashi's surprise, the punch carried real weight. Chiba's physical strength, combined with the fire, made the blow deceptively powerful.
He didn't block it wasn't worth the risk. He sidestepped swiftly, avoiding the blow entirely.
"You've really gotten stronger. I wasn't expecting that kind of punch from you," Kakashi admitted, briefly glancing at the scorched mark on the ground.
"Better take me seriously, or I'll embarrass you," Chiba quipped, spinning on his heel to launch another attack.
Chiba's training focused entirely on taijutsu and physical conditioning for the past year had made him fast, agile, and durable. Combined with his Devil Fruit power, his offense was relentless.
"Fire Fist!"
He shouted, launching a punch cloaked in flame. The flames surged and formed a massive, roaring fist, aimed directly at Kakashi like a giant beast lunging from the sky.
The pressure hit Kakashi instantly. His eyes widened this wasn't a mere prank. It was real power.
Without hesitation, Kakashi leapt back, molding chakra rapidly.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
He slammed his hands into the ground, and the earth erupted into a thick barrier between him and the oncoming inferno.
Boom!
The flaming punch collided with the earthen wall, erupting in a burst of smoke and heat. The stone cracked, then crumbled under the pressure, unable to withstand the attack.
Kakashi's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected the flame to overpower his defense so easily.
As the fire continued to roar, Kakashi didn't retreat. Instead, he stood firm, letting the flame engulf him.
Watching his flames swallow Kakashi, Chiba narrowed his eyes. Something felt off.
"No way... That was too easy," he muttered.
Kakashi wouldn't be defeated so simply. He was already anticipating the counterattack.
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