c3: The Match Heats Up
"Hey!"
When the blazing Fire Fist surged forward, it crashed into Kakashi, engulfing him in a furious torrent of flames.
But the instant the flames struck, Kakashi's body changed revealing a charred log in his place.
Chiba's eyes sharpened. "Substitution Jutsu... of course."
Kakashi had used the Kawarimi no Jutsu, a basic but vital technique taught at the Ninja Academy, to avoid the hit. Though basic, it was a testament to Kakashi's sharp combat instincts at just six years old, his experience already surpassed that of many Genin.
Chiba couldn't help but be impressed. Despite being only a child, Kakashi had the reflexes of a seasoned shinobi. He truly lived up to the "genius" title often spoken about him throughout the village.
Still, Kakashi wasn't the only special one here.
Though Chiba was only four years old, his soul belonged to an adult, and coupled with the power of the Mera Mera no Mi, his battle awareness was far beyond his years.
Suddenly, a log five meters away exploded with movement Kakashi reappeared, lightning chakra crackling in his palm.
The chirping sound of the lightning surged Zzzt! Zzzt! as chakra surged in concentrated form. Though it wasn't yet Chidori, Kakashi's control over Lightning Release was already developing. He rushed toward Chiba like a bolt from a storm cloud.
But Chiba was ready. His body twisted smoothly as he called forth his power. The flames burst outward once more.
"Flame Wall!"
Boom!
A blazing torrent erupted from Chiba's palms, igniting the space between them and forming a wall of intense fire that surged into the air, cutting Kakashi off mid-charge.
Kakashi's attack halted abruptly, the lightning flickering out as he leaped back a few steps, regrouping.
"Doton: Doryū Heki! Earth Style: Earth Wall!" Kakashi's hands moved with blinding speed, forming hand seals in rapid succession.
Slamming his palms into the ground, he channeled his chakra through the earth. A moment later, the ground beneath Chiba quaked.
From behind the flame wall, Chiba felt the sudden tremor. The ground cracked open beneath him, shifting as the earth collapsed. Reacting quickly, he leapt back, narrowly avoiding the seismic rupture.
When the smoke cleared, Chiba and Kakashi stood ten meters apart, facing one another. The flame wall faded between them, revealing each other's determined expressions.
It may have seemed absurd to an outsider two children, six and four years old, dueling with high-level ninjutsu. But neither of them was ordinary. The Hatake brothers were born prodigies.
Kakashi smiled, genuine pride flashing in his eyes. "Chiba... your growth is unbelievable. I can't even say I'm stronger than you anymore. If Dad hears about this, he'll be proud."
He meant it. Before, he had thought Chiba's words were playful boasting, but now he realized Chiba was dead serious. If Kakashi let his guard down even once, Chiba might win.
Chiba's eyes lit up, his cheeks flushed with excitement. "Let's keep going, brother! I'm not done yet!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Here? If we keep going, we'll end up leveling the house. And if Dad comes back to find it destroyed..."
Chiba chuckled. "Alright, alright. You win this round. But next time, you might not be so lucky."
Kakashi grinned. "Guess I'll have to keep training. Can't have my little brother surpass me so easily."
"Brother, I'm going to become the strongest genius in Konoha. Surpassing you is only a matter of time," Chiba declared, his tone bold, bordering on arrogant.
Anyone overhearing a four-year-old say something so outrageous would probably laugh it off. But Kakashi, having just witnessed his brother's power firsthand, didn't scoff.
"You're doing great," Kakashi said. "And when I was four, I was already in the Academy. You should consider enrolling soon."
"I've been thinking about it," Chiba admitted. "Though honestly, Ninja School sounds boring. I'd rather skip the kiddie lessons and get straight to the real stuff."
Of course, Chiba's soul wasn't that of a normal child. Sitting in class with a bunch of whining, bickering kids was... not appealing.
"There's no choice," Kakashi said with a shrug. "Even prodigies like us have to go through the motions. Just graduate as fast as possible. Show them what a Hatake can do."
The Hatake clan was known for producing outliers freakishly talented shinobi. Chiba wouldn't be any different.
After a full day of sparring and training, Chiba felt the fatigue settle in his limbs. He ate a quick dinner, washed off the sweat and soot from battle, and collapsed into bed.
There was still half a month left until the Academy term began. Chiba wasn't going to waste a second. He needed every moment to refine his mastery over the Mera Mera no Mi.
But with the heat and destructive power of his flames, their small courtyard was no longer safe. He couldn't risk destroying their home or worse, setting the neighborhood on fire.
So, without telling anyone, Chiba slipped out alone. He walked quietly through the familiar village streets, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the paths.
"Hey, isn't that little Chiba from the Hatake family?"
"Little Chiba, where are you off to?"
"Your father still on a mission?"
The villagers called out warmly as he passed. Thanks to Hatake Sakumo the White Fang of the Leaf the Hatake name commanded both respect and admiration. The villagers adored Sakumo and extended that warmth to his sons.
Chiba smiled and waved. "Good evening, everyone! I'm just heading out to train."
"My dad's still on a mission, but he'll be back soon!"
He responded kindly to each greeting. Despite being inwardly mature, Chiba played the part of a polite four-year-old perfectly.
After nearly half an hour, he reached a wide open field on the village's outskirts, with a dense forest looming just beyond.
Standing alone beneath the starlit sky, Chiba looked tiny fragile, even but the flames swirling around him told a different story.
As the fire around him flared upward, lighting the night sky, Chiba stood tall. Small in stature, perhaps but inside, he burned with ambition.
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