Kakashi's first probing attack has begun!
He suddenly cut in from Shinichi's blind spot, his short sword moving silently like a venomous snake, aiming for Shinichi's elbow joint at an extremely tricky angle.
Shinichi did not attempt to block the swift attack with his katana, as that would likely miss.
He reacted immediately, taking a half-step back and using his waist to push off with his katana, delivering a heavy and swift horizontal sweep. He used offense as defense, and the blade was aimed at all possible paths Kakashi might take!
This strike was powerful and incredibly fast, accompanied by a whistling wind pressure!
Kakashi's pupils contracted slightly, and he instantly stopped his thrusting motion. Without hesitation, he leaned back and spun around, like a willow leaf swaying in the wind, narrowly letting the blade graze his nose.
He didn't take the bait at all, nor did he give Shinichi a chance to use it to pursue him. With a light step, he glided in another direction.
After being crushed in the first physical duel, Kakashi had already deeply realized Shinichi's inhuman strength.
Therefore, when this second round of the duel began, his tactics were crystal clear from the start: Loiter around, look for weaknesses, strike decisively, and never give the opponent a chance to utilize their strength advantage.
Thus, in the first clash, the exchange was only a hair's breadth apart, without any real collision.
But soon, Kakashi's offensive came in waves.
His figure moved swiftly from left to right, his short sword sometimes thrusting like lightning, sometimes slicing like a gentle breeze towards vulnerable spots like the knees, wrists, and ribs.
His swordsmanship was agile and unpredictable, his footwork exquisite. He made full use of the short sword's flexibility and his own speed, bringing out the speed and variability of White Fang's swordsmanship to the fullest extent.
Shinichi was like a rock in a raging torrent; his range of movement was small, but every step he took was solid and firm. He gave up chasing Kakashi's ghostly figure and instead focused on defense and counterattack.
He brandished his katana, transforming it into the most effective means of parrying and repelling.
Each swing of the sword was powerful and heavy, the wind from the blade billowing, not aiming to hit the target, but only to force Kakashi to stay away and prevent him from completing his exquisite combo.
"Snap!"
The short sword slashed across Shinichi's arm, cutting his clothes, but Shinichi quickly tensed his muscles and slightly turned his body, dissipating most of the force and leaving only a shallow mark.
"Whoosh!"
Kakashi leaped aside before the katana slashed back, the blade only striking the remaining afterimage.
"Whoosh!"
Kakashi rolled in close to the ground, slashing down with his short sword.
Shinichi suddenly raised his knee, using his knee to deflect the blade, while simultaneously slamming down the hilt of his sword to force his opponent back.
After several rounds, a strange balance emerged: Kakashi's attacks were like a whirlwind, but Shinichi always managed to neutralize or force him back with his immense strength and almost instinctive defensive instincts just as he was about to succeed.
Outside the venue, all the students held their breath, their eyes glued to the scene.
The two homeroom teachers, Matsumoto and Inoue, were even more tense, leaning slightly forward, their eyes fixed on the two people in the room like hawks.
Chakra was already circulating quietly within their body, ready to intervene at any moment that could cause serious injury to the students or even worse.
'He was very fast, but… Not as fast as me and not as agile either! Perhaps it could be done like this…'
A sharp glint flashed in Kakashi's eyes as he made up his mind. No longer content with merely probing and maneuvering, he paused, then unleashed an even faster burst of speed than before, transforming into a straight, silver streak of lightning as he stabbed forward!
'He finally fell for it!'
A slight smile appeared on Shinichi's lips just as Kakashi pushed his speed to its peak; his old strength was unleashed, but new strength was not yet generated, and his trajectory was the most difficult to change.
Shinichi moved too!
[Agile (White): Your movements are more dexterous than average, with a slight improvement in body coordination and movement speed.]
He only has one agility talent that slightly improves his flexibility and speed, so speed doesn't seem to be his strong suit.
However, the talents are only equipment; the system panel will not display the stats he has earned through training.
Furthermore, with the support of his strong physique and the boost from Chakra, he can also achieve miracles in terms of speed!
Bang!
The sand and gravel beneath his feet suddenly exploded!
Without retreating or blocking, he met the silver flash head-on with a speed no less than Kakashi's thrust.
The katana in his hand transformed into a precise, swift, and powerful slash that combined the strength and speed of his entire body!
This strike, though delivered after the attack, seemed to have anticipated everything. The blade was aimed at the space in front of Kakashi's thrusting path and at the joint of his arm holding the sword!
This was a precisely calculated interception!
If Kakashi's speed is like a ghost, darting about unpredictably and difficult to fathom.
Then, Shinichi is like a calm yet violent gale; The eye of the storm is calm, but once it erupts, it is devastating.
And this is the moment to erupt!
Kakashi's pupils suddenly contracted as he faced the oncoming, incredibly fast slash.
He wanted to change his tactics, to dodge.
But the body is already difficult to control at its maximum speed, and all the momentum and power are poured into this thrust.
Retreat?
Too late!
Hide?
The blade has blocked all angles!
Withdraw the move?
He has lost his chance!
He had no choice but to take it!
Clang!
The short sword and the katana finally clashed solidly together, with no way to avoid it!
The sound was deafening, far surpassing any previous encounter!
Sparks flew from the point where the two swords clashed!
Kakashi felt an irresistible torrent of force slam into his sword, his arm went numb and sore, and the short sword in his hand trembled violently, almost slipping out of his grasp. Instantly, his defense was wide open, revealing his vulnerability!
Now!
A cold light burst forth from Shinichi's eyes, and the raging wind finally broke free from its restraints, transforming into a devastating storm!
He took a step forward, his aura rising to its peak, and with no more reservations, he swung his katana down in a simple and brutal manner!
There are no fancy tricks, only the purest power and speed!
Kakashi, on the other hand, once again felt the same suffocating, breathless, relentless pursuit that Shinichi had shown during their first battle!
Clang!
The first strike sent Kakashi's barely raised short sword flying!
Bang!
The second strike, the back of the blade slammed into Kakashi's hastily raised arm, causing him to groan in pain as his defense completely crumbled!
Bang!
On the third strike, the cold blade was already firmly pressed against Kakashi's neck, bringing a chilling sensation.
The storm started suddenly and then stopped just as abruptly.
Shinichi's weapon once again came to a steady stop just before Kakashi's throat.
The field fell into absolute silence, as if all sound had been removed.
Only the katana, a symbol of utter victory, reflected a merciless gleam in the sunlight.
At this moment, there is no longer any debate about who wins or loses.