Naruto: Manipulation

This move…

It had never failed before.

Kakashi had used this technique countless times in battle. He was certain that, at this speed, his attack wouldn't harm Anko.

However…

Something bizarre happened.

Not only did Storm Release: Chidori Wild Dance fail to harm Anko, but it didn't even touch the kidnapper impersonating Orochimaru.

"Storm Release, huh?"

The kidnapper moved at an astonishing speed.

The kunai he had been holding against Anko's throat was withdrawn in an instant—then, the moment he reappeared, he exhaled a powerful gust of wind at the kunai!

"Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!"

This imposter raised his weapon, and in a flash, his Vacuum Blade sliced through the arcs of lightning with ease—as if it were nothing.

Lightning chakra…

Was naturally weak against Wind Release.

The chaotic arcs of electricity from Chidori Wild Dance were completely neutralized by the sharp, precise swings of Vacuum Blade. Sparks scattered across the ground, but none even grazed the kidnapper's body.

It was completely ineffective!

"Impossible!"

Kakashi's pupils widened.

He had never once miscalculated with this technique, yet now, it had been countered so effortlessly. The simplicity of the counterattack left him completely stunned!

Dust exploded into the air!

Sparks from the disrupted lightning technique burst upon impact, filling the battlefield with a haze of smoke!

But in the next moment—

A gust of wind swept through, clearing the dust away instantly!

"The world truly is full of deception and lies."

As the haze dissipated, a voice echoed in Kakashi's ears.

"I thought we had reached an agreement, yet you chose to deceive me—gathering chakra in secret to launch an attack."

"I should've expected this."

"Of course I should have."

"…"

Kakashi fell silent.

Wait…

Was this guy mocking him for lying?

Did he seriously expect anyone to believe that nonsense about letting him leave with a hostage unchallenged?

Even Guy, for all his optimism, wouldn't be naive enough to believe that!

"Your Storm Release isn't bad."

'Orochimaru' raised his Vacuum Blade again, his slit pupils gleaming as he prepared for another fight.

"But it's nothing compared to your Wind Release."

Kakashi took a deep breath.

This guy…

Was troublesome.

Though Anko was rude and lacked manners, she was still a comrade of Konoha. He couldn't just let her be taken away.

"If you leave now…"

"I'll pretend this never happened."

Kakashi steadied his breathing, making his final stand.

"I already signaled the ANBU for backup during my pursuit. They'll arrive soon."

"The ANBU won't come."

"Even if they did, it wouldn't change anything."

The kidnapper, still wearing Orochimaru's face, tightened his grip on the Vacuum Blade. His gaze turned cold and emotionless.

"You can still walk away. I'll act as if you were never here."

He knew…

Black Zetsu would ensure Kakashi's signal never reached the ANBU.

Though Black Zetsu wouldn't fight Kakashi directly, it could erase any signs of his request for reinforcements.

"You won't give up?"

"You think you can stop me?"

The kidnapper's eyes locked onto Kakashi, studying his silver-white hair.

As if recalling the name Anko had shouted earlier, he spoke slowly—

"Hatake… Kakashi…"

"…"

"He figured it out, huh?"

White Zetsu sighed underground.

"He was always going to."

Black Zetsu wasn't surprised.

"Think about it—how many people in Konoha possess Storm Release? And Kakashi resembles Sakumo far too much. He had to be that old acquaintance's son…"

Above ground.

Kakashi gripped his kunai.

"No matter what…"

Though he looked unmotivated, his resolve was firm.

"I can't just stand by while a comrade is taken."

"…"

'Orochimaru' narrowed his eyes.

Yet his grip on the Vacuum Blade remained firm. Wind chakra gathered around him—

The battle was far from over.

At this point…

Everyone already knew he wasn't really Orochimaru.

Neither he nor Kakashi had any reason to keep up the act.

"You plan to use Wind Release in battle?"

White Zetsu whispered from underground, watching Shigen's movements.

"Kakashi specializes in Lightning Release…"

"Shigen already noticed."

Black Zetsu smirked darkly.

"Wind Release naturally counters Lightning Release. With his refined swordsmanship from the ancient era, Shigen will have no trouble overcoming Kakashi…"

Black Zetsu's grin widened.

"After all, Shigen once defeated Indra himself with nothing but swordsmanship."

The next moment—

A violent gust of wind erupted!

Kakashi's Sharingan caught the approaching figure. He raised his kunai hastily to block the incoming strike from the Vacuum Blade!

Clang!

The kunai shattered instantly under the wind-enhanced sword!

Before Kakashi could react, the imposter flicked the broken kunai into the air, then exhaled another gust of Wind Release chakra!

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Kakashi's disbelief grew.

The sheer speed—

The precision—

He had severed the kunai in an instant, then used the broken blade as a Wind Release projectile!

Whoosh!

The wind-infused blade spun like a shuriken, hurtling toward Kakashi!

"A Wind Release shuriken?"

Kakashi leapt backward.

He had never seen anyone use Wind Release this way before!

This enemy…

Was even more skilled in combat than he had expected!

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

Kakashi slammed his hands together, pressing them to the ground.

A massive stone wall erupted from the earth, etched with his signature dog-shaped markings!

But—

The wall was too fragile!

The Wind Release shuriken sliced through it effortlessly, forcing Kakashi to retreat even further!

Whoosh!

A well-placed kunai struck the Wind Release shuriken's core, deflecting it just in time.

Crisis averted.

Kakashi reached into his pouch, gripping another kunai tightly.

This time…

He wouldn't try to block the Vacuum Blade directly.

Instead, he would target its wielder.

"You're not my match."

"I have no intention of killing you."

'Orochimaru' continued pressing forward, seemingly dissatisfied with Kakashi's persistence.

"This is enough. Just stop."

"…"

Kakashi's Sharingan gleamed red.

Yet he didn't cast a genjutsu—

Instead, he focused purely on tracking his opponent's movements.

So fast.

Too fast.

Forcing him entirely on the defensive.

Any moment now—

One misstep, and he'd be struck down.

Yet he had no choice but to stand his ground.

"Kakashi, you can do it!"

Anko cheered.

"Get out of here already!"

Kakashi shot her an exasperated look, silently urging her to flee.

But—

Anko couldn't move.

Her legs were already trapped in hardened mud.

Her body was half-buried in the ground.

Kakashi hadn't even noticed when his opponent had used Earth Release.

"I don't like killing people."

'Orochimaru' muttered.

Then—

He kicked Kakashi in the chest!

"That's good—I don't either…"

Kakashi coughed.

But despite his words, he lunged forward again!

And then—

Blades rained down upon him!

Even though his opponent still wore Orochimaru's face…

The relentless Wind Release swordplay overwhelmed him completely.

Like a raging storm, the attacks left Kakashi struggling to hold his ground.

"Lightning Release: Raikiri Kunai!"

Kakashi charged his kunai with lightning chakra, then hurled it at the enemy!

The charged kunai—

Was fast.

Deadly.

But—

Clang!

His opponent effortlessly hooked the kunai's ring with his Vacuum Blade—

Then spun it back toward Kakashi!

"!!!"

The kunai pierced Kakashi's shoulder, pinning him to a tree!

Poof!

A substitution!

Kakashi's real body emerged from the ground!

"Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu!"

His hands shot out, grabbing his enemy's ankle—

But—

The earth instantly hardened, trapping Kakashi instead!

He had fallen into his own trap.

Powerless, he watched as his opponent lifted Anko from the dirt—

And walked away.

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