Chapter Thirty-Eight: Qualification and Contest

There was still some time left before the end of the month, and Uchiha Rei had spent a few days resting at home.

Since Yao had taken over his position as captain of his squad in the Guard Division, and his new assignment was pending confirmation by the clan council, Uchiha Rei suddenly found himself with nothing to do.

With the sudden quiet, Rei felt a bit bored, so today he rose early and wandered aimlessly through the village.

Perhaps because the conflict at the front lines hadn’t completely ended, the streets were noticeably quieter than usual.

Just as Rei was about to grab a bite at a snack shop by the roadside, he caught sight of a masked figure with silver hair disappearing around the corner.

“Is he going to pay respects to someone?” Rei thought, noticing the bouquet Kakashi carried in his hand.

After pondering for a moment, Rei stood up and followed.

Recently, discussion within the clan about Kakashi’s Sharingan had grown increasingly heated, fueled by those with ulterior motives. Rei figured this was a good chance to meet Kakashi face to face.

Keeping a respectful distance, Rei trailed Kakashi all the way to the village’s public cemetery.

Kakashi was now standing in front of his father’s grave. After placing the flowers on the tombstone, he stood motionless for a long time.

Rei was too far to catch everything, but he could see the emotions flickering across Kakashi’s face: longing, resentment, and a hint of confusion and pain.

After a while, Kakashi moved with the remaining flowers to the graves of Obito and Rin.

He placed the flowers again, and seemed to murmur something, but Rei couldn’t hear.

A good ten minutes passed before Kakashi turned, apparently ready to leave.

Seeing this, Rei stepped forward, appearing before Kakashi in a flash.

Kakashi reacted instantly, ready to defend himself, but upon seeing Rei’s face, lowered his guard.

He hesitated for a moment, then, remembering something, asked uncertainly, “You’re Uchiha Rei?”

Rei nodded with a smile. “That’s right. I’m surprised you still remember me.”

Though Kakashi had graduated from the Ninja Academy at age five, they were classmates for a year, sharing the same cohort.

Rei had been very low-key at the time, ranking neither high nor low in the class.

“What brings you here?” Kakashi didn’t respond further, instead frowning. “Is it about my Sharingan?”

After this, Kakashi fell silent, a hint of struggle flashing in his uncovered right eye.

Truthfully, he had no greed for the Sharingan. If he’d obtained it under ordinary circumstances, returning it to the Uchiha would have posed no issue.

But the Sharingan in his eye was different.

It was Obito’s dying gift to him, a token entrusting him to protect the village and their companions. Though he hadn’t lived up to Obito’s hopes, he couldn’t simply hand it over.

With this in mind, Kakashi said, “If you’re here to reclaim the Sharingan, forgive me, but I must refuse. It was entrusted to me by Obito.”

Ashamed, Kakashi lowered his head, but his resolve was clear.

Rei shook his head. “No, you misunderstand. I’m not here to take the Sharingan from you.”

He paused briefly, then continued, “In fact, the clan hasn’t reached a decision on this matter. The whole thing is rather strange, as if outsiders are stirring it up.”

Kakashi looked up again. “Then what do you mean?”

Rei spoke calmly. “I oppose reclaiming your Sharingan within the clan, but I must confirm whether you are worthy of it. Only then can I find grounds to argue on your behalf…”

He nearly convinced himself with those words, though he knew full well that wasn’t the real reason.

Combat was the best way to forge bonds in the world of shinobi, and Rei approached Kakashi with this in mind.

Kakashi’s unique status and formidable ability would be invaluable for Rei’s future plans, especially for Terra.

Kakashi was taken aback; he hadn’t expected this from Rei.

But with Rei’s reasoning, he couldn’t refuse.

“Qualification, huh? I understand.” Kakashi gestured to the side. “Let’s do it here.”

“Very well.”

Rei didn’t object, extending his hand to signal Kakashi to begin.

Without further words, Kakashi’s form blurred as he lunged toward Rei.

He was curious about this former classmate, having heard of Rei’s recent exploits on the battlefield.

Thud, thud, thud…

Soon, their fists and palms collided, producing a series of deep, muffled bangs!

“Such solid basics.”

Rei felt a chill, focusing his mind swiftly.

Kakashi’s taijutsu was impressive, surpassing anyone Rei had faced on the field. If not for his own considerable improvement over the past year, he might have been forced onto the defensive in that first exchange.

No longer daring to underestimate him, Rei gave his all.

For a while, the two shadows fought back and forth among the trees, neither gaining the upper hand.

The battle continued, and while Rei appeared composed and relaxed, inwardly he felt anything but. Kakashi’s taijutsu exceeded his expectations.

“Is it because he’s sparred with Guy for years?” Rei wondered as he countered, forming a theory.

Kakashi possessed extraordinary talent and a remarkable ability to learn.

Guy, being Kakashi’s closest friend, was his frequent sparring partner. As a result, Kakashi’s taijutsu was not only formidable, but carried traces of Guy’s style.

Though Rei’s physical abilities had been greatly enhanced by the Mangekyo, he still fell short in pure taijutsu technique.

After another round of exchanges, Rei dodged and retreated, saying, “If we keep fighting like this, we’ll never settle it. Show me your true strength!”

Kakashi nodded, hesitating no longer. He lifted his forehead protector, revealing the three-tomoe Sharingan.

“Excellent.”

Rei’s eyes narrowed, and he too activated his Sharingan, the three tomoe spinning in his gaze.

At the same time, Rei’s hands flashed through a series of seals, before he inhaled and exhaled deeply.

“Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!”

Seeing Rei perform the seals, Kakashi mirrored the sequence exactly.

Almost simultaneously, both unleashed the Grand Fireball Jutsu from their mouths.

Boom!

Two massive fireballs collided, erupting in a violent explosion.

On the left side, Kakashi had expected their ninjutsu to cancel each other out, but an unexpected outcome occurred.

Rei’s fireball overpowered his, surging toward Kakashi himself.

Caught off guard, Kakashi quickly formed new seals.

“Earth Style: Earth Wall!”

He crouched, slapping his hands to the ground, and a sturdy wall of earth rose, adorned with four dog heads.

Another thunderous impact followed as the fireball crashed into the wall, its heat and force cracking and melting the structure.

In the end, even the earth wall couldn’t withstand Rei’s Grand Fireball, shattering at last, though the flames had also reached their limit and vanished.

Watching this unfold, Kakashi felt both troubled and puzzled, unable to help asking, “How is your fire style so strong?”