Noah wasn't holding back, nor was he underestimating Kakashi.
Still, as he thrust the blade toward him, a wave of embarrassment hit. The angle was garbage, the power was garbage, even the speed was a bit garbage.
Kakashi wasn't some fledgling Sasuke. A limp attack like that was a joke.
Kakashi couldn't quite figure out the situation, but out of respect for Noah's effort, he simply used a Substitution technique and slipped away.
Noah sensed it instantly and stopped.
He took the moment to activate the dark energy in his eyes. He'd long since learned the traits of the Eye Technique from Shisui. The best part? His eyes didn't change color or appearance. He wasn't about to waste that advantage.
Martial arts were his weak point.
Sensing alone wouldn't cut it-if he couldn't visually track Kakashi's movements, he was done for.
Noah had no desire to get beaten by Kakashi. That would be humiliating.
Glancing around, he saw Sasuke and Naruto had been downed, though they weren't unconscious.
After a moment, he realized Kakashi's intent: the man wanted to see how Noah would handle this scenario.
Noah felt a twinge of helplessness.
Just do the test. Why all the theatrics?
He tilted his head and decided to play along.
Seals formed, and two plumes of smoke appeared.
"The Clone Technique?" Naruto recognized it instantly. It was his specialty.
"Noah, you know that too?"
"I saw you do it once and picked it up," one of Noah's clones said.
"Is it supposed to be hard?"
"What's the plan?" Sasuke asked, clutching his neck.
"We've probably failed. Dammit, Naruto's idiocy ruined us."
"Blaming teammates won't help. Save the lecture for after we pass," the clone in front of Sasuke said. "Recover your strength. Leave the rest to me."
Truth be told, Noah felt a bit awkward playing the "beacon of positivity." The words felt cheesy, something he rarely bothered with. He believed in actions over words.
If these two hadn't been so pathetic, if it weren't for his long-term plans, he wouldn't have bothered.
"Planning to protect your teammates and face me alone?" Kakashi observed, a small smile playing on his lips. "Then let's see what you've got, kid."
He lunged forward with incredible speed.
Impressively, he used a Clone and a Substitution mid-dash, hiding his true self in the shadows. A single clone from an Elite Ninja usually fooled a novice, but Kakashi knew this kid was different.
He left only a small amount of energy in the clone to test Noah's strength; the real body would be the hammer.
Noah saw through it instantly.
He considered how to lead Kakashi away from the others. Fighting here wouldn't matter much to him, but collateral damage could be a problem for the two behind him.
Decision made.
Ignoring the incoming Kakashi, Noah used a Body Flicker and vanished.
Simultaneously, earthen spears erupted with a roar in a nearby grove.
When they did, Kakashi's figure appeared as well. He realized he couldn't hide from the boy's senses, so he followed him to a more open area.
His clone was being held by two of Noah's clones. Clearly, the others wouldn't be easy to handle until this boy was dealt with.
Should I just declare them passed? Kakashi wondered, then shook his head.
No. Let's see where his limit is.
And that limit... Noah's reserves were impressive. He'd been spamming high-level techniques, all with significant power. Normally, that would drain anyone, but he looked unfazed.
Kakashi felt a twinge of envy. His own energy issues were well-known.
More than that, he was confused. How had a kid like this stayed so unremarkable at the Academy?
"Probably because I don't like standing out," Noah said suddenly.
"The old man who took me in said whether you're a person or a ninja, being too flashy invites trouble. I don't like trouble, so I prefer a quiet life."
Kakashi blinked.
He wanted to ask if the kid was a mind reader. Instead, he asked seriously, "Is that so? Then why show your hand now?"
"Because I'm a ninja now," Noah sighed. "I don't want to be sent back to school. If this is a combat simulation, I can't just watch my teammates 'die.' I have to pull my weight. Plus, showing off a little might secure me a safer career path later."
"Is that right?" Kakashi's lip twitched. "Is that all your grandfather taught you? Typical conservative commoner thinking. Luckily you-"
Before he could finish, Kakashi sensed movement beneath his feet and leaped into the air.
An ambush? Standard in battle. But then he noticed Noah forming seals in the distance. The ambusher had to be a clone.
A clone? Since when?
Kakashi debated using his special Eye Technique but decided against it. Using a trump card against a brand-new novice felt beneath him. Even so, this novice wasn't simple.
Combat intuition. Timing. Already beyond most mid-level ninjas.
Kakashi realized he needed to be serious. Serious Kakashi was terrifying, even without a special eye.
A Water Dragon began to take shape. Kakashi formed a one-handed seal, vanished, and reappeared behind Noah.
Body Flicker wasn't rare, but its effectiveness relied on skill. Shisui had made his name with it. Kakashi's speed was nothing to scoff at either.
"It's over." Kakashi held a blade to Noah's throat.
But something felt off.
Kakashi was fast-but Noah had seen it coming.
His martial arts were weak, but his physical stats weren't. He wasn't a brawler. He was peak condition. Combined with a soul of immense power, he could handle this speed.
Noah moved the moment Kakashi did.
He knew several Water Styles, but the ones he truly mastered were Water Dragon, Water Wall, and Water Prison.
The Noah held by Kakashi smirked.
The water beneath Kakashi surged with abnormal energy.
Kakashi realized the boy he was holding was a fake.
He kicked the "Noah" away. A puff of smoke confirmed it.
The water rose to entwine him. Kakashi glanced at it, felt energy surge within, and simply stood still, letting the Water Prison trap him.
Naruto and Sasuke were speechless. The entire battle left them stunned.
Was Noah really just a novice who had graduated with them?
"He's so strong..." Naruto swallowed, feeling a bit dejected. Then his confidence surged. "That's Noah for you! Amazing at school, but I'll surpass him and become the Leader one day!"
"Idiot," Sasuke muttered, turning back to the river.
Both thought Noah had won.
Then the trapped Kakashi turned into a puddle and vanished.
A Water Dragon erupted from the river, slamming toward Noah.
Noah raised a Water Wall-but suddenly, Kakashi was behind him again, blade at his throat.
"Now it's really over," Kakashi said, sounding tired-or maybe just frustrated.
"Yeah. It's over," Noah agreed. Held at knifepoint.
"To be precise, the exercise is over."
"Hmm?" Kakashi blinked and instinctively looked at his waist.
"Right here." Noah brushed his hand away and jingled the two bells in his own.
"When did you get those?"
"Quite a while ago. While you focused on the water, I used a Body Flicker to snatch them. You were busy preparing your Water Clone."
"Why didn't you strike if you had the opening?"
"Because... I'm not exactly a martial arts specialist."