Chapter 212: The One I’m Mocking Is You
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Because Asuma was the son of the Third Hokage, there was nothing Anko could do about this persistent creep. She could only stay by Kurenai's side to protect her from him.
Hearing Uchiha Kitaro's mockery and Anko's laughter, Asuma's already dark complexion seemed to darken further. His fists clenched, veins bulging on his arms.
He had been tailing Kurenai like usual, but the moment she saw Uchiha Kitaro, the look on her face changed. The admiration and affection in her eyes were painfully obvious—it crushed him.
What did that guy have that he didn't? Sure, he was handsome, had fair skin, and a big name, but so what?
Asuma thought to himself: "I'm the son of the Third Hokage! I'm the heir to the Hokage title! What does this guy even count as?"
"Uchiha Kitaro! If you've got guts, fight me one-on-one! Loser stays away from Kurenai for good—forever!" Asuma yelled furiously.
Kakashi, Guy, Anko, Kurenai, Shisui, and Itachi all froze for a moment, their expressions turning to disbelief as they stared at Asuma.
Is this man serious?
Was he just arrogant from being the Hokage's son for so long? Did his brain short-circuit?
This wasn't just anyone—this was Uchiha Kitaro, the strongest in the Uchiha clan. A man whose name resonated across the ninja world as the Sword God.
And swords were just one of his many tools.
Kakashi had long suspected that Uchiha Kitaro had mastered every ninjutsu known to ninja, except for kekkei genkai techniques.
There was no other explanation for the frustration that the Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Raikage seemed to feel whenever his name came up.
And here was Asuma—a guy who got promoted to jonin mostly because of family connections—challenging that monster to a duel.
Honestly, if Asuma wanted to end it all, wouldn't using a kunai on his own throat be faster?
Under everyone's incredulous stares, Asuma shifted uncomfortably.
"You're saying… you want to duel me?" Kitaro asked, sitting cross-legged in his chair, hand on his chin, watching Asuma like he was some kind of amusing sideshow.
"That's right!" Asuma declared.
"I don't like gambling with friends as stakes. But, kicking a pest like you out of her life? That's part of my job as a friend," Kitaro replied coolly.
He turned to Kurenai. "You okay with this?"
Kurenai nodded without hesitation. "No problem at all."
She'd seen Kitaro's strength firsthand. Asuma wouldn't stand a chance, even if there were ten or a hundred of him.
"Alright then," Kitaro said, standing up. He turned to the others with a sheepish grin. "Sorry to interrupt our meal—again. These father-son combos are such a pain. I'll make it up to you later. How about I cook for everyone myself?"
Eyes lit up at that. Especially Anko's, whose mouth was already watering.
"Let's go," Kitaro said, leading the group to Training Ground Two.
In the training field, Kitaro and Asuma squared off.
"Come on, let's get this over with," Kitaro said, waving him forward.
"Hmph!" Asuma snarled, forming hand seals.
"Fire Style: Burning Ash!"
Asuma spewed out a cloud of hot ash, which ignited in a massive explosion around Kitaro.
"Got him!" Asuma smirked, seeing Kitaro engulfed in the blast.
Kurenai looked worried for a moment, but then—
"That's it? You can do better than that, right? As the Hokage's son, surely you've got more tricks up your sleeve," Kitaro said, his voice cutting through the smoke like a knife.
A powerful shockwave blew the ash away, revealing Kitaro completely unscathed—not even a singe on his clothes.
"Impossible!" Asuma shouted, gritting his teeth. "Now I'll get serious!"
He slipped on his signature Chakra Blades, infusing them with Wind Release chakra until they shimmered with a sharp, blue light.
Charging forward, Asuma slashed at Kitaro with everything he had.
But Kitaro didn't move.
Instead, he extended one finger.
"Armament Haki: Hardening."
"Armament Haki: Infusion."
"Wind Chakra Infusion."
The finger, now blackened and reinforced with a mix of techniques, intercepted the strike.
Everyone watching gasped.
Kakashi's jaw dropped. "No way... That's Wind Release. It can cut through steel like butter!"
Asuma sneered, confident his blade would slice right through.
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing against an immovable object rang out.
Asuma's smirk vanished. His blade hadn't even scratched Kitaro's finger.
"This… this can't be!" Asuma shouted, swinging wildly, only for every strike to be blocked effortlessly by Kitaro's single finger.
"You're really disappointing, you know that?" Kitaro said with a sigh. "Your dad's strong, shrewd, and a master manipulator. He's someone worth respecting. But you?"
"Don't you dare insult my father!" Asuma roared, red-faced.
"Relax," Kitaro said, wagging a finger dismissively while parrying another blow. "I'd never insult the Third Hokage. I admire him, really. Strong, smart, and amazing at getting people to follow him—he's basically my idol.
"But you?" Kitaro smirked. "The only one I'm mocking here is you."
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