Naruto: One Eye Tenseigan

As the battle unfolded, Kakashi reassessed Tomaru with increasing curiosity and caution. When Sayuri had first suggested the sparring session, Kakashi had dismissed it as a simple training exercise. A civilian-born genin of the same age as Sasuke? Kakashi already knew Sasuke's abilities and acknowledged the Uchiha's great potential, though he was aware Sasuke still had much to learn. He had assumed Tomaru would be no different—a freshly-minted graduate with basic techniques and perhaps a desire to prove himself. However, what followed shattered those assumptions entirely.

But the fight told a different story. Tomaru's opening moves were neither hasty nor predictable. Instead, they displayed an uncharacteristic precision and restraint. He didn't rush into combat recklessly like most genin would; he calculated. Kakashi's first moment of intrigue came from Tomaru's adept use of clones. Unlike the standard decoy tactics employed by others, Tomaru's clones were seamlessly integrated into his strategy. They moved in tandem, as though extensions of his own mind, creating a synergy Kakashi had rarely seen outside the ranks of experienced chunin.

This level of precision is unusual for a genin, Kakashi thought, his Sharingan keenly observing the subtle chakra fluctuations as Tomaru's water clone maneuvered into position. Dispelling it required minimal effort, yet the calculated nature of the move lingered in Kakashi's mind. It was clear: Tomaru's methods were far from ordinary.

As the sparring session intensified, other facets of Tomaru's skill emerged. His chakra control was nothing short of extraordinary. Each water-based technique he executed was measured, efficient, and precise—qualities Kakashi typically associated with jonin-level expertise. Furthermore, Tomaru's chakra reserves caught Kakashi completely off guard. Initially, he had expected Tomaru's impressive performance to wane quickly, assuming his stamina would falter under prolonged exertion. Yet, as the minutes stretched into a grueling exchange, it became evident that Tomaru's reserves were vast—rivaling, and possibly even surpassing, Kakashi's own.

How does he have this much chakra? Kakashi wondered, even as he deflected another water-based strike. He's not from a renowned clan or one with a notable bloodline. There's no indication he possesses any kekkei genkai. Could it all be natural talent?

What intrigued Kakashi even more was Tomaru's adaptability. It became clear that the young shinobi wasn't simply reacting to his attacks; he was learning from them. Every exchange revealed an evolving strategy. Each feint and counter demonstrated sharper reactions and more calculated precision. Forcing Kakashi to activate his Sharingan wasn't a decision made lightly; Tomaru had earned the necessity through sheer competence.

By the time Tomaru forced Kakashi to neutralize the Water Beast with Raikiri, Kakashi's assessment had shifted drastically. Initially, he had categorized Tomaru's abilities as advanced for a genin, perhaps even bordering on chunin-level competence. But now, it was evident that Tomaru's combination of skill, ingenuity, and tenacity placed him firmly in the realm of jonin-level capabilities. It was a revelation that compelled Kakashi to reconsider what he thought he knew about Tomaru.

Kakashi reflected on the implications of this encounter. In the ninja world, prodigies were not uncommon, but such talent usually came with lineage—a family name like Uchiha, Hyuga, or Senju. To find such raw ability in someone with no notable heritage was rare, though not unheard of. Kakashi's mind drifted briefly to his own teacher, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. Minato had risen to prominence not through inheritance but through an unparalleled blend of skill, intellect, and dedication. In Tomaru, Kakashi saw faint echoes of that same brilliance.

Surprisingly, Kakashi realized he hadn't delved deeply into Tomaru's background. He had simply assumed the boy was a civilian-born ninja, much like his teammates Mai and Mina. Of course, Sayuri, as the jonin sensei of Team 2, was enough to make Kakashi suspicious. Did I miss something? he mused. If Tomaru truly hailed from a civilian family, his trajectory thus far was nothing short of remarkable.

The battlefield was a drenched tableau of steam and chaos, the lingering aftermath of their elemental jutsu colliding. Tomaru, though visibly battered, stood resolute, his defiance etched into his stance. Across the rippling water, Kakashi exhibited subtle signs of weariness, his chakra reserves nearing their limit after the prolonged engagement.

Yet, Kakashi's visible eye gleamed with quiet confidence. The battle was reaching its climax, and while Tomaru's overwhelming chakra reserves gave him an edge, it was Kakashi's vast experience that had kept him alive—and it would be his experience that determined the outcome.

Tomaru surged forward, the water beneath his feet rippling with the force of his chakra-infused movements. As he closed the gap, his hands flashed through a rapid sequence of seals. Twin streams of pressurized water materialized in his palms, spiraling toward Kakashi with lethal precision.

Kakashi countered instantly, weaving a single hand seal. "Water Formation Wall!" A towering shield of water erupted before him, intercepting the high-pressure jets in a violent explosion of mist and ripples. Yet, even as the barrier collapsed, Tomaru was already in motion—darting to Kakashi's flank under the cover of the dispersing mist. The faint sound of his feet skimming across the water's surface hinted at his approach.

Kakashi's Sharingan flared as he pivoted sharply, launching a barrage of kunai toward the advancing blur. Sparks erupted as Tomaru countered with water-clad kunai, deflecting each projectile with precision. The exchange of steel was swift, almost imperceptible, as Kakashi noted the uncanny timing of his opponent's defenses.

Suddenly, Tomaru vaulted high into the air, his chakra flaring. Water swirled beneath him, coalescing into a massive vortex that spiraled downward, aimed directly at Kakashi. The attack tore through the battlefield with the force of a raging storm.

Kakashi leaped backward, his Sharingan dissecting the technique's structure. In a single, fluid motion, he hurled explosive tags into the vortex's core. The resulting detonation shattered the technique mid-descent, dispersing it into a torrential rain that drenched the arena. Seizing the opening, Kakashi flickered forward, appearing at Tomaru's intended landing point.

Kakashi observed Tomaru's relentless forward strategy with a critical eye, the glow of Raikiri sparking in his hand. Too focused on offense, he thought, recognizing the younger shinobi's overreliance on aggressive tactics. As the lightning surged around his palm, Kakashi prepared to exploit the opening this created.

Tomaru's eyes widened. With no time to spare, his hands flew together in a desperate seal. "Earth Spear!" A sheen of earthen chakra enveloped his body, fortifying it against the incoming strike. Raikiri collided with the reinforced armor, sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield. Sparks and energy exploded outward, illuminating the misty arena.

Despite his defense, the sheer force of the attack propelled Tomaru backward, skidding across the water's surface. Regaining his footing, he retaliated instantly. Drawing a shuriken, he infused it with spinning water chakra and hurled it with pinpoint accuracy. The projectile streaked toward Kakashi like a missile.

Kakashi sidestepped, but the shuriken detonated on impact with the water, creating a sudden eruption of mist. The battlefield was shrouded once more, obscuring Tomaru's movements. Kakashi's Sharingan flared, scanning for chakra signatures as he prepared for the next assault.

From within the mist, water clones emerged, each charging with erratic, unpredictable attacks. "A diversion?" Kakashi murmured, slicing through one clone with a kunai. His Sharingan caught the faintest ripple behind him—the real Tomaru.

Kakashi twisted just in time as Tomaru lunged, his chakra-infused punch narrowly grazing the Jonin's shoulder. Kakashi exploited the momentum, hooking Tomaru's arm and flipping him over. Tomaru landed with a splash but rolled instinctively, avoiding a follow-up kunai strike aimed at his chest.

Springing to his feet, Tomaru's breaths were labored but steady. His defiant stance remained unyielding. "You've got more than stamina," Kakashi noted, his tone both observational and approving. "But grit alone won't win this."

Without warning, Kakashi blurred into motion, appearing inches away from Tomaru. The younger shinobi activated Earth Spear again, crossing his arms to block. But Kakashi's attack wasn't straightforward. A low kick disrupted Tomaru's balance, followed by an elbow strike aimed at his core. The impacts reverberated through his reinforced frame, momentarily staggering him.

Capitalizing on the opening, Kakashi channeled chakra into the water beneath Tomaru's feet. "Raikiri!" Lightning surged through the shallow depths, sending electric currents coursing through Tomaru's body. His defenses faltered as a cry of pain escaped his lips.

Kakashi moved with precision, appearing behind Tomaru in an instant. A kunai pressed lightly against the back of the younger shinobi's neck. The blade hovered, unwavering.

"Yield," Kakashi commanded, his voice calm but resolute.

Tomaru froze. Though his chakra reserves remained substantial, he understood the gravity of the situation. Kakashi had systematically dismantled his defenses, exploiting every weakness with surgical precision.

The battlefield grew silent. After a moment, Kakashi withdrew the kunai and offered a hand to Tomaru. "You've grown," he said, his tone carrying a rare note of respect. "But battles are won with more than just stamina and power."

Tomaru accepted the hand, rising to his feet. Despite his defeat, his expression held no bitterness—only a quiet determination. "You were holding back," he muttered, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.

Kakashi's visible eye curved into a smile as he adjusted his forehead protector. "So were you."

From the sidelines, Team 7 and Team 2 observed in silence, their expressions ranging from thoughtful to impressed. The ripples on the water mirrored the subdued tension in the air, though the fight had already concluded. Mai was the first to break the silence, crossing her arms and tilting her head with a slight grin.

"Well, that was... impressive," Mai admitted, her tone a mix of surprise and respect. "Tomaru held his own against Kakashi-sensei for a while. I'll give him credit for that. Didn't expect him to last as long as he did."

Mina adjusted her glasses, her calm expression betraying the sharp analysis lurking beneath. "He adapted well," she said evenly. "His chakra control and timing were commendable. But Kakashi-sensei's experience… it's hard to close a gap like that in just one fight."

Mai snorted, nudging Mina lightly with her elbow. "You sound like you're giving a mission report. Still, you're not wrong. Kakashi-sensei's on a whole other level. But Tomaru… he didn't back down, and that's got to count for something."

"It does," Mina replied, tilting her head slightly. 

On the other side, Sakura's wide eyes stayed fixed on Kakashi, who now leaned casually against a tree, his demeanor impossibly relaxed for someone who had just engaged in such an intense fight. "Kakashi-sensei is incredible," she whispered, awe lacing her voice. Her gaze shifted to Tomaru, and a flicker of respect crossed her face. "But Tomaru… he's stronger than I thought. Even if he lost, he fought really well."

Meanwhile, Naruto sat cross-legged on the ground, staring at the rippling water where the fight had taken place. His fists trembled slightly, his face a mixture of admiration and frustration. His gaze dropped to his missing arm, a painful reminder of his own limitations. "They're on a whole other level," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. Determination flared in his eyes as he added, "I can't stay like this. I've got to get stronger."

Mai, noticing Naruto's intense expression, smirked and leaned closer to Mina. "Looks like someone's had a reality check," she teased, jerking her chin toward Naruto.

Mina followed Mai's gaze, adjusting her glasses thoughtfully. "Frustration can be a strong motivator," she observed. "If Naruto channels it properly, it might push him further than he expects. It's a good starting point."

Naruto, catching their whispers, scowled. "Hey, I'm still here, you know! I'll show you guys soon enough… just wait!"

Mai chuckled, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Oh, we're waiting, Naruto. We've got all the time in the world."

Sasuke, standing apart from the group, remained quiet, his arms crossed and his sharp gaze fixed on Kakashi. Though his Sharingan had long since deactivated, the intensity in his eyes lingered. Finally, he broke the silence.

"Tomaru's strong," Sasuke said bluntly. "Stronger than I expected. But Kakashi..." He trailed off, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. "I have a long way to go."

Sakura glanced at him, her expression softening with concern. "Sasuke..." she began hesitantly, but he shook his head, cutting her off.

"It's fine," he said sharply, his tone controlled but firm. "This just means I need to train harder. If I'm going to surpass Kakashi… and…"

Kakashi, overhearing Sasuke's declaration, glanced at him with a subtle, knowing smile. Though his relaxed demeanor remained, the pride in his gaze was unmistakable. Each of his students was growing in their own way, and Kakashi's unspoken acknowledgment conveyed his confidence in their potential.

As Tomaru approached the group, Mai stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder with a lopsided grin. "Not bad," she said, her voice teasing but not unkind. "You didn't win, but you made Kakashi-sensei work for it. That's more than most could say."

Tomaru, still catching his breath, gave her a faint smirk. "I'll take that as a compliment," he replied dryly.

Mina stepped closer, her tone pragmatic as she addressed him. "You handled yourself well," she said. "But there's always room for improvement. Kakashi-sensei's experience is unmatched, but you made him take you seriously. That's significant."

Tomaru nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I know," he said simply. "Fighting him showed me just how much further I have to go. But it also gave me something to aim for."

Naruto suddenly stood, his eyes blazing with renewed determination. "You're not the only one aiming higher!" he declared, pointing dramatically at Tomaru. "Just you wait—I'm going to catch up to both of you, and then I'll be the one standing at the top!"

Mai burst into laughter, doubling over as she wiped a tear from her eye. "Big talk from someone who still can't even walk up a tree properly!" she teased, her grin widening.

Naruto's face flushed bright red as he shot back, "Hey! I'm working on it, okay?! Give me a break!"

As laughter and banter filled the air, the tension from the battle dissolved into a more relaxed camaraderie.