"Anbu Squad Captain Sarutobi Masanari, huh..." Mokgetsu, having received the memories of the Shadow Clone, displayed an expression of contemplation.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, we've rested up and are about ready to start," Kakashi stood up and walked to Mokgetsu's side, saying.
Their strength had grown significantly. To prevent unexpected incidents that could occur during battle due to uncontrollable power, they explained the situation clearly to Mokgetsu and requested him to act as the referee.
Having Mokgetsu beside them provided a sense of security during combat, ensuring immediate medical assistance if injured.
Although Nohara Rin's medical treatment was commendable, matching a Medical Jonin's standard, Mokgetsu's healing capabilities were even superior, second only to Tsunade.
"Then let's start drawing lots," Mokgetsu nodded, retrieving a wooden box from the Scroll for the drawing.
Wasting no time, Kakashi quickly reached into the box and randomly pulled out a piece of paper.
As the first to draw, Kakashi had no way of knowing who his opponent would be, regardless of the number he drew.
"Number one," Kakashi announced the number written on the paper as he opened it.
"I'll go second!" Obito volunteered enthusiastically to be the next to draw.
He thought that since Kakashi drew number one, there was a high chance he'd draw number two and face Kakashi in an inner-circle match.
With his head held high, Obito slowly reached into the opening of the wooden box, carefully selecting a piece of paper with a serious expression.
"I hope it's Kakashi, please not Guy," Obito chanted inwardly.
Facing Might Guy this round would be a predetermined loss, with no other outcome.
Suddenly reminded of recent events, Obito realized he might have caught Kakashi's jinx.
"Let it be Might Guy, not Kakashi!" Cleverly, Obito amended his prayer with the opposite wish.
Feeling fully prepared, Obito grasped one of the paper balls and pulled it out.
"How could it be number three!" Obito cried internally, staring at the big number three on the paper, feeling utterly despondent.
Since Kakashi was number one, his first-round opponent could only be either Might Guy or Shisui.
If it were Shisui, Obito could still put up a fight; encountering Might Guy meant he'd have to consider how to lose stylishly, especially with Nohara Rin watching them train nearby.
"Haha, I can't wait to have a grand battle with my best friend," Might Guy laughed loudly as he approached, reaching into the wooden box without any hesitation.
The opponent Might Guy most desired to meet was naturally Kakashi, as he was his lifelong rival.
"I believe you're feeling the same, my best friend," Might Guy said, glancing back at Kakashi with a gleaming, toothy smile as he clutched his paper ball.
"No, not really," Kakashi replied mercilessly.
Before mastering Thoughtless Slash, he didn't have any thoughts about it.
Obito kept a fixed gaze on the paper in Might Guy's hand. If only his Sharingan had X-ray vision, he would have activated it to peek.
"Please don't be number four," Obito prayed internally.
The opposite prayer didn't work earlier, so this time he switched back to a normal prayer.
Shisui, too, watched the paper in Might Guy's hand. Being the last to draw, his turn was mere formality, and the order would be clear after Might Guy's turn.
"It's a pity, it's actually number four," Might Guy declared regretfully after unveiling the paper ball.
Obito's expression froze, exactly what he feared had come true; he actually drew Might Guy.
"My best friend, it seems we'll meet in the second round," Might Guy encouraged Kakashi with a thumbs up.
"Fight with everything you have," Kakashi ended the discussion, feeling a sense of relief. While Shisui was a bit tougher than Obito, Kakashi still had a decent chance if he fought hard.
Shisui walked to the wooden box and picked up the coveted number two paper ball by Obito's mind.
"Rin, no need to train now, come sit for a while," Mokgetsu called out to Nohara Rin, who was training.
Mokgetsu's action added another layer of heaviness to Obito's already heavy heart.
He had hoped that Nohara Rin's crucial Jonin training might prevent her from watching, but it seemed fate was not so kind.
Nohara Rin, slightly out of breath, walked over and sat next to Obito, focusing her attention on Shisui and Kakashi, who were already in fighting stance.
"Breath of Flame Chakra Mode, Armament Secret Technique, Three Tomoe Sharingan, coupled with superior battle intellect—his only glaring weakness is his age," Kakashi couldn't help but commend in his heart.
Kakashi, raised in the glory of being a child prodigy, always found himself acknowledging that geniuses vary, especially when contemplating Shisui's capabilities.
Although the timing with Mokgetsu varied, Shisui himself was inherently brilliant.
"If my chakra control is precise and I remain cautious, I have a high probability of winning," Shisui quickly devised a plan against Kakashi.
Though Kakashi's Lightning Release Blade Technique was tremendously powerful, Shisui's Three Tomoe Sharingan could predict his movements. As long as the distance wasn't too close, Shisui could avoid him using the Instant Body Jutsu.
Kakashi could also use the burst of Lighting Release to dodge Shisui's attacks, but Kakashi's total chakra was less than Shisui's. The Lighting Attribute Chakra Nature Changes to enhance his body consumed chakra significantly, putting Kakashi at a disadvantage in prolonged combat.
"Let the battle begin!" Mokgetsu announced upon seeing both prepared.
Swish! Swish!
Simultaneously, Kakashi and Shisui flickered into motion, Kakashi advancing while Shisui retreated.
Shisui wasn't in a hurry to clash head-on with Kakashi; having just come off the battlefield, they were well-aware of each other's abilities and didn't need any probing.