My Techniques are a bit off

In that lightning-fast exchange, how much of Link's ten months of training did he actually use?

The combination of Clone Jutsu and Transformation Jutsu.

Ultra-fast hand seals.

Detaching his body from his head to gain the initiative.

Turning limbs into ninja tools for independent attacks.

Using his head to distract the opponent while his body launched an attack.

Most importantly, the physical endurance gained through daily relentless training, allowing him to avoid being instantly defeated by a jonin.

Now, as Link stood in place, he realized he had exhausted all his tricks. He knew better than to think he could use the same techniques to fool a jonin again.

In ninja battles, success often hinged on information. The only reason he had gained a fleeting advantage in taijutsu was the "information gap" created by his unorthodox Link-style taijutsu.

But now...

"Huff…" Link exhaled, his mind racing. How could he possibly engage in taijutsu against someone like Kakashi?

The intense skirmish, combined with repeated use of Clone Jutsu and Transformation Jutsu, had drained his stamina to 50% of its safe threshold. It was painfully clear he was at a disadvantage.

Would Kakashi use another Shadow Clone? Or, as the renowned master of ninjutsu, would he unleash a jutsu or genjutsu? Perhaps he might even reveal his Sharingan to ensure Link couldn't pull any more tricks?

No matter how hard Link had worked or how much his cheat ability had helped, the gap between them was still insurmountable.

Even if he trained for another year, would it make a difference?

The harsh reality was—no.

Another year of practice would not bridge the vast gap in physical prowess, combat experience, and intuition. He wasn't a reincarnated super-soldier or elite assassin. He was just a regular person who had made extraordinary progress thanks to his late father's foundational training and his own relentless effort.

With a deep breath, Link formed hand seals again and cast Clone Jutsu. This time, he skipped the Transformation Jutsu to conserve his dwindling stamina. Exhaustion was creeping up on him like a tide.

The battle so far had proven that the techniques he developed—based on basic jutsu and academy-taught combat strategies—were insufficient against a jonin.

Through this fight, Link realized that following the conventional ninja path to surpass or even match a jonin would take an unimaginably long time. It would require not only years of grueling training but also countless life-or-death experiences.

Perhaps he should give up now and avoid revealing too much.

Yet, a nagging sense of unwillingness gnawed at him.

Link could endure monotonous training, bear daily fatigue and pain, but he struggled to tolerate his own cowardice.

So, keep fighting.

In the few seconds it took for these thoughts to race through his mind, Link had already steeled himself to continue.

"Crack—Rustle!"

Suddenly, two hands burst from the ground, grabbing Link's legs and pulling him downward.

Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu.

Link knew this technique well and was unsurprised that Kakashi, a master of Earth Release, would use it. Calmly, he grabbed his own head and flung it far away. In midair, he canceled his clone and reassembled his body.

"Swish!"

But Kakashi had anticipated this move. Using the Body Flicker Technique, he closed the gap instantly.

Link smirked. "You showed me the original Headhunter Jutsu, so let me show you my version."

Forming hand seals, Link released a jutsu:

Link-style: Headhunter Jutsu.

Kakashi's instincts screamed at him, and his alertness shot to its peak. This kid was full of surprises. His combat style and bizarre jutsu were unlike anything Kakashi had ever seen.

But when the jutsu activated, Kakashi suddenly felt dizzy and disoriented.

A genjutsu?!

[But the file said…?!]

"Swoosh—Slash!"

For an instant, Kakashi felt a sharp pain as though his head had been severed. The sensation was so vivid it felt real.

"Release!"

He disrupted his chakra, breaking free of the illusion just as a kick sent him tumbling to the ground. Landing on one hand, Kakashi steadied himself.

It had been only a brief moment of vulnerability, but Link had managed to capitalize on it.

Ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu...

Kakashi clapped the dust off his chest and adjusted his stance, a newfound respect in his eyes.

[This kid isn't an ordinary academy graduate or genin.]

Link landed a short distance away, his eyes flashing with frustration as he looked at the nearly unscathed Kakashi.

[It wasn't enough.]

Even under the influence of his unique Headhunter Jutsu, Kakashi had quickly gathered chakra to the point of impact, absorbing most of the damage. His sturdy body likely didn't even register much pain.

Kakashi's uncanny ability to read his intentions, combined with his superior chakra control, reflexes, and vast array of techniques, left Link feeling utterly powerless.

This was combat experience—the difference between a seasoned jonin and a fledgling ninja.

Kakashi didn't even need to rely on his signature jutsu or the Sharingan to dominate. His overwhelming strength was simply the mark of an elite jonin.

[What else do I have left?]

Link grimly assessed his options. His Money-Binding Jutsu required actual cash, and his Substitution Jutsu was highly unpredictable.

Even if he managed to summon a combat-ready substitute, would it be enough to win?

Over the past ten months, he had used the Substitution Jutsu roughly ten times, but only three resulted in combat-effective substitutes. The sheer variety of potential substitutes made it impossible for him to familiarize himself with all their abilities.

Many substitutes required intricate strategies to utilize effectively. With their brief durations—mere seconds or minutes—it was rarely enough to turn the tide of battle.

[Fine. One last stand.]

A torrent of thoughts flashed through Link's mind before he calmly formed hand seals.

"Release!"

A grotesque gray skeletal creature materialized behind him.

It had a birdlike skull with a hooked beak, a centipede-like ribcage, glowing red eyes, a purple tongue, and six skeletal arms swaying menacingly in the air.