So, Kakashi-senpai already guessed... Uchiha Shisui felt a bit dejected about this. If it were about fighting or missions, he would definitely handle them perfectly.
But when it came to gathering intelligence on a senior in the village, Shisui wanted to say he was just a kid and to cut him some slack... In the time it took to eat one meal, Shisui came back to report that the "super invincible great demon lord" Uchiha Fugaku had mentioned was actually a beautiful girl who proactively made breakfast.
"What's up with that guy?"
Sitting on the veranda with a bowl and chopsticks in hand, watching Shisui's retreating figure shrouded in an aura of disappointment, Hikari felt a little puzzled.
"Maybe he's a bit let down."
Kakashi smiled knowingly at that.
Uchiha Fugaku's concerns weren't entirely unfounded.
But sending Uchiha Shisui to gather intel on Hikari was really a poor choice.
Shisui had a pure nature, and... uh.
Kakashi fell silent for a moment as that thought crossed his mind.
Someone who had awakened Kotoamatsukami, a technique that could alter others' thoughts—was he really pure-hearted?
He subconsciously glanced at Hikari beside him.
And this one was the same.
"I feel like you're thinking something rude."
Meeting Kakashi's sneaky gaze, Hikari quickly finished the porridge in her bowl, then shot back at him.
After spending a few days together, her personality had softened a bit, and she didn't mind trading barbs with Kakashi now and then.
"No, you're overthinking it."
Kakashi shook his head firmly, denying it.
In response to his denial, Hikari just snorted lightly and turned her head away, refusing to look at him.
After breakfast, Kakashi dove right back into his training without wasting any time.
Days went by, and with his current four-nature chakra support, taking advantage of the convenience of Shadow Clone Jutsu, Kakashi mastered the nature transformation for Wind Release in just ten days.
That was an incredibly fast pace, especially since he'd only created five clones for the Wind Release training.
Another month passed, and Kakashi completed the shape transformation for Wind Release.
Now, he had the nature and shape transformations down for Lightning, Earth, and Wind chakra.
Only Water Release and Fire Release were left.
By the Naka River, Kakashi stared at the water he'd just sliced in half with a single strike, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The development of the five natures was mostly done. For Fire Release, he could ask Hikari, but for Water Release, he'd have to figure it out on his own using Hiruzen Sarutobi's scrolls.
As Kakashi caught his breath, the Naka River returned to its normal flow once the chakra he'd infused dissipated.
Kakashi planned to rest for a bit before trying to apply Wind Release to his White Light Chakra Sabre to see what effects it might produce.
Just then, Kakashi glanced at a bush not far away and said, "Who's there? Come out."
As his words landed, a small figure emerged from the bush.
It was a child... "Um, I didn't mean to spy on your training, senpai. I was just passing by..."
The four-year-old boy, with lines already forming around his nose and mouth, looked at the white-haired youth in front of him with an embarrassed and shy expression.
Spying on someone else's training was a pretty big taboo among ninjas.
Ninja battles were all about information.
And when information leaked, others could exploit it to target you.
Even so, at just four years old, the boy couldn't help but be amazed.
He's really incredible. Even though he's only two years older than Shisui-nii, I feel like Kakashi-senpai is way stronger than him.
Uchiha Itachi... Kakashi glanced at this boy, who would one day make himself an orphan, and a flicker of coldness passed through his eyes.
"Hm."
With a casual response, Kakashi vanished in an instant.
He had no interest in getting too involved with Uchiha Itachi.
If he interacted too much with this guy, who knew what weird ideas might pop into his head.
Even if he was only four.
The wind rustled Uchiha Itachi's clothes. He stared at the spot where Kakashi had just been and couldn't help scratching his head.
Does this senpai dislike me...? Even though Kakashi had only acknowledged him with a grunt, that thought suddenly popped into his mind.
This also confirmed Kakashi's hunch.
Staying away from Uchiha Itachi was the right call.
Leaving the Naka River, Kakashi headed to the remote Third Training Ground.
This training ground saw few visitors because of its out-of-the-way location. On regular days, besides Kakashi, only Might Guy, Asuma, and some of their peers came here to train.
"Yo!"
"Kakashi!"
A passionate, youthful voice rang out, and a green whirlwind charged straight at Kakashi.
[Might Guy's emotions fluctuated +1]
[Chakra +1%]
"I haven't seen much of Kakashi lately."
"Were you out on a mission?"
The green-clad youth struck up a familiar conversation with Kakashi, but... looking at Might Guy standing upside down in front of him, Kakashi's mouth twitched.
"Might Guy, don't point that thing at me."
Kakashi rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"Ah, hehe, this is the bond of true men!"
With a graceful flip in the air, Guy landed steadily, holding his hands level.
Since when was that the bond of true men?
You little acorn, apologize to all the true men out there!
Even though Kakashi was used to Might Guy tying everything back to youth, he still couldn't resist the urge to retort.
"Kakashi, you're here today— that's rare. Let's have a man's duel!"
Might Guy immediately flashed Kakashi a thumbs-up.
A duel?
Kakashi's eyes shifted.
Looking at the guy in front of him, he felt a bit tempted.
He'd just mastered Wind Release chakra, and he didn't have anyone to spar with.
If it was Might Guy... "Alright."
Kakashi's answer made Might Guy's grin stretch from ear to ear.
"Starting from the Konoha Main Gate, the finish line is Hokage Rock."
"Let's see who gets there first."
Kakashi pointed toward the Konoha Main Gate.
"A race?"
"No problem!"
"Kakashi, Konoha's mighty blue beast won't lose!"
For Might Guy, no matter what the challenge, as long as his rival was Kakashi, it would spark his youthful, fiery fighting spirit.
"Alright, don't cry if you lose."
Kakashi was pretty interested in this too.
Even though he'd used up some chakra earlier, just running from the Konoha Main Gate to Hokage Rock...
It'd be fine!
"You too, Kakashi!"
"As Konoha's number one true man, I, Lord Might Guy, will never cry!"
"In that case, let's kick off this grand youth competition!"
"Rejoice, get pumped!"
"Mighty blue beast!"
Staring at the excitedly weeping Might Guy in front of him, Kakashi couldn't help but wear a deadpan expression.
Who just said he wouldn't cry?
Well, whatever~~
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