Chapter 574: Martin's Morning
In Kakashi's opinion, since Sasuke could be changed by Naruto, then there was no way Naruto himself couldn't be changed.
It was simply that Naruto, who carried both the identity of the Child of Prophecy and Asura's reincarnation, was far more difficult to change.
And among everyone, the two people who had the greatest chance of changing Naruto were Itachi, who had changed Sasuke multiple times, and Sasuke himself, who was also a reincarnation of chakra just like Naruto.
Seeing the hope gradually rekindling in Kakashi's eyes, Itachi couldn't bear to crush his expectations.
Besides, Itachi also genuinely believed that the bullying problem needed to be solved.
"Kakashi, according to your new idea, I can actually solve it once and for all."
Itachi spoke slowly. "All I need is Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan ability—Kotoamatsukami. It can subtly alter Naruto's will…"
"No, absolutely not!"
Kakashi's expression changed drastically as he hurriedly stopped him.
"Why? In the eyes of the future Hokage, is Naruto more important than Konoha?"
Itachi asked.
"It's not that Naruto is more important than Konoha. It's that you still don't understand what it means for Naruto to be the Child of Prophecy. That identity represents the Will of Heaven itself. Shisui's Kotoamatsukami might be able to twist Naruto's will, but it can't twist the will of Heaven."
"According to the theory Shiromo once told me, when two rule-based abilities clash, the stronger one will always overwrite and suppress the weaker one."
"So Shisui's Mangekyō is useless. Before the Boruto era arrives, Naruto won't be affected by any rule-based ability."
"The only chance we have is to change him through real actions. That way, we might be able to bypass Heaven's Will, change Naruto, and then use him to influence Heaven's Will in return."
"It's just like when Jiraiya-Sama dealt with Ōtsutsuki Urashiki's time-reversal ability. Instead of competing with him in space-time ninjutsu, he simply summoned a toad's stomach, filled it with deadly poison, and Urashiki was defeated after inhaling the toxic gas."
"Likewise, against Obito's seemingly invincible intangibility Mangekyō ability, all you'd have to do is poison his food, and he'd die just as easily."
"This is the kind of clever shortcut we need to use—not actually trying to compete with Urashiki or Obito in space-time techniques."
Kakashi did his best to explain the situation clearly.
"I understand. But if that's the case, we'll have to take a very long detour. It'll be troublesome."
Itachi nodded slightly.
"Shiromo once said that sometimes the long road is actually the shortcut…"
As Kakashi noticed the thoughtful look on Itachi's face while he spoke, something suddenly occurred to him. His expression changed.
"Itachi, my plan really has a chance of succeeding! Whatever you do, don't use the first method!"
The reason for Kakashi's panic was simple.
He was afraid Itachi would once again decide to "bear all the sins for the village's future" by using the first solution—killing everyone who possessed the Will of Bullying.
Don't ask why it was "once again."
A man who exterminated his own clan... exterminating the entire village didn't seem all that unbelievable.
Kakashi was genuinely worried that once Itachi started killing again, he'd really decide to "bear the sins" one more time.
And honestly, if no one stopped him, wiping out the whole village this time would actually be easier than wiping out the Uchiha Clan.
After all, the overwhelming majority of those who possessed the Will of Bullying were ordinary civilians who didn't even know ninjutsu. Even among those who did, most were Academy students or Genin.
For Itachi, dealing with people like that would be complete overkill.
"I…"
Itachi was left speechless by Kakashi's reaction.
He wanted to say that he had already changed.
But who would believe him now?
Even if he said it, Kakashi wouldn't trust him.
"Forget it, Kakashi. In that case, I'll stay with you during this period. Whatever you need me to do, I'll help."
Itachi let out a sigh.
Since Kakashi doubted him that much, he might as well stay by Kakashi's side the whole time and let him watch. That should be enough to reassure him.
"Alright."
Kakashi finally let out a sigh of relief.
The two of them then found Kisame. Itachi explained that he would be staying with Kakashi for a while.
After hearing that, Kisame nodded to show he understood. Then, acting all sneaky, he secretly stuffed something into Itachi's hands before leaving.
Kakashi paid it no attention, assuming it was simply an item related to the mission Kisame and Itachi had come to Kirigakure for.
It wasn't until Kakashi brought Itachi back to the beach, and Itachi casually placed the book in his hand onto the table before heading off, that Kakashi realized something was strange.
The title of the book was "Gyūbi's Night."
Just from the title alone, Kakashi—with his vast experience, countless hardships, and extensive reading history—instantly sensed a familiar aura.
This was definitely the same type of book as "Icha Icha Paradise".
But then...
Why would Kisame give Itachi a book like this?
Wasn't Kisame supposed to be an honest guy?
Neither Kisame nor Itachi looked like the type who would read books like this.
Could it be that, just like himself, they appeared cold and serious on the outside, but were actually men of culture on the inside?
Kakashi judged others by himself for a moment, but the more he thought about it, the less likely it seemed.
So while Itachi went out, saying he wanted to talk with Naruto and learn more about him, Kakashi picked up the book and started reading.
After only reading the beginning, Kakashi finally understood.
First, it really was an adult novel.
Second, it was essentially a parody of the recently famous film series from the Land of Snow—"Martin's Morning."
"Martin's Morning" told the story of Martin, the son of Maki from Sunagakure. Every morning, Martin would transform into a different famous ninja from the ninja world, gaining that ninja's special abilities, leading to all kinds of strange and amusing stories at the Ninja Academy.
As for "Gyūbi's Night," it took place in the parallel world of the Limited Tsukuyomi.
In that world, Kumogakure's Eight-Tails, Gyūki, and Killer B had a child together, whom they named Gyūbi.
Like Martin, Gyūbi also gained a different ninja's abilities every single day.
The difference was that Martin used those abilities during the day at the Ninja Academy, starring in wholesome, innocent, heartwarming little adventures.
Gyūbi, however, gained his abilities every night before going out to party, and each time he used a different ninja's abilities to do... cultured things.
"Hm?"
Kakashi let out a puzzled sound.
He found a bookmark.
How strange.
By now, Kakashi had already forgotten that Kisame had given this "imperial book" to Itachi.
His attention had been completely captured by the novel's setting.
It was the first time he had ever read an adult novel with a concept like this.
It was incredibly interesting.
But what was this bookmark for?
After hesitating for a moment, Kakashi pulled it out and tossed it aside.
He deliberately chose not to skip ahead to the bookmarked page.
He liked this book too much to spoil himself.
Besides, if there really was something special on that page, he'd naturally find out once he reached it.
So Kakashi happily immersed himself in reading the imperial book.
After spending the entire afternoon reading, Kakashi finally reached the bookmarked page.
Don't ask him how he knew this was the bookmarked spot.
It wasn't because he had a good memory.
It was because, for some inexplicable reason...
His own name suddenly appeared on the page!
(End of this chapter)