It was bright daylight.
Early in the morning, Naraku and Kakashi were sparring in the training ground, their blades flashing impenetrably, waves of fire and lightning appearing endlessly. Even the ground beneath their feet was made uneven and pitted by Earth Release.
It wasn't until both had exhausted their Chakra that they collapsed onto the messy ground, panting heavily as they discussed dinner plans for the evening.
"Ichiraku Ramen again?" Kakashi asked, turning his head.
"Eh~" Naraku let out a disappointed sound. "I want to eat barbecue..."
Kakashi was speechless. "Didn't we have it the night before last?"
"..."
"Yo, Ninja sirs, my treat. How about it?"
An incredibly familiar voice rang out from not far away. The two looked over in surprise, immediately finding a surge of strength to run towards the speaker.
"Father!"
"Master!"
Sakumo chuckled, placed a hand on each of them, and ruffled his son's and disciple's fuzzy little heads.
After messing up their hair into two little bird's nests, he put his hands on his hips. "But before the treat, I have a super powerful Ninjutsu to teach you. Once you've learned it, we'll go for a barbecue feast."
"Okay!" "Okay!"
"Watch closely. The hand seal for this Jutsu is like this." Sakumo brought his hands together, forming a Tiger seal, and proudly introduced, "Although it's only an E-rank Ninjutsu, it can cause damage comparable to an S-rank Ninjutsu! Instantly dismantling an enemy's will to fight is no problem at all!"
Naraku's eye twitched as he looked at the extremely familiar gesture.
It couldn't be that Ninjutsu, could it... He tried his best to steady his voice, making his tone sound normal. "Um... Master, does this Jutsu only have one hand seal?"
Sakumo nodded. "Yes!"
Clinging to a last shred of hope, Naraku asked again, "The name of this Ninjutsu is...?"
"Good question. Because it can inflict 'a thousand years of death-like pain' on an opponent, I named it—"
Sakumo was clearly smiling, but Naraku couldn't help but shiver.
"The One Thousand Years of Death Jutsu!"
Marararara!!!
Naraku tried his best not to make any strange expressions, his face calm, but his heart was in turmoil.
Marararara marararara marararara!
My image as a popular character was going to be ruined!
Absolutely, absolutely do not use this Jutsu!
Otherwise, I would become a gag character!
On the other side, the innocent Kakashi, unaware of what was happening, only felt that the name sounded quite powerful, so he asked, "Father, what exactly is the One Thousand Years of Death Jutsu like?"
"Oh?"
Sakumo showed a kind smile, and his next words sounded like a devil's whisper to Naraku:
"Which of you two wants to try it?"
Naraku immediately felt a chill down his spine, his mind racing to figure out how to refuse so that both he and Kakashi would be spared.
Unexpectedly, Kakashi volunteered, "I'll do it!"
Naraku: No!
But he truly had no suitable reason to stop it, so he could only watch as Kakashi walked onto the training ground, poised and ready for Sakumo's new Ninjutsu.
"I'm ready."
Naraku: No, you're not ready! (Heartbroken)
"Alright then, hehe."
Naraku: No... Sakumo! I heard you chuckling! You really just want to prank us, don't you!
The next moment, Sakumo appeared behind Kakashi, the fingertips of the Tiger seal aimed directly at Kakashi.
Because Sakumo had always demonstrated Ninjutsu with a frontal assault before, Kakashi didn't react immediately. By the time he realized Sakumo was behind him, it was too late.
Naraku closed his eyes, unable to bear watching.
One Thousand Years of Death, activate!
Kakashi was suddenly propelled forward, covering his backside and falling to the ground, stiff as if struck by lightning, unable to utter a single word. His face flushed crimson; whether from pain or anger, he couldn't tell.
"Fa... You..."
He only managed to hastily spit out two syllables. Under the impact of boundless shock, humiliation, and pain, Kakashi, filled with unwillingness and resentment, rolled his eyes back and completely fainted.
Naraku: !!!
"Kakashi? Kakashi!"
Naraku quickly ran to Kakashi's side, grabbing his collar and shaking him repeatedly. "Pull yourself together, Kakashi!"
Seeing no response, Naraku looked at Sakumo with resentful eyes, mournfully accusing, "Master! How could such a cruel Jutsu be used on Kakashi..."
Sakumo could no longer hold back his laughter.
"Hahahahahahaha... I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just got carried away... Hahahahahahaha..."
"Na... Naraku..."
Hearing a faint sound, Naraku quickly looked at Kakashi in his arms.
After being shaken a few times, Kakashi regained a little consciousness. He tugged at Naraku's sleeve, his eyes weak but fierce, and gritted out a few words, "Tonight... three super deluxe barbecue feasts... make him broke!"
Naraku lowered his head, his shoulders shaking.
Kakashi heard his barely suppressed gasps escaping through his teeth, sighed, and with an expression of 'what's done is done' indifference, said, "Just laugh if you want to."
"I'm... I'm sorry... it really is... hahaha... hahahahahahaha..."
Naraku hugged Kakashi's shoulders, laughing loudly, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes, unable to stop.
Kakashi looked at the laughing master and disciple, his heart like dead ash, looking up at the clear blue sky, silently comforting himself: It's truly a beautiful day today.