Shinki's Hidden Strength, Kakashi's Shock

Sakura and Ino, who were standing nearby, also looked stricken when they heard Naruto say "Flying Thunder God."

Though they had been born too late to witness the Fourth Hokage in his prime, they had heard a little about the Forbidden Technique known as Flying Thunder God!

"Shinki... did you sneak a look at the Scroll of Seals?"

Despite her shock, Sakura quickly noticed something was wrong and asked.

The Flying Thunder God Technique was recorded in the Scroll of Seals, which ordinary people couldn't even get a look at.

And since Shinki had learned it, he must have seen the Scroll of Seals.

If that was the case, Shinki was in trouble.

Secretly learning a forbidden technique from the Scroll of Seals was a serious crime!

Even Ino, who liked Shinki, asked worriedly, "Shinki, you didn't really..."

Naruto scratched his head. "What Scroll of Seals? Shinki developed this Ninjutsu himself!"

Naruto had witnessed the entire process of Shinki developing and testing the Flying Thunder God Technique, so he answered with a calm expression.

"You're kidding!"

Shikamaru, Ino, and Sakura said in unison.

It was hard enough for a normal person to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, let alone figure it out on their own!

The three of them then turned to Kakashi-sensei.

When Kakashi-sensei didn't contradict Naruto, a frightening thought occurred to them.

Had he really developed it himself?!

(꒪⌓꒪), ⊙▽⊙, Σ( ° △ °|||)︴

This was already beyond the understanding of normal ninjas!

Developing a forbidden technique—wasn't he nearly on par with the Second Hokage of the past?!

But they had forgotten that the Second Hokage, who had developed numerous forbidden techniques, had already been in his early twenties when he developed the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Shinki, on the other hand, wasn't even thirteen!

They all drew in a sharp breath.

They were all students from the same year!

Why had Shinki already learned an incredibly difficult S-rank Ninjutsu and managed to exchange a few blows with a Kirigakure Jonin?!

After giving Shinki a helpless look, Kakashi left first. "All right, you can keep chatting. I have to report the mission to Lord Hokage."

The Hokage's Office.

Kakashi knocked and entered, finding an Anbu member kneeling on one knee in the Hokage's Office, having just finished reporting a mission.

When the Anbu member saw Kakashi push the door open, he greeted him warmly. "Kakashi-senpai."

"Yamato."

Kakashi nodded to the masked Anbu member.

Kakashi had worked in the Hokage's Anbu for many years, so it was only natural that he knew a few Anbu members.

Besides, Yamato had once been Kakashi's subordinate.

When the Third Hokage saw Kakashi push the door open, he greeted him. "You're back, Kakashi. Here to report on the mission, I assume?"

"In that case, Lord Hokage, I'll be going," Yamato said tactfully.

"No need. Stay and listen too."

The Third Hokage waved a hand, indicating that Yamato didn't need to be so careful. "Shinki, your former student, is on Team 7, which Kakashi is in charge of."

Yamato: ∑(°Д°)

Of course I know Kakashi-senpai is Shinki's teacher now.

But I really don't want to know anything about how Shinki's been doing lately!

It's too much to take!

Kakashi froze for a moment after hearing the Third's words. "Yamato used to teach Shinki? How come I didn't know?"

A question popped into Kakashi's head!

There were plenty of teachers who could teach Shinki Ninjutsu, so why did it have to be Yamato?!

Unless it was because... there were things only Yamato could teach!

Wood Release!!!

d(ŐдŐ๑)

Kakashi could no longer remain calm!

A terrifying thought occurred to him!

Yamato was the only ninja in Konoha who could use Wood Release!!

So what Yamato had taught Shinki was very likely Wood Release!!

The Third Hokage, seated at his desk, answered Kakashi's earlier question. "It's normal that you didn't know. This was done in great secrecy. Yamato and I were the only ones in Konoha who knew about it. You're the third."

After hearing the Third's explanation, Kakashi grew more certain of his guess.

But it was too outrageous, too unbelievable!!

Kakashi wanted to ask.

But he decided to report on the mission first.

Kakashi then gave a detailed report of everything that had happened during their trip to the Land of Waves.

Yamato, who was listening nearby, wanted to leave, but the Third had already asked him to stay.

So he could only kneel to one side and listen as Kakashi described the astonishing things Shinki had done along the way.

But even though Yamato had already prepared himself, he was still utterly shocked to hear that Shinki had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique and release techniques of various natures!

o((⊙﹏⊙))o.

Monster!!

He can actually use an ordinary C-rank Ninjutsu with the power of an A-rank Ninjutsu!

Even more outrageous, he apparently figured out the Summoning Technique on his own?!

And on his first mission this difficult, the kid stayed fearless in the face of danger and fought the Demon Zabuza himself!

As for the Third Hokage sitting in front of them.

After hearing Kakashi recount the mission with all its twists and turns.

His pupils likewise shook in shock!

He had mastered release techniques of every nature and was known as the Professor of Ninjutsu.

But the kid Shinki's understanding of release techniques of various natures seemed to surpass even his!

The Third hurriedly asked, "Did he really use a Dragon Fire Technique powerful enough to destroy half a forest? And he used Fire Style to melt an Ice Release ninja's ice mirrors?!"

"Yes."

Kakashi nodded with a wry smile. "The most frustrating part is that on our way back to the village, he also learned the 'Earth Release: Fang Pursuit Technique' I demonstrated, in less than ten minutes! I didn't give him a single pointer the whole time! (ー_ー)!!"

Third Hokage: |o(*°▽°*)o

Yamato: (*.＞Д＜)o゜

Kakashi changed the subject. "Right, there's something I've been meaning to ask. Third Hokage, what did you have Yamato teach Shinki?"

Although he already had a vague idea of the answer, some things needed a definite answer from the Hokage.

The Third spread his hands. "What else? Wood Release. ┐(´-｀)┌"

"But I warned the kid not to use Wood Release unless his life was in danger."

Kakashi: ⊙ω⊙

Although he had already guessed the answer.

When the Third Hokage actually said it.

Kakashi still froze on the spot!

Wood Release!!!

"Gulp~"

Kakashi swallowed uncontrollably.

So the kid was still holding back during the mission!!

Even at such a critical moment, he kept Wood Release up his sleeve and didn't use it!!

Good grief!

A super ninja who can use Wood Release and Flying Thunder God!!

Wait!

Kakashi thought of something else that didn't add up. "That sea of trees that suddenly appeared in the village a while ago... don't tell me that was..."

Yamato and the Third Hokage nodded at the same time. "That's right. The kid used 'Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence.'"

Kakashi: (*´◐∀◐`*)

Does a student like that really need me to teach him?!

With strength like his, couldn't he lead a team on his own without any trouble?!