The Third Hokage: Konohamaru, You're Such a Filial Grandson
The Third Hokage was quick to notice Kakashi's petrified expression.
He was afraid Kakashi would throw in the towel like Yamato.
So the Third hurriedly added, "That boy may have a tremendous talent for Ninjutsu, but he's still an unpolished gem."
"He lacks combat experience. He has all that power, but doesn't know how to use it, and his character still needs tempering..."
"Kakashi, he's at the point where he needs a good teacher!"
"And you, having grasped the true essence of a ninja, are undoubtedly the best person to teach him!"
After hearing that, Kakashi felt a sense of mission well up inside him.
After all, he would be training one of Konoha's future super ninjas!
However, he had his doubts about the weaknesses the Third Hokage had attributed to Shinki.
That was because, during this mission, Kakashi had noticed something.
Not only could Shinki use the right Ninjutsu to counter his enemies, but he could also often achieve unexpected results.
More importantly, this guy understood a ninja's use of "deception" and put it into practice to the fullest!
As for his character...
The boy was cautious, but he had never shown fear.
However, he didn't seem to have established a Ninja Way of his own yet and still needed someone to guide him.
After thinking it over, Kakashi decided he would be the one to guide Shinki!
"I understand, Lord Hokage. I'll make sure to train Shinki well!" Kakashi promised.
The Third Hokage breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. You can go back now."
Meanwhile.
At the village entrance.
Shinki was still being held up by several classmates, who kept asking him questions.
Shikamaru wanted to know how Shinki had figured out all those Ninjutsu.
Sakura was asking who was stronger now, Shinki or Sasuke.
Ino, meanwhile, was worried that Shinki must have put in a lot of effort again to learn such difficult Ninjutsu. He ought to take a break and take good care of his body.
Only Choji, standing nearby, had been clutching a bag of potato chips and eating nonstop from beginning to end.
As he ate, Choji remarked casually to Naruto and Sasuke beside him, "Shinki sure is popular."
They were clearly all in the same class.
But the quiet around Naruto and Sasuke stood in stark contrast to the lively crowd around Shinki.
"No! I'm going to start training too! I can't let Shinki get too far ahead of me!" Naruto waved his fist and shouted, fired up.
Sasuke didn't say a word. He just wanted to hurry home and start training.
After Naruto and Sasuke left, Shinki made an excuse that he had something to do and hurriedly slipped away.
The others were left watching him go, lost in thought.
"I knew Shinki could do it."
Ino spoke, genuinely happy for Shinki.
Shikamaru suddenly said from beside her, "He doesn't know how you feel about him yet, does he?"
Ino blushed. With her secret feelings exposed, she hurriedly protested, "What feelings? I don't know what you're talking about! (๑•́ ₃•̀๑)"
Shikamaru pressed a hand to his forehead. "Come on, stop pretending. Your concern and affection for him are practically written all over your face. (||๐_๐)"
Ino: "..."
Shikamaru went on, "That guy's only in his early teens, and he's already learned the incredibly difficult S-rank Forbidden Technique, Flying Thunder God. His future is limitless, and the number of girls who want to be with him will only grow."
"You'd better seize your chance. After all, there are plenty of girls in Konoha who are better than you."
Ino: "Can't you say something nice for once?! (ꐦ ಠ dish ಠ)"
Shikamaru spread his hands. "I'm just telling the truth. ┐(´-｀)┌"
After getting home.
Naruto, who had said he was going to train, flopped down and fell asleep.
That was understandable, though. After all, he had been walking all day.
Shinki, on the other hand, had used Flying Thunder God to travel the whole way and didn't feel very tired, so he took it upon himself to do the cooking.
He planned to make red-braised pork that evening. He hadn't had it in a long time.
So Shinki prepared to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport to the market and buy ingredients.
Shinki's Flying Thunder God Formula was hidden in a secluded corner of the market.
Meanwhile, Konohamaru and his two friends were examining the strange Curse Mark on the wall.
"What's this thing? It looks like a tree, but its shape is a little strange, and it looks kind of familiar."
Konohamaru lay beside the Curse Mark on the wall, a serious look on his face as he spoke.
Beside him, Udon, who wore glasses, said, "It looks like some kind of rune. It feels really mysterious!"
Moegi, the only girl in the trio, said, "Why are you two being so suspicious? It's obviously just some kid's scribble that happens to be shaped like a tree."
"No, I still think it has some kind of special magic, like opening a seal, or letting you learn a powerful Ninjutsu after solving a puzzle," Udon said.
Just then.
Shinki suddenly appeared using the Flying Thunder God Technique!
As soon as he arrived, Shinki felt that something was a little odd between his legs.
He looked down and found Konohamaru lying beneath his crotch!
Shinki: "..."
Konohamaru: "..."
Shinki asked in puzzlement, "Konohamaru, what are you doing under my crotch? (꒪⌓꒪)"
Konohamaru: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
"You're the one who suddenly appeared, Big Brother Shinki!"
Shinki soon realized that Konohamaru had been lying next to the Flying Thunder God Mark he had placed.
That was why he had ended up straddling the boy's head as soon as he teleported over.
Nearby, little Moegi's eyes filled with stars when the handsome Shinki suddenly appeared. "He's so handsome! (´◊ω◊｀) Konohamaru, is this Older Brother your friend?"
Konohamaru climbed up from the ground and introduced him proudly. "This is Big Brother Shinki, the one I always tell you about!"
"Big Brother Shinki is super strong. He's the one who taught me how to use the Rasengan!"
"He's the one who helped you master the Rasengan in a single day? Amazing!"
Udon sniffled, a look of longing on his face.
The light in Moegi's eyes grew even brighter. "Handsome and powerful Brother Shinki..."
Konohamaru remembered something and said excitedly, "Oh, right, Brother Shinki, the Rasengan you taught me is really useful. Once, I suddenly sneak-attacked Grandpa from behind and knocked him flat on the ground!"
Shinki: !!!∑(°Д°ノ)ノ
You actually went through with it!
You're such a filial grandson!
I wonder if the Third will take it out on me because of this...
Shinki glanced at the three children and walked toward a vegetable stall on his own. "All right, I can't chat anymore. I need to buy ingredients and cook."
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had spent all day reviewing documents. He pounded his aching lower back and coughed twice.
His secretary hurriedly asked from beside him, "Lord Hokage, haven't the injuries Konohamaru gave you a few days ago healed yet?"
The Third Hokage squinted with his pipe in his mouth and said, "Yes. That boy suddenly sneak-attacked me with a Rasengan, and my back has been aching for a long time... I'm old and useless now..."