Kakashi's Absolute Recognition

Zhang Miao had never expected to be able to collect fragments of a Nine-Star Ninja from Naruto.

According to the strength classifications provided by the system, excluding ordinary zero-star civilians, one to four stars corresponded to Ninja Academy Students, Genin, Chunin, and Special Jonin. These four ranks could only be considered the "beginner stage."

The three ranks from five to seven stars corresponded to Jonin, Elite Jonin, and ordinary Kage Level respectively. This was the Recruitment System's "intermediate stage."

Only the three ranks of eight, nine, and ten stars could be called the advanced stage!

For example, super-Kage-level powerhouses and Tailed Beasts were all Eight-Star. Powerhouses at this level could casually wield the power to destroy heaven and earth; their strength could not be underestimated.

Nine-Star was even more incredible. According to the system's explanation, the Sage of Six Paths and the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki belonged to this rank. That alone showed just how terrifying Nine-Star Ninjas were.

As for Ten-Star, the system had never explained it to Zhang Miao, and he had never asked. Still, in his view, powerhouses at that level probably could no longer be called ninjas.

They should be called "gods"!

Thus, being able to collect Nine-Star Ninja Fragments was undoubtedly tremendous news for Zhang Miao.

Most importantly, these fragments came far too easily. It was practically the same as picking them up for free!

The fragment's name given by the system had been "Nine-Star Ninja Naruto Uzumaki (Asura) Fragment." Zhang Miao guessed that if he collected all the fragments, the ninja he recruited should be Naruto at the peak of Six Paths Sage Mode.

Because only Naruto in that state could truly be considered Nine-Star!

Unfortunately, he received far too few fragments each time. Zhang Miao had slapped Naruto into tears twice, yet only obtained two fragments. Meanwhile, recruiting a Nine-Star Ninja required a staggering 6,400 fragments!

In other words, Zhang Miao would need to keep slapping Naruto into tears every day for seventeen and a half years before he could recruit this Nine-Star Six Paths Naruto.

Damn it, by then even the Fourth Great Ninja War would be over. What the hell would be the point of recruiting him?

On the other hand, the Nine-Tails was especially generous. It gave five fragments at a time. Two slaps over the past two days had already gotten him ten fragments!

"Could it be that the Nine-Tails especially likes watching me hit Naruto?"

Zhang Miao felt that was highly likely.

But that was not important. What mattered was that the Nine-Tails was Eight-Star and only required 3,200 fragments to recruit. If he could get five Kurama Fragments every time, then he could recruit him in just two years!

Zhang Miao did not consider how useful a Nine-Tails completely loyal to him would be. What he considered was that if he successfully recruited the Nine-Tails, then according to the system's rules, he would also gain an equal amount of Chakra.

That was what Zhang Miao wanted most!

Zhang Miao had already made up his mind. Even if it was only for Nine-Tails-level Chakra, he would keep beating Naruto for two years!

One slap a day! Rain or shine! Never miss a day!

Idiots were generally tougher anyway. They could take a beating!

"For the Nine-Tails' nearly limitless Chakra, foolish little brother, prepare to receive your big brother's loving lashings! Wahahahaha!"

Thinking of that, Zhang Miao could not help bursting into wild laughter.

At that moment, Kakashi had just finished preparing the fish. Seeing Zhang Miao lying on the tatami and laughing madly, he raised an eyebrow, and his lifeless dead-fish eyes opened slightly.

"Stop laughing. Time to eat!"

By now, Kakashi was no longer particularly surprised by Zhang Miao's strange behavior.

In Kakashi's view, Zhang Miao, who possessed "precognitive abilities," must have seen things ordinary people could not. Some of those things might have included amusing scenes, so it was not strange for Zhang Miao to act like this.

Kakashi was considerate, so he said nothing and asked nothing. He simply ate his fish quietly while keeping an eye on Zhang Miao's plate. Whenever he noticed it was empty, he pushed another plate of fish in front of Zhang Miao.

After wolfing down several fish, Zhang Miao let out a burp, patted his belly, and wore a deeply satisfied expression.

"Burp... My stomach's so full, feels great. Oh, right, Kakashi, don't you have any missions these days?"

"Mm!" Hearing Zhang Miao's question, Kakashi immediately nodded. "They've all been minor missions lately. They can manage without me!"

"Oh!"

Zhang Miao thought about it. With Kakashi's skills, ordinary minor missions truly did not require him to act, so he nodded as well.

"That's true. With an expert like you around, your teammates must have it a lot easier!"

The moment he said that, Zhang Miao regretted it, because he realized he seemed to have said the wrong thing.

After all, Kakashi had once lost two important teammates. Wasn't he poking right at the wound?

Thinking that, Zhang Miao secretly glanced at Kakashi and found that his expression was indeed somewhat off.

This is bad!

Just as Zhang Miao thought that, Kakashi's calm voice sounded beside him.

"Hey... Ryunosuke, do you think the village's missions are more important, or are comrades more important?"

Hearing Kakashi's question, Zhang Miao froze.

He's giving me the choice question this quickly?

But Zhang Miao reacted very quickly. Familiar with Kakashi's past and the plot of Naruto, he gave his answer in less than three seconds.

"Of course comrades are more important!"

Zhang Miao stood up and stared at Kakashi, his little face filled with seriousness.

"Missions are dead, but people are alive. The losses from a failed mission can always be made up somehow, but once a comrade is lost, they can never be brought back. Anyone who does not value their comrades is trash!"

The moment Zhang Miao finished speaking, he noticed Kakashi raise his head from across the table.

"As expected, that's what you think?"

At the same time, Zhang Miao received a system notification.

"Obtained Five-Star Ninja Kakashi Fragment x5!"

Hearing the notification, Zhang Miao immediately knew he had once again made the right choice, and a smile appeared on his face.

"That's right, that's exactly what I think. And I also think your father, Hatake Sakumo, known as the 'Konoha White Fang,' was a great ninja worthy of respect!"

As he said this, Zhang Miao's face filled with admiration.

"He possessed such great strength, yet he was willing to abandon a mission to save his comrades, then bear all the blame alone. Only a man like that deserves the title of hero. Although many people do not acknowledge him now, I believe that one day, he will earn everyone's recognition and respect!"

Having just received five Kakashi Fragments, Zhang Miao was in a great mood and naturally did not mind saying a few good things about Hatake Sakumo to make Kakashi happy.

After all, helping others was the source of happiness!

But what Zhang Miao did not expect was that his momentary act of kindness would soon bring him a reward beyond anything he could imagine.

"Ding—Kakashi's absolute recognition obtained. From now on, whenever the host spends time with this ninja, the host will receive the full daily amount of 10 Ninja Fragments from this ninja!"

Hearing the system notification, Zhang Miao's mouth fell open, his face full of delight.

"This time, I've really struck it rich!"