Zhang Miao had no idea that he had inadvertently left the shadow of a bratty child in the heart of an elite Anbu member. At that moment, he was happily savoring his latest gain.
Ding—Obtained Ninja Fragments x8!
Upon hearing the notification, Zhang Miao thought for a moment and realized that the fragments had come from Takumu of the Cat-Masked Anbu. He blinked in surprise.
"That works too? They're ordinary Ninja Fragments, but wasn't that way too easy? Hmm... looks like I'll have to mess with him a few more times next time!"
With that thought, Zhang Miao's mood inexplicably improved. One arm wrapped around Kakashi's neck, he waved his other hand as he began to sing.
"O youth, listen to me."
"Humans are not something to be wasted."
"There's no need for tomorrow anymore."
"Don't hide the fist you clutch so tightly..."
A white-haired boy carried a red-haired child down the street, while the child sang an impassioned song in his young voice. The sight immediately made people along the road stop to watch, and quite a few of them smiled kindly at the pair.
Kakashi's lips curved into a smile beneath his mask. As he carried Zhang Miao home, he suddenly looked up at the azure sky and narrowed his eyes.
"Teacher Minato, did you see that?"
Zhang Miao did not know what Kakashi was thinking. He simply sang his favorite song with all his might, as though he wanted to shout out all the unhappiness clogging his heart.
Before he could finish, however, Kakashi stopped. Just as Zhang Miao was wondering what was going on, a familiar voice reached his ears.
"Yo! Kakashi! Let's stake our youth on a blazing hot showdown!"
Kakashi: "..."
Zhang Miao: "..."
The one standing before Kakashi and Zhang Miao was a guy dressed in a green jumpsuit, with a bowl cut and two thick, dark eyebrows.
The instant Zhang Miao saw him, he recognized him.
Might Guy!
While Zhang Miao was observing Might Guy, Might Guy also noticed Zhang Miao on Kakashi's back. His eyes immediately lit up.
"Yo, young man on Kakashi's back! I am Konoha's proud Azure Beast, Might Guy! Today, you shall witness the Hot-Blooded Youth showdown between Kakashi and me!"
After saying that, Might Guy gave Zhang Miao a thumbs-up with his right hand and flashed a broad grin. His pearly white teeth glinted with a dazzling flash in the sunlight.
Damn it, he even came with a sparkle effect?
Zhang Miao was speechless. He immediately leaned close to Kakashi's ear and asked softly, "This guy looks pretty troublesome. Can you deal with him quickly?"
Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Kakashi looked somewhat helpless as well.
"I'm afraid not. He's very hard to shake off."
Kakashi's answer did not surprise Zhang Miao. He had seen how troublesome Might Guy was in the anime, but he also knew this guy's weakness from being familiar with the plot.
So he gently patted Kakashi's shoulder again.
"In that case, let me deal with him!"
With that, Zhang Miao slid down from Kakashi's back. Then, under Kakashi's puzzled gaze, he slowly walked up to Might Guy and circled around him once.
As he walked, Zhang Miao looked Might Guy up and down, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.
At that moment, Might Guy was only thirteen years old. Under Zhang Miao's gaze, he immediately began to feel uncomfortable.
"Y-you... what are you looking at?"
Zhang Miao did not answer Might Guy directly. Instead, he returned to Kakashi's side, pointed at Might Guy with a curious expression, and asked, "Brother Kakashi, is this the one you mentioned last time? The tiny beast of Konoha whose little thing is only as big as an acorn—Brother Might Guy?"
Only as big as an acorn? The tiny beast of Konoha?
Hearing Zhang Miao's childish, innocent voice, Might Guy looked as though he had been struck by lightning. He instantly dropped to his knees.
He stared blankly ahead, muttering under his breath.
"Acorn... tiny beast of Konoha... acorn... tiny beast of Konoha..."
Kakashi: "..."
At that moment, Kakashi also recalled the matter of the "acorn."
Back then, Kakashi had just become a Jonin. By chance, he had encountered Might Guy, and that guy had challenged him to a so-called "youthful showdown."
Naturally, Kakashi had ignored such a request, but Might Guy's persistence in pestering him far exceeded his expectations.
Whether Kakashi was eating, bathing, or using the bathroom, this guy would suddenly pop out from some inexplicable place and challenge him to a showdown.
Once, while Kakashi was taking a leak, Might Guy suddenly appeared. Then, he saw Kakashi's "exceptional qualities," while Kakashi saw Might Guy's "acorn."
Kakashi had never told anyone else about this, but judging by Might Guy's current state, he definitely would not listen to any explanation.
Seeing Might Guy like this, Kakashi could not bear it anymore, so he patted his shoulder.
"Guy, um..."
Kakashi had wanted to comfort Might Guy, but he could not think of anything comforting to say.
At that moment, Might Guy came back to his senses. He shoved Kakashi away, then dashed off at full speed while wiping his tears, leaving behind a rolling cloud of dust.
At the same time, his voice drifted back from afar.
"Kakashi, I hate you..."
Kakashi: "..."
I didn't say that!
As Kakashi wore a helpless expression, the familiar system notification sounded in Zhang Miao's mind.
Obtained Five-Star Jonin Might Guy Ninja Fragments x10!
Hearing the notification, Zhang Miao could not help but laugh.
"I didn't expect that to work!"
Although the method he had used was rather awful and might even leave a scar in Might Guy's heart, judging by the number of Ninja Fragments, Might Guy had been thoroughly defeated by him this time.
Thinking of that, Zhang Miao patted Kakashi beside him and grinned.
"The trouble's solved. Let's go back and eat fish!"
"Mm!"
Kakashi answered, then carried Zhang Miao on his back again and continued home.
When they were nearly home, Kakashi could not help asking Zhang Miao, "I don't remember telling you about the acorn. How did you know?"
"Well..."
Of course, Zhang Miao would not tell Kakashi that he had seen it in the anime. After thinking for a while, he finally whispered into Kakashi's ear, "Actually, for people with simple minds, I can see the weaknesses in their hearts at a glance!"
"Uh..."
Hearing Zhang Miao's explanation, Kakashi froze for a moment, but he quickly showed an understanding expression.
Kakashi vividly remembered how Zhang Miao had circled around Might Guy and examined him from every angle.
And when it came to someone simple-minded, was there anyone in all of Konoha with a simpler mind than Might Guy?
Obviously not!
With that thought, Kakashi spoke softly to Zhang Miao. "Ryunosuke, don't tell anyone else about this ability. Also, don't use an ability like this on your companions in the future!"
Seeing that Kakashi did not suspect him at all and was even so concerned about him, Zhang Miao felt both guilty and moved. He hurriedly nodded.
"Okay, I understand. I won't do it again next time!"
"Mm, it's good that you understand. Then let's go home!" With that, Kakashi quickened his pace and carried Zhang Miao toward home.
At the same time, Zhang Miao received another system notification.
Ding—Obtained Five-Star Jonin Kakashi Ninja Fragments x5. Because the host has gained Kakashi's absolute trust, permanently obtained Five-Star Jonin Kakashi Ninja Fragments x10!
Hearing the notification, Zhang Miao immediately broke into a wide grin.
"So this is absolute trust!"
Before you continue