Meeting Kurama

At the border of the Land of Fire, Yamei's figure appeared in an instant.

A closer look would reveal a Flying Thunder God Mark bearing the words "ancestor riding your face!" carved into a stone along the coast.

As he sped along the road back to Konoha, Yamei left Flying Thunder God Marks at several locations while organizing the status panel from this harvest:

Name: Hyakawa Yamei

Attributes: Wind, Fire, Lightning, Water, Earth, Yin, Yang.

Genjutsu: Mist Veil Moon

Taijutsu: Art of a Hundred Refinements

Swordsmanship: Hyakawa Swordsmanship

Secret Techniques: Empathy; Shadow

Bloodline: Hyakawa Bloodline

Fuinjutsu: Myriad Gods Seal

Kekkei Genkai: Mangekyo, Byakugan, Scorch Release, Ice Release

Ninjutsu: Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Rasengan, Flying Thunder God Technique... (Too lazy to list the rest. In any case, he could use them freely enough.)

Yamei reached into the empty air, and an icicle swiftly condensed in his right hand. After sensing it slightly, he nodded in satisfaction.

"The hardness is decent, and its temperature is extremely low. It's far more powerful than ordinary ninjutsu."

With a thought from Yamei, an orange-red sphere appeared above his left hand.

It did not seem dangerous at first glance, yet it contained a terrifying temperature.

He casually inserted the icicle into the sphere, and it instantly melted into vapor and dissipated.

"Not bad." Yamei grinned, the smile lingering on his face for a long time.

He had already imagined alternating Scorch Release and Ice Release over the blade of his sword. The extreme cold and heat would both be utterly exhilarating!

Taking his time, Yamei returned to Konoha three days later.

The day after his return, Sasuke came knocking, his eyes full of stubborn resolve. "Yamei, please fight me!"

Yamei looked at Sasuke strangely.

Did this guy really think that awakening the Sharingan and gaining a little strength meant he could fight him now?

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

A flash of hatred passed through Sasuke's eyes. "I must kill that man!"

"As someone he praised so highly, I want to know the exact gap between us! Yamei, please fight me with everything you have!"

"You don't want to recognize the gap between you. Your hatred for him has clouded your mind! You even want to erase every trace of his existence!"

Yamei stared at him coldly as a terrifying surge of Chakra erupted from his body, pressing down like a mountain!

In an instant, Sasuke's entire body stiffened, cold sweat dripping endlessly from him!

I'll die! I'll die!

He could not withstand even a single attack from Yamei!

Every part of his body screamed a warning at that moment, and his face turned slightly pale with fear.

"I originally thought you were a genius." As he spoke, Yamei looked at Sasuke with pity. "I never thought you were just a pitiful wretch blinded by hatred."

Sasuke, who had been stunned by Yamei's strength, suddenly looked awful. He glared at Yamei. "What right do you have to judge me?! You don't understand anything!"

"Heh, you're right, I don't understand. But I know one thing: the best way to eliminate fear is to face it!"

As he spoke, Yamei withdrew his Chakra pressure and stared into those trembling eyes. "Don't make me look down on you."

"Face him..."

Sasuke's body suddenly trembled. His previously scattered gaze gradually regained its focus, until it was filled with determination. "Can you make me stronger?"

Yamei shook his head. "I can't make you stronger. The only person who can make you stronger is yourself."

"You've awakened the Sharingan now, right?"

"I have."

Sasuke nodded, and his pupils shifted into a pair of one-tomoe Sharingan.

Yamei's mouth twitched. Although he had known beforehand, seeing it still felt somewhat surreal.

"Next, I'll teach you some genjutsu and swordsmanship, as well as how to coordinate taijutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu, and swordsmanship in battle!"

"But whether you can become strong depends solely on your own determination and perseverance. I can't control that."

"I understand!" Sasuke nodded.

The next day, the five regulars of the training ground appeared.

After assigning tasks to Hinata and Ino, Yamei brought Sasuke and Naruto to another training ground.

Poof!

A shadow clone instantly appeared beside him and looked at Sasuke. "I'll test your strength first."

"I'll suppress my strength. Your goal now is to last three minutes against me!"

"I'll definitely last!" Sasuke said firmly.

"That's not certain." Yamei's shadow clone chuckled and led Sasuke off to one side.

"Huh? Yamei, what about me?" Naruto pointed at himself in confusion.

"You? Keep practicing water walking and tree climbing." Yamei rolled his eyes at him.

Although he had already taught Naruto the Rasengan and a Wind Release ninjutsu,

the influence of Kurama still left Naruto's Chakra control lacking.

"Fine..." Naruto drooped his head.

Yamei chuckled at the sight, his gaze seeming to pierce through the seal within Naruto's body and see Kurama lying in the sealing space.

Kurama, who had been lying there in boredom, suddenly shifted his eyes toward Yamei, surprise rising in his heart.

"This guy... has gotten stronger again! How can a ninja with such talent exist?!"

Kurama could observe the outside world through Naruto, so he could naturally sense Yamei's presence.

"Little fox, are you looking at me?"

Suddenly, a teasing voice rang beside Kurama's ear.

"Brat!! How did you get in here?!"

Kurama stared at Yamei, who stood before him, in shock.

"I just came in like this."

Yamei spread his hands and glanced around before shaking his head. "Your living conditions really need some improvement. Later, I'll see if I can get Naruto to help you change them?"

"Hmph! Do you think I'm someone who needs your pity?" Kurama snorted arrogantly.

"Old man? Little fox, don't use that kind of term in front of me from now on..." Yamei's eyes shifted, and the Mangekyo appeared.

"H-How is that possible... How can you have those eyes?!" Kurama was shocked, but immediately became doubtful again.

"No... it isn't just the Sharingan... Strange... Why is there the aura of the Byakugan...?"

"Enough. I know you've suffered here, but don't interfere with Naruto's Chakra. I quite like that kid." Yamei waved his hand, and his figure vanished from the sealing space.

When he opened his eyes again, Yamei smiled as he watched Naruto train diligently.

Over the past two years following him, Naruto had changed greatly...

At the very least, he no longer talked about becoming Hokage every single day...

Yamei then looked toward Sasuke, who was getting beaten up on the other side...

His taijutsu performance was fairly good. With Lightning Release and Fire Release ninjutsu woven in between, he was actually beginning to look decent.

Seeing the two of them settle into their training, Yamei returned to Hinata and Ino and guided their training hand in hand.

What was so interesting about watching two boys? Were Hinata and Ino not much better?

As Yamei returned to his usual routine, time swiftly passed, and the annual graduation season finally arrived.