Familiar Stinky Foot Smell

For a period of time, Shin-chan lived a life completely different from before.

After school every day, he no longer followed Might Duy and Might Guy to "Burning Youth." Instead, he carried his wooden sword and went to train with Kakashi and the others.

Hatake Sakumo's teaching style was completely different from Duy's.

Duy's teaching was "Burning Youth" and "Break Through Limits." Simply put, it was to train desperately, and then continue training when you couldn't anymore.

Hatake Sakumo's teaching, however, was systematic and progressive.

"A sword isn't better the faster it's swung, but the more accurately it's swung," Hatake Sakumo said, holding Kakashi's hand and correcting his angle. "Your wrist is too stiff, relax."

"Shin-chan, your sword-swinging posture is fine, but your footwork is unstable." Hatake Sakumo walked behind Shin-chan and gently kicked his heel. "The sword and body must work together; it's not just your hands moving."

It wasn't just Blade Techniques; he also taught them the use of Chakra.

"It's not enough to just refine Chakra," Hatake Sakumo said, standing in front of a large tree. "You must learn to control it, to make it flow according to your will."

He demonstrated Tree Climbing, Water Walking, and concentrating Chakra on the blade.

Shin-chan learned very diligently. These things were much easier to understand than "youth."

He already knew how to refine Chakra, and he had figured out how to concentrate Chakra on his hands and feet when climbing the mountain last time.

What Hatake Sakumo was teaching now was how to make Chakra flow more precisely, how to use it with Blade Techniques, and how to maintain Chakra stability in actual combat.

Shin-chan understood with just a little guidance.

"Try concentrating Chakra on the blade," Hatake Sakumo handed him the wooden sword. "Then gently slice this leaf."

Shin-chan took the sword, closed his eyes, and a warm feeling surged from his belly, flowed down his arm, and then from his hand into the wooden sword.

He then opened his eyes and swung gently.

The leaf split in the middle with a clean, neat cut.

Hatake Sakumo's eyes widened slightly.

Kakashi, watching from the side, also had a flicker of complex light in his eyes.

Days passed.

Shin-chan's progress was astonishingly fast.

His sword swings became steadier, his footwork more agile, and his Chakra control more precise.

Sometimes, when Hatake Sakumo demonstrated a new move, Shin-chan could imitate it with about 80% accuracy after just one viewing.

Hatake Sakumo looked at the Child in Red Clothes, his heart growing increasingly complex.

This child is like Kakashi, a true genius.

A few more days passed. Hatake Sakumo finished teaching new techniques and watched the two children spar under the Sunset.

The sound of Wooden Swords clashing echoed crisply.

Kakashi's attacks were fierce and precise, each strike aimed at vital points.

Shin-chan's defense seemed loose, but he always managed to block perfectly.

No, not perfectly.

It was prediction.

Shin-chan seemed to be able to guess where Kakashi would strike next.

Hatake Sakumo narrowed his eyes.

This child not only had talent but also an innate intuition.

The two sparring stopped, both covered in sweat.

"Shin-chan," Kakashi suddenly spoke, "how did you know I was going to attack the right just now?"

Shin-chan tilted his head and thought, "I don't know. I just had a feeling."

Kakashi fell silent.

In the evening, Shin-chan finished his training as usual and walked home with his Wooden Sword.

He pushed open the Gate of Opening.

A Familiar Stinky Foot Smell rushed towards him.

Shin-chan's nose twitched, and his eyes lit up instantly: "Father!"

Shin-chan kicked off his Shoes and rushed into the living room.

As expected, a man was sitting on the sofa.

He wore a Green Top, his hair was a bit messy, and he had a tired smile on his face. His socks were still on, resting casually on the coffee table.

"I'm back," Nohara Hiroshi said with a smile, opening his arms.

Shin-chan threw himself into his embrace.

"Father."

"Alright, alright, you missed me that much?"

"Yes." Shin-chan nodded vigorously. "You were gone for a long time this time."

"The mission was a bit long." Hiroshi rubbed his head. "Let me see, hmm, you don't seem to have lost weight, and you seem more energetic."

Shin-chan wriggled out of his embrace and said excitedly, "Dad, I'm telling you, I've been learning Blade Techniques recently."

"Blade Techniques?"

"Look." Shin-chan stood still and raised his Wooden Sword, took a deep breath, and then swung it down.

The Wooden Sword flashed, and it stopped steadily in mid-air.

Nohara Hiroshi's eyes widened. "You learned this?"

"Yeah." Shin-chan shook his head proudly. "Kakashi's Father taught me. He's very skilled."

Hiroshi froze.

Kakashi?

Such a familiar name.

Lord Sakumo's son seemed to be called that too.

"Is his name Kakashi Hatake?" Nohara Hiroshi couldn't help but ask.

Shin-chan looked at him with adoration. "Dad, you're amazing! You've never met him, and you know his name."

"So, you're training with Lord Sakumo?"

"Lord Sakumo?" Shin-chan tilted his head. "I don't know about that. It's just Kakashi's Father."

Nohara Hiroshi looked towards Miya, who was standing at the kitchen entrance.

Miya nodded. "Shin-chan has been going there every day recently. He comes back drenched in sweat every day from practicing."

Nohara Hiroshi looked down at Shin-chan, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "Shin-chan, come here."

Shin-chan walked over, and Hiroshi picked him up and placed him on his lap.

"Let Dad take a good look at you."

Shin-chan blinked and sat obediently.

Hiroshi looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"My son has grown up."

"I've always been growing up."

"Not that kind of growing up," Hiroshi patted his head. "It's another kind of growing up. You're learning things, you're persevering, you're making Father proud."

Shin-chan tilted his head. "Father is only proud now?"

Hiroshi froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. "No, no, I've been proud for a long time. It's just that I'm even prouder now."

Miya came out of the kitchen with dishes. "Stop chatting, wash your hands and eat."

"Okay." Shin-chan jumped off Hiroshi's lap and ran to wash his hands.

At the dinner table, Hiroshi turned to look at Miya.

"Miya."

"Hmm?"

"Lord Sakumo, he's a legendary figure in Konoha." Hiroshi's expression was a little complex as he confirmed again, "He's been teaching Shin-chan all this time?"

"That's right." Miya nodded. "He teaches every day and even gave him a Wooden Sword."

Hiroshi put down his chopsticks and was silent for a moment. "Then we have to go thank him."

"You're right. Shin-chan has been going there every day, he must have caused them a lot of trouble."

"And Might Duy too." Hiroshi said. "Shin-chan was training with him at first. Although it was only for a few days, he taught sincerely."

Shin-chan, listening nearby, suddenly asked, "Father, are you going to thank them?"

"Yes." Hiroshi nodded. "They taught you things, so we have to thank them properly. It's polite."

Shin-chan blinked.

"Then do I have to go too?"

"Of course." Hiroshi ruffled his head. "It'll be more sincere if you go too."

Shin-chan thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Okay!"