You Regret My Shadow

"What... is that?"

From Kakashi's perspective, amidst the dim, pouring rain, a blue-white flash of lightning was enveloping Akiyama Shun.

Wild bolts of lightning erupted wantonly, flickering and jumping uncontrollably like a trapped beast, occasionally tearing out several ferocious chains of electricity that shredded the surrounding air.

The leaping electric light illuminated Akiyama Shun's face, casting shifting shadows that flickered across his features.

The scene unfolding before him left Kakashi stunned; for a moment, he even forgot to circulate his chakra or weave any hand seals.

However, while Kakashi remained frozen, Akiyama Shun had no intention of standing idly by after unleashing the Chidori.

In the next second, Akiyama Shun lowered his body and moved.

His speed was already far from slow, and with the addition of the Chidori—which used lightning-style chakra to stimulate his muscles—the boost to his speed became truly terrifying!

In Kakashi's field of vision, the moment Akiyama Shun lowered his stance, he appeared right before his eyes!

Of course, Akiyama Shun wasn't there to kill Kakashi, so he certainly wouldn't let Kakashi end up like a Konoha ghost.

From the very start of his dash, Akiyama Shun had deliberately adjusted his angle.

At this moment, Akiyama Shun brushed past the stunned Kakashi, the sharp, piercing cry of the Chidori flashing past Kakashi's ear.

Ultimately, under Akiyama Shun's precise control, the Chidori struck a large tree not far behind Kakashi.

To the Chidori, the thick trunk was no different from paper; the moment Akiyama Shun made contact, the tree was easily pierced through by the power of the technique!

"Hoo~"

As the Chidori dissipated, Akiyama Shun exhaled, pulled his arm back, and turned to look at Kakashi.

Kakashi was now sitting on the ground with his back to him, breathing heavily.

However, after the anger and shock Akiyama Shun had put him through, the look in his eyes was at least no longer lifeless.

Akiyama Shun picked up his umbrella first, then walked over to Kakashi's side.

"It seems you're doing much better after a fight. To ensure you don't face such dilemmas in the future, you must strive to become stronger."

"By the way, I won't be going to the academy anymore. The pace of growth there is too slow; I plan to apply for early graduation."

After saying this, Akiyama Shun patted Kakashi on the shoulder and walked away.

Not until Akiyama Shun's figure had completely vanished from sight did Kakashi silently stand up.

He brushed the mud off his clothes, but finding it wouldn't come off, he gave up and walked home in silence.

Hokage Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen realized more profoundly than ever that there is a gap even among geniuses.

Ever since Hatake Sakumo committed suicide, Sarutobi Hiruzen had been worried about Kakashi, so he had been keeping a watch via his Crystal Ball. Thus, he had witnessed the entire encounter between Akiyama Shun and Kakashi.

The scene of Akiyama Shun using the Chidori kept replaying in Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind.

He was honored as the Professor of Ninjutsu, and he possessed absolute confidence in his understanding of ninjutsu; the technique Akiyama Shun had just used was something he had never seen before.

That left only one possibility: a self-created ninjutsu!

Just thinking of that term made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel a sense of disbelief.

Many people had the ability to create their own ninjutsu, but the vast majority were useless techniques—some were barely even worthy of being called ninjutsu at all.

But Akiyama Shun's performance just now was different.

With the discerning eye of the Professor of Ninjutsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen could see the core of the Chidori at a glance!

It was undoubtedly an A-rank ninjutsu!

High speed, extreme piercing power!

However, due to the excessive speed, it might lead to issues like difficulty in changing direction or an inability to track enemy movements.

But...

Sarutobi Hiruzen thought of Akiyama Shun's past performance, and the face that had been deep in thought suddenly broke into a smile.

For that child, were those problems really problems at all?

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was pondering, the door to the Hokage Office was pushed open with a "bang."

"Danzō, why are you here?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned at the other man's habit of entering without knocking, but he didn't say anything.

"Hiruzen, once Akiyama Shun graduates, hand him over to me!"

Shimura Danzō walked up to the desk, braced his hands on the surface, and got straight to the point.

Facing Shimura Danzō's request, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face remained expressionless as he took a puff from his pipe: "I will not hand that child Akiyama Shun over to you; he is not suited for your Root."

"No! You are mistaken! He is the most suitable person for the Root!"

As soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, Shimura Danzō raised his voice to retort, his tone quickening.

"You have no idea how perfectly that child fits the Root! You already know how terrifying his talent is. If he trains using the methods of the Root, his full potential can be stimulated to the maximum! He is the fourth ninja alongside Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade! He might even be stronger!"

"Or take that ninjutsu he just used: the speed! The piercing power! The very first ninjutsu he created is an extreme killing technique—how is that not suitable for Root? Is it supposed to be suitable for the Anbu?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen kept his eyes closed, exhaling a cloud of smoke after listening to Danzō's words.

"No, Danzō. It is precisely because of this child's talent that he must not go to Root. You can see it from the speed at which he learned the Mystical Palm Technique; his talent isn't just in combat, it is all-encompassing! Root would only restrict his versatility and lower his potential ceiling!"

"Furthermore, that child's Will of Fire is practically perfect. This isn't just about his written exam answers; his own actions prove everything. When Might Guy was being bullied, he took the initiative to stand up for him. When Kakashi was in a bad mood, he found his own way to comfort him. Even when a regular female classmate from his grade asked to learn Konoha Style Swordsmanship, he didn't refuse, but instead patiently taught her."

"A child like this is absolutely not suited for the Anbu. He is better suited to stand in the light, where those around him will naturally feel his warmth—whether it be his classmates, Yuhi Shinku, or even... Tsunade."

Seeing the resolute look in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes and hearing him mention Tsunade, Shimura Danzō pulled his hands back from the desk, glaring at Sarutobi Hiruzen through gritted teeth.

"You will regret this, Hiruzen!"

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally lost his temper completely. A massive surge of chakra began to leak out, causing his Hokage robe to billow without a breeze.

"Danzō, I am the Hokage!"

"It is I who guides this village! Not you!"

When the keyword "Hokage" was uttered, memories of the past flooded his mind, and Shimura Danzō's expression darkened completely.

"Hmph!"

Shimura Danzō chose not to argue any further; he turned around and left, slamming the door behind him.

"Bang!"