Uchiha Sasuke was defeated.
This was no surprise to Kakashi.
Su Yu had passed the Chunin exam arranged by the Anbu, so he was definitely stronger than the three of them.
He had wanted them to see that for themselves, to stir up their dissatisfaction and make them work harder.
Su Yu had defeated Uchiha Sasuke.
Haruno Sakura had been trapped by the Water Prison Technique.
Naruto Uzumaki had managed to defeat a Shadow Clone, but only by using a Shadow Clone of his own.
In a real fight, Naruto Uzumaki's Shadow Clones would be a serious problem.
Even Su Yu couldn't defeat Naruto Uzumaki without using the Byakugan or Sharingan.
The Multi Shadow Clone Technique proved the truth of the saying that there was strength in numbers.
"That's enough," Kakashi said.
"Teacher Kakashi, I can still—"
"Naruto, if that had been a real enemy, Sasuke would already be dead. Sakura would be the perfect way to threaten you. In that situation, would you keep fighting or let me go?" Su Yu interrupted Naruto Uzumaki.
Naruto Uzumaki opened his mouth, but said nothing.
Haruno Sakura lowered her head.
Uchiha Sasuke's face was full of frustration.
Kakashi looked at Su Yu with a hint of approval.
"Uchiha Sasuke, your Taijutsu is too weak. Naruto has the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, making him the perfect opponent for you. Use your Sharingan to keep fighting Naruto and build up your combat experience. That's how you'll get stronger.
"Naruto, what you need to do is simple: use your Taijutsu and Shadow Clone Technique to teach him a lesson.
"Sakura, do you want to learn Medical Ninjutsu?" Su Yu gave them his advice, then turned to Haruno Sakura.
Kakashi was taken aback, and his admiration for Su Yu grew.
From just a brief exchange, Su Yu had been able to identify their weaknesses. Someone like him really did belong in the Anbu.
Haruno Sakura's heart stirred at Su Yu's words.
Medical Ninjutsu really was the most direct way to help her teammates.
"I've been learning Medical Ninjutsu lately, so I should be able to teach you the basics. If you want to learn, I can show you," Su Yu said, dispelling his Shadow Clone.
"I want to learn," Haruno Sakura replied without hesitation.
Su Yu looked at Kakashi.
"You can arrange your time however you like outside of missions," Kakashi said lazily.
"Su Yu, I want to learn Taijutsu from you too," Naruto Uzumaki said, raising his hand.
"Once you beat Uchiha Sasuke, you can challenge me." Su Yu rolled his eyes.
There was no need to say what Naruto Uzumaki was thinking. Su Yu couldn't even be bothered to call him out on it.
"Well, I'm off. Do whatever you like," Kakashi said, then left with the Body Flicker Technique.
Uchiha Sasuke got to his feet, glanced at Su Yu, then turned to Naruto Uzumaki.
"Dead last, come with me."
"I'm not the dead last!" Naruto Uzumaki snapped.
Then he waved to Haruno Sakura and chased after Uchiha Sasuke.
"Su Yu, I'm in your hands," Haruno Sakura said, bowing to him.
"Don't be so formal. We'll figure it out together." Su Yu waved a hand.
When he got back to his front door,
Su Yu immediately spotted Hinata Hyuga standing outside his house.
Hinata Hyuga was just about to leave.
She turned around and saw Su Yu with Haruno Sakura.
"Did you bring me some food?" Su Yu asked, coming over to Hinata Hyuga and looking at the food box in her hands.
Hinata Hyuga blushed and nodded.
"I'll be staying home for the next two weeks, working on Medical Ninjutsu with Sakura. If you have time, you can come by every day," Su Yu said softly.
"Okay." Hinata Hyuga looked delighted.
Haruno Sakura watched them, feeling envious.
Su Yu opened the door.
The two girls walked into the courtyard.
"Wait in the living room. I'll make you some hot tea," Su Yu told them, then went into the kitchen.
Hinata Hyuga and Haruno Sakura went into the living room and sat at the low table.
Haruno Sakura looked at Hinata Hyuga, who had her head lowered, unsure what to say.
Hinata Hyuga kept her head down, but she was very happy.
Her father had told her she could come see Su Yu whenever she had time. He had even specifically reminded her to bring some homemade food.
Su Yu hadn't been home the last few times.
At last, she had a chance to let him try the food she'd made herself.
The living room was quiet for a few minutes.
Then Su Yu came in with the hot tea.
He placed three cups in front of them.
Su Yu sat between the two girls.
Hinata Hyuga opened the food box and gently pushed it toward Su Yu, watching him expectantly.
Seeing the box filled with food, Su Yu began tasting each dish.
Only after he'd tried everything did he look up.
"It tastes good. You're just missing miso soup. Can you stay tonight? I'd like to try your homemade miso soup for breakfast tomorrow."
"Huh?" Hinata Hyuga's face turned red.
Haruno Sakura stared at Su Yu in surprise.
"I'm just kidding, silly." Su Yu reached out and patted Hinata Hyuga's head.
Hinata Hyuga lowered her head, burning with embarrassment.
Haruno Sakura felt even more envious.
"This is a Medical Ninjutsu scroll, along with some notes on my own understanding of it." Su Yu handed Haruno Sakura a scroll and a notebook.
"Thank you, Su Yu. Could I... could I take these home to study?" Haruno Sakura asked, stealing a glance at Hinata Hyuga.
It was obvious she wanted to leave them some time alone together.
"Study here. If there's anything you don't understand, write it down first. You can ask me when I have time," Su Yu said, shaking his head.
"Yes." Haruno Sakura blushed slightly.
Su Yu took Hinata Hyuga's hand.
"Let's go sit in the courtyard. We shouldn't disturb Sakura."
"Okay." Hinata Hyuga's face flushed. Too embarrassed to look at either Su Yu or Haruno Sakura, she kept her head down and let Su Yu lead her by the hand.
Haruno Sakura watched them leave the living room, envy written all over her face.
"If only Sasuke-kun would treat me like that..."
As she thought about it, her face grew even redder.
In the courtyard,
Su Yu and Hinata Hyuga sat on the veranda.
Hinata Hyuga stared off to the side. She was so shy that she couldn't bring herself to look at Su Yu.
"Does the Hyuga Clan Head know you're here?" Su Yu asked.
"He... he does," Hinata Hyuga replied in a tiny voice.
"And the Hyuga Clan Head was the one who told you to bring that food, wasn't he?" Su Yu asked, looking at Hinata Hyuga.
"Mm." She lowered her head even further.
"Is the Hyuga Clan Head trying to hint at something?" Su Yu leaned closer to Hinata Hyuga.
"I... I don't know." Hinata Hyuga's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.
Su Yu reached out and lifted her chin, making her look at him.
Then he leaned closer.
Hinata Hyuga shut her eyes, blushing with embarrassment.
A moment later,
Su Yu kissed her forehead.
Hinata Hyuga's face felt scorching hot, but she still didn't open her eyes.
"If you don't open your eyes soon, I'm going to carry you to my room," Su Yu whispered.
Hinata Hyuga hurriedly opened her eyes.
She saw Su Yu smiling at her with a knowing look.
Hinata Hyuga lowered her head again.
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