We Can Support You Too!

However.

"Next time, I'll definitely be able to fight alongside you!"

Kurenai Yuhi promised resolutely.

She wasn't angry that they'd kept things from her. She was angry because she'd been powerless to help.

Kakashi fell silent.

The earlier scene still played in his mind as he went over the battle again and again.

A Mist Village Jonin. A Hozuki prodigy.

Even after two and a half years as a ninja, chances to fight someone like that were few and far between.

As he thought it over, he realized—

Kyohiko's speed and reflexes had both improved considerably. Today in particular, his reaction time and striking speed were several notches better than before.

Or perhaps—

Was his control over his speed simply better than before?

Thinking of his own difficulties, Kakashi's thoughts stirred. He hesitated for a while, then finally spoke.

He was much less arrogant now than he'd been at the beginning.

Besides—

Although the person before him had started later than he had, the talent he'd shown was no less impressive.

There was nothing shameful about discussing things or asking for advice.

Losing a fight and dying on the battlefield—that was what would be shameful.

"Kyohiko, could I ask how you train your reflexes?"

"My reflexes?"

Kyohiko thought for a moment. "I hung more than a dozen sandbags in the courtyard, then used their unpredictable swings to train myself to listen for movement, judge its direction, and react. I can't tell yet if it's working."

"It must be working. Your reflexes and control over your speed are much better than before. I'll try the same method when I get back. Thanks, Kyohiko."

Kakashi said.

After getting an answer, he thought for a moment and settled on how he would repay him.

"Are you serious about training with a blade?"

"Of course I am. My idol is the Second Hokage. I heard he trained with a blade too, so I want to do the same. Besides, training with a blade really has helped me make new progress."

Kyohiko replied.

The dead really are so useful!

Whether or not the Second Hokage had said it, whether or not Kyohiko truly admired him, no one would question it as long as he pinned it on Senju Tobirama.

At least Kakashi wouldn't doubt him.

Kakashi nodded.

"When we get back to the village, I'll give you one of my father's old swords. You can only learn the real thing with a real blade."

He paused, then quickly added, "It's not a Chakra Weapon, just an ordinary samurai sword. But it'll work fine for training and everyday use. If you don't mind..."

"How could I mind?"

Kyohiko was thrilled.

Although this was no longer the age of the samurai, a decent, dependable sword was expensive and hard to come by. He couldn't afford one yet.

After thinking it over, he said, "I'll borrow it from you. Once I have enough money, I'll pay you back."

"No need."

Kakashi shook his head. "I can't use that many swords by myself, and they're no use just sitting around. Pick whichever one suits you best when the time comes."

"Sounds good."

Kyohiko thought for a moment, then didn't press the issue.

It wasn't as if they were discussing the throne and had to refuse three times before accepting.

Exchanging ideas with Kakashi and helping each other improve would be better than anything.

"I think we should do what Kyohiko suggested earlier and keep holding regular knowledge-sharing sessions so we can all improve together," Kurenai Yuhi said.

"Like a library?" Kakashi chimed in.

Kyohiko seemed to suddenly remember something and suggested, "A single tree can't make a forest, and one leaf can't kindle Konoha's fire. I don't think something this worthwhile should be limited to the three of us. We can invite more people who want to join and share what we know."

"Oh, that's a great idea!"

Kurenai Yuhi's eyes lit up.

If it was limited to their team, they'd only be going back and forth over a handful of skills and techniques.

They were all teammates.

If they really needed help, there was nothing wrong with teaching one another.

As Kyohiko had said—

Knowledge had to be put to use to realize its true value.

If they could pass this idea and these principles on to more people, knowledge would become all the more valuable.

"Only people who join?" Kakashi asked.

Kyohiko nodded. "Of course. We're sharing knowledge so we can all become stronger, but if some people get something for nothing, it'll eventually dampen everyone's motivation to improve and innovate."

"I understand."

Kakashi nodded.

As the three of them chatted, they heard laughter from outside.

"That's a good idea."

"Sensei."

Kyohiko, Kakashi, and Kurenai Yuhi all stood up at once.

Jiraiya came into the main hall and sat down. He waved a hand, then picked up the teacup beside him and downed several cups in a few gulps. "It's settled. Tomorrow, we'll escort Mr. Matsuyama home, then head straight back to Konoha to avoid any trouble."

"Yes!"

The next morning.

The inn was in disarray. The owner had done his best to repair it, but the damage from yesterday's battle was still plain to see.

Ichiro Matsuyama stared at it in alarm, all the more certain that they should leave as soon as possible.

There'd always be time to make money!

He couldn't understand.

"Jiraiya, who exactly is Gato? How could he afford to send so many Mist Village ninja after us?"

Ichiro Matsuyama wasn't a ninja, but he knew a little about how they worked.

In any ninja village, Jonin were rare and formidable.

It wasn't often that someone could hire a ninja like Jiraiya, who led a team of Genin, at a low price.

Two Jonin—

The fee for their services would surely cost more than the cargo they'd stolen.

Jiraiya coughed lightly, unsure how much he could explain.

I can't exactly say—

The two Mist Village Jonin hadn't planned to get involved at first.

But—

He'd dangled some bait, and the two big fish had taken it, attacking him and his students.

From the client's perspective, that wasn't exactly fair.

Still, he'd learned quite a bit about Gato.

"Gato has close ties with the nobles of the Land of Water. A number of Water Country nobles with business connections to him are supporting him behind the scenes," Jiraiya replied.

Ichiro Matsuyama fell into thought, then suddenly looked up with a cry.

"They want to monopolize the shipping business!"

"Monopolize shipping?"

Jiraiya was taken aback.

Ichiro Matsuyama looked serious.

"That's right. Most of the maritime trade between the Land of Water, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Lightning is carried out by sea, and the Land of Waves plays a major role in it."

Jiraiya wasn't a businessman.

When it came to things like this, he really wasn't as perceptive as Ichiro Matsuyama.

But—

As soon as Matsuyama brought it up, Jiraiya understood. Controlling the Land of Waves would be enormously beneficial to the Land of Water—and to the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning as well.

In the short term, the Land of Waves might become the center of a struggle for control.

Jiraiya frowned.

If that happened, Konoha and the Land of Fire...

He was still thinking it over.

Ichiro Matsuyama lowered his voice. "Jiraiya, are you really not considering getting involved in the Land of Waves? If you're interested, I can help put you in touch with a few families in Kyoto."

There were people in the Land of Fire who were interested in the Land of Waves too, just as there were in the Land of Water.

But—

They didn't have the means to take over the trade there. They still needed to see whether Konoha was willing to cooperate and lend a hand.

Jiraiya pondered for a long time.

In the end, he still shook his head.

"Mr. Matsuyama, the Hokage has to make the decision on this. If you'd like, I can relay the matter to him, but I can't say whether he'll agree."

"Ah! If your Third Hokage were willing, would I really need to ask you to help so much?"

Ichiro Matsuyama lowered his voice even further.

Jiraiya had no answer.

He understood the point, but his words carried no weight. He couldn't even get a minor reform to the Ninja Academy system approved, let alone persuade them to act in the Land of Waves given the current situation.

"I can only promise to report everything about the Land of Waves to the Hokage."

"That'll do. If there's even a little hope, you have to tell me, Jiraiya. Quite a few families in Kyoto are... Ahem. You know what I mean."

"Mm."