There Was a Reason I Came Back After Graduating

The Hokage Office.

The Third Hokage rested his hand on the Crystal Ball, watching Kakashi, Kyohiko, Kurenai, and the others.

At that moment.

"Bang!"

A sudden noise rang out. The Third Hokage immediately covered the Crystal Ball and looked toward the window.

Then...

He realized.

Wait, what was I afraid of?

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a light cough, looked toward the window, and scolded, "Jiraiya, couldn't you come in through the front door?"

"Heh, this way's faster."

Jiraiya was still as carefree as ever. He glanced over, then his expression turned serious. "You're watching them? How are they doing?"

The Third Hokage held his Pipe in one hand.

"Kyohiko Yoshimine is indeed impressive."

"Most importantly, he's perceptive and thoughtful. That boy is very mature. But children who grow up during wartime become more dangerous the more mature they are. Like Kakashi, he needs guidance."

Jiraiya leaned in to watch the Crystal Ball with him.

In the image, Kyohiko and Kakashi ran while trading blows, testing their Taijutsu against each other.

At first...

Kyohiko was constantly on the back foot, but his speed always let him evade danger and avoid Kakashi's strongest attacks.

But...

As the fight went on, even from behind the Crystal Ball, both Jiraiya and the Third Hokage could see—

Kyohiko's Taijutsu skills were steadily improving!

How was that possible?

Could...

There really be a genius like this in the world?

Jiraiya nudged the Third Hokage.

Clatter!

The Pipe slipped from his hand.

"Hey! My precious Pipe!"

The Third Hokage immediately reached out to catch it, but all the tobacco inside spilled out.

However...

This clearly wasn't the time to worry about tobacco.

The Third Hokage's expression turned grave as he stared fixedly at the Crystal Ball.

That rate of improvement?

If he hadn't been certain the boy was a Senju descendant, he would have thought Kyohiko had awakened his Sharingan and was copying Kakashi's Taijutsu.

"Jiraiya, have you met him before?"

"Old Man, I've run into him a few times over the past year or so. I can guarantee that boy works incredibly hard. He's earned every bit of it through his own effort. He probably just hadn't fought anyone before, so he's finally putting all that experience to use. His progress is astonishing."

"Hmm."

The Third Hokage nodded.

He believed him. He'd just been too surprised—

A boy he'd never even heard of before had such talent and perseverance.

Truly remarkable!

"Haah! Haah!"

Kakashi panted again and again.

He simply couldn't believe there could be anyone in the world who improved so quickly.

A genius?

But—

What did all his years of effort and hard work amount to, then?

Kakashi refused to believe anyone could improve so rapidly in such a short time through talent alone.

It was more likely that the boy had spent all his time training alone before this, so he simply hadn't known how to fight. Only now was he showing what he could really do.

Not only that.

The other boy's speed seemed to be increasing without either of them noticing.

He was still getting stronger!

Kakashi wasn't flustered or unable to keep up, but he couldn't help being shocked. And as Kyohiko's "strength increased," their fight grew more and more dangerous.

However...

Kyohiko knew the truth.

Without the skills he'd picked up from Guy earlier, there was no way he could have improved his fighting skills this quickly.

Besides—

Combat was the fastest way to absorb knowledge and ability and make them your own!

"Please, stop fighting! If you keep going, neither of you will benefit."

Kurenai tried to dissuade them from behind.

But...

Neither of them listened.

She gritted her teeth, steeled herself, and formed Hand Seals.

Falling Cherry Blossom Illusion Technique!

Cherry blossoms drifted down from the sky, one petal after another.

Kyohiko and Kakashi saw them and immediately realized something was wrong. They landed and gave up the fight, then quickly began trying to break the genjutsu.

After quite a while, they both opened their eyes at the same time.

Of course.

They hadn't broken the genjutsu. Kurenai had dispelled it shortly after casting it.

Kurenai quickly bowed in apology.

"I'm sorry! But you were getting more and more intense, and I don't know Medical Ninjutsu. If one of you got hurt, it would be dangerous out here in the Forest of Death."

"Kurenai, we should be thanking you."

Kyohiko said.

Kakashi didn't say anything.

She was already able to use genjutsu of that caliber at her age!

Kurenai's genjutsu skills really were extraordinary.

No wonder Lord Jiraiya had chosen her.

Fortunately, he was wearing a mask, so nobody could see his face. His cool image was safe.

Kyohiko didn't rub it in.

"We're teammates. That fight helped us understand each other's abilities. That way, we can plan our tactics better for tomorrow's test."

Teammates. Partners...

"As long as you don't hold me back," Kakashi said coldly.

Kurenai felt her blood pressure rising.

She was usually gentle, but the genius Kakashi she'd imagined kept defying her expectations.

How could this guy be so awful?

She took several deep breaths. But when she looked at Kyohiko, she found him perfectly calm.

Had Kyohiko already been prepared for this?

That made sense.

They had been classmates.

Unlike her, she was a year below Kakashi.

But...

The next moment, Kurenai froze.

"Maybe you weren't using your full strength just now. You still have your sword, after all. But even if you're that strong, could you beat Lord Jiraiya on your own?"

Kyohiko said calmly.

Kakashi turned around. He didn't say a word, but fixed his gaze on Kyohiko.

"The point of working together is to build bonds with your teammates. If you ignore their safety, then whether or not you pass the test, we're just passersby to you. Tools..."

"If you want to work alone, you might as well join the Anbu."

"There's a reason you came back two years after graduating. The way you see other people is the way they'll see you. Someone like you won't find anyone willing to be your teammate."

When Kyohiko finished, he said calmly, "Kurenai, let's go check out the terrain first. We might need it tomorrow."

So...

He hadn't been prepared after all. He'd just been holding back his feelings, and only now had they finally burst out.

Those were some cutting words!

Wasn't he afraid they'd start fighting?

Kurenai stared blankly at Kyohiko, then turned to look at Kakashi.

Kakashi's eyes were now filled with anger, and his fists were clenched tight.

But...

Kyohiko didn't regret it, and he had no intention of apologizing.

There was no point trying to talk nicely to someone like Kakashi. Even if he eventually changed, who knew if he'd have to sacrifice a teammate first...

Kyohiko didn't want to become Obito.

If he did, there might not be a Madara to save him.

Besides...

Winning him over through "kindness" would take too long. Kyohiko was counting on clearing Kakashi's "boss" stage quickly and getting a good haul of rewards. He didn't have time to slowly play emotional games.

Of course.

He hadn't expected to win him over in one go.

If one try wasn't enough...

Two or three would still be much better than trying to change him through kindness.

The first step was to make him understand that respect went both ways.

Kyohiko was indeed weaker than him, but that didn't mean Kakashi could keep spouting his "absurd opinions."

The second step—

That depended on whether Jiraiya could coordinate with him.

Kyohiko thought to himself.

Kurenai hesitated for a moment, then caught up with Kyohiko.

"Kyohiko, wait for me."

"I'm not very good at spotting traps. Sorry for the trouble, but could you help me look for them? It'd be best not to disturb any."

"Sure."

The two of them headed deeper into Training Ground 7.

Kakashi was furious.

Behind them, Jiraiya's Shadow Clone sighed silently.

That silver-haired brat really didn't respect anyone. No wonder so many people had complained about him!

Still...

That kid had a fierce temper. Those words had struck Kakashi right where it hurt and left the silver-haired brat speechless.

He really was just a kid!

No matter how mature or self-controlled he was, he still got angry and lost his temper. He couldn't stay completely calm.

Jiraiya couldn't help smiling again.

Now that was more like a kid!

But...

What were they going to do about tomorrow's test?

At dusk, the three went their separate ways.

After their argument, an obvious rift had formed between them, and they barely spoke to each other after that.

"Was that really all right?"

Kurenai asked quietly.

Kyohiko's words had also overturned the first impression she'd formed of him over the past few hours.

So he'd just been better at holding back!

"There's a reason Kakashi turned out this way. I understand him. I used to be in a similar state myself. But if you want to solve the problem, you can't just give in to him. That's wrong."

"I see..."

Kurenai murmured.

Kyohiko stopped walking.

"Your home is just ahead. I'll leave you here."

"Huh?"

Kurenai Yuhi jolted awake and looked around, only to realize she was already at the street where her home was.

Just now...

She hadn't been paying attention at all. She'd just been thinking about what had happened today, and mulling over the person in front of her...

"See you tomorrow. Let's give it our all together."

"Yes! Thank you, Kyohiko. I learned a lot today."