Kakashi had once been exceptionally gifted, becoming a jonin at just twelve and earning recognition as a genius ninja throughout Konoha.
Yet a series of devastating blows, along with the Sharingan he had acquired through various twists of fate, had ultimately made him nothing more than a "Copy Ninja" who could only fight anyone to a draw.
Did that make sense?
It made no sense at all!
The Sharingan Obito had given him had indeed created the "Copy Ninja," but it had also limited Kakashi Hatake's growth.
At least in Shinichi's opinion, with the Hatake Clan's orthodox teachings behind him, Kakashi would never have amounted to so little, even if he couldn't reach the heights of White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.
"Big brother, are you saying I should give up my Sharingan?"
Shaken, Kakashi asked in surprise, "But this is the only gift Obito left me..."
"When did I tell you to gouge out your Sharingan?"
Shinichi rolled his eyes at him, speechless. "Since the Sharingan is putting such a huge strain on you, can't you seal it temporarily and focus on Hatake Swordsmanship and Taijutsu?"
"Once you've solved your chakra shortage, you can undo the seal and use the Sharingan just as before. Then it won't be a burden anymore, but a tool that makes you stronger!"
For a truly powerful ninja, even the strongest kekkei genkai was merely a tool in their hands.
If they became enslaved by their own tools, did they even deserve to call themselves a ninja?
Copy Ninja?
Pah!
"But I've never learned any Sealing Jutsu..."
Kakashi had clearly been persuaded.
"Go look in the family storeroom yourself!"
Shinichi couldn't be bothered to waste any more words on him. If they kept talking, he feared Kakashi would infuriate him to death.
How terrifying had Hatake Sakumo's name, White Fang, once been throughout the shinobi world? Countless ninja from other villages had died by his blade. Add to that the accumulated teachings passed down through generations of the Hatake Clan, and how could they possibly lack a practical Sealing Jutsu or two?
As the Hatake Clan's eldest son, Shinichi had visited that storeroom countless times. All sorts of Ninjutsu compendiums were piled inside. Even if they couldn't compare to Konoha's Scroll of Seals, they certainly rivaled the legacies of the other great clans of the shinobi world.
It was only Kakashi who neglected what mattered, wasting his days in a slump. He was either out on missions or brooding in his room and had barely ever visited the storeroom.
"Right, the storeroom!"
That reminder snapped Kakashi out of his daze. He finally recalled that his father had indeed left quite a few books and scrolls in the storeroom, including manuals on Hatake Swordsmanship. There might really be a Sealing Jutsu suited to him there.
No one could have imagined that this night's conversation would erase the "Copy Ninja" of the original story, replacing him with Konoha's second "White Fang," whose fame would surpass his predecessor's several times over!
[Ding! Host detected to have successfully altered Kakashi Hatake's destiny. Reward points: 500.]
"Huh?"
Shinichi had been about to return to his room when the system notification suddenly rang out in his mind, freezing him in place.
All I did was give Kakashi a casual scolding, and that changed his destiny just like that?
Good deeds really do get rewarded!
There was no reason to turn down points that had practically fallen into his lap.
"Open the system panel!"
Host: Hatake Shinichi Talent traits: [Fate Defier] (purple), [Sharingan Stealer] (red), [Talk no Jutsu King] (purple), [Nine-Tails Incarnation] (purple), [Asura's Kindness] (purple)... Associated abilities: Good and Evil Perception, Sage Body, Mangekyō Sharingan... Reward points: 500 Biological database: Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, Guy
Only 500 points this time. That's half of Naruto's 1,000!
Shinichi mused to himself.
If his guess was right, the points awarded for changing someone's destiny depended on that character's importance in the original story. Protagonist-level characters like Naruto and Sasuke would naturally provide the highest reward of 1,000 points.
For an important supporting character like Kakashi, 500 points was quite reasonable.
As for other characters, the rewards would probably be even smaller.
Either way, he had to put his resources where they would count!
"System, convert [Talk no Jutsu King]!"
Shinichi gave the order.
[500 reward points consumed! Talent trait conversion successful!] [Talk no Jutsu King (purple): Your Talk no Jutsu ability is unmatched. Anyone who hears your heartfelt words will find themselves unable to resist being persuaded. Unleash your Talk no Jutsu to your heart's content. You are truly a king of words who can take on the world with your mouth alone. Affinity +5000%! Persuasiveness +5000%!]
The original Affinity +3000% and Persuasiveness +3000% had both shot up to +5000%!
Although they hadn't doubled, it was still a massive improvement!
The longer Shinichi spent in the world of Naruto, the more he understood the importance of the [Talk no Jutsu King] talent trait. No wonder Naruto, the protagonist, had overcome every obstacle in his path and eventually become the Seventh Hokage, acknowledged by the entire shinobi world.
Those 500 points had definitely been well spent!
Besides, Shinichi would be joining the Konoha Military Police Force in a few days and dealing with members of the Uchiha Clan.
He knew all too well just how peculiar the Uchiha's temperaments could be. With the converted [Talk no Jutsu King] backing him up, his confidence had naturally grown considerably.
The next day.
Kurenai Yuhi visited the Hatake Clan as promised.
Although she still found this visit rather baffling, she wasn't someone who liked to break her promises.
"Kurenai, you're here."
Shinichi opened the door to welcome her with a cheerful smile.
Naruto, serving as Shinichi's little sidekick, also showed enough tact to bring out an assortment of snacks for their guest.
His wide eyes were full of curiosity about this beautiful older girl. He remembered what Shinichi had just told him: she might become his future sister-in-law.
Naturally, he couldn't neglect his future second sister-in-law.
"Naruto, where's Kakashi?"
Shinichi asked quietly.
The guest of honor was already here, yet Kakashi still hadn't shown himself. Wouldn't all their efforts be wasted?
"Kakashi's been hiding in the storeroom. I think he's studying some kind of Ninjutsu. He won't come out no matter how much I call him."
Naruto looked utterly innocent.
"For the love of-!"
Those words instantly cured the low blood pressure that had plagued Shinichi for years.
Sure, I told you to hurry up and get stronger, but I didn't tell you to leave a gorgeous woman sitting here unattended!
So you'll only listen to the first half of what I say and ignore the rest?
At that thought, the furious Shinichi used the Body Flicker Technique to rush straight to the storeroom and gave a thoroughly bewildered Kakashi a beating!
Of course, he spared his face. Kakashi still needed to look presentable.
"Hurry up and put on the new clothes I prepared for you, and take that stupid mask off right now! Our guest is already here. I'm warning you, if you dare embarrass me today, you can eat dirt for all three meals from now on!"
Under Shinichi's near-tyrannical rule, Kakashi was forced to strip off his ninja outfit and change into brand-new casual clothes.
Even the mask he refused to take off year-round was forcibly yanked away by Shinichi, revealing a handsome young face.
There was no denying it: Kakashi really was good-looking.
"Big brother, I feel like you're forcing me into prostitution."
Kakashi rolled his eyes as he complained.
"Prostitution, my ass!"
Shinichi exploded again. "Get out there and woo her right now! If you don't put on a good showing today, I'll burn every dirty book you've hidden in your room!"
"What? How did you know..."
Kakashi panicked at once.
"I'm your big brother. What wouldn't I know?"
Shinichi sneered.
Under a barrage of threats and inducements, Kakashi finally gave in.
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