Konoha: I Have a Gravity Training Room Chapter 31

Xia Mu advised, "Don't dwell on it. We don't understand what things were like in that era, so we can't make wild guesses. And you'd better not spread this around. It's enough for us family to talk about it in private. It wouldn't be good if others found out."

Tenten nodded, then remembered Kakashi. "Then... what happened to Senior Kakashi?"

Xia Mu sighed. "Senior Kakashi was still young back then, so naturally he was hit hard. He was even lost for a time, believing that missions came before everything else. So whenever he carried out missions, he often put the mission first and paid little heed to his comrades' deaths or injuries. His reputation became terrible, and no one wanted to team up with him. It was only because Might Guy kept pestering him that Senior Kakashi didn't go down a dark path. Later, something else seemed to have happened, and Senior Kakashi was no longer so extreme. But it seemed that he accidentally broke Senior White Fang's blade, and after that, he never used Hatake Kenjutsu again..."

Tenten's eyes reddened as she listened. "Senior Kakashi is so pitiful... sob, sob!"

Uh, there was really no need for that. Kakashi had already moved on... probably.

Indeed, Kakashi was no longer saddened by his father's death, because Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara had taught him the value of comrades and helped him understand his father's choice.

Still, it would be such a waste for him not to continue inheriting Hatake Kenjutsu!

That was why Xia Mu intended to inherit it himself!

"Then how is Senior Kakashi doing now?" Tenten pressed.

"Uh, he seems pretty listless. He's in his thirties or forties and still hasn't found a partner. He spends all day reading dirty novels, with those dead-fish eyes of his, completely lacking vitality... Tenten, we shouldn't meddle in other people's business. Senior Kakashi isn't that fragile. It's not our place to save him. Don't pity him in front of him, and it'd be best if you didn't mention the story I told you either..."

"Xia Mu! We have to find a way to inherit Hatake Kenjutsu!"

"Uh, yeah! That was my goal!"

Xia Mu breathed a sigh of relief. A story was one thing, but he did not want Tenten sticking her nose into someone else's affairs. Kakashi was an elite jonin who had not been able to figure things out himself, so who were others to pity or counsel him?

It would be fine once they met Tobi again in the future, so there was no need to worry about it.

Kakashi

Early the next morning, Xia Mu transformed into an adult and bought a deluxe edition set of Icha Icha Paradise from Shueisha.

Kakashi probably already had a collection at home, but this was the best gift Xia Mu could think of. Kakashi probably would not refuse it... right?

Tenten casually picked up one of the books and flipped through it. Her face instantly turned red, and she hurriedly snapped it shut.

She looked at Xia Mu awkwardly and hesitated. "X-Xia Mu, if you have needs, you can... you can tell me. You don't need to read this kind of book..."

Xia Mu knew she had misunderstood and hurriedly explained, "It's not for me. Didn't I say Senior Kakashi likes this stuff? It's a gift for our first meeting. Besides, Lord Jiraiya wrote these books. They sell like crazy in the Shinobi World."

"Huh? Lord Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, wrote this?!"

Tenten's eyes widened. "One of the dignified Sannin actually writes this kind of thing? My illusions are shattered!"

Xia Mu took the opportunity to say, "Jiraiya is a pervert, Tsunade is a gambler, and Orochimaru is a Rogue Ninja, so there's no need to say more about him. Anyway, don't have too many fantasies about the Sannin. They're far inferior to Senior Hatake Sakumo. Also, Tenten, be careful in the future. Jiraiya has a habit of peeping on women's bathhouses, so you'd better not go to bathhouses anymore."

Th-This...

Tenten stood there blankly, clearly unable to accept it.

The Sannin she admired... how could they be like this? Even Lady Tsunade was a gambling addict?

Seeing that it was about time, Xia Mu and Tenten brought the deluxe Icha Icha Paradise set to the agreed-upon training ground. Might Guy was already waiting there, doing one-handed push-ups.

"Yo! Xia Mu, Tenten, you're here."

Guy immediately stood up and began lecturing Xia Mu. "I heard all about it from Tenten. Xia Mu, you were too eager for results and overtrained until the pain made you faint. That's very bad. Let me tell you what the most reasonable training regimen looks like... blah blah blah... Do you understand? Training filled with the passion of youth will never betray you. Make sure you pay attention from now on!"

Xia Mu could only nod repeatedly. It was the first time he realized just how much Guy could talk.

Tenten took the chance to look around, but she did not see anyone. For a moment, she thought they had been stood up.

"Teacher Guy, where is Senior Kakashi?"

"Oh, Kakashi is definitely helping an old lady cross the street. It's perfectly normal for him to be late," Guy answered as if it were only natural.

"What kind of answer is that? Helping an old lady cross the street? It's kind-hearted, sure, but punctuality is important for a ninja, isn't it? Is Senior Kakashi really an elite ninja if he acts like this?" Tenten could not help complaining.

"Well, Kakashi is only like this normally. He won't be late when he's actually on a mission."

Even after hearing Guy's explanation, Tenten did not really believe it.

Tenten felt that the village's ninjas were all shattering her expectations. It was not just the Sannin. Even Konoha's legendary Copy Ninja was like this. She had pitied him after hearing her boyfriend's story yesterday, yet this was how he turned out. Maybe he really was listless. Otherwise, why would he be like this?

Xia Mu thought for a moment, formed hand seals, and used Water Release: Magnifying Water Mirror. Lenses gathered before his eyes and in the air, forming a telescope.

Scenes within a one-kilometer radius immediately appeared in the lenses before him. He quickly found a man wearing a forehead protector over one eye and a mask over his face. It was Hatake Kakashi.

"So that's Senior Kakashi? He looks pretty cool, but those dead-fish eyes are real," Tenten gave her first impression.

"Hahaha! Kakashi is very strong. He's also my eternal rival. So far, our score is forty to thirty-nine. I'm just a little stronger than him!" Guy laughed with his hands on his hips.

"Really?" Tenten did not believe him.

"Of course it's true! I really am stronger than Kakashi!"

"Hey, hey, Guy, don't feed the kids nonsense. The score is thirty-eight to thirty-nine so far. How can our last two meals count as competitions?"

A lazy voice rang out. Kakashi appeared with both hands in his pockets. His speed was actually quite impressive.

Kakashi's dead-fish eye swept over Tenten before finally settling on Xia Mu. "So this little guy is Xia Mu, the one Guy told me about. Your Water Style: Telescope is used quite well."

Tenten opened her mouth in surprise. She had not even noticed when Kakashi arrived.

He had clearly still been in the Water Mirror just moments ago, slowly walking within a one-kilometer range. Yet in the blink of an eye, he was right in front of them. Was this the legendary Konoha Copy Ninja Kakashi?

Guy grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. "Yo! My eternal rival! You finally made it!"

"Senior Kakashi."

Xia Mu greeted him. "I didn't expect to receive Senior Kakashi's praise the first time we met. It truly is an honor. I heard Senior Kakashi has the title of Copy Ninja. Do you think my Water Release: Magnifying Water Mirror is worthy of your attention? Would you like to try copying it with your Sharingan?"

Kakashi's dead-fish eye stared at Xia Mu. "You certainly know a lot. Still, your telescope technique is indeed practical. In a team without Byakugan support, it could hardly be better as a scouting technique. But are you underestimating me? I've already learned it without even using my Sharingan."

Xia Mu silently dispelled the jutsu. Of course, he had not underestimated Kakashi.

He knew even more than Kakashi did.

But Hatake Kenjutsu was his goal this time, so there was no need to say anything else. He hurriedly took out the deluxe Icha Icha Paradise set and offered it to Kakashi.

"I heard Senior Kakashi likes these books, so I bought this deluxe edition despite risking having my ears twisted by my girlfriend. Senior Kakashi surely already has these in his collection, but please accept this gift for our first meeting."

"Oh? You even investigated my preferences?"

Kakashi stepped forward to take a look. He did not refuse, instead accepting the entire set. After all, it was a junior's sincere gift, and it would not be right to reject it.

"So, you already have a girlfriend, and she's even Guy's student. She's a cute girl. You've got good taste."

"My taste is naturally excellent. If Senior Kakashi wants to find someone, I can help make introductions too. I know quite a few beautiful kunoichi in the village. For example, Senior Kurenai Yuhi, who lives next door to Teacher Guy, is a great beauty..."

"Cough, cough, cough! Stop, stop! Kid, are you trying to get Asuma to beat me to death?"

Kakashi did not want to keep bantering with this kid.

If they kept going, Xia Mu might really try to arrange a match for him. Then Asuma would probably come straight over to kill him!

Tenten looked at her boyfriend, then at Kakashi. She felt as though the two were verbally sparring, but she could not quite understand them. People who spoke in riddles were really annoying.

Kakashi got straight to the point. "Guy told me. You want to learn the Hatake Clan's swordsmanship."

Xia Mu nodded seriously. "Yes. I'm sorry for asking around about Senior Sakumo without permission..."

Kakashi waved a hand. "It's no matter. In fact, I'm quite comforted that there are still children who know about my father, and who even want to learn his swordsmanship. He... would probably be happy too."

"Then, Senior Kakashi, are you willing to teach me?"

"Teaching you swordsmanship isn't a problem. But first, I need to see what you're made of!"

Kakashi's Test

Here it came again! What you were made of!

In the world of Naruto, it was always about what someone was made of. Simply put, it meant a person's strength, talent, and will.

Will was especially important. The kind of ninja way a person followed was highly valued. Kakashi had experienced so much, so naturally he placed great importance on it.

Xia Mu did not back down. "How does Senior Kakashi intend to test me? Please, go ahead!"

"Good look in your eyes. Then let me first see your talent with the sword!"

Kakashi was fairly satisfied. He silently took out two short blades, tossing one to Xia Mu while keeping the other for himself.

Xia Mu caught the short blade, spun it in a flourish, and casually formed the Seal of Confrontation. Then he held his breath and focused on Kakashi, searching for an opportunity to attack.

Kakashi also formed the Seal of Confrontation, then stood in place with his blade in hand, waiting.

Guy and Tenten watched from nearby without speaking. For a moment, the scene was utterly silent, yet the atmosphere gradually became stifling.

Xia Mu did not make any rash moves. He kept his eyes on Kakashi while his feet slowly shifted, closing the distance little by little. Kakashi, however, seemed completely unfazed and remained still.

"Here!"

Xia Mu suddenly shouted and vanished in an instant.

Kakashi was surprised by Xia Mu's speed, but he simply turned his blade to the side and successfully blocked Xia Mu's attack.

Xia Mu flicked his blade upward with a backhand motion, knocking Kakashi's short blade aside before thrusting straight at his chest. But Kakashi immediately held his blade horizontally, blocking Xia Mu's tip. Xia Mu could only withdraw his blade and stab at Kakashi's shoulder, but that attack was also easily blocked.

The two exchanged several moves in just three seconds.

Xia Mu's attacks were extremely swift, but Kakashi's blocks were even more effortless. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Kakashi's swordsmanship far surpassed Xia Mu's.

However, Kakashi was testing Xia Mu, so he naturally held back. Otherwise, the fight would have ended long ago.

Xia Mu understood that as well. He did not overthink it and instead used the swordsmanship he had honed bit by bit over the years. Every sweep, slash, and thrust had been forged through his sweat. There were no flashy tricks, only single-minded focus.

Kakashi watched and unconsciously nodded.

In truth, many things could be seen through swordsmanship.

Xia Mu's swordsmanship was not sophisticated. It was even somewhat rigid. Yet it revealed Xia Mu's seriousness and dedication. Without anyone to guide him, he had pieced together scraps of swordsmanship knowledge to form techniques unique to himself. His comprehension might have been somewhat lacking, or perhaps he simply lacked instruction, but his persistence toward the sword was clear as day.

Someone so serious about swordsmanship would be a good candidate to inherit Hatake Kenjutsu.

But that alone was not enough. His comprehension seemed a little lacking, and Hatake Kenjutsu was no ordinary swordsmanship. It was the crystallization of ancient samurai swordsmanship combined with Chakra manipulation!

Xia Mu was still not enough. Unless...

At that moment, a flash of lightning suddenly gathered in Xia Mu's hand. The lightning wrapped around his blade, then exploded forth with tremendous speed, breaking through Kakashi's defense and streaking toward his neck.

"Oh ho, so you're not completely stupid after all!"

A flicker of surprise flashed through Kakashi's eye as he allowed the lightning-wreathed blade to slash into him.

The next second, with a bang, he transformed into a log.

Xia Mu hurriedly searched for Kakashi's location, but the next second, a short blade was pressed beneath his throat. He did not dare move recklessly.

"You lost." Kakashi put away his short blade.

"I lost." Xia Mu nodded.

"You don't seem unwilling to accept it. You should know that if you lose, you might not get to learn Hatake Kenjutsu."

"My swordsmanship is inferior to Senior Kakashi's, so it's normal that I lost. Besides, if I won, would I still need to learn Hatake Kenjutsu? As for whether Senior Kakashi teaches me or not, that is naturally Senior Kakashi's decision. Even if I cannot learn Hatake Kenjutsu, I will find a way to learn other things and become stronger."

"...I know what you told Guy. You said you want to become stronger to protect your girlfriend, and to protect your friends."

"That's right!"

Xia Mu was not afraid of Kakashi testing him on that, because he truly valued Tenten, Shino, and the others. It came from the bottom of his heart, without even a trace of pretense.

Kakashi truly watched Xia Mu's every movement. Seeing no evasion in his eyes, he naturally approved of him even more.

Yet unexpectedly, he suddenly asked, "I heard from Guy that you want to master the Eight Gates and Hatake Kenjutsu, then become Konoha's strongest. So, do you want to become Hokage?"

Xia Mu was taken aback, not understanding how Kakashi had reached that conclusion.

He decisively shook his head. "No, I don't want to become Hokage."

Kakashi was surprised. "You want to become the strongest, yet your goal isn't to become Hokage?"

Xia Mu answered with absolute certainty, "That's right. Being Hokage is exhausting. I see the Third Hokage working overtime every day, with endless matters to worry over. He doesn't even have time to spend with his grandson. If I became Hokage, wouldn't I have no time for Tenten? And if we had children in the future, I wouldn't be able to be a good father. I don't want that. Besides, even if you become the strongest, you don't necessarily have to become Hokage. In my view, no matter what position people hold or what identities they have, everyone works to protect the people important to them and to protect the village. Isn't that what matters most?"

"Heh, you're right. You said it well, too."

Kakashi rarely narrowed his eye in a smile. "Then what is your dream?"

Xia Mu could not quite put it into words. "I haven't really thought about it carefully. Before, I only wanted to live well, to live well for my parents' sake too. Later, I met Shino, Shikamaru, Choji, and the others, and I also won Tenten over. So I wanted to protect them properly, which made me want to become stronger. It's that simple."

It was simple, but the simpler and more unadorned the answer, the more sincere it was.

Kakashi nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. You pass."

"I pass? Does that mean Senior Kakashi is willing to teach me Hatake Kenjutsu?" Xia Mu was instantly overjoyed.