"The reason I came here was to escape the Ōtsutsuki's control and gain the power to change the entire Shinobi World!"
Yuzuru looked at Gen'a as he spoke softly.
His purpose in coming here was to learn how to use natural energy. He had even considered many possible scenarios, but he had never expected things to go this smoothly.
Even ancient creatures cut off from the world had their own difficulties.
"I see you can form ice. Learn alongside Xiaobai. Her abilities are similar to yours, so teaching you will be easier."
"Yes!"
Hakujun was the first to agree.
In the days that followed, Yuzuru learned how to use natural energy alongside Hakujun.
This was the most orthodox method of training. There would be no accidents, none of those supposed costs of turning to stone, dissolving into acid, or being corroded by venom.
Natural energy was inherently the most accepting form of energy, a force brimming with life. When Yuzuru told Hakujun that people could die while training with it, she could not keep a straight face either and laughed aloud for the first time in ages.
At the same time, Yuzuru also had to teach the three of them how to mold chakra.
The years slipped by unnoticed in training.
Yuzuru immersed himself wholeheartedly in cultivating natural energy and completely lost track of time.
Konoha.
"The Chunin Ninja Exams?"
When she heard the news, Kurenai looked at her father in surprise.
"Yes. Well? Are you confident? Kakashi becoming a Chunin at six was impressive, but my Kurenai is no slouch either. As far as your dad is concerned, you're already strong enough!"
Yūhi Shinku looked at Kurenai happily.
"Dad, I don't care whether I become a Chunin. If anything, becoming a Chunin would bring a lot of trouble. Being a Genin is pretty nice."
Kurenai smiled and shook her head.
Yūhi Shinku was not particularly surprised by this.
Ever since that brat left, it was as if his darling daughter's heart had flown away with him. She had originally wanted to become a Genjutsu-specialist Jonin like him, but now she seemed to care little about ninja matters.
"That brat must have been a bad influence."
Yūhi Shinku sighed, but for some reason, he could not hate him at all. Instead, he felt a faint sense of gratitude.
He and Sakumo were old friends, too, and he had truly taken in the changes in Sakumo.
Ever since Sakumo gave up being a ninja, he had become visibly happier and more relaxed. Even his presence had changed, and his entire mental state seemed much younger.
But Yūhi Shinku still found it hard to give it up himself. He had worked hard for half his life, and he did not have the resolve to simply abandon it all now. Perhaps that was the difference between him and Sakumo.
The ninja profession was dangerous, no matter how one looked at it, and he only had this one daughter.
"Minazuki Yuzuru!"
He thought of that astonishingly talented boy, who had easily defeated three Anbu Chunin at just six years old and even killed three Root ninja. Talent like that was unheard of, yet such a genius had decisively dropped out of school and become a civilian through and through alongside the Hatake Clan.
Often, Yūhi Shinku had no idea what they were thinking.
Watching his daughter sit in a chair and leaf through the Fire Release Ninjutsu in her hands, Yūhi Shinku could only smile helplessly.
Forget it. Young people had their own considerations. What was an old man like him worrying about?
Elsewhere, Guy was sparring with Kakashi in Taijutsu.
"Konoha Strong Fist Whirlwind!" ×2
They kicked at each other simultaneously, instantly stirring up a blast of air before both were sent flying backward.
After slowly getting to his feet, Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs-up. "As expected of my eternal rival."
Then he collapsed.
Kakashi shakily got to his feet and limped over to pull Might Guy up, only for both of them to fall again.
"Just what I'd expect from you, Guy."
By now, Kakashi had long since acknowledged Guy's strength.
After all, he had just used Lightning Release to stimulate his cells and body, barely allowing him to keep up with Guy's speed. Yet when it came to strength, Guy's physical prowess alone had already caused Kakashi considerable trouble. Without chakra to protect himself, he probably would have had his bones broken by those kicks long ago.
Even so, he was currently in worse shape than Guy.
Guy was merely exhausted and a little swollen, whereas he felt that his bones might have developed hairline fractures.
"Hehe, my youth can burn even hotter! Kakashi, have one last showdown with me! How about seeing who can run to Konoha Hospital first?"
"No!"
At those words, Kakashi's eyes immediately went flat again.
If he actually ran to Konoha Hospital, he might just drop dead there with a crack.
Just then, several voices sounded nearby.
"Rin-senpai, Kakashi-senpai and Guy-senpai are right here."
Shisui brought Rin over.
"Just as I thought. You two..."
Rin looked at the pair lying on the ground and shook her head helplessly. Then she walked over to Kakashi, raised her hand, and treated him with the Mystical Palm Technique.
"Guy's gotten stronger again."
As a medical-nin, she could tell at a glance that Kakashi's lower leg bone had developed a fracture.
After treating Kakashi, Rin healed the swelling in Guy's muscles as well.
The two stood up one after the other. Kakashi thanked Rin and was just about to ask Shisui what had happened when a reckless figure wearing goggles came rushing over.
"Obito, what brings you here?"
"I... well, I came to have a look."
Seeing everyone looking at him in puzzlement, Obito scratched his head awkwardly.
"Shisui, you go first. What exactly happened?"
Kakashi looked at Shisui.
"It's the Chunin Ninja Exams. Of course, not for me. Guy-senpai and the others can take part in this round."
Shisui told them what he knew.
Hearing this, Kakashi blinked and immediately guessed something.
"What about Kurenai? Isn't she taking part?"
"I went to see Kurenai-senpai, and Shinku-senpai was home too. But judging by what Kurenai-senpai said, she didn't seem to have any intention of taking part."
"What? These are the Chunin Ninja Exams! Pass, and you become a Chunin! What's Kurenai thinking?"
Obito exclaimed in surprise.
"Not everyone is like you."
Kakashi made the offhand remark, then turned to Guy.
"Guy, what do you say?"
"Me? Like Dad, I put all my energy into Taijutsu. I've mastered a small number of other Ninjutsu, but that might not be enough. I'll sit this one out."
Guy shook his head and declined.
"What about you, Rin?"
"I'm a medical-nin, but I could give it a try, even though I probably won't pass."
Rin spoke sheepishly.
"Rin will definitely pass, and so will yours truly! I specifically learned a new Fire Style technique. There won't be any problem!" Obito said excitedly.
"Learning more Ninjutsu isn't what makes you a Chunin."
Kakashi shook his head.
"Tch, you don't get it."
Obito turned his head away.
"All right, then. It's up to you. I'm heading home."
Kakashi had little interest in the Chunin Ninja Exams. Even if he were still a ninja, he was already a Chunin. Besides, now he could not be bothered with anything to do with ninja at all.
After returning home, Kakashi saw his father drinking tea with Minato, and a trace of puzzlement flickered in his eyes.
Why is Minato-sensei here?