Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage

Chapter 5: Graduation and Return – There's a Reason

The Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage placed his hand on the crystal ball, observing the movements of Kakashi, Kyohiko, and Kurenai.

at this time.

"Bang!"

Upon hearing the strange noise, the Third Hokage immediately pressed down on the crystal ball and looked towards the window.

then……

He reacted.

No, what am I afraid of?

Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed lightly, looked out the window, and snapped, "Jiraiya, couldn't you have come in through the front door?"

"Hey, that's faster."

Jiraiya, still acting nonchalant, glanced at it before his expression turned serious. "You're watching, aren't you? What do you think?"

The Third Hokage held his pipe with one hand.

"Ryomine Kyohiko is indeed very good."

"The most important thing is awareness and thinking. This child is very mature, but children born in war are more dangerous the more mature they are. Like Kakashi, he needs guidance."

Jiraiya joined in, looking at the crystal ball together.

In the scene, Kyohiko and Kakashi are running and exchanging blows, competing in physical combat.

initial……

Jingyan was always at a disadvantage, but with his speed, he was always able to turn danger into safety and avoid the enemy's sharp edge.

but.

As they fought, even through the crystal ball, he and the Third Hokage could see each other—

Kyohiko's physical skills are constantly improving!

How is that possible?

This……

Are there really such geniuses in the world?

Jiraiya nudged the Third Hokage.

pat!

The pipe fell.

"Oh, my darling!"

The third generation immediately reached out and caught it, but all the tobacco in the pipe spilled out.

but.

Right now is clearly not the time to dwell on tobacco.

The three men looked serious, staring intently at the crystal ball.

This rate of progress?

If he hadn't been certain that the other party was a descendant of the Senju clan, he would have thought that Kyohiko had awakened the Sharingan and was imitating Kakashi's taijutsu.

"Jiraiya, have you seen him before?"

"Old man, I've been running into him for the past year or so. I can assure you, this kid is extremely hardworking, and it's all thanks to his own efforts. He probably hasn't played against anyone before, so he's accumulated knowledge and skills and made rapid progress."

"Um."

The three generations nodded.

He believed it; he was just too surprised at first.

A child whom we had no idea about before, actually possessed such talent and perseverance.

That's incredible!

……

"Huff! Huff!"

Kakashi was panting heavily.

He truly found it hard to believe that there were people in the world who could progress so quickly.

genius?

but--

What does all my years of hard work and dedication amount to?

Kakashi absolutely did not believe that there was any talent that could lead to rapid progress in a short period of time.

The person in front of me is more likely someone who has been cultivating in seclusion all along, so he doesn't know how to fight at all, and is only now showing his strength.

not only that.

The opponent's speed seems to be increasing without us even realizing it.

He's still getting stronger!

Kakashi wasn't completely overwhelmed or unable to fight back, but he was inevitably shocked. Moreover, as Kyohiko's "strength increased," their battle became increasingly dangerous.

but.

Jingyan himself understood.

Without the money he had taken from Kai, he would never have been able to improve his martial arts skills so quickly.

In addition-

Combat is the fastest way to integrate knowledge and skills into oneself!

"You guys should stop fighting. Continuing to fight won't benefit either of you."

Kurenai Yuhi tried to dissuade her from behind.

but.

Nobody listened.

She gritted her teeth, made a firm decision, and formed a hand seal.

The Sakura Nami Technique!

Cherry blossoms fall one by one from the sky.

Upon seeing this, Kyohiko and Kakashi immediately realized something was wrong. They landed and abandoned the fight, then quickly began to break the illusion.

After a while, the two opened their eyes at the same time.

of course.

It wasn't that they broke the illusion, but rather that Kurenai Yuhi quickly dispelled it.

Kurenai quickly bowed and apologized.

"I'm sorry! But you're getting more and more intense in your fight, and I don't know medical ninjutsu. If something happens to me, it will be very dangerous in the Forest of Death."

"Hong, we should thank you."

Jing Yan said.

Kakashi didn't say anything.

To be able to use such a high level of illusion magic at such a young age!

Kurenai Yuhi's illusion magic is truly remarkable.

No wonder he was chosen by Jiraiya-sama.

Fortunately, he was wearing a mask, so others couldn't see him clearly and it didn't ruin his aloof image.

Jingyan didn't reopen old wounds.

"We are a team of partners. The battle just now allowed us to understand each other's strengths, so that we can better plan our tactics for tomorrow's assessment."

Team, partners...

Kakashi coldly replied, "Just don't hold me back."

Kurenai's blood pressure spiked.

She was always gentle, but the genius Kakashi in her memory kept overturning her perception of him.

How could this guy be so awful?

She took several deep breaths, but when she looked at Jingyan, she found him to be quite calm.

Was Jingyan-kun mentally prepared?

Also.

The two were classmates.

Unlike her, who was a grade below Kakashi.

but.

The next moment, Kurenai Yuhi froze.

"Perhaps you didn't use your full strength just now, after all, you still have a sword, but no matter how powerful you are, can you defeat Jiraiya-sama all by yourself?"

Jingyan said calmly.

Kakashi turned around, didn't say anything, but stared at him.

"The purpose of cooperation is to cultivate teammates. If you disregard the safety of your teammates, regardless of whether you pass the assessment or not, we are all just passersby and tools in your eyes..."

"Since you're always going it alone, you might as well join the Dark Guard."

"There's a reason you came back two years after graduation. How you see others is how they will see you. No one will want to be your teammate."

After Jingyan finished speaking, he said calmly, "Hong, let's survey the terrain first; we might need it tomorrow."

original……

It wasn't that I was mentally prepared, but rather that I had been suppressing my emotions, which finally erupted at this moment.

What sharp words!

Isn't he afraid of a fight breaking out?

Kurenai stared blankly at Kyohiko, then looked at Kakashi.

At this moment, Kakashi's eyes were filled with anger, and his fists were clenched tightly.

but.

Jingyan has no regrets and no intention of apologizing.

In Kakashi's case, reasoning with him won't work. Even if things might improve someday, it might still require sacrificing a teammate...

He didn't want to be like Obito.

Even if he succeeds, there's no guarantee a savior will come to his rescue.

and.

The "influence" process is too slow. Jingyan is hoping to quickly defeat Kakashi, the "boss," and reap a good reward. He doesn't have time to slowly play the emotional game.

of course.

He didn't expect to conquer it all in one go.

One time wasn't enough...

Two or three times is much better than emotional appeal.

The first step is to make this guy understand that respect is mutual.

While he may not be as strong individually as his opponent, that doesn't mean Kakashi can keep spouting his outrageous theories.

Step Two —

Then it depends on whether Jiraiya can cooperate effectively.

Jingyan thought to himself.

After a moment's hesitation, Kurenai Yuhi caught up with Kyohiko.

"Kyohiko-kun, wait for me."

"My trap detection skills are average, so I'd appreciate it if you could help me keep an eye on them, and it would be best if you didn't disturb them."

"it is good."

The two walked deeper into the No. 7 training ground.

Kakashi was very angry.

Behind them, Jiraiya's shadow clone sighed silently.

That silver-haired brat really doesn't respect people, no wonder so many people have complained about him!

but.

That kid gets really angry, and his words hit Kakashi right where it hurt, silencing the silver-haired brat.

He's such a brat!

Even the most mature and self-controlled person will still get angry and lose their temper; they can't stay completely calm.

Jiraiya couldn't help but smile again.

That's more like a child!

but.

What are you going to do about the assessment tomorrow?

……

In the evening, the three parted ways.

After the argument, a clear rift developed between the three of them, to the point that they barely communicated afterward.

Is this really a good idea?

"The sun sets in a low voice," asked the woman.

Jingyan's words just now also overturned the first impression the other party had formed in half a day.

It turns out the other person was just more tolerant!

"Kakashi has his reasons for acting this way, and I understand them. I was in a similar situation before, but to solve the problem, you can't just blindly obey him; that's not the right thing to do."

"So that's how it is..."

Yuhi Kurenai murmured to herself.

Jingyan stopped in his tracks.

"We're almost at your neighborhood, I won't go any further."

"what?"

Kurenai woke up with a start and looked around before realizing she had arrived at the street corner where her home was.

Just now……

She wasn't paying attention at all; she was only thinking about what had happened that day and pondering the person in front of her.

Goodbye, let's do our best together tomorrow.

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

(End of this chapter)