Hokage Office.

The Third Hokage pressed his hand on the crystal ball, observing the movements of Kakashi, Kyouhiko, and Yuhi Kurenai.

At that moment,

“Bang!”

A strange noise rang out, and the Third Hokage immediately pressed down on the crystal ball and looked toward the window.

Then…

He realized.

What was I afraid of?

Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat lightly and scolded, “Jiraiya, can’t you come in through the front door?”

“Hey, this is faster.”

Jiraiya was still in a disheveled state, glancing over before his expression turned serious, “What are you watching? How is it?”

The Third Hokage supported his smoking pipe with one hand.

“Kyouhiko Ryofuu is indeed impressive.”

“The most important thing is his awareness and thinking. This kid is very mature, but children in wartime—the more mature they are, the more dangerous they can be. They need guidance, just like Kakashi.”

Jiraiya leaned in closer, joining in to watch the crystal ball.

In the image, Kyouhiko and Kakashi were running while exchanging punches and kicks, competing in taijutsu.

At first…

Kyouhiko was at a disadvantage, but thanks to his speed, he could always avoid danger.

However,

as they fought, even through the crystal ball, both he and the Third Hokage could see—

Kyouhiko’s taijutsu skills were continuously improving!

How is that possible?

Is there really such a genius in the world?

Jiraiya nudged the Third Hokage.

Clatter!

The smoking pipe fell.

“Ouch! My precious!”

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

However,

this was clearly not the time to be worried about spilled tobacco.

The Third Hokage’s expression was serious, his gaze fixed on the crystal ball.

This rate of progress?

If he didn’t know the other party was a descendant of the Senju clan, he would think Kyouhiko had activated the Sharingan and was imitating Kakashi’s taijutsu.

“Jiraiya, have you seen him before?”

“Old man, I’ve run into him several times over the past year. I can assure you, this kid works very hard; all of this is due to his own effort. He probably hasn’t fought with others before, so he has accumulated a lot and is progressing rapidly.”

“Hmm.”

The Third Hokage nodded.

He believed it; he was just too surprised earlier—

a child he had never heard of before actually possessed such talent and perseverance.

Incredible!

……

“Huff! Huff!”

Kakashi was panting heavily.

He truly found it hard to believe that there was someone in the world who could progress this quickly.

A genius?

But—

what did all his years of hard work count for?

Kakashi refused to believe that there was any talent that could lead to rapid improvement in such a short time.

The person in front of him was more likely someone who had been training behind closed doors without any real combat experience until now.

Moreover,

the other party’s speed seemed to be increasing without him noticing.

He was still getting stronger!

Although Kakashi was not completely flustered or unable to hold his own, the shock inside him was unavoidable, and as Kyouhiko’s “strength increased,” their battle grew increasingly perilous.

However,

Kyouhiko understood himself.

Without the advantage he had gained from training with Guy, he absolutely could not have improved his taijutsu so quickly.

Additionally—

fighting was the fastest way to integrate knowledge and ability into oneself!

“You guys should stop fighting; it’s not good for either side to continue like this,”

Yuhi Kurenai urged from behind.

However,

no one was listening.

She gritted her teeth, made up her mind, and quickly formed hand seals.

Sakura Petals Technique!

Petals of cherry blossoms fell from the sky.

Kyouhiko and Kakashi recognized the situation at once, immediately landing and abandoning the fight, then quickly began to dispel the genjutsu.

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

Of course,

it was not that they had dispelled the genjutsu; it was that Kurenai had quickly lifted it.

Kurenai hurriedly bowed and apologized.

“Sorry! But you two were getting more and more intense, and I don’t know any medical ninjutsu. If something happens in the Forest of Death, it could be very dangerous.”

“Kurenai, we should be thanking you,”

Kyouhiko said.

Kakashi didn’t speak.

At this age, she could already use such a high level of genjutsu!

Kurenai's genjutsu was indeed remarkable.

No wonder she was chosen by Lord Jiraiya.

Fortunately, he wore a mask, so others couldn’t see his face, preserving his cool image.

Kyouhiko didn’t bring up his scars.

“We are teammates. The fight just now allows us to understand each other’s strength, so we can better arrange tactics for tomorrow’s assessment.”

Teammates…

Kakashi said coldly, “As long as you don’t hold me back, it’s fine.”

Kurenai’s blood pressure rose.

She was usually gentle, but the genius Kakashi in her impression was repeatedly overturning her understanding.

How could this guy be so unpleasant?

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

Was Kyouhiko already mentally prepared?

That made sense.

They had been in the same class,

unlike her, who was in a different grade than Kakashi.

However,

in the next moment, Kurenai was stunned.

“Perhaps you didn’t use your full strength earlier; after all, you still had a knife. But no matter how strong you are, can you really defeat Lord Jiraiya alone?”

Kyouhiko said lightly.

Kakashi turned back, not speaking but staring at him.

“The meaning of cooperation is to cultivate teammates. If you ignore the safety of your teammates, regardless of whether we can pass the assessment or not, we are just passersby and tools in your eyes…”

“If you prefer to work alone, you might as well join the Anbu.”

“Returning after two years of graduation isn’t without reason; how you see others is how others will see you. People like you won’t find anyone willing to be your teammate.”

After Kyouhiko finished speaking, he added calmly, “Kurenai, let’s scout the terrain first; it might be useful tomorrow.”

It turned out…

It wasn’t that he was mentally prepared; it was that he had been suppressing his emotions, and only at this moment did it finally explode.

Such sharp words!

Was he not afraid of it turning into a fight?

Kurenai stared blankly at Kyouhiko, then looked at Kakashi.

At that moment, Kakashi’s eyes were filled with anger, his fists clenched tightly.

But

Kyouhiko did not regret it, nor did he plan to apologize.

In Kakashi’s case, being nice wouldn’t work; even if there was a chance to correct it someday, it was uncertain whether a teammate would have to be sacrificed…

He didn’t want to become Obito.

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

Moreover,

the speed of “reformation” was too slow; Kyouhiko hoped to quickly conquer Kakashi, this “boss,” to gain rewards, leaving no time to slowly play emotional games.

Of course,

he didn’t expect to conquer him in one go.

If one time doesn’t work…

two or three times are still much better than emotional reformation.

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

His individual strength was indeed not as good as the other’s, but that didn’t mean Kakashi could keep throwing out his “extreme remarks.”

The second step—

that would depend on whether Jiraiya could cooperate smoothly.

Kyouhiko thought to himself.

Kurenai hesitated for a moment but still caught up with Kyouhiko.

“Kyouhiko-kun, wait for me.”

“My trap detection ability is average; I’d appreciate it if you could help observe, preferably without disturbing them.”

“Okay.”

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

Kakashi was very angry.

Behind them, Jiraiya’s shadow clone silently sighed.

This silver-haired kid really didn’t respect others; no wonder so many people complained about him!

However,

when that kid got angry, he was fierce, and a few words directly hit Kakashi’s sore spot, silencing the silver-haired kid.

After all, he was still a kid!

No matter how mature and restrained, he would still get angry and frustrated, unable to remain completely calm.

Jiraiya couldn’t help but smile.

This is what a child should be like!

But

what would they do for tomorrow’s assessment?

……

In the evening, the three parted ways.

After the argument, there was a clear rift among the three, leading to little communication afterward.

“Is this really okay?”

Kurenai asked quietly.

Kyouhiko’s earlier words had completely overturned the first impression she had formed in half a day.

It turned out that the other party was just better at enduring!

“There’s a reason Kakashi is like this; I can understand it very well. I was once in a similar state, but to solve the problem, we can’t just blindly obey him; that’s not right.”

“Is that so…”

Kurenai murmured.

Kyouhiko stopped.

“We’re nearing your home; I won’t walk you further.”

“Ah?”

Kurenai woke up, looking around, only to realize they had already reached the street where her home was located.

Earlier…

she hadn’t even noticed, only thinking about today’s events and contemplating the person in front of her.

“Goodbye, let’s work hard together tomorrow.”

“Yes! Thank you, Kyouhiko-kun. I gained a lot today.”