The next day.
Takeshi and Asuma inevitably ran into each other at an intersection.
"Yo, morning... good morning." Asuma greeted Takeshi, pretending to be calm.
"Morning... yeah." Takeshi nodded awkwardly in return.
Then the two fell into an uncomfortable silence.
"Uh, I went to see your dad..." Takeshi was the first to break the awkward atmosphere. He still couldn't believe he had somehow become the Third Hokage's disciple and now stood on equal footing with people like Jiraiya.
Seriously, what was Minato supposed to think about all this? Minato would have to start calling him "sensei"?
"Yeah, well... I also went to see your dad..." Asuma's nervousness came from the rumors swirling through the village—about how Danzō, known as a hardline hawk, had always clashed with the more gentle-natured old man. So why would his dad choose someone like that to be his teacher?
Both of them, burdened with thoughts of their own, stepped onto an uncertain path.
...
"You're here early, Takeshi."
Hiruzen's face lit up as he saw Takeshi cautiously push open the door. He quickly stood up and pulled over a small chair, placing it right beside him.
"Just in time. I've got some work to handle right now. Sit here for a bit, and once I'm done, I'll take you to train."
"Uh, Hokage-sama, I can wait outside..." Takeshi tried to politely decline, but Hiruzen had already grabbed his hand and pulled him over to sit down beside him.
And so, Takeshi was forced to watch Hiruzen work for two whole hours.
Unlike Danzō's naturally sinister and oppressive presence, Hiruzen always wore a warm smile when dealing with villagers. Even when he received reports of failed missions, he showed no signs of irritation—only concern for the wounded.
Truly the polar opposite of his own father...
But no matter how restless he felt, Takeshi had to keep a polite—if slightly awkward—smile on his face.
This performance earned him a nod of approval from Hiruzen, who was secretly observing him the whole time.
Whenever a reporting ninja, curious about Takeshi's presence, asked who he was, Hiruzen always cheerfully responded, "This is my new disciple."
Meanwhile, Asuma followed behind Danzō, watching as the man issued sharp, decisive orders, ruthlessly eliminating potential threats to Konoha before they could bloom. A sense of admiration began to rise in his heart.
"Compared to my indecisive, neglectful old man, Takeshi's father is truly decisive. That's the kind of ninja I aspire to be!"
At that moment, the gears of fate shifted ever so slightly, adding an element of uncertainty to the future.
Just like that, two and a half years passed.
...
Northern Border of the Land of Fire
"Enemy count: currently confirmed at fourteen. Based on chakra signatures, the one behind the tree trunk in the northwest is a sensory-type ninja, Takeshi."
Hidden in the shadows, Aburame Tatsuma used his kikaichū to confirm the enemy sensor's position. The enemy had formed a fan-shaped search formation, trying to track down their group.
"Got it."
Wearing a Chūnin vest, Takeshi nodded and looked in the direction Tatsuma indicated. He formed a single-hand seal.
"Strange... there's a chill in the air..."
Just as the enemy sensor was trying to pinpoint Takeshi's location, an icy mirror instantly formed beside him. A cold, expressionless figure appeared in its reflection and, with a flick of the wrist, sent a flurry of ice senbon that killed the sensor ninja on the spot.
"Damn it! Mizu!"
The man protecting the sensor ninja roared in fury and hurled an explosive tag to shatter the ice mirror.
The sound of the blast alerted the enemy ninjas up ahead—they immediately realized something had happened to their sensor and halted their advance.
"Based on chakra readings, the enemy has at least three Jōnin. Should we retreat to the outpost and call for backup while they're hidden after taking down our sensor ninja? Or..." Tatsuma turned to ask his three teammates.
"Let's head back and call for support," Takeshi suggested in a balanced tone. "There are too many enemies, and our previous clashes were loud enough to draw attention from the border patrol."
"You're too soft, Takeshi."
Asuma disagreed. "They tried to sneak in, and we caught them off guard. They're the ones panicking now. We need to show them Konoha isn't a place they can enter at will!"
Takeshi frowned, looking at Asuma, who was also wearing a Chūnin vest.
"Who's to say these enemies aren't just a scouting party? What if they're just the vanguard and a full force is waiting behind them?"
"If that's true, then all the more reason to wipe them out here. That way, even if there is a larger force, they'll think twice before making a move!"
Asuma swung his arm fiercely. To Tatsuma, his movements eerily resembled Danzō's decisive style.
As expected of Danzō-sama's disciple.
Tatsuma looked at Asuma with a hint of admiration.
In contrast, Takeshi's expression and tone seemed more in line with the Third Hokage.
Among the four of them, only Obito hadn't been promoted to Chūnin. He could only watch helplessly as they debated.
"I'm going first! Obito, cover me!"
Seeing Takeshi fall silent, Asuma made the call on his own.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!"
He leapt out of hiding and unleashed a flurry of cross-shaped wind blades directly toward the enemy group.
"Why are you looking at me? Go already!"
Seeing Asuma rush out, and Obito still looking at him for direction, Takeshi sighed and ran after him.
"Yosh! Time to show them the true terror of the Uchiha!"
Obito yanked down his goggles and quickly formed hand seals. With the enemy's attention drawn to Asuma, he unleashed his best technique:
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Compared to two years ago, when his fireball was only basketball-sized, Obito had made astonishing progress. The fireball he now released had a five-meter diameter, roaring toward the enemy like an unstoppable force.
Aburame Tatsuma: Wait, wasn't I the squad leader? Am I being ignored again...?
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
The enemy leader acted quickly—he created a mud wall to block the fireball and then used the cover of dust and smoke to charge at Obito with a kunai in hand.
"Cough, cough... not good!"
Choking on the smoke, Obito noticed the oncoming attacker and struggled to defend himself.
"Obito, hold your breath! Ice Release!"
Seeing Obito in trouble, Takeshi used a jutsu he developed based on manga from his previous life. He exhaled a thick cloud of freezing mist that enveloped both Obito and the enemy.
The mist was laced with countless microscopic ice crystals. Once inhaled, Takeshi could manipulate them to wreak havoc inside the enemy's body.
"A smokescreen? Watch me blow it—cough!"
The enemy ninja tried to disperse the fog, but a sudden searing pain in his lungs overwhelmed him. Blood surged up his throat uncontrollably.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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