After a brief rest, Takeshi's group encountered a border patrol unit that had come to investigate the commotion.
After a short exchange, Tatsuma led Takeshi and the others back to Konoha, where they all headed to the Hokage's office to report and complete the mission.
"There are 25 abandoned or damaged strongholds along the northern border. All have been marked on the map."
Handing over a scroll to Hiruzen, Aburame Tatsuma gave a flat report on the mission's progress:
"Additionally, near the old Site 12, we were attacked by unknown enemies. The details have already been handed over to the border patrol for investigation."
"The old Site 12, huh? That's deep into the border... As expected, the patrol frequency really does need to be increased. Good work, all of you."
Opening the scroll and locating Site 12, Hiruzen removed the pipe from his mouth. His thoughts were already shifting toward plans to strengthen the patrol forces.
After offering a few more words of encouragement, Hiruzen signaled that Tatsuma and the others could leave, keeping Takeshi behind.
"I've read the combat report. You performed admirably. Your mastery of Ice Release is becoming more refined, and you've even started applying the Flying Thunder God Technique in real combat."
Hiruzen put out his pipe and smiled kindly at the disciple before him.
Takeshi only smiled in response to the praise, his tone somewhat modest.
"I still have a long way to go compared to Minato-san. Right now, I can only sense three Flying Thunder God markers at once... I'm nowhere near proficient."
Hiruzen wasn't bothered by Takeshi's humility.
"Modesty is certainly a virtue, but too much of it becomes a flaw. You're only ten years old. When your father was your age—cough, well, let's not dwell on old history."
Realizing it was slightly inappropriate to badmouth Takeshi's father in front of him, Hiruzen coughed lightly and changed the subject.
"Even though Ice Release is your main technique, don't neglect your training in the five elemental releases. Mastery of all five gives you more options when facing tough situations."
When Hiruzen first took Takeshi as a student, he had him tested for chakra nature. The results showed he had all five natures—wind and water were his strongest, followed by fire and earth, with lightning being the weakest.
Hiruzen hadn't been too surprised by the results.
After all, Danzo's chakra nature was fire, wind, earth, and water.
"Yes, Hiruzen-sensei."
Though Takeshi answered obediently, he had his own thoughts.
At present, he not only needed to keep developing Ice Release but also had to practice Fuinjutsu. Then there was the Flying Thunder God Technique he couldn't afford to neglect... plus the five elemental techniques and Sarutobi-style taijutsu...
Sure, he wasn't being whipped anymore, but somehow it still felt like he was being pushed into the ground.
Takeshi wasn't exactly a hard-working person. What motivated him to push through was his sense of urgency.
If nothing went wrong, the Third Shinobi World War would break out in just two more years.
If he didn't sweat more now, he'd bleed more on the battlefield later.
And when he thought about that "kind and gentle" old Uchiha man waiting underground in Kusagakure... Takeshi couldn't help but feel a wave of helplessness.
...
Though the air had begun to fill with the scent of gunpowder, most villagers and shinobi still lived according to their usual routines.
In front of a bookstore in Konoha, a silver-haired boy with hands in his pockets glanced around before stepping inside.
"Welcome..."
Hearing the door open, the shopkeeper glanced up from his newspaper at the visitor, then lazily turned back to reading.
"New releases are on the innermost shelf, third row from the bottom."
Following the owner's directions, the boy found the shelf and quickly located the new book he had come for.
After paying, he didn't even look for a comfortable spot. Right there at the bookstore entrance, he opened the book eagerly to read.
"Yo, Kakashi. What are you reading?"
Just leaving the Hokage building on his way to Training Ground 9, Takeshi spotted Kakashi standing at the bookstore door. He walked up and slung an arm around his shoulder, snatching the book from his hands.
"Takeshi?! Give it back!"
Recognizing the familiar chakra, Kakashi panicked and reached out to grab the book back, but Takeshi agilely dodged.
"Hmph! You want me to give it back just because you say so? Nope, I'm definitely reading this!"
"Hmm... Let's see. 'The stunningly cold and beautiful snow woman is subdued by a one-eyed man using underhanded methods, and is forced to bear his child'?"
Takeshi froze at the plot summary.
Kakashi took the opportunity to snatch his book back.
Was it just his imagination, or did that plot feel strangely...
Wait, no. That wasn't the point!
"Kakashi, you're reading a dirty book?!"
Takeshi pointed at Kakashi, who was hurriedly trying to shove the book into his shirt. Hearing the accusation, Kakashi moved even faster.
No matter how Obito's fate turned out, Kakashi would always be the same reserved pervert!
"It's just a normal piece of literature!"
Kakashi tried to defend himself, but his voice lacked strength.
"Oh? Takeshi, Kakashi, are you discussing the secrets of youth? If that's the case, I can't just sit idly by!"
A green blur rushed in from somewhere, landing in front of them with a spinning kick that stirred up a cloud of dust before landing solidly in place.
"Guy?"
Even before the dust cleared, Takeshi recognized the figure from the green jumpsuit.
Come to think of it, Guy wasn't wrong. Dirty books really were a part of youth that had to be experienced. Back then, he too had sneakily read Young Something or Heroic Something...
Ahem. Appreciation—purely from an artistic standpoint, of course.
"Hmm? Why aren't you two saying anything?"
Guy looked at them, puzzled.
Kakashi kept quiet out of guilt. Takeshi stayed quiet because he was reminiscing.
Hearing Guy's question, Kakashi quickly changed the subject.
"Guy, didn't you say Takeshi is your closest friend and rival? Now that he's back, hurry and challenge him to a duel."
Successfully shifting the focus, Kakashi diverted Guy's attention to Takeshi.
"That's right, Takeshi! Ever since you became a Chūnin, we haven't had a proper match. This time, let us burn our youth to its peak!"
"Kakashi, you—" Takeshi was about to unleash a torrent of profanity when he saw Kakashi use the Body Flicker Technique to vanish from the scene.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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