Still, that three-tomoe guy probably isn't going to make it.
Not only did he fall victim to his own poison, but nearly half his body was blown off. Unless he had Hashirama cells...
"You seem quite concerned about Yahiko and the others."
Jiraiya was very curious about Takeshi's attitude toward Yahiko's group.
They'd only met once—how could he already form such a deep bond?
"What's wrong with a martial uncle caring about his own disciples? Honestly, you as their teacher are the one who's being way too careless. They're going up against Hanzo the Salamander."
Rotating his shoulder joint a bit, Takeshi jumped down from the hospital bed and turned his head, throwing the question back at Jiraiya.
This guy Jiraiya had dedicated his whole life to the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, betting everything on the Child of Prophecy.
He'd spent his life constantly on the move, never managed to win the woman he loved, failed to save his own student, didn't even rescue his master—and in the end, he was killed by the very disciple he'd placed all his hopes on—
Tch, just thinking about it pissed him off.
"Well, I'll take care of it."
Naturally, Jiraiya wasn't going to explain the Great Toad Sage's prophecy to Takeshi. He laughed it off and changed the subject.
"Since you're fine, I won't stick around. The little toads have to eat too, y'know. Hahaha."
Snatching a few fruits and stuffing them into his robe, Jiraiya stood up. Ignoring Takeshi's protests, he gave his hair a harsh ruffle, laughing heartily as he left.
"Jiraiya-sama really has a strong personality."
Watching Jiraiya's departing back and Takeshi's visibly annoyed expression, Shisui finally squeezed out a comment he'd been holding in.
"Hmm?"
Takeshi shot a cold glance at Shisui, then quickly looked away.
"Just a peeping tom. Wait till the war's over—you'll see how I deal with him."
By this point, Takeshi was already scheming in his head, thinking of how to convince the Third to forcibly keep Jiraiya in the village once the war was over.
"Uhh..."
Shisui could only sigh internally and began analyzing the conversation between Takeshi and Jiraiya.
The fact that Obito had once been Jiraiya's student—Shisui figured even Fugaku might not know about that.
Thinking back to the instructions Fugaku had given him before coming here, Shisui hesitated on whether or not to report this information.
"Hey, Obito—"
Patting his leg, which had gone a bit numb from sitting cross-legged too long, Takeshi was just about to call Obito over for dinner—and maybe blow off some steam on him—when he noticed Obito instinctively flinch at the sound of his name.
"What's wrong? You think I'm gonna eat you or something?"
Seeing Obito's reaction, Takeshi was confused.
"It's not that, it's just..."
Obito hesitated for a moment before voicing what was on his mind.
"Every time something like this happens... you always take it out on me..."
Damn, you actually noticed?
Once again, Takeshi marveled at the Mangekyō Sharingan's boost to Obito's intelligence. Forcing a smile, he tried to allay the boy's suspicions.
"What are you talking about, Obito? Aren't we brothers for life? Hearing that kind of thing really hurts my heart."
As he spoke, Takeshi slowly approached Obito.
"And that fake smile too!"
Not falling for it in the slightest, Obito leapt over Takeshi's hospital bed and, before anyone could react, jumped straight out the window.
"Wait, since when was Obito that agile?"
Watching him move so smoothly and fluidly, Takeshi's mouth dropped open in disbelief.
Uchiha Shisui & Uchiha Itachi: ...
Neither of them knew what to say. They simply turned their heads and followed Takeshi's gaze toward the direction Obito had fled.
"Tch, brainpower and physical ability both went up, huh."
Clicking his tongue in frustration, Takeshi had no outlet for his irritation and ended up placing his hand on little Uchiha Itachi's head.
"Hey, Itachi. I've been meaning to ask since you first got here—why do you look so gloomy for someone your age?"
Uchiha Itachi: Obito was right. Takeshi really does have this terrible habit of taking his frustration out on others...
Shisui's lips twitched as he watched Takeshi bombard Itachi with questions.
Sorry, Fugaku-sama. It's not that I don't want to protect Itachi—it's just that the guy's too...
And sorry to you too, Itachi. I really can't help you...
Facing Itachi's pleading eyes, all Shisui could do was turn his head away.
"Keep that frown too long and you'll grow tear troughs, you know."
Still ruffling Itachi's hair, Takeshi found the texture quite pleasing, so he couldn't help but pinch his cheeks a bit longer.
Tch tch. Gotta admit, Itachi was pretty adorable as a kid.
Thank goodness he didn't inherit any of Fugaku's facial features. No one wants to go around pinching a kid who looks like Fugaku.
Still not satisfied, Takeshi forced Itachi's face into a smile and mirrored the expression himself.
"See? That's the kind of face a child should have."
This guy...
Seeing Takeshi's smile, Itachi froze up for a moment.
He'd heard the name "White Reaper" more than once.
Sometimes from Konoha shinobi, sometimes from enemies—more often from his own clan.
As the son of Shimura Danzō, just the surname "Shimura" was enough to catch the attention of most Uchiha.
Though the Uchiha were proud, they never hesitated to praise true strength.
Whether it was the blood-soaked massacre at Kumogakure or Takeshi's victory over the young A, the Uchiha had little to say in criticism.
Their only lament was how someone like Danzō—so sinister and conniving—could've fathered such an outstanding son.
Before meeting Takeshi, Itachi had imagined him to be cold, expressionless, and quiet.
But in reality...
Setting aside that goofy grin, his actions right now were completely outside Itachi's expectations.
What kind of elite jōnin vents his anger on kids like this?! (Annoyed)
Just as Itachi's large black eyes were staring intently at him, Takeshi suddenly realized whose face he'd been grabbing.
He quickly let go, cursing himself internally.
Shit, what the hell did I just do?! I actually pinched his face and even forced him to make a funny expression!
What if he really turns out like the original story and comes at me with a sword one day?
That nursery rhyme I made up as a joke might actually come true...
Is it too late to apologize now?
Seeing Takeshi suddenly look troubled for no apparent reason, Itachi's expression loosened, and he showed a rare, genuine smile.
Maybe the answer he'd been searching so hard for... might just come from this man.
"Takeshi-sama, what is the meaning of life?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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