Kakashi paused slightly. The Flying Thunder God Technique, the Fourth Hokage's renowned spatial ninjutsu, was profound and indescribably esoteric. The Third Hokage had personally witnessed Naruto's exceptional talent and comprehension, which was why he solemnly entrusted him with the scroll carrying the legacy of the "Yellow Flash." His intention was clear: only Naruto might be able to grasp a bit of it. This was almost Konoha's sole hope at present.
Yet, Naruto was tying such a heavy trust to his elusive "single no more progress"? Kakashi looked at Naruto's confident yet sly expression and was momentarily speechless. This kid... he was actually shifting the pressure onto him.
As for whether Naruto could fulfill the promise...
"Naruto," Kakashi's visible eye slightly narrowed, his scrutinizing gaze sweeping over him, "If I 'succeed in getting a girlfriend' tomorrow, can your Flying Thunder God be complete by tomorrow?" His tone carried an immense amount of doubt.
Naruto's blue eyes instantly lit up like lightbulbs, the surprise comparable to when he accidentally discovered the Nine-Tails disguised as a chef! Even the usually silent Sasuke couldn't help but glance over.
"Really?!"
Oh, big news, huge news! This couldn't be taken back; he immediately made a pact with Kakashi: "Sensei Kakashi, it's a deal! As long as you successfully hold hands with Teacher-Lady tomorrow! I, Na-ru-to U-zu-ma-ki! Guarantee that before sunset tomorrow, I'll 'whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~~~' instantly flash-deliver all the orders from 'Dad's Burger Shop' using the Flying Thunder God Technique!"
A visible black line slid down Kakashi's forehead. Was the Flying Thunder God Technique meant to be used like this? Show some respect to Minato-sensei, hey!!! And this promise, why did it sound so unreliable?
Instantly, he remembered a phrase Naruto liked to say, and he immediately adopted it: "Really? I don't believe you?"
Huh? Naruto was instantly flabbergasted. How dare you use my line?
Seeing the words "Do I look like I believe you?" clearly written on Kakashi's face, Naruto's lips curved into a smirk. It was time to show off, little buddy!
"Speaking of which, Sensei Kakashi," his voice held a hint of mystery, "do you remember that time in the Land of Waves when I asked how Ice Release came to be?"
"Ice Release?" Kakashi's dead-fish eyes showed a flicker of memory. He was wondering why Naruto was asking about this.
Naruto prompted again: "That's right! You told me: the flexibility of Water Release, the sharpness of Wind Release, and the harmony of yin and yang, combined to form ice!"
Kakashi nodded perfunctorily: "Oh, just a textbook answer."
"Tsk tsk tsk," Naruto shook his head, slowly and elegantly immersing his palm into the steaming hot spring water beneath him: "So, after I went back, I did a little research into the 'harmony of yin and yang' fun."
Hm? Kakashi's eyebrow just raised...
"Ice Release: Secret Technique: Ice-Cold Happy Fat-Boy Soda Jutsu!"
Naruto lightly exclaimed, and a biting cold current burst forth from his palm!
Buzz—
One second, it was a serene, health-preserving hot spring!
The next second, a nuclear-level cold wave struck!
Screech—
The previously ethereal 'Uchiha Hot Spring' had all its warmth instantly sucked away, the scalding hot spring water flash-freezing into a semi-solid, giant soda slushie bucket, shimmering with crystalline ice!
Plop!
Hiss—
All three of them simultaneously recoiled and jumped up, Kakashi's silver hair almost freezing into icicles. Naruto contentedly rubbed the ice crystals off his fingertips, his tone calm: "There, Ice Release. Purely handmade Kekkei Genkai, no added preservatives."
Then he raised an eyebrow, heavily implying: Quick, praise me for being a genius!
Kakashi: Completely dumbfounded.jpg
At this moment, his brain was about to explode. His visible eye was wide open, and his Sharingan was almost shocked into activating Mangekyo!
Kekkei Genkai! Ice Release! This wasn't granted by bloodline; instead, this kid had "self-developed" it using a casual, textbook answer he'd given him! He opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing, ultimately just taking a breath of cold air mixed with spices. When he looked up at Naruto again, the shock in his eyes hadn't completely subsided.
Before, seeing Naruto's various genius displays, he felt like he was already numb enough. But looking at it now, it seemed... it was only a medium level of numbness. There was at least: extreme numbness, special numbness, and extreme special numbness to come! This kid, he wouldn't even be shocked anymore if Naruto suddenly pulled out Wood Release.
Seeing Sensei Kakashi silent, Naruto thought it wasn't enough and chose to up the ante: "Sensei Kakashi, still not enough? How about I add Wood Release too?"
Another silence fell. But it was also the final straw that broke the camel's back.
"Alright." Kakashi's voice was dry from excessive shock. He stared at Naruto with complex eyes: "This time, I concede."
"As for the promise... give me some time." Kakashi's voice deepened slightly, that usual layer of laziness replaced by a subtle, almost imperceptible solemnity.
The talent and potential Naruto displayed were like a strong light, piercing through the fatigue and detachment that had long enveloped his heart. The heavy shadows of his past—his father, Obito, Rin, the Fourth Hokage—still lingered in his memory. He had once thought his heart had grown quiet, secretly binding all his unfulfilled desires and the strength to protect to these three young lives before him, who represented "the future." He had once thought he would never love again, nor would he harbor such... almost burning expectations for anything.
Yet, now... For the future of Konoha! For this youth, who carried Minato-sensei's blood and displayed astonishing talent, to truly soar into the sky? Yes, he seemed to have to try once again to open that long-sealed door to his heart. To choose to face the sunlight again, and bear the responsibility of guidance and legacy. Especially thinking of Orochimaru lurking in the shadows, that unresolved sense of threat made him even more aware: action was urgent.
"Within a month." Kakashi looked at Naruto, his gaze direct and profound. "I will... do my part."
"Naruto," he called, his tone more focused and expectant than ever, "Are you sure you can do it?"
"Of course, Sensei Kakashi!" Naruto grinned, without the slightest hesitation, responding decisively.
"Oh, right! Sensei Kakashi!" Naruto seemed to suddenly remember something, pulling out a small notebook and a pen from behind him with lightning speed, his face etched with "eagerness to learn" as he leaned in:
"Please! Give me a few more fusion-type 'Kekkei Genkai recipes'?" He scribbled down the water + wind combination, tapping the notebook loudly: "Like Lava Release, Boil Release, Dust Release... just tell me all of them! I'll 'research' them together tomorrow and make a 'Kekkei Genkai Family Bucket'! Guaranteed to be even more sumptuous than the old man's family bucket!"
Instantly, a black line appeared on Kakashi's face.
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