The Third Hokage was quick to notice the petrified look on Kakashi's face.
He was afraid Kakashi might follow Yamato's example and just walk away from the job.
So, the Third hurried to add, "That kid may have an extraordinary talent for ninjutsu, but he's still an unpolished gem."
"His combat experience is lacking. He's got power, but doesn't know how to use it. His mindset still needs tempering…"
"Kakashi, right now is exactly when he needs a good teacher!"
"And you, someone who's grasped the true meaning of being a shinobi, are without a doubt the best person to guide him!"
Hearing this, Kakashi felt a surge of responsibility well up inside him.
After all, what he was doing now was nurturing one of Konoha's future super shinobi.
Still, he had his doubts about the flaws in Shinju that the Third Hokage had described.
Because during this mission, Kakashi had discovered—
Shinju not only used the right jutsu to counter his opponents, he often managed to pull off unexpected results.
More importantly, this guy understood and applied the concept of shinobi "deception" to an extreme degree.
As for his mindset…
The kid was cautious, but he never showed fear.
That said, it did seem like he hadn't yet formed a ninja way of his own, and would need someone to guide him there.
After thinking it over, Kakashi decided—he would be the one to guide Shinju himself.
"I understand, Lord Hokage. I'll make sure to train Shinju well!" Kakashi promised.
The Third Hokage let out a relieved sigh.
"Good. Then you can head back for now."
...
Elsewhere—
At the village gate—
Shinju was still surrounded by several classmates, peppering him with questions.
Shikamaru wanted to know how Shinju had figured out all those jutsu.
Sakura was asking which one was stronger now, Shinju or Sasuke.
Ino, on the other hand, was worried. Learning such difficult jutsu must have cost him a lot of effort; he should really rest and take care of his health.
Only Choji, off to the side, had been holding a bag of chips and eating nonstop from the start.
While munching away, Choji casually said to Naruto and Sasuke beside him,
"Shinju sure is popular, huh."
They were all in the same class, but the difference was glaring—Naruto and Sasuke's side was quiet, while Shinju's was buzzing with attention.
"No way! I'm gonna start training too! I can't let Shinju get too far ahead!" Naruto shouted, punching the air with renewed fighting spirit.
Sasuke didn't say a word—he just wanted to hurry home and start training.
Watching Naruto and Sasuke leave, Shinju quickly made an excuse and slipped away.
Behind him, the group watched his back, thoughtful expressions on their faces.
"I knew Shinju could do it," Ino said sincerely, genuinely happy for him.
Beside her, Shikamaru suddenly spoke.
"He doesn't know about your feelings for him yet, does he?"
Ino's face flushed—her thoughts exposed—and she hurried to deny it.
"What feelings? I have no idea what you're talking about! (๑•́ ₃•̀๑)"
Shikamaru rubbed his forehead.
"Come on, drop the act. Your care and affection for him are practically written all over your face. (||๐_๐)"
Ino: "…"
Shikamaru continued, "That kid's barely in his teens and he's already mastered the insanely difficult S-rank forbidden jutsu, Flying Thunder God. His future is limitless. There'll only be more girls who want to be with him."
"You'd better grab your chance now—Konoha's full of girls more outstanding than you."
Ino: "Can't you say something nice for once?! (ꐦ ಠ皿ಠ)"
Shikamaru shrugged. "Just calling it like I see it. ┐(´-｀)┌"
...
Back home—
Naruto, who had vowed to train, collapsed straight into bed and fell asleep.
Understandable, really—he had been walking all day.
Shinju, on the other hand, had been traveling with the Flying Thunder God the whole way, so he didn't feel tired. He took it upon himself to handle the cooking.
Tonight, he decided, he'd make braised pork—hadn't had that in a while.
With that in mind, he prepared to teleport to the market to buy ingredients using the Flying Thunder God.
Shinju's Flying Thunder God marker was hidden in a secluded corner of the market.
...
Meanwhile, Konohamaru was with his two friends, examining a strange mark on a wall.
"What is this thing? Looks like a tree, but shaped kinda weird… and it feels familiar."
Leaning in close to the mark, Konohamaru studied it with great seriousness.
Next to him, glasses-wearing Udon said, "Looks like some kind of rune. Feels mysterious!"
The only girl in the trio, Moegi, crossed her arms.
"You two are overthinking it. It's obviously just a kid's random doodle that happens to look like a tree."
"No, I still think it's got some kind of special magic—like unlocking a seal, or solving it to learn some powerful jutsu," Udon insisted.
Just then—
Shinju suddenly appeared with the Flying Thunder God!
The moment he arrived, he felt… something odd between his legs.
Looking down, he found Konohamaru crouched right under him!
Shinju: "…"
Konohamaru: "…"
Shinju asked in confusion, "Konohamaru… what exactly are you doing under my crotch? (꒪⌓꒪)"
Konohamaru: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
"You're the one who suddenly popped up out of nowhere, Shinju-niichan!"
It clicked for Shinju—Konohamaru had been leaning right next to the Flying Thunder God seal he'd placed here.
So when he teleported over, he ended up right on top of the kid's head.
Beside them, Moegi's eyes sparkled as she saw the handsome Shinju suddenly appear.
"Wow, so cool! (´◊ω◊｀) Konohamaru, is this your friend?"
Getting to his feet, Konohamaru proudly introduced,
"This is the Shinju-niichan I've been telling you guys about!"
"Shinju-niichan is super strong! He's the one who taught me the Rasengan!"
"He's the one who taught you the Rasengan in just one day? That's amazing!" Udon sniffled and looked at him with admiration.
Moegi's eyes shone even brighter.
"Cool and strong Shinju-niichan…"
Then Konohamaru suddenly remembered something and blurted out excitedly,
"Oh yeah! Shinju-niichan, that Rasengan you taught me is really useful! One time I snuck up behind Grandpa and hit him with it, and knocked him flat on the ground!"
Shinju: !!!∑(°Д°ノ)ノ
You actually went through with it?!
Talk about filial… in the worst way possible!
He wondered if the Third would hold this against him…
Casting a glance at the three kids, Shinju headed toward the vegetable stall.
"Alright, enough talking. I've got groceries to buy and dinner to cook."
...
Hokage's Office—
After a whole day of paperwork, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stretched his sore back and coughed twice.
His secretary quickly asked, "Lord Hokage, is that injury from the other day—when Konohamaru hit you—still not healed?"
Puffing on his pipe, the Third squinted.
"Yeah… that brat hit me with a surprise Rasengan, and my back's been aching for days. Guess I'm getting old… not as tough as I used to be…"
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