"Huff… huff…"
Kakashi lay sprawled on the ground like a dead dog, panting heavily before finally managing to sit up.
He looked at Shion and said, "This Sharingan greatly enhances my dynamic vision, but at the same time, it eats up my chakra at an alarming rate. Still, whether it's the Body Flicker Technique or your mastery of the Sharingan, you're already far ahead of me. Aside from mission experience, your ability is far beyond the level of a mere Tokubetsu Jōnin."
Uchiha Shion chuckled. "Alright, you don't need to pretend. The only reason my Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities are restricted is because of them, isn't it?"
As he spoke, Shion turned his gaze to the edge of the training field, where a few shadowy figures flickered before disappearing into the trees.
Kakashi followed his glance, then exhaled with a sigh. "The Uchiha prodigy, Uchiha Shion… graduated early at nine, passed a special exam to become a Chūnin, and was then promoted by the Fourth Hokage to Tokubetsu Jōnin. Your rate of advancement is unprecedented. Under circumstances like these, how could those two advisors who inherited Danzō's remnants from the Third's Root not keep an eye on you, especially after that incident?"
Shion glanced in the direction they had vanished. Mito Menyan and Koharu Utatane, huh?
The two who had always stood on the Third Hokage's side — during his era they had kept Danzō in check, but now, they had become a fourth power backing the Sandaime's faction.
"Kakashi, we—"
Before Shion could finish, one of the ninken, Pakkun, piped up, "We…"
But Shion turned his head and cut him off with a smile. "You're still here? Kakashi, I think tonight we might have some extra meat for dinner."
The words had barely left his lips before Pakkun panicked. "Run, everyone!"
Poof!
A burst of smoke, and the eight ninken vanished with their summoning technique.
Kakashi sighed. "That's pretty shameless of you… but sometimes Pakkun and the others really are useful."
Shhh—
In the next instant, the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, appeared alongside Shisui before the two of them.
Minato smiled at Shion. "Report to my personal ANBU squad tomorrow after collecting your equipment. From now on, I'll be counting on you."
Shion scratched his head in response to the Hokage's polite words. "So much for an easy life. Honestly, I was hoping to spend a few more years at the Academy."
Minato chuckled. "With your help, I think things will become a lot easier for me."
…Ouch. That knife slid in smooth.
Night fell. Kakashi, Shisui, and Shion gathered in a private room at a yakiniku restaurant.
"Since Shion isn't of age yet, he can't drink. That's fine, we'll have sake, and he can have juice."
Shisui clinked cups with Kakashi while Shion helplessly raised his glass of juice.
"A toast to Shion, our new Tokubetsu Jōnin! Cheers!"
Shion downed his glass in one go. Hm. Pretty sweet. Honestly better than that so-called sake anyway.
Shisui then pulled a scroll from his side and handed it over. "The Fourth is too busy to come personally, so he asked me to deliver your gift."
"A gift from the Fourth?"
Shion accepted it and unrolled the scroll. His expression froze — he was left speechless.
Shisui smiled. "When it comes to the Body Flicker Technique, your speed may one day even surpass mine. But the faster you get, the more you'll need jutsu that can be executed instantly. So this A-rank ninjutsu without hand seals — I'm entrusting it to you."
Shion glanced down at the scroll, unable to help his inner commentary, though he still said aloud: "The Rasengan. The Fourth's own original no-hand-seal jutsu. It really does suit high-speed shinobi… after all, no one is faster than him."
Kakashi was surprised. "The Rasengan? He gave that to you? Seems like sensei really has high hopes for you."
Shion set the scroll aside, then shifted his gaze to Shisui, signaling with his eyes. Your turn.
Understanding, Shisui smiled and produced another scroll.
"This one isn't a secret. Your Fire Release has been steadily improving — this is the training method for the Flame Blade Dance. It's a technique focusing on Fire-style chakra shape transformation. You'll find it very useful moving forward."
Shion accepted the scroll with a grin. "Perfect timing. I've been experimenting with chakra nature transformations lately. This will be a big help."
After that, his gaze naturally turned toward Kakashi.
Under the combined stares of both Shisui and Shion, Kakashi froze.
Wait… what's this supposed to mean? Don't tell me this meal wasn't free? Fine, fine — I'll pay the bill if that's what they want.
Shion smiled slyly. "Even though you've retired from ANBU, as a senior… shouldn't you offer something too?"
"…Ugh."
Kakashi thought for a moment, then reluctantly reached into his pouch with a pained expression.
Shion blinked in surprise. Wait… he's actually doing it? If I can swindle Raikiri training out of him, that'd give me way more options in the future…
"With great reluctance," Kakashi muttered, "but since you're nine now, as a senior I suppose I have to part with this."
He handed over a rolled-up booklet. Could it be the Raikiri training method? Odd… why not a scroll?
Shion unrolled it eagerly—
Only to see the title stamped in bold across the cover: "Icha Icha Paradise — Collector's Edition."
"PFFT!!"
Shisui choked and sprayed sake all over Kakashi. "Cough! Cough! Kakashi! You're giving this to Shion?!"
Unfazed, Kakashi calmly wiped his face with tissues. "I stood in line a long time to buy this. And I heard Jiraiya-sama is back in the village — once I get it signed, it'll be priceless."
Shisui glared. "But Shion's only nine!"
Kakashi tilted his head in thought. "Nine's fine. I was living on my own even earlier."
…
And so, amid bickering and laughter, Shion's promotion feast came to a close.
This time, Shisui didn't walk Shion back. He and Kakashi still had to report to the Fourth for further matters.
"…That Rasengan — you traded your S-rank mission count to convince sensei, didn't you?"
Shisui nodded. "With Shion's Body Flicker speed and reflexes, the Rasengan will give him tremendous versatility."
Kakashi agreed. "The Mangekyō's power can sweep aside anything, but every use comes with a price. For normal combat, he really does need something reliable. But still…"
"Why do you trust him so much?"
Shisui's expression turned calm as he looked back at Kakashi. "If I had to give a reason… it's because he pulled the Uchiha, who were on the brink of falling into darkness, back from the abyss."
"The Fourth was generous too — he even included his development notes for the Rasengan in that scroll."
Kakashi nodded. Only with that could sensei justify such a gift.
But still…
Has the Uchiha really risen to this level already?
The change in Konoha had already begun.
..
Apologies, I mistakenly uploaded the wrong versions of Chapters 61–65. The correct versions are now available, so please read them again. Thank you for your understanding.