"Next!!!"
Might Guy's jaw nearly hit the ground.
Kakashi's speed just now had reached its peak. That chirping, electrified attack—the Chidori—should have overwhelmed anyone.
He had expected Mirai to be in danger. Yet… the other boy didn't just block it.
No…
Uchiha Mirai had stood in place, grasped Kakashi's wrist with his bare hand, and shattered the Chidori.
That confident gaze, paired with the Uchiha's scarlet Sharingan, was mesmerizing.
Kakashi stared at his restrained right hand, mouth dry with disbelief. He had expected Mirai to dodge the attack, not stop it outright.
To achieve this required not just superior strength, but absolute self-confidence.
This guy…
For the first time, Kakashi felt a frustrating sense of helplessness when facing a peer.
Uchiha Mirai… why is he so strong?!
"Let's end the battle here," Mirai said, releasing Kakashi's wrist. "Guy, I happen to have some free time recently. We can practice together during the day."
His gaze lingered on Might Guy, who didn't need any words to understand the outcome of the duel. Kakashi, however, felt dismissed. The fight had been nothing more than a casual warm-up, a game to satisfy Mirai's curiosity.
"Mirai, you're really going to train with me?" Might Guy's voice trembled with excitement.
"Um."
Mirai nodded noncommittally. The bandit-eradication mission was almost complete, and he needed time to consolidate his strength.
And… practicing with Guy might give him a chance to learn the Eight Gates—a powerful trump card he could keep in reserve.
"Wow… Mirai, you're too kind!" Might Guy exclaimed, tears brimming. "Youth doesn't allow slacking! I'll come tomorrow to train again!"
"Understood."
"If there's nothing else, you can go first. I need rest." Mirai turned to leave.
"One day, I will defeat you," Kakashi said quietly, his pride stinging.
Mirai didn't even look back, casually waving his right hand. "I'll give you time to catch up—until you can no longer see me."
"Kakashi…"
"Um?"
"The Mirai feels… so cool."
"Tsk~"
…
Mirai didn't go home. Instead, he ventured into a dense, secluded forest within Uchiha territory. Ensuring no one was nearby, he formed hand seals.
Chou-mao-shen!
Chidori!
The familiar chirping filled the air as Mirai activated his Sharingan and rushed forward. A giant tree—several people would need to hug it—was cleaved in half with a loud crash.
A satisfied smile spread across his face. Chidori and Sharingan were a perfect match.
Just after his duel with Kakashi, the system had confirmed the plunder of Chidori, which explained Mirai's eagerness to try it.
"As a prerequisite for mastering Chidori, it seems I've also mastered chakra form and nature transformation…"
A surprised expression crossed his face. Mastering both simultaneously required immense effort—but he had done it.
Suddenly, a new idea struck him: Rasengan.
An instant ninjutsu requiring no hand seals, with multiple variants and deadly versatility. In combat, it could catch enemies completely off guard.
As a time traveler, Mirai was already familiar with Rasengan's practice methods. With chakra transformations mastered, learning it would be far easier than usual.
He sat cross-legged, beginning to practice rapid hand seals. Speed in sealing was crucial; a faster ninja could seize the initiative. Even Uchiha Itachi could perform seven seals per second. Mirai intended not to fall behind.
…
Early the next morning, Mirai opened his eyes to see an energetic Might Guy.
"Mirai! Let's practice today!"
"Can."
"Great! We'll run around the village ten times, then meet Dad!"
Guy shot forward like a green streak. Mirai stretched and quickly followed.
Ten laps around Konoha was no small feat, even for him. It took all morning. Guy, however, managed only five laps by the time Mirai finished.
"Huh~" Mirai exhaled. "As expected of a genius who can defeat Kakashi… still no weaknesses. I need to keep improving."
Might Guy panted, clutching his knees. Even five laps in such a short time pushed him to his limit. Ten was habitually impossible.
After resting, Might Dai appeared. Seeing Mirai, his eyes widened.
"Father, Mirai wants to practice with us. Is that okay?" Guy asked eagerly.
"Of course," Dai replied.
"Guy, if you want to reach your goal, you must work harder!"
"Yes! I will!"
"Great, this is it—"
"Youth!"
Watching father and son hug and cry, Mirai's lips twitched.
…He felt a pang of regret.
Was practicing with two hyper-energetic geniuses really a wise decision?
-End Chapter-
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