"We've arrived at Fire Temple," Kakashi said evenly, steering the conversation away from the previous topic.
He had no intention of arguing with Souma over such a childish matter.
If he were the type to compete over every little thing…
he would've been assimilated by Might Guy years ago.
Souma lifted his gaze.
Far ahead, two massive stone statues flanked the temple gate—majestic, imposing, and awe-inspiring.
"So this is the Fire Temple? Wow!"
Tenten's eyes sparkled with amazement.
Even the entrance radiated a solemn weight that made her unconsciously straighten her posture.
Moonlight Hasuka hugged her sword tightly, staring up in quiet awe.
Souma, however, behaved differently.
While the girls stood like country bumpkins entering a royal garden, he was studying the statues and the gate, eyes narrowing slightly.
A sealing barrier.
The primary formation wasn't fully active, so entry wasn't restricted.
But from the etchings on the statues and gate, Souma could clearly distinguish traces of various sealing formulas.
And they were nothing like Konoha's style.
Still… principles are principles.
A barrier was a barrier.
To destroy it, he didn't even need to do what Kakuzu did—destroy the statues entirely.
Just breaking a few critical formulas would collapse the entire seal.
"What are you staring at?" Tenten leaned in. "They've already gone ahead."
"Nothing. Just… these statues are unusual."
Souma bowed politely to a passing monk.
"I won't touch them—just observing."
"These statues are sacred to our temple," the monk said sternly.
Souma nodded. "Understood."
Inside, the structure was almost identical to what Souma remembered from the anime—solemn buildings, monks lining the paths, and Lady Sakuraba Jōrō walking elegantly toward the main hall.
A faint silhouette sat waiting inside.
Chiriku.
Souma's eyes narrowed slightly.
The real face finally matched the memory—slightly sharper features than the anime version, but unmistakably him.
Then Souma caught a glimpse of Lady Jōrō's true face beneath the heavy, ornate makeup.
Even with such bold cosmetics, her natural beauty was impossible to hide.
Definitely a stunner.
Hasuka and Tenten remained respectfully at the entrance.
Kakashi closed his book—the rare moment he managed to resist reading—and drifted to Souma's side like a ghost.
"What caught your eye?" Kakashi asked casually.
"The formation. Fire Temple's sealing barrier. Uh… how do I put this…"
Souma's face twisted like he'd tasted something sour.
Kakashi glanced around, then lowered his voice.
"What's wrong? It's a solid technique. You look like you found a flaw."
"A flaw? More like… several."
Souma whispered, "The formation's weak points are all on the outside.
If the enemy knows where to look, breaking the statues collapses the entire barrier."
Kakashi's eyelids twitched.
He silently recalled how the Akatsuki duo had destroyed the statues in the original timeline.
"And," Souma added,
"Anyone who understands sealing can dismantle the inner formula without breaking anything.
They could literally scratch off the right pattern and the whole thing falls apart."
Kakashi inhaled sharply behind the mask.
Fire Temple's barrier was already considered high-class.
Even he needed time and close inspection to locate the formulas.
Yet Souma had done it at a glance.
Kakashi patted his shoulder once—
a silent please shut up before you embarrass our hosts gesture.
Souma nodded.
Moments later, a burly monk with a "Fire" sash at his waist stepped out of the main hall.
Souma recognized him instantly—
Chiriku.
Former member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
The man with the "Sage Clan Talent."
"So even a C-rank escort is handled personally by the legendary Copy Ninja," Chiriku said warmly.
"Captain duty," Kakashi replied. "Can't be picky about mission rank."
A faint smile tugged under Kakashi's mask.
"How is Asuma?" Chiriku asked.
"Busy as always. Missions are piling up; he barely rests."
Chiriku nodded, then turned his gaze to Souma.
He looked the boy up and down, curiosity rising.
"And who might this prodigy be?
Not many are fortunate enough to become Kakashi's students."
Souma bowed slightly.
"Yagyu Souma, sir. An honor to meet you."
"Yagyu… Souma?"
Chiriku repeated thoughtfully.
Not a clan name he recognized—not from Konoha's major families or the Iron Country's samurai houses.
So he's a civilian?
And yet Kakashi teaches him personally…
Interesting.
"Please rest in the side hall," Chiriku said.
"I'll greet you properly once I finish speaking with Lady Jōrō."
Monks provided simple temple meals.
Kakashi ate shamelessly; the three genin followed suit.
Free food shouldn't be wasted.
After the meal, Chiriku returned.
"I trust the food suited your tastes?" he asked with a smile.
"Quite good. Thank you, Master Chiriku," Kakashi replied.
Chiriku sat down, then looked at Souma.
"I overheard earlier that you believe our temple's sealing barrier has… issues.
Would you mind explaining?"
Souma nodded.
"It's not a huge problem—just that all the weak points are outside.
Anyone who understands sealing can collapse the formation by destroying the statues or disrupting the formulas carved into them."
Chiriku fell silent.
He had considered this before, but had always relied on the temple's strength and confidence in his own ability to defend it.
Still… hearing it from a visiting shinobi hit differently.
"And you, young one…" Chiriku leaned forward.
"You understand sealing arts?"
"Read about it for half a month," Souma said honestly.
"So I 'kind of' understand."
"…"
Chiriku looked at Kakashi.
Then at the two girls.
Neither seemed surprised.
Which meant—
Either Souma was telling the truth…
or the girls knew he was lying.
But what reason would he have to lie about something like this?
Chiriku exhaled slowly.
If Souma truly had learned sealing to this degree after only half a month…
Then his mastery surpassed many full-fledged monks.
And perhaps even himself.
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