In the center of the training ground, Taiichi and Kakashi stood opposite each other. They made the seal of confrontation, and the spar began.
Taiichi initiated the attack. He stepped forward and opened with a straightforward vertical slash. Compared to the Hatake style, which focused on surprise attacks and assassination, Taiichi's current bladework was more majestic and domineering.
The difference in style stemmed from their different combat experiences. Sakumo often undertook assassination missions, shaping his style for hit-and-run tactics. Taiichi, however, found himself in direct confrontations more often, so his style evolved to favor head-on clashes.
However, this didn't mean the Hatake style had nothing to offer Taiichi. On the contrary, his foundation was built on it, and there was still much to learn.
Facing Taiichi's direct slash, Kakashi met it head-on. His tanto skillfully connected with the tip of Taiichi's blade, deflecting it to the side. Using the momentum, Kakashi aimed a slice at Taiichi's neck.
Taiichi didn't panic. He retracted his blade horizontally to block the slice. As they passed each other, he executed a backhand slash aimed at Kakashi's ribs.
The sequence was fast and fierce, forcing Kakashi to retreat. Taiichi pressed the advantage, turning and following up with a barrage of slashes and thrusts, keeping Kakashi on the defensive.
It took dozens of exchanges before Kakashi stabilized his footing and launched a counterattack.
Using his superior agility, Kakashi danced around Taiichi, his tanto striking like a viper at Taiichi's weak points. This was the sharpness of the Hatake style.
Their blades clashed repeatedly. Taiichi absorbed the nuances of Kakashi's technique like a sponge. Self-study was good, but sparring with a master of the style was better.
Meanwhile, Kakashi grew more alarmed with every exchange. They seemed evenly matched, but he could feel Taiichi holding back while he was giving it his all.
Taiichi's progress was terrifying. It made Kakashi wonder if he had been slacking off.
"Kakashi, you're distracted."
With that whisper, Kakashi felt a sting on his wrist. His tanto fell to the ground, and a cold blade rested against his neck.
"I lost." Kakashi admitted defeat frankly. He had thought his father exaggerated Taiichi's skills, but this spar proved otherwise. This was just the tip of the iceberg.
Taiichi sheathed his sword. "You're amazing, Kakashi. I learned a lot from fighting you."
It wasn't just politeness.
> [Sparring with Advanced Kenjutsu user. Skill Advanced Kenjutsu EXP +100]
"Don't say that, Taiichi. Compared to you, I feel like I've wasted my time," Kakashi sighed.
"Haha! Maybe it's because I'm a year older. My strength and speed are naturally a bit higher," Taiichi laughed it off. "Besides, my style is more suited for direct combat."
Kakashi nodded thoughtfully.
They trained together until evening, sparring several more times. Kakashi lost every round, but instead of being discouraged, his motivation burned brighter.
At that moment, Taiichi almost hallucinated the image of Might Guy giving a thumbs-up behind Kakashi.
Back home, Taiichi pondered his next training plan. Taijutsu was on track, but Ninjutsu needed a roadmap.
He was proficient in Fire, Wind, and Water, but he lacked a true specialty.
The same Jutsu varied wildly depending on the user. Some people's Fireball Jutsu was a meter wide; Madara's was the size of a house. Danzo's Wind Style could cut through Susanoo.
It all came down to proficiency and understanding of Nature Transformation.
Proficiency wasn't an issue for Taiichi; practice solved that. But Nature Transformation was harder. His Fire, Wind, and Water transformations were all at Level 8, but progressing further was incredibly difficult.
He needed to specialize. Focusing on one element to break through the bottleneck was the fastest way to boost his combat power before the war.
He chose Fire. Konoha had the most Fire Style users and the most comprehensive records on it.
Many ninja used Fire Style, but interpretations varied. To Taiichi, the core of Fire was Heat. Extreme, incinerating heat.
To achieve this, he needed more high-level Fire Jutsu for reference.
He thought of Tsunade. Last time, he foolishly spent mission credits buying Jutsu when he had a Sannin teacher.
He grabbed a pen and wrote a letter. After some cheesy greetings and updates, he made his request: Teacher, please send Fire Style Jutsu. Quantity over quality.
He summoned Katsuyu. "Troubling you again, Katsuyu-sama!"
"It is my pleasure, Taiichi-sama."
With his short-term goals set, Taiichi slept soundly.
---
Four Days Later. Konoha Hospital.
Taiichi arrived to welcome Yohei and Saori upon their discharge.
Surprisingly, their parents weren't there.
"My dad just said, 'You are a mature ninja now,' and left," Yohei explained, scratching his head.
"Same with my dad. Since it was just external injuries, they weren't worried," Saori added.
"Haha! Your dads are interesting."
They checked out and headed to Taiichi's house for a celebratory meal. Taiichi prepared a medicinal feast tailored for recovery.
After eating, the three lay on the tatami mats, digesting.
"What do you think is happening with Makoto's family?" Yohei asked suddenly.
The room went silent.
"That is the life of a ninja. From the moment we put on the headband, we accept that death is always a step away," Taiichi sighed.
Yohei sat up, looking serious. "Taiichi... if there were no conflicts in the world, would people still fight?"
Taiichi and Saori sat up, surprised by the depth of the question.
"No conflicts... that's harder than world peace," Taiichi mused, looking at the ceiling. "Do you know about the Sage of Six Paths?"
"Yeah. My clan records say he founded Ninshu and spread chakra."
"Legend says he spread chakra to connect people's hearts, so they could understand each other and eliminate conflict. He wanted to create a beautiful world."
"That sounds great. Why did it fail?" Yohei asked.
"Yohei, do you have secrets?" Taiichi asked, staring into his eyes.
"Of course. Everyone has secrets."
Saori understood immediately. Taiichi winked at her.
"Let Saori explain," Taiichi said.
Saori blushed but spoke up. "Yohei, would you be willing to share all your secrets with us? Every single one?"
"Uh... of course not! Some things can't be told!" Yohei protested.
"If even you can't share everything with us, your closest friends... imagine people in power, or people who hate each other," Saori pointed out.
Yohei fell silent.
"Humans are selfish," Taiichi added. "Expecting zero conflict is unrealistic. Hoping for 'World Peace'—the absence of war—is a more achievable goal."
"Will the world ever be peaceful?" Saori asked softly.
"Haha! Don't ask me, ask the Hokage! I'm just a kid!" Taiichi laughed. "But I believe it's possible. If a ninja stronger than the First Hokage appears... at least while he's alive, the world will be peaceful."
"I hope that day comes soon," Yohei sighed.
"We just have to work hard. Maybe that strong ninja will be one of us?" Taiichi encouraged them.
They laughed.
"Whether we become that strong or not, we need to train harder," Yohei said. "This mission showed me how weak I am."
"Me too," Saori agreed. "My Sealing Jutsu was useless."
"What are your plans?" Taiichi asked.
"My dad is putting me through special training. I awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, so I have a lot of techniques to learn," Yohei said, activating his eyes.
"My father is training me too. I need to improve my Sealing Jutsu," Saori said.
"That's great. But don't forget team coordination," Taiichi reminded them. "Since we have a long break, let's meet once a week to train together and integrate our new skills."
They agreed.
That night, while training, Taiichi felt the familiar tug of the summon. Tsunade had replied.
He grinned, thinking about the Fire Style Jutsu he requested.
"Summoning Jutsu!"