Then there were two more episodes focusing on the Minato Squad, showing the animator's favoritism towards Minato and Kakashi, the two generations of male protagonists.
Fortunately, there wasn't much to see once training and missions increased, so the animator fast-forwarded the progress bar. After three episodes, in the blink of an eye, it was almost summer.
When Naraku saw Kakashi's familiar attire on screen, he knew this part of the story must have happened today.
—
The screen gradually revealed the beginning and end of that live-action drill.
Initially, the youths from Minato Squad and Inuzuka Tsumes Squad were still using tactics like sneak attacks, base swapping, and assassinations. Later, the situation gradually devolved into a chaotic free-for-all.
At this point, tactics were useless; it was purely a test of raw strength, resulting in a "mutual destruction."
Although during the process, everyone avoided vital points with their various techniques, and their weapons weren't sharpened—even Kakashi had his scabbard firmly tied to his hilt—they all ended up with injuries, bruised and swollen.
Only Rin, as a valuable Medical Ninja, was protected by Obito and Kakashi, sustaining lighter injuries. Everyone else was lying on the ground, unable to get up.
[The confrontation path is indeed exciting]
[Might Guy: As expected of my lifelong rival! Kakashi is too strong!]
[I'm seeing double, Might Guy and Kakashi are like Uncle Dai and Sakumo fighting]
[The son fought a match for the father that they didn't get to have]
[Kakashi/Might Guy: I have one last move! Father, possess me!]
[Sakumo/Dai: You brats! I'm not dead yet!!]
[Ebisu: I told you to kill the healer first in a team fight!!!]
[Shiranui Genma: I'm killing, I'm killing]
[Obito: You dare to hit Rin? I think you've eaten too many Anko and are lovesick! (Angry)]
[It's a good thing the Ninja World is full of deep mountains and old forests; otherwise, there wouldn't be so many trees for Ninja to mess with]
[It feels so youthful. If they weren't training to kill, it would really be like a classic hot-blooded sports anime]
[Yes, if it were peacetime, such intense activity would probably just be playing basketball]
Obito still relentlessly taunted Might Guy. Every time he thought about seeing an opening but being unable to defend or counterattack, he would get so angry he'd turn red-hot.
Coupled with Shiranui Genma and Ebisu's sarcastic remarks, Obito almost passed out from anger.
For the Nth time, Kakashi felt that only he and Rin in both squads were normal.
[I understand Obito's feeling. Every time it's just a little bit short, just a little bit... it'd be weird if he didn't explode]
[Genma is even keeping count for Obito; he's truly, I'm crying to death]
[Hahahaha Ebisu is so outwardly reserved yet sharp-tongued]
[Seeing everyone so abstract, I feel relieved]
Kakashi was staring blankly at the drifting clouds when he suddenly felt a shadow fall over him. He stood up and turned around to see Naraku standing there, winking at him.
The dazzling midday sun shone on Naraku's head and shoulders, as if outlining him in gold, even his hair shimmering with brilliant colors.
His silhouette was clearly etched in the depths of Kakashi's eyes, like a lake reflecting the sunset, then rippling in circles with a gentle breeze, stirring the entire pond into fragmented light.
This scene seemed to echo back to that year by the river, the moment Kakashi saved Naraku.
Only now, Naraku was the one standing in the light, and Kakashi was the one sitting.
[It's our Baby Naraku's turn to appear again!]
[Finally waited for you Glad I didn't give up ]
[So beautiful ah ah ah ah ah]
[Why are you just staring, take a screenshot!]
[Famous scene recreated!]
[Kakanaru is truly a CP full of destiny!]
Listening to Naraku list the dishes, Obito's mouth was practically watering. Inuzuka's squad was no less eager; the audience could clearly hear the gulping sounds in their throats.
Once the bento boxes were neatly arranged, Obito was the first to sit down, enduring Kakashi's Byakugan. The others gathered around, thanking him one by one, sitting down, and then plunging into a food-Heist.
Finally, even Minato and Inuzuka Tsume got their chopsticks and sat in a circle with their students, feasting heartily.
[Obito: Do you understand food? Get out of the way!]
[Why do I feel like Kakashi isn't very happy? Is it my imagination?]
[Baby Naraku is an angel!]
[Seriously, if Naraku weren't a man, I'd really want to marry him and bring him home as a wife]
[Narrow-minded! Can't boys be wives too!]
[Minato was already prepared nearby, just waiting for Naraku to call him]
[Aunt Tsume, why are you eating and taking? You're returning kindness with enmity, aren't you?]
[Oh no... this directly gave Kakashi a powerful love rival]
[More than one? If he delivers food a few more times, these young men from Inuzuka's squad will all be in the running]
Just as the audience was worrying about Kakashi's future status, he dug out many pieces of braised pork from his rice. Looking around, everyone else only had plain white rice; he was the only one with it.
Naraku gestured for him not to make a fuss, then shyly lowered his head.
Kakashi's eyes curved slightly, a gentle smile gracing his lips. He ate the meat heartily, surrounded by happy pink bubbles.
[Ah ah ah ah ah Naraku secretly gave Kakashi extra food!!!]
[Help, the color looks so delicious... I'm hungry late at night...]
[Others are incidental, Kakashi is the true love]
[Naraku, just spoil him! Kakashi is completely hooked!]
[Their unspoken glances are so sweet, so sweet]
[Sister Kanai, come to the table and eat!!!]
[Our Kakanaru is number one in the world! No one can beat them!]
[It's so cute my heart is melting]
Everyone ate their fill, and Naraku treated the others while explaining the key points of each Medical Ninjutsu to Rin.
Through Rin's inner thoughts and flashback snippets, the audience also learned that her Ninjutsu progress was mainly due to Naraku's meticulous and unreserved teaching.
Only when the two Jonin leaders announced their disbandment did this episode finally end.
[Naraku, a succubus-level white moonlight]
[Even if Obito successfully wins Rin over in the future, his priority will still be after Naraku]
[Naraku has already found a Medical Ninja for Kakashi to entrust after his own death, boo hoo hoo hoo]
[He thought so much for Kakashi, but not for himself]
[Please, please, a miracle must happen]
Next episode, Naraku and Kakashi arrived at the Hospital. As soon as they opened the ward door, Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief, as if he had seen something profoundly shocking.
The animator focused the camera on the floor, walls, windows, ceiling... every surface was densely covered with tadpole-like black characters, tens of thousands of them, layered upon layer, forming chains and linking together.
Finally, a wide shot showed a vast and complex magic array covering the entire room. Sakumo was like a predator at the center of a spiderweb, waiting for the array to deliver all its nourishment to him.
The audience learned from Naraku that this was an attempt he had made, perhaps useful, perhaps not, but certainly not the last. As long as Sakumo didn't wake up, he would never give up, until the end of his life.
Kakashi was moved by Naraku's almost stubborn persistence, yet also pained by the effort he put into it.
The screen flashed back several times, showing that every time Kakashi returned home over the past two or three months, he would see Naraku holding and reading different thick books, the bookmarks filled with notes.
At this moment, Kakashi didn't know what words to use to express his feelings to Naraku. He simply hugged him, his arms tightening more and more.
Black and white strands of hair intertwined, like their inseparable destinies.
[What did I see? Naraku, to save Sakumo, created a Sealing Jutsu that can automatically collect natural energy all by himself??]
[What's the difference between this and hand-crafting a nuclear bomb, holy shit]
[I always thought I understood Naraku's genius enough, but now it seems I was too conservative]
[But deep affection doesn't last long, and extreme intelligence invites harm. Naraku has both...]
[Drag that person out!]
[Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah (screaming) They hugged! They hugged!!]
[Confess, okay, confess, child]
[Kakashi, well done! You must hold on to Naraku always, always o(╥﹏╥)o]
[I declare this is a husband and wife's hair-binding ceremony! Thank you!]
[Agreed!]
When Naraku once again said he wasn't tired, the animator personally exposed his lie.
He read and researched tirelessly, creating the prototype of Sealing Jutsu from scratch;
He actively sought help from Orochimaru, and even though Orochimaru thought it was impossible, he still didn't give up;
After hundreds and thousands of derivations and calculations, he finally created the initial version of the Sealing Array;
During animal experiments, he suffered a backlash, half his palm turned to stone, and Tsunade and Orochimaru worked together to save him;
In front of friends and family, he seemed completely normal. Only in the laboratory did he show an almost insane obsession, constantly trying to improve, again and again... until the array could truly operate, and he felt the energy flowing through the characters like a slow stream. At that moment, he finally stopped frowning, relaxed and fell to the ground, leaning against the wall and peacefully falling asleep.
[A genius falling into madness, on the verge of breaking, delicious!]
[Even Orochimaru thought there was no hope, but my Baby Naraku just wouldn't give up, boo hoo hoo...]
[Absorbing natural energy carries extremely high risks; every experiment is a gamble with life]
[Such high research intensity, if it were me, I would have gone crazy long ago]
[His heart and soul are almost drained, boo hoo hoo]
[Kakashi doesn't even know... fortunately he doesn't, otherwise how heartbroken would he be?]
Time returned to the present. Naraku loosely hugged Kakashi's waist and back, responding with gentle pats.
-- Kakashi... don't be sad... Since that rainy night, it was the first time he showed a hint of satisfaction and relief in his eyes, as if he had received long-sought forgiveness.
But he still didn't dare to use even half a bit of strength, as if afraid of being chased away or avoided, only carefully leaning his face closer and rubbing Kakashi's hair.
-- I will definitely return Master to you... [Baby! You are the best baby in the world! Boo hoo hoo o(╥﹏╥)o]
[Perhaps only then did Naraku feel he deserved forgiveness]
[Actually, he was still afraid Kakashi wouldn't be satisfied and would push him away again]
[That little gesture of wanting to get close but being a bit afraid, it tugged at my heartstrings]
[My heart aches... I'm truly heartbroken to death...]
[What return... Sakumo is your father too, boo hoo hoo hoo hoo...]
—
After watching the latest episode, Naraku was a bit puzzled by the animator's intention.
These few episodes covered a large time span, from late winter to early summer in the Ninja World. The animator had been observing until now before deciding to broadcast, so Naraku hadn't seen any updates before.
But why did the animator decide to release all of Kakashi's experiences in Minato Squad today?
Combining this with the current situation in the Ninja World, Naraku had a guess.
It was very likely that the Third Great Ninja War was imminent, or perhaps the border lines were already in full-scale combat, but the news hadn't reached Konoha yet.
Kakashi's leisurely and relaxed life was coming to an end, so he released all the episodes at once. From now on, the main storyline could completely focus on the various battles of the Third Great Ninja War.
Of course, Minato and Kakashi were, after all, male protagonists favored by the animator, so he certainly wouldn't overlook them too much.
If Minato Squad performed actively on the battlefield, or if the battles were particularly exciting, the animator would probably spend several episodes detailing them.
If his prediction was correct, then future updates of the anime would immediately enter the Third Great Ninja War, instead of everyday Konoha life.
Naraku temporarily suppressed his speculation and eagerly opened the forum.
Because the animator hadn't updated before, for Naraku, time in the modern world had stopped the day after the episode where Uchiha and Matsukata made a deal aired, with no flow whatsoever.
The forum was naturally also static; he hadn't seen any posts for several months.
Now that seven or eight episodes had been released at once, nearly two months had passed in the modern world, so there must be many good things to appreciate.