Chapter 57: Kakashi: Gai, Let's Have a Duel!

Chapter 57: Kakashi: Kai, Let’s Duel!

Kakashi remained silent.

Chiba’s perspective and thoughts had always been different from ordinary people’s; otherwise, he wouldn’t have created so many techniques.

But...

The Hyuga clan...

He thought for a moment and then said seriously, “Incorporating these creations into the Book of Creation shouldn’t be too difficult, but promoting them on a large scale might be challenging.”

“That’s what I thought too. Speaking of which, the Eight Gates of the Eight Gates Technique are actually acupuncture points.”

“Hm?”

Kakashi was slightly taken aback.

Why was the conversation circling back to the Eight Gates Technique again?

This kid’s thinking was somewhat scattered.

Just as he was pondering this, Chiba continued, “The existence of the Eight Gates is to restrict and protect the body. It would be great if we could open the gates within some limits.”

“Within limits...”

Kakashi narrowed his eyes. “Many have studied that. For example, the Second Hokage once considered how to open the gates to a limited extent.”

“It’s very difficult. After all, the chakra that bursts out is too wild, and the body’s built-in ‘lock’ is hard to make effective.”

Chiba shook his head.

“Mm.”

“By the way, teacher, you probably called me here for a reason, right?”

“Oh yes, the matter you mentioned has been settled.”

“The matter I mentioned?”

Chiba was initially puzzled but soon his eyes brightened.

Danzo actually took the blame?

Brilliant!

Having someone in Konoha to take the fall was indeed comfortable.

He felt a little excited but quickly calmed himself with several deep breaths and said, “So, does this mean we will have plenty of time to research ninja tools?”

“Yes. The Hokage managed to get Tenten assigned to work with you. Going forward, you’ll inevitably have to deal with Danzo and Root, so you must be careful.”

Kakashi said sternly, “He’s an extremely dangerous fellow!”

“I understand.”

Chiba fully understood Danzo’s darkness. Since he was already under scrutiny, hiding was impossible.

Approaching Danzo as a ‘collaborator’ might not be a bad thing.

Besides...

He was also quite interested in some of Danzo and Root’s matters.

They looked up—

Fortunately, Ichiraku Ramen was still open.

Soon, the sounds of slurping noodles filled the air.

Kakashi was concerned about Danzo more than anything else when he sought out Chiba.

Tenten wasn’t much of a problem.

Though talented, she wasn’t enough to make Danzo take risks.

Chiba was different.

Their worries proved justified. The next day, an unexpected guest appeared at Chiba’s doorstep.

“Lord Danzo, please come in.”

“Hmm.”

Danzo entered slowly, leaning on his cane, squinting as he appraised Chiba and the room.

Papers were scattered everywhere—a typical scholar’s mess, much like the Second Hokage and Orochimaru had.

Compared to those two, Chiba’s place was smaller.

After a moment of silence, Danzo said, “Your proposal to Tenzou was very good. He went back to test it, and the Wood Release effect has indeed improved significantly.”

Danzo could even access information about the Anbu?

Chiba was inwardly shocked and hesitated, “You...”

“The Third Hokage and Kakashi might have told you about me. That’s why I’ve come today. Regarding ninja tools, our goals and interests are aligned.”

After speaking, Danzo turned and left.

He came and went in a hurry.

Chiba understood.

Danzo also had ideas about chakra tools, so Kakashi’s—or rather, Chiba’s—‘plans’ were to his liking. He was willing to take the blame and be a pawn.

At the same time, he wouldn’t sabotage this matter.

This guy was also aware of his own bad reputation.

He muttered inwardly.

Kakashi arrived late, looking like...

Chiba tilted his head.

“What is he here for?”

“Hmm, probably just to reassure me that I can work without worrying about him.”

Chiba explained.

Kakashi’s eyes narrowed.

Rushing over early in the morning only for Danzo to do that felt strange.

His expression behind the mask was unreadable; imagining it, Chiba guessed it was the usual grumpy old man look.

Danzo’s visit was merely a brief interlude; life would go on as usual.

A ninja’s morning was simple—

Training!

Of course, Chiba also observed discreetly.

His body seemed stronger than yesterday.

Looks like his guess was right; the fifth marking was for physical enhancement.

Kakashi’s usual routine was training, then breakfast, followed by wandering around the village while reading.

But...

Just after training and after Chiba treated him to breakfast—

“Teacher Kakashi, do you have any plans today?”

“...”

Kakashi glanced up, then down at his book, before decisively saying, “I do!”

“Actually, no. I have something to ask of you.”

Chiba rubbed his hands together and grinned.

Kakashi sighed softly.

He knew there was no chance of reading today; when this kid spoke, it was bound to be troublesome.

After some thought, he said, “Alright, tell me what you want to do.”

“I practiced a bit yesterday and have a preliminary grasp, but the Shadow Clone is fragile and can’t provide clear feedback. I tried it on poultry yesterday, and the effect was pretty good.”

Chiba explained.

Kakashi fell silent.

Already...

Preliminary mastery??

Ridiculous.

Even my Sharingan imitation isn’t that fast.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

After a moment, he exhaled slowly and asked, “Which technique? Pressure points or...?”

“Teacher, you’re confused. How can a Shadow Clone have meridians?”

“...”

Kakashi tilted his head and looked at Chiba. “Does that sound like someone asking for help?”

“Sorry!”

Chiba apologized promptly.

A few minutes later, he and Chiba were at the yard beside the medical team’s building.

There was a reason for this choice.

Techniques that attack internally often cause injuries. If perfectly controlled, it’s fine—Chiba could manipulate it without harming the target—but beginners have a hard time controlling it.

At the back door of the medical building, several medical ninjas gathered to watch.

“Captain, what are they doing?”

“They’re trying out a new technique.”

“Already?”

“Is that fast? He’s been busy lately and lost a lot of time. Otherwise, it would be even faster.”

Kitayama O responded with no surprise.

Her mindset was calm; no matter how outrageous Chiba was, she was neither shocked nor amazed.

Since meeting Chiba, she had made rapid progress.

So wasn’t it natural that her teacher was stronger than herself?

Of course.

She wouldn’t admit it in front of others.

Hyakusa thought for a moment and responded somewhat reluctantly, “That’s true.”

“Teacher, I’m ready.”

“Hmm...”

Kakashi’s eye twitched.

This experiment felt ominous.

“What’s wrong, teacher?”

“Cough, nothing. Just waiting for this part of the story to finish.”

Kakashi wiped the sweat from his brow.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he began refining chakra to release his own aura.

Seconds later, a figure appeared at the hospital’s back door.

The next moment, he suddenly appeared in front of Kakashi.

“Kakashi, we meet again! Come duel me! Let me see how much you’ve improved recently!”

“All right, but I get to decide the duel’s terms today.”

Kakashi’s expression was calm and unruffled.

Might Guy was extremely excited. “I knew it! You want to duel me, right? My youthful passion is burning! So, tell me, what are we competing in this time?”

“Who can take the most hits.”

“??? As expected of you, even coming up with such a terrifying challenge.”

(End of chapter)