"I know." Kirito sat down beside the bed and gently stroked Kurenai Yuhi's face. He knew that after today, if he didn't make his feelings clear, he might not have another chance. He immediately said seriously, "Kurenai, are you willing to wait until I grow up?"
"What do you mean?" Her cheeks flushed with the glow of the setting sun. She was happy, but a sense of uneasiness stirred within her.
"It means exactly what it says—a confession." Kirito smiled.
"A confession?" Kurenai was taken aback. Joy, hesitation, excitement, worry, and a whirlwind of other emotions flashed through her eyes until her mind went blank.
"Yes, it's a confession," Kirito nodded.
"Are you serious? I'm seven or eight years older than you. I have a bad temper, a lot of bad habits, and I like to drink late at night," she blurted out, listing her perceived flaws.
"A woman who's three years older than her husband is a treasure," Kirito chuckled. "As for those other things, I don't see them as flaws. After all, no one is perfect, and I have shortcomings too."
Kurenai was stunned. "What are your shortcomings?"
He was young, handsome, talented, powerful, and always calm—except when facing the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He carried himself with such confidence, as if he were a seasoned veteran in life, even though he was still so young.
If there was a flaw, it was perhaps that he was a bit too charming. She knew that Kirito, while showing interest in her, had also caught the eye of a certain Uchiha girl.
"It seems you already know." Kirito's smile faded. Before Kurenai could react, he gently pulled her into his arms and whispered, "For a long time to come, we may be apart. I might even distance myself from you and seem different. But no matter what happens, please believe that I will always be the me you know."
In another ten years, the Fourth Great Ninja War would begin. By then, everything would change.
The next day, Kirito arrived at the agreed meeting place with Kakashi—a secluded mountaintop outside Konoha.
It was nearing noon, and the sun was scorching. Kakashi had been there for a while, nearly exhausted by the heat.
"You're late, junior," Kakashi remarked as soon as he saw Kirito.
"Sorry, Kakashi-senpai, I got lost on the road of life today," Kirito said, borrowing Kakashi's own line from the future and tossing him a bottle of cold water.
Kakashi caught it, gave him a look that screamed, "I don't believe you," then turned around, pulled down his mask, and drank the water in one gulp.
"How about this, as compensation, I'll treat you to lunch later. Anywhere you want," Kirito offered.
"Then I won't be polite," Kakashi replied, turning back toward him. "The Hokage asked me to teach you some ninjutsu that would suit you. Have you measured your chakra nature yet?"
"Thunder and Earth," Kirito replied, concealing the fact that he also possessed Fire, Water, Yin, and Yang chakra natures. The latter two, especially, were beyond most ninjas' understanding, so it was better not to mention them.
He had already mastered Fire-style techniques like the Great Fireball and Phoenix Flower jutsu, so there was nothing more Kakashi could teach him there. He had also used Earth-style jutsu like the Earth Core Beheading technique in front of others, so that couldn't be hidden. As for Water-style techniques, Kakashi wasn't particularly skilled in that area, and Kirito figured he could just copy those later.
What Kirito really wanted to learn from Kakashi was Chidori, his signature Lightning-style technique. However, he knew he couldn't reveal too much at once; otherwise, it might attract unwanted attention from the Hokage.
"Born with two chakra natures, and you're also talented in illusions? Plus, lightning, which is rare. You're quite the genius," Kakashi remarked. "So, have you decided what kind of ninjutsu you want to learn?"
Kirito pretended to think. "I'm skilled with genjutsu, which gives me an advantage in most fights. But against someone like you, Kakashi-senpai, with the Sharingan to break illusions, I'd be at a disadvantage. So, I'd like to learn one defensive and one offensive jutsu."
"For defense, I'd like to learn the Earth-style Earth Flow Wall. And for offense... well, I think your Chidori would suit me perfectly."
"You've got quite the appetite." Kakashi's eye twitched. "I see Kurenai's told you a lot about me. The Earth Flow Wall is fine, but Chidori... well, that's a different story."
"I'm not questioning your talent," Kakashi continued, "but Chidori has a fatal flaw. You need to move at high speed, which makes it hard to see your target. Without the Sharingan, it could leave you vulnerable to a counterattack. I can't teach you this."
"Don't worry, senpai. I was born with exceptional dynamic vision—different from most people. It's nothing I can't handle. Besides, I plan to use it as a supplement to my genjutsu, not for direct attacks." Kirito explained calmly.
"Is that so?" Kakashi seemed to reconsider. "Well, if that's the case, let's get started. The Hokage has only given us one day—actually, half a day—so it depends on how quickly you can learn."
Kakashi glanced up at the blazing sun. "We've got half a day left."
"It doesn't matter. Let's begin," Kirito replied confidently.
For someone like Kirito, who had already mastered the nature transformations for both Earth and Lightning chakra, learning these techniques wasn't going to be a challenge.
Half an hour later, Kakashi stood staring in disbelief. Behind Kirito was a massive Earth Flow Wall, with a dog head etched into it as a tribute to Kakashi's ninja dogs. In Kirito's hand, lightning crackled as he flawlessly executed Chidori.
"You mastered a B-rank Earth-style jutsu and an A-rank Lightning-style jutsu in less than half an hour," Kakashi said, his mouth twitching. "You're a monster. If it weren't for your normal eyes, I'd think you had a Sharingan."
"Haha, senpai, you're hilarious. I don't have the nerve to transplant the Sharingan, and I certainly don't have the bad taste to dig out my own eyes." Kirito smiled wryly. "Of course, I'm not talking about you. After all, your Sharingan was a gift from your best friend."
(End of the chapter).
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