"Today's class ends here. Don't forget to do your homework after you get home."
Echiro picked up his textbook and turned to leave.
"Ah! School's over!"
"Yay!"
"Let's go play games!"
The classroom instantly erupted in cheers.
Yūhi Kurenai ignored the noise, grabbed her school bag, and ran over to stand in front of Hanekawa.
But as soon as she turned around, she saw Sarutobi Asuma.
"What do you want?"
Yūhi Kurenai huffed and said coldly, "Stop following me."
"You've got it wrong. I'm looking for Hanekawa," Sarutobi Asuma said seriously.
"You want to fight him again?" Kurenai frowned, clearly displeased.
"No."
Sarutobi Asuma shook his head and explained, "I'm here to train with him."
"Huh?"
Yūhi Kurenai blinked, startled. She instinctively let out a sound of surprise.
She clearly couldn't comprehend Sarutobi Asuma's sudden change, as if he had become a different person.
"He really is looking for me," Hanekawa said, patting Kurenai's head. "Let's go train."
"Alright," Kurenai replied.
Although she didn't understand what was happening, she trusted that Hanekawa had his reasons.
"..."
Sarutobi Asuma watched the two interact so intimately, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
He couldn't compete with Hanekawa, so he had no choice but to give up on Kurenai.
Perhaps this was part of growing up.
At six years old, Sarutobi Asuma felt as though he had aged considerably.
---
"Kakashi," Nohara Rin asked as she packed up her desk, "What are you planning to do after class?"
"Training, of course," Uchiha Obito interjected before Kakashi could answer. "Rin, let's go play and leave him alone."
"You guys go ahead," Kakashi said as he stood and walked toward Hanekawa.
Nohara Rin noticed something different about him and instinctively looked up.
"Is he going to spar with Hanekawa again?" Uchiha Obito muttered, recalling the last time. "He got beaten so badly..."
He trailed off, realizing he wasn't any better than Kakashi in this regard.
---
"Hanekawa," Kakashi took a deep breath and asked, "Can I train with you?"
"Sure," Hanechuan replied, a bit surprised but unbothered.
Sarutobi Asuma could drop Wind Style talent, while Kakashi could drop Lightning Style and swordsmanship talents. Comparatively, Kakashi was more like an elite monster in gaming terms.
"Let's go," Hanekawa said, leading the three of them to Tsunade's house.
The open space outside, equipped with various training equipment, wasn't as spacious as the official Konoha training grounds, but it was more than enough for four people to train together.
Yūhi Kurenai worked on her Genjutsu.
Sarutobi Asuma practiced Wind Style chakra nature transformation with a tree leaf, just like yesterday.
"Hanekawa," Kakashi said, drawing a short sword. "Want to spar?"
"Sure," Hanekawa agreed without hesitation.
He was primarily learning medical ninjutsu but hadn't neglected his training in Genjutsu or Konoha-style swordsmanship.
"You can't use your super strength," Kakashi suddenly remembered and said nervously.
If Hanekawa used that, the spar would end in one move, defeating the purpose.
"I won't," Hanechuan replied casually. "I haven't mastered super strength yet—just the basics."
"...?"
Kakashi froze on the spot.
Just the basics, and it's already this absurd? What happens if he fully masters it?
"Let's spar in a different way," Hanekawa suggested, drawing a katana and suddenly getting an idea. "Let's fight in the trees."
"The trees?" Kakashi asked, puzzled. "Why?"
"For chakra control training," Hanekawa explained, glancing at Yūhi Kurenai. "Let's go over there."
Kakashi's heart skipped a beat.
Sparring while controlling chakra—multitasking—this was practically hell-level difficulty.
Is This Hanekawa's Usual Training?
Kakashi Hatake's face was serious, yet his eyes shone with excitement and anticipation.
The two of them stood sideways on tree trunks, facing off.
Clang!
Kakashi blocked Hanekawa's katana.
However, his focus on the sword caused him to lose balance, and he slipped and fell to the ground.
"Again!"
Gritting his teeth, Kakashi climbed back up the tree.
The sound of clashing blades rang out repeatedly.
That day, Kakashi experienced the biggest setback of his life.
---
As the sun set, the horizon was painted with the hues of twilight.
Tsunade walked out of the gambling hall with a sullen expression.
Without Hanekawa around, she had lost again—an entire day wasted.
When she arrived home, she was taken aback to see the four of them training.
It had been a long time since her home had been so lively.
Her gaze landed on Hanekawa.
His clothes were dirty, but Kakashi looked even worse. His face was bruised, his clothes were torn, and his white hair was tangled with bits of grass and dried leaves.
Tsunade's lips curled into a faint smile.
Sakumo Hatake's reputation had overshadowed hers for years.
But her student had surpassed his son.
Though… Hanekawa's Konoha-style swordsmanship wasn't something she could take credit for.
It seemed she needed to teach him super strength sooner rather than later.
Tsunade glanced at Sarutobi Asuma and was a little surprised.
Wasn't he at odds with Hanekawa?
Why was he here too?
Tsunade suddenly recalled something Hiruzen Sarutobi had said—Hanekawa had embodied the Will of Fire very well.
She snorted softly and walked into the house.
---
"We're done," Hanekawa said, noticing Tsunade nearby and stepping back from Kakashi.
"Why?" Kakashi gripped his short sword tightly, unwilling to stop. He had lost miserably today and didn't want to end it here.
"I'm hungry," Hanekawa said with a smile as he sheathed his katana. "It's time to head home for dinner."
"..."
Kakashi hesitated, as if about to speak.
Wasn't training supposed to go on regardless of hunger or fatigue?
"See you tomorrow," Hanekawa said, cutting off any further discussion and heading into the living room.
---
"Done already?" Tsunade asked lazily, reclining on the sofa.
"Yeah," Hanekawa replied, glancing at her. "Sensei, why haven't you taken off your shoes?"
"I forgot," Tsunade replied nonchalantly. "Go cook."
"Take off your shoes first," Hanekawa insisted, shaking his head.
"You're so annoying," Tsunade shot him a glare, clearly unwilling to move. "If you care so much, do it yourself."
"I'm not doing it," Hanekawa said with a raised brow. "Who knows? Maybe your feet smell."
"What did you say?"
Tsunade immediately sat up, her sharp gaze locking onto him, her presence intimidating.
"You've had them on all day. They must have some odor, right?" Hanekawa said fearlessly.
"Absolutely not!" Tsunade ground her teeth in frustration. "I have the Yin Seal. If you don't believe me, smell them!"
With that, she raised one leg.
Her seven-part pants stopped just below her calf, revealing a delicate ankle.
Her pale soles rested in high-heeled sandals, with her toes neatly aligned, their white-pink hues smooth and rounded.
"I'm not smelling them," Hanekawa quickly refused.
"Come here!" Tsunade said, clenching her fists.
"..."
Hanekawa turned and tried to flee.
But in the next moment, his vision blurred as he collided with a soft yet firm body.
"Brat!"
Tsunade hooked his body with her leg, pinning him in place as she loomed over him with a fierce expression. "Today, I'll teach you the meaning of respecting your sensei!"
With that, she reached out and ruffled his hair into a tangled mess.
-
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