After learning that Anko was Orochimaru's student, Kakashi lost interest immediately.
He gave Kaede a brief report about the situation in Rōran, then returned to his room alone. But he deliberately embellished the details, letting Rin catch on that Kaede's relationship with the Queen of Rōran was more than just superficial.
As a result…
For the next few days, all the household chores ended up falling to Kakashi.
"Well then…"
"If you have any questions from now on, you can come ask me anytime."
After Kakashi left, Kaede turned to Anko and began to explain, "But there are a few rules if you want to train under me. First, you need to control your diet. No random snacking…"
Anko's eyes widened. "What?! Why?"
(Of course, because if you don't watch your diet, you'll turn into Mitarashi Dango!)
Kaede thought to himself but said calmly, "Eating too many snacks puts a burden on your body's growth. Having a regular diet is essential for an excellent ninja."
"Well…"
Anko hesitated, conflicted.
Kaede glanced at her. "What's wrong? Is it that hard?"
"No, no! It's not hard!"
Startled by Kaede's tone, Anko quickly shook her head.
Seeing Anko's downcast expression, Rin couldn't help but smile gently, "Eating too many snacks really isn't good for you. Listening to Kaede is the right choice."
"I get it…"
Anko spoke gloomily, secretly thinking that sneaking a few bites here and there shouldn't hurt.
Then she heard Kaede's calm voice: "If I catch you sneaking snacks, that means you've disobeyed my orders. You'll be punished."
As he spoke, Kaede snapped his fingers. Chakra exploded at his fingertips with a sharp snap, like a whip cracking through the air.
Anko swallowed nervously, a little scared of Kaede. She felt he was even stricter than Orochimaru.
"Second, your daily routine must be as regular as possible."
Kaede sipped his tea, "I'll apply to have you transferred into Kakashi's squad. You'll follow him on missions, adjusting your schedule as needed during tasks. But outside missions, you must come here to train every day at exactly one in the afternoon."
"That's way too hard… I don't want to."
Anko's face fell as she slumped over the table, as if she'd lost all hope.
Kaede smiled lightly, "Hard? Without sweat, how can you get stronger? With your current strength, you wouldn't even beat a five-year-old child."
"No way!"
Anko retorted immediately.
She knew she wasn't very strong, there was a huge gap between her and Kaede, but there was no way a five-year-old could beat her.
"Don't believe me?"
Kaede smiled faintly. "Then come with me."
He stood and started walking outside.
Anko puffed her cheeks. Sure, Kaede was stronger, and Rin next to her was stronger too, but claiming a five-year-old could beat her was just ridiculous.
After a short walk, Kaede led Anko around two small courtyards and into a spacious backyard.
"Sensei."
Uchiha Itachi, training in the courtyard, stopped his movements and, slightly out of breath, bowed to Kaede as he entered.
Kaede smiled slightly, "You haven't slacked off while I was gone, right?"
Itachi responded seriously, "I've been training exactly according to your plan."
"Good. Let's see your progress."
Kaede nodded and looked at Anko. "This is my student Itachi. He's five years old now. If you can defeat him, from then on you can set your own training schedule."
"Really?!"
Anko's expression turned incredulous.
Kaede was calm, "Really."
"Well, then…"
Anko grinned and pulled out a handful of kunai, flicking two lightly on her fingertips as she approached Itachi. "You're Kaede-senpai's student? I'm a year older than you. I'll let you attack first."
Itachi glanced at Kaede.
Kaede walked over and gently touched him. A ripple of chakra spread out, clearing his training fatigue. Nodding, he said, "Use your full strength. With me here, you don't need to hold back. Just don't lose."
"Yes, Sensei."
Itachi replied respectfully, then looked back at Anko, his gaze calm and focused.
Kaede sat aside and watched the two.
The five-year-old Uchiha Itachi.
The ten-year-old Mitarashi Anko.
At this age, Itachi had the skills of a Genin, but his strength, speed, and chakra control should be inferior to Anko's by five years.
But Kaede judged that Itachi had a far better chance of winning.
Why?
Simply because he was Uchiha Itachi.
Whoosh! Whoosh!!
Itachi stared at Anko for a few seconds, then suddenly struck. He threw a shuriken with deadly precision, blocking every angle Anko might take.
Anko's expression changed slightly, this speed and accuracy were difficult even for her.
Whoosh!
She dodged without hesitation, kunai flashing up and down to block some of the shuriken, while avoiding the rest.
In the next moment, Itachi charged straight at her, stabbing with his kunai.
"Close combat, huh…"
Anko smiled confidently and met him head-on.
Clang clang!
They clashed for about a minute, sparks flying from their weapons.
Itachi leapt backward and landed a short distance away.
"What's wrong? Out of breath? I'm not nearly tired yet."
Anko smirked.
Itachi looked at her calmly.
"You've already lost."
"Huh?"
Anko was startled, then suddenly noticed several explosive tags scattered around her feet, one even stuck right under her.
When did that happen?!
She showed a flash of shock.
Kaede stood, clapped his hands, and praised Itachi, "Well done. Keep training."
"Yes, Sensei."
Itachi responded respectfully and returned to his training spot.
Anko stood there in a daze, looking at the explosive tags beneath her feet. As she replayed the fight in her mind, she realized some moves had flaws.
Whoosh!
Kaede approached and flicked his finger, emitting a slashing arc of light that instantly cut off the tag stuck to her foot.
"Let's go."
Kaede headed out, and Anko reluctantly followed.
"Still feeling a bit stubborn?"
Kaede glanced at her with a smile.
Anko puffed out her cheeks, "I… I was careless just now!"
Kaede said calmly, "In real battles, a moment's carelessness could cost you your life. Being careless means you're not strong enough."
"Alright then. I'll give you another chance. I'll only use one finger of my left hand. My body and right hand won't move. If you can take this shuriken from my palm, you win. How about that?"
As he spoke, Kaede placed a shuriken in his right palm.
"That's your challenge…"
Anko sized him up and smiled.
Whoosh!
In the next instant, she dashed past Kaede and reached out to grab the shuriken.
Kaede remained calm. His left index finger flicked like a blur and lightly tapped her forehead, stopping her motion.
"Uh… ah…"
Anko's head tilted back, body bending with the grace of a young girl. Her left pinky finger hooked toward the shuriken in Kaede's palm.
Kaede's index finger moved from her forehead to her waist, flicking upward.
Anko was instantly thrown into the air, spinning twice before landing awkwardly behind him.
Whoosh!!
Unwilling to give up, she lunged forward from behind, wrapping her arms around him to try and snatch the shuriken from both sides.
Kaede didn't move. His left hand slid under her right armpit, fingers pressing her chest, pushing forward. Anko couldn't advance and was blasted backward several meters.
"This speed's a little abnormal…"
Anko rubbed her temple, then brightened, "If I can force you to move, that counts as a win, right?"
With that, she quickly formed hand seals.
"Fire Release! Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
Buzz!
A scorching flame erupted, rushing toward Kaede's back.
Kaede remained calm, not turning around. A spark of lightning flared at his left index finger, which flicked gently.
Whoosh!!
A silver blade shot out, slicing clean through the fire, flying straight toward the Hokage Rock. It passed over the Third Hokage's statue and tore off a lock of hair.
Anko froze, then slowly turned to look.
The lock silently fell down.
Her eyes widened.
Just a flick of the finger, yet the distance to the Hokage Rock was at least dozens of city blocks!
How strong must he be to do something like this?!
"Kae… Kaede…"
Anko's fighting spirit vanished completely. She looked weakly at him, "That… Hokage…"
"That's the Third Hokage's statue. Don't worry about it. Ready to continue?"
Kaede said calmly.
Feeling Kaede's overwhelming power, she finally accepted her fate.
You can find much more on my Patreon: Patreon.com/Veltoria
There are currently 5 active fanfictions on Patreon, with over 538+ advanced chapters available across them!
From Naruto Onwards, I Control Time — Up to Chapter 317
Haikyuu!!: Rise of Sengoku — Up to Chapter 263
Danmachi: Is It Wrong To Aspire to Be An Adventurer? — Up to Chapter 97
Legend of Hogwarts (Harry Potter x League of Legends) — Up to Chapter 159
I Am Luffy: Partner System Online (One Piece) — Up to Chapter 142
Playing Genshin Impact in Danmachi (Danmachi x Genshin Impact) — Up to 72