Chapter 4 – Becoming a Genin (Part 2)
"I hereby declare... the winner is Hatake Yusuke!"
Thunderous applause exploded from the audience below the stage.
"Please settle down, everyone," Sarutobi Hiruzen raised a hand, calming the crowd.
"With this, I officially announce... the following participants have passed and are now recognized as Genin: Hatake Yusuke, Hatake Kakashi, Hyūga Genichi... and thirty more."
"Congratulations! From today forward, you are the leaves of Konoha—the hope of our village! The future of Konoha now rests in your hands..."
Yusuke stared ahead, expression blank.
Even during a graduation announcement, there's still time for indoctrination?
Looking around, most of the other participants seemed fired up. Exhausted faces had turned determined, eyes gleaming with ambition.
Internally, Yusuke sighed. In the art of brainwashing... I surrender. Hokage-sama truly is the strongest.
Right as Hiruzen wrapped up his speech, the familiar voice of the system echoed in Yusuke's mind.
[Ding!]
[Mission: Graduate early as a Genin – Complete]
[Reward: One Devil Fruit. Would you like to claim it now?]
'Not here,' Yusuke answered silently. He wasn't about to do anything suspicious in front of a crowd.
About half an hour later, the ceremony ended.
After the event, Rin and Kurenai came over with small gifts.
Rin handed Kakashi a compact med-kit filled with healing supplies. Kurenai offered Yusuke a crimson kunai, beautifully polished.
Yusuke nearly laughed. One gave a tool to save lives, the other handed over a tool to end them. Polar opposites.
Then again, it perfectly matched their personalities. Kakashi was calm and calculated. Yusuke? A bit reckless and all-in. It was oddly fitting.
They both thanked the girls, who beamed with happiness that their gifts had been accepted by their crushes.
"U-Um... Yusuke..." Kurenai fidgeted, her face flushed pink. "To celebrate you and Kakashi becoming ninjas, would you like to eat out together tonight?"
Rin, standing beside her, looked at Kakashi with hopeful eyes.
Kakashi, of course, turned to his brother like always. His default: If Yusuke agrees, I go too.
Yusuke waved his hand casually. "Nah, I think we're too tired today. We'll pass for now."
Both girls looked visibly disappointed.
"But don't worry," Yusuke added gently, patting Kurenai's head, "Tomorrow, Kakashi and I will treat you instead. Bring Obito and the others too, okay?"
Kurenai's cheeks instantly turned crimson. "R-Really? I'll be waiting, then!"
"Then let us walk you two home," Yusuke offered.
— — —
After escorting the girls back, on their way home, Kakashi finally spoke up.
"If we're treating everyone tomorrow... why am I involved? I never said I'd pay for anything."
If we treat the whole gang, my wallet's going to explode, Yusuke muttered in his heart.
"Don't overthink it," he replied aloud. "It's for your own good. Being a ninja isn't just about fighting—it's also about building bonds and relationships."
He playfully tapped his little brother's shoulder.
"You sure this isn't just emotional manipulation?" Kakashi rolled his eyes.
"Come on, your money is my money too, right?" Yusuke finally dropped all pretense.
Kakashi sighed. "Good grief... Fine, I get it. But by the way... what were all those weird techniques you used earlier?"
"Oh, you mean the 'Konoha Six Styles'? Those are moves I came up with over the past few weeks. Impressive, right?" Yusuke puffed out his chest proudly.
It's not like this world knows about One Piece. Who's gonna suspect anything? he thought smugly.
Kakashi gave him a tired look. My brother has absolutely no shame...
"Yeah, they're cool... but why didn't you tell me?"
"If I told you, I'd be exposing all my cards, wouldn't I? Or… what? Planning to beat me up, little bro?"
"That's not it..." Kakashi quickly replied, then returned to his usual deadpan.
But inside, he thought: Just wait. I'll get you back for this...
"But seriously," Kakashi continued, "will you teach me those techniques sometime?"
Yusuke tilted his head. "Wanna learn? Sure, I'll teach you tomorrow. For now, let's head home. I'm sure Dad's waiting."
He said it like he was giving away some old hand-me-downs, even though those techniques were practically top-tier combat skills. Any elite Jōnin would kill for them.
That just showed how much Yusuke truly cared for his little brother.
— — —
When they got home, they were greeted by a table full of delicious food.
"You're back? Dinner's almost ready—just one more dish," Sakumo called out from the kitchen.
Wearing a simple apron, the feared "White Fang of Konoha" stood at the stove, stirring a pot like an ordinary family man.
To the outside world, it would've been a shocking sight. But for the two brothers, it was a warm and familiar one.
"I'll help, Dad," Yusuke said.
"Me too," added Kakashi.
"No need. Just one more dish and it's done," Sakumo replied with a smile.
That night, they enjoyed a peaceful family dinner, filled with laughter and warmth.
— — —
Back in his room, Yusuke could finally let go of all restraint.
"...System! Let's go—gimme my reward!"
[Please say 'claim' silently, and the reward will be delivered.]
"Claim! Hurry!"
[Ding...]
[Processing reward...]
[Congratulations! You have received: Tremor-Tremor Fruit (Gura Gura no Mi) – the strongest Paramecia-type Devil Fruit!]
[Description: This fruit grants the ability to generate and control massive shockwaves. It can shatter air, split the seas, crack the sky, and trigger colossal tsunamis. Its destructive potential is so great, Sengoku once described it as the power to destroy the world.]
"OH MY GOD!! This is insane!! I'm basically unbeatable now! I can kick Madara's face in! Punch Kaguya into orbit! Wahahaha!!"
Yusuke jumped around his room, completely lost in his delusions.
[Please don't get carried away. Although the power is immense, your current body cannot fully withstand its effects.]
"Wait, what? Then what's the point...?" Yusuke muttered, a little disappointed.
But then he nodded to himself. Well... if I start too overpowered, things won't be as fun, right?
"Alright then, system. Gimme the fruit now!"
[To activate it, simply say 'Fuse' in your mind. The fruit's power will be directly integrated into your body.]
"W-Wait... If I fuse with a Devil Fruit... does that mean I'll become weak to water?"
[No need to worry. The system has modified the power for full integration. You won't suffer any of the standard Devil Fruit weaknesses.]
"Oh. Then... let's do this! Fuse!"
[Ding!]
[Integration process beginning...]
"Aaaaaarghhh—system... you...!"
He didn't get to finish his complaint.
Agonizing pain surged through every fiber of his body, and within seconds, his consciousness faded.
Yusuke collapsed to the floor—completely unconscious.
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