Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage pressed his hand on the crystal ball, observing the movements of Kakashi, Kyohiko, and Kurenai.
At this moment.
"Bang!"
A loud noise came, and the Third Hokage immediately pressed the crystal ball, looking toward the window.
Then…
He realized.
Wait, what am I afraid of?
Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed lightly, looked at the window, and scolded, "Jiraiya, can't you just come in through the front door?"
"Hey, this is faster."
Jiraiya still had his usual casual manner, glancing around, then his expression turned serious, "You're watching? How is it?"
The Third Hokage held his pipe with one hand.
"Kyohiko Yoshimine is indeed excellent."
"Most importantly, his awareness and thinking—this child is very mature. But children raised in war, the more mature they are, the more dangerous. Like Kakashi, they both need guidance."
Jiraiya came over and watched the crystal ball together.
In the image, Kyohiko and Kakashi ran while exchanging blows, competing in Taijutsu.
At first…
Kyohiko was constantly at a disadvantage, but relying on his speed, he could always narrowly escape danger and avoid the sharp edge.
However.
As they fought, even through the crystal ball, both he and the Third could see—
Kyohiko's Taijutsu skills were continuously improving!
How is this possible?
This…
Could there really be such a genius in this world?
Jiraiya nudged the Third Hokage.
Clatter!
The pipe fell.
"Oh no, my precious!"
The Third immediately reached out to catch it, but all the tobacco spilled out of the pipe.
But.
Right now, this was clearly not the time to worry about tobacco.
The Third's expression turned serious, staring intently at the crystal ball.
This rate of improvement?
If he wasn't certain the other party was a Senju descendant, he would have thought Kyohiko had awakened the Sharingan and was copying Kakashi's Taijutsu.
"Jiraiya, have you met him before?"
"Old man, I've encountered him constantly over the past year. I can assure you, this child is extremely hardworking, and it's definitely all from his own effort. He probably just hasn't fought with others before, so it's a case of accumulated potential bursting forth—rapid progress."
"Hmm."
The Third nodded.
He believed it; he was just too surprised earlier—
A child completely unknown before actually had such talent and perseverance.
Truly remarkable!
…
"Huff! Huff!"
Kakashi gasped repeatedly.
He truly found it hard to believe that there could be someone in this world who improved this quickly.
A genius?
But—
What about his own years of effort and hard work?
Kakashi absolutely didn't believe that any talent could allow rapid improvement in such a short time.
The person before him was more likely someone who had only trained in isolation before, so he didn't know how to fight at all, and only now was his true strength being displayed.
Not only that.
The other's speed seemed to be imperceptibly increasing as well.
He's still getting stronger!
Although Kakashi wasn't flustered or unable to fight back, his inner shock was unavoidable, and as Kyohiko's "strength increased", their battle became more and more dangerous.
However.
Kyohiko himself understood.
Without the benefits he'd gained from Gai earlier, there was absolutely no way he could have improved his hand-to-hand combat skills so rapidly.
Moreover—
Combat was the fastest way to integrate knowledge and abilities into oneself!
"Stop fighting, both of you. If you keep going, it won't be good for either of you."
Kurenai tried to stop them from behind.
But.
No one listened.
She gritted her teeth, steeled herself, and formed hand seals.
Cherry Blossom Dream Technique!
Cherry blossom petals fell from the sky.
Kyohiko and Kakashi saw this scene and immediately knew something was wrong. They landed and abandoned the fight, then quickly began to break the Genjutsu.
After a while, both opened their eyes at the same time.
Of course.
It wasn't that they had broken the Genjutsu, but that Kurenai had quickly released it.
Kurenai hurriedly bowed in apology.
"I'm sorry! But you two were fighting more and more intensely, and I don't know medical Ninjutsu. If something happened in the Forest of Death, it would be very dangerous."
"Kurenai, we should be thanking you."
Kyohiko said.
Kakashi didn't speak.
At this age, she can already use Genjutsu of this level!
Kurenai's Genjutsu was indeed quite remarkable.
No wonder she was chosen by Lord Jiraiya.
Fortunately, he wore a mask, so others couldn't see clearly, and it wouldn't damage his cool image.
Kyohiko didn't rub salt in his wounds.
"We're teammates, partners. The battle just now allows us to understand each other's strength, so we can better arrange tactics for tomorrow's assessment."
Team, partners…
Kakashi said coldly, "Just don't drag me down."
Kurenai's blood pressure rose.
She had always been gentle, but the genius Kakashi in her impression had repeatedly overturned her understanding.
How could this guy be so terrible?
She took deep breaths repeatedly, but when she looked at Kyohiko, she found him quite calm.
Did Kyohiko already have psychological preparation?
That makes sense.
The two were once in the same class.
Unlike her, who was a year behind Kakashi.
But.
The next moment, Kurenai froze.
"Perhaps you didn't use your full strength just now—after all, you still have your blade. But no matter how strong you are, can you defeat Lord Jiraiya by yourself?"
Kyohiko said calmly.
Kakashi turned back, didn't speak, but stared at him.
"The meaning of cooperation is to cultivate companionship. If you disregard your companions' safety, whether we can pass the assessment or not, we're just passersby, tools in your eyes…"
"If you're going to be a lone wolf, you might as well go to the ANBU."
"You graduated and came back after two years—that's not without reason. How you view others is how others will view you. Someone like you, no one will want to be your teammate."
After Kyohiko finished speaking, he said calmly, "Kurenai, let's scout the terrain first. We might need it tomorrow."
So…
It wasn't that he had psychological preparation, but that he was suppressing his emotions, only now finally erupting.
Such sharp words!
Isn't he afraid of getting into a fight?
Kurenai stared at Kyohiko in a daze, then looked at Kakashi.
At this moment, Kakashi's eyes were filled with anger, his fists clenched tight.
However.
Kyohiko had no regrets and no intention of apologizing.
In Kakashi's situation, gentle words wouldn't work. Even if he might change someday, it would probably require sacrificing a teammate…
He didn't want to be Obito.
If he became Obito, there might not be a Madara to save him.
Moreover.
"Winning him over" was too slow. Kyohiko was counting on quickly conquering Kakashi, this "boss", to get a good reward. How could he have the leisure to slowly play emotional games?
Of course.
He didn't expect to succeed in one try.
Once won't work…
Two or three times would still be much better than emotional persuasion.
The first step was to make this guy understand that respect is mutual.
His individual strength was indeed inferior to the other, but that didn't mean Kakashi could keep spouting his "outrageous theories".
The second step—
That would depend on whether Jiraiya could cooperate with tacit understanding.
Kyohiko thought to himself.
Kurenai hesitated for a moment, then still chased after Kyohiko.
"Kyohiko, wait for me."
"I'm not very good at detecting traps. Please help me observe, and it's best not to touch them."
"Okay."
The two walked toward the depths of Training Ground No. 7.
Kakashi was very angry.
Behind them, Jiraiya's shadow clone sighed silently.
This silver-haired brat really didn't respect people—no wonder so many people complained about him!
However.
That kid was quite fierce when he got angry. His words struck right at Kakashi's sore spot, silencing the silver-haired brat.
In the end, they're just kids!
No matter how mature or controlled they are, they'll still get angry and furious, unable to remain completely calm.
Jiraiya couldn't help but smile.
That's what a child should be like!
But.
What will you do about tomorrow's assessment?
…
In the evening, the three went their separate ways.
After the argument, a clear rift had formed between the three, so that there was almost no communication afterward.
"Is this really okay?"
Kurenai asked in a low voice.
Kyohiko's words earlier had also overturned the first impression formed over half a day.
So he was just more patient!
"There's a reason Kakashi is like this. I understand it very well—I was once in a similar state. But to solve the problem, we can't just blindly accommodate him. That's not right."
"I see…"
Kurenai murmured to herself.
Kyohiko stopped in his tracks.
"Your home is just ahead. I won't walk you further."
"Huh?"
Kurenai snapped back to attention and looked around, only to realize they had already reached the intersection where her home was.
Just now…
She hadn't noticed at all, only thinking about today's events, pondering about the person before her.
"See you. Let's do our best together tomorrow."
"Yes! Thank you, Kyohiko. I gained a lot today."
In the Hokage's office.
"What do you plan to do? Perhaps you need to be a bit more patient with Kakashi."
The Third looked at Jiraiya.
Kakashi was the biggest problem child.
However.
He had talent, and the Third couldn't bear to see him waste away. He still hoped Jiraiya would be lenient.
But Jiraiya said, "If it really comes to an unwanted outcome, then it just means we weren't meant to be."
"I'm leaving."
He waved his hand and disappeared from the office.
The Third Hokage sighed softly, his face filled with lingering worry.
…
The next day, in the Forest of Death, Training Ground No. 7.
Kurenai arrived early, and then she noticed that Kyohiko and Kakashi had both arrived ahead of her, sitting and resting under a tree.
She tiptoed over, not daring to make a sound.
Should she sit down and rest…
But her mind kept racing!
Kurenai looked at the tree shadows above, her feelings mixed.
After a long while.
"Ah, sorry, something came up on the way. I'm late."
Jiraiya chuckled.
"Lord Jiraiya, you're way too late!"
Kurenai glanced at the time.
In another hour, it would be noon.
However.
Seeing the three people before him, his smile immediately froze.
One wore a mask, his gaze cold.
The other two were very calm.
"You seem quite in sync and united. Seeing you like this, I'm more confident you'll pass the assessment."
Jiraiya coughed lightly and casually pulled out the bell from his waist.
"Kakashi, I don't know what your first assessment was like, but my assessment is very simple—you just need to get the bell to pass."
Ding~
The bell rang.
He hung the bell back.
"Any questions?"
"Do we pass if we get one, or do we need to get all of them?"
Kakashi asked.
Jiraiya said, "Considering the gap between us, you just need to get one to succeed. However, the one who performs worst will be strung up without lunch and will participate in a separate assessment in the afternoon."
Kakashi took a deep breath and said nothing more.
Jiraiya looked at the other two.
"What about you?"
"No problem."
Kyohiko said.
"Good, then let's begin. I'll give you some time to plan your tactics."
Whoosh!
In an instant, the three people vanished from the spot.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, thinking, "They went in different directions? Could it be…"
His heart sank.
Jiraiya had high hopes for Kyohiko, but if Kyohiko's perspective and team awareness were this shallow, he would be very disappointed.
At the same time.
Kurenai whispered, "Kyohiko, are we really not going to deal with Kakashi?"
"Of course we'll deal with him. The two of us will coordinate and design tactics, leaving him an opening. He's a chunin—if he's unwilling to cooperate on his own, then there's nothing we can do."
Kyohiko said.
Kurenai breathed a sigh of relief.
"So how do we fight?"
"You and I will delay and attract attention head-on, using traps and Genjutsu to coordinate with Kakashi's position and surprise attack, and see if we can get one bell. Specifically, you'll use Genjutsu to coordinate, and then…"
"Okay."
…
"It's started. Before the hourglass runs out, you must get my bell, or you'll fail as well."
Jiraiya turned the hourglass over.
Then he sensed the surrounding situation.
"Not bad hiding."
Jiraiya's lips curved slightly.
These three kids, if nothing else, had solid fundamentals.
However.
One of them still showed a flaw.
Jiraiya walked forward, seemingly casual, but his steps were cautious.
Crack!
A bound log swept horizontally from ahead.
Jiraiya dodged with Body Flicker.
But.
In that instant, he saw a figure ahead distort and dissipate.
Kurenai?
Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!
The name of the jutsu flashed through Jiraiya's mind, and he immediately used chakra to disrupt himself.
In an instant, he broke free from the Genjutsu.
However.
In the blink of an eye, several traps flew toward him at once.
Jiraiya vanished with Body Flicker.
The next moment, he crouched on a tree, vigilantly observing his surroundings.
These brats…
Not a single one to be underestimated!
He never expected that the little girl from the Yuhi family had already mastered a B-rank difficulty Genjutsu.
Before he could observe carefully, two figures attacked.
Kakashi held a blade, while Kyohiko flickered up from below.
Jiraiya's lips curved slightly.
Then.
Clang!
Gripping a kunai, he struck upward, blocking Kyohiko's kunai thrust perfectly.
Kyohiko didn't pause, instantly vanishing from his position and landing on another tree.
But.
"Nice tactics."
Behind him, Jiraiya's voice rang out.
The earlier Jiraiya instantly turned into bubbles and disappeared.
It was a shadow clone.
Jiraiya immediately attacked with fists and feet at extreme speed.
In moments, Kyohiko and Jiraiya exchanged three punches and two kicks.
Nice Taijutsu!
Jiraiya was surprised.
Kyohiko's skills…
Among genin, he was absolutely top-tier. Many chunin might not even be as good as him.
His heart stirred, and he immediately struck harder.
The result.
Bang!
The figure ahead turned into wood.
The real Kyohiko…
Had already fled to another direction.
Good kid!
A glimmer of admiration flashed in Jiraiya's eyes.
He admired not just Kyohiko's skills, the combination of Substitution Jutsu and Body Flicker speed, but also Kyohiko's judgment ability.
As soon as he struck harder, the opponent quickly fled.
Such judgment showed that Kyohiko was very calm.
Impressive!
"Over here!"
A log flew from above, sweeping forward toward Jiraiya.
Kurenai cut down the trap, covering for Kyohiko.
But.
Jiraiya punched directly, smashing through the wooden mechanism.
"If this is all you've got, you definitely won't pass the assessment."
"Go!"
Kyohiko understood clearly—
Jiraiya wasn't using his full strength!
If it were real combat, the opponent could have directly used Wild Lion's Mane Technique just now, and his speed shouldn't be just this.
After all, he was one of the Sannin!
Right now, Jiraiya's speed was precisely maintained at just a bit faster than his.
He needed to use traps or coordinate with teammates to escape.
This was a test.
But.
He had already brought Jiraiya to the needed position.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Spiked wooden boards flew from all directions toward Jiraiya, who had jumped into the air.
At the same time, two clones emerged.
One looked like Kyohiko.
The other transformed into Kakashi.
The two "people" rapidly rushed toward Jiraiya.
Kurenai was in the tree, forming hand seals.
In the blink of an eye, four or five wooden board traps and the two "people" had all reached him.
Instantly.
His hair grew rapidly, spreading in all directions, grabbing the first flying wooden board, while several other strands reached for the two attackers.
Bang!
The clones immediately exploded.
This was the Genjutsu created by Kurenai—Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Clone.
An advanced clone Genjutsu with added capabilities.
Jiraiya had been maintaining disrupted chakra and wasn't affected at all, but at this moment, the wooden board flying from behind instantly transformed into human form.
Kakashi gripped the rope, his blade like a beast's fangs, rushing toward Jiraiya at extreme speed.
Clang!
Jiraiya's kunai blocked the blade.
However.
From behind, a breeze approached.
Kyohiko?
Such fast speed!
Jiraiya was alarmed—
Though he had known Kyohiko's Body Flicker Technique was extraordinary, actually facing the full-powered Body Flicker still left him astonished.
Mastering this level of Body Flicker at age 7…
Too amazing!
Not only that.
Fists, feet, body balance—all surpassed the Taijutsu standards for his age.
The ones who could compare with him…
Were probably only Kakashi and another peculiar youth.
Moreover.
At this moment, there was another Kakashi attacking him.
Blade, kunai, fist.
And the Cherry Blossom Genjutsu rising and falling.
The three coordinated, dazzling.
The next moment, blade and fist struck simultaneously.
"Watch out!"
The moment Kyohiko's fist made contact, he immediately sensed something was wrong.
This wasn't a normal texture.
Moreover.
With their amateur skills, could they really threaten Jiraiya?
Sure enough, the Jiraiya before them turned into a puddle of mud.
This was an Earth Clone.
"Above!"
Kurenai immediately shouted.
Without needing direction, Kakashi swung his blade upward—
A large net flew down from above.
Around them, the wooden boards previously fixed by hair also rushed toward the center.
Rip!
The net was slashed by Kakashi's blade, cutting a huge opening.
Before he could recover, Jiraiya had already attacked.
But.
Kyohiko instantly appeared in front of him.
Bang!
A solid punch collision.
Boom!
Kyohiko was knocked toward the ground, but in that instant, he shouted, "Lord Jiraiya, you wouldn't want anyone to know that every day you're…"