Chapter 17: Kakashi's New Life
Naruto yawned, looking rather listless.
He had fought a bloody battle with the Nine-Taileduntil dawn last night.
If he hadn't slipped away quickly, there's no telling how long the game of fight the landlord would have lasted.
After all, the Nine-Tailed didn't eat, drink, or sleep, so it wasn't affected at all.
But how could he possibly hold out?
"Naruto-kun."
Hinata had been stealing glances all morning and finally couldn't help but ask, "You look very tired. Did you not rest well?"
"I have a bit of insomnia."
Naruto scratched his head.
He didn't dare tell Hinata that he had been playing too hard with the fox spirit in his belly and lost track of time.
A little gambling is fun, but heavy gambling leads to ruin.
Fortunately, the Nine-Tailed had no money.
The man, the fox, and a Shadow Clone were all playing for nothing.
It's not like the loser could take off a piece of clothing.
The Nine-Tailed wasn't wearing any clothes anyway.
Hinata didn't ask further.
She believed what Naruto said.
The two of them fell into silence.
Due to Hinata's personality, this happened often.
Usually, Naruto would find a topic to talk about.
But as they talked, Hinata would blush.
This led him to wonder every time if something was wrong.
How could a normal topic cause that?
He wasn't making any dirty jokes.
And at his'speed,' Hinata probably wouldn't even notice.
A month passed.
It was the first time Naruto had attended classes for so long.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi was very gratified.
Oh, and Hinata too.
However, her only dissatisfaction was that Narutowas too popular.
In just one month, he had become friends with most of the students in the class.
This resulted in less time spent with her.
Even now, she didn't quite understand how Narutodid it.
For someone with social anxiety like her, it was simply incredible.
If Naruto knew what she was thinking, he would only say she was worrying too much.
They were all six or seven-year-old kids; what bad intentions could they have?
At this age, even if they argued, they'd make up within ten minutes.
"Naruto."
Holding icha icha paradise while leaning against a tree, Kakashi looked up and greeted, "Good morning."
Naruto was slightly taken aback.
Seeing Kakashi as soon as he opened the door in the morning was a rare sight.
When an OP character shows up like this, something big must be happening.
"Good morning, Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto responded.
Originally, he called him 'Uncle,' but after getting familiar, Kakashi forced him to change it to'Sensei.'
He said 'Uncle' wasn't a title he should bear at his age.
Naruto could only conclude that being 'cool and aloof' was just a disguise; Kakashi's true nature was that of a closet pervert.
After all, someone who reads icha icha paradisecan't be associated with 'cool and aloof' no matter what.
"I'm here today to say goodbye to you."
"Are you going out on a mission?"
Naruto noticed he wasn't wearing his Anbuuniform and couldn't help but speculate.
As an elite among the Jonin, having Kakashimonitor him was a waste of talent.
"No, I've applied to leave the Anbu. I plan to become a lead teacher for Ninja Academygraduates."
Naruto was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.
But he wasn't very surprised.
He remembered that in the original work, when Kakashi led Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, it was mentioned that he had led several classes before them, but no students had passed his strict test.
"Then I wish Sensei a new mood in your new life."
Naruto gave a bright, sunny smile.
Kakashi couldn't help but be dazed.
He really looks like him.
He had been living in a pessimistic world because the successive deaths of his father, teacher, and teammates kept him from escaping the shadows.
But after spending time with Naruto and being persuaded by the Third Hokage, he suddenly had a new goal.
Leave the Anbu, that place of sorrow, and become a squad leader.
When Naruto graduates, he'll have a reason to be his teacher and can pass on the knowledge his father, Minato, taught him.
It would also honor Minato-sensei's tutelage.
The Ninja world places great importance on inheritance.
Kakashi took out a sealing scroll and handed it to Naruto, saying, "I'm called the Copy Ninja. Inside here are the Wind Release Ninjutsu I've acquired, from E-rank to A-rank. They're for you."
Naruto's eyes lit up; this was definitely a super gift pack.
This was the kind of treatment likely only found in noble Ninja clans.
And they might not even have as much as he just received.
After all, this was Kakashi.
Famous as a youth and a veteran of a hundred battles, he had clashed with every hidden village.
The Wind Release Ninjutsu he gave might not be the most powerful, but they were certainly diverse and covered a wide range.
If he learned them all, he'd definitely be an elite among Jonin.
As for the lack of S-rank, that was normal.
Setting aside the rarity of S-rank Wind Release, even if encountered, it's unlikely the Sharingancould copy it.
If every Ninjutsu could be learned, the Sharinganwould be too broken.
"Your current strength is basically that of a Genin. Aside from the A-rank ones being difficult, you can try learning the other ranks."
Seeing Naruto's joyful expression, Kakashi's own mood improved.
"If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask Hokage-sama, or you can ask me. Even though I'm becoming a squad leader, I'll still spend plenty of time in Konoha."
"Okay, thank you, Sensei."
Naruto tucked away the sealing scroll.
So many Wind Release Ninjutsu saved him a ton of achievements.
The system had a default rule: if the host already learned or possessed the item, it wouldn't be issued again.
Kakashi didn't stay long and quickly departed.
Naruto felt a bit sentimental, but there was no need for sorrow; it wasn't a life-or-death parting, after all.
After obtaining the Wind Release Ninjutsu, another item was added to his training program.
Just as Kakashi said, except for the A-rank, he could release the other Ninjutsu.
The only difference was how many times he could fire them off.
Another week passed.
Inuzuka Hana's research was finally successful.
Naruto was invited to the Inuzuka Clan.
As a well-known Ninja clan in Konoha, they owned an entire street for their compound.
However, because they raised dogs, the location was quite remote.
This clan was clearly very special.
Under normal circumstances, Ninja beasts live in separate groups.
Once grown, they sign a Summoned Beast contract with a Ninja who recognizes them.
Only the Ninja dog breed is raised by the Inuzuka Clan.
And they also possess instincts beyond those of ordinary people.
It felt a bit like a primitive tribe living in the jungle to Naruto.
After following Inuzuka Hana to meet her parents, he arrived at the dog food research base.
Kiba wasn't home; he was at school.
Naruto suddenly went from a primitive tribe to a high-tech research institute.
Looking at the wide array of equipment, he couldn't help but remark that they were indeed professionals.
Maybe in the future, he could borrow some for Nejito practice with.
After all, humans are animals too.
"This is the dog food we've developed."
Inuzuka Hana said with a smile, "I've already had Matsumaru try it. Although it's not as good as what you gave me, it basically achieves 80% of the effect."
Naruto nodded.
Items produced by the system were indeed not that easy to copy.
But 80% was enough.
He then listened to Inuzuka Hana's sales plan.
He didn't understand much of this and didn't have many opinions.
Anyway, he just needed to lie back and make money.
As for buying dog food for the Nine-Tailed, he didn't mention it.
He planned to use Transformation Jutsu to stock up another day.
Otherwise, it would be hard to explain.
Two days later, another piece of good news arrived.
His melons were ripe.