บท 4: The Hidden Strength of the Nine Tails
"Thier hiding place has been changed." Gojo murmured to himself, seated atop a large stone as he observed Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura moving quickly through the trees in the distance. His Six Eyes tracked their swift movements with ease. "A wise choice indeed."
After a straightforward clash with him, Team Seven had realized the enormous gap in strength and opted to shift their position, hoping to regroup for a sneak attack and strategize. This decision, Satoru noted, showed judgment beyond typical Genin level. Clearly, Sasuke Uchiha had likely orchestrated the move.
"The admiration-based dynamic of Team Seven is proving quite effective." Satoru mused, pulling out a lollipop, unwrapping it leisurely, and popping it into his mouth.
Naruto liked Sakura; Sakura was smitten with Sasuke. This circular attraction spurred their growth: Naruto would strive to impress Sakura, and Sakura, in turn, sought Sasuke's approval. Naruto's strength would push Sasuke, who'd feel compelled to grow stronger in response. This dynamic kept each one on their toes—a perfect recipe for progress.
"Too bad teamwork is still an issue," Satoru muttered, stretching as he lay back on the stone with a bored expression. "They're all too focused on showing off."
The test he'd given them was simple: make him move a single step. It sounded easy but was, in truth, deceptively challenging. Moving him even slightly was a feat few in the entire ninja world could accomplish.
As he pondered, a flat voice with a touch of lazy drawl broke the silence. "It looks like things are going smoothly. That's a relief."
A man appeared, seemingly out of thin air. He had short, gray hair, a mask covering his face, and a forehead protector obscuring one eye. Dressed in the standard Jōnin vest over a black outfit, he exuded a laid-back, world-weary demeanor.
It was Kakashi Hatake, the famous Elite Jōnin of Konoha, known as the Copy Ninja.
Gojo Satoru grinned. "Smoothly, you say? My test isn't exactly easy. If they keep this up, they'll be heading straight back to the Academy."
"Didn't expect someone of your caliber to volunteer for Team Seven." Kakashi replied, leaning against a tree and casually flipping through his copy of Intimate Paradise. He glanced up with a raised eyebrow, his admiration for Satoru's strength evident. "With your track record, this is… unexpected."
To Kakashi, Satoru was a legend. For years, he had remained undefeated, facing formidable foes like the Fourth Raikage and the Fifth Mizukage, yet emerging unscathed. Rumor even had it that the Fourth Raikage's powerful fists couldn't leave a scratch on him.
Of course, Satoru had once "lost" a match against Tsunade. But everyone knew that was a deliberate act, a gesture to save face for her.
Satoru sighed, pulling out another lollipop and offering it to Kakashi with a wry smile. "I'd rather not be babysitting a bunch of Genin, but I'm doing this as a favor for Tsunade, Candy?"
"If you put it differently, I might actually be tempted," Kakashi said, his mouth twitching slightly. The offer was almost laughably suggestive, though he knew Satoru's infamous candies were from the Mist Village and supposedly exquisite. But considering Satoru's phrasing… best to pass.
"Don't be shy!" Satoru teased, shaking the lollipop playfully.
Kakashi brushed it off and held up two small bells, letting them jingle. "The old bell test would've been a lot less trouble."
"That's ancient history," Satoru waved dismissively. "And I know what you're worried about. Don't stress."
Satoru placed the lollipop back in his mouth, his voice tinged with amusement. "I'll make sure these kids learn self-reliance, if only so I can finish my task and head off on a nice little getaway with Tsunade."
"Oh, a private world for three—with Shizune along as the third wheel," Kakashi muttered dryly, tucking his book under one arm.
Kakashi then gave Satoru a solemn nod. "The son of my teacher is in your care."
For Kakashi, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had been a mentor and a guiding light. Minato's influence had pulled him from darkness and shaped him into the shinobi he was.
Satoru's expression turned serious for a moment. "Has the 'fox kid' tapped into the Nine Tails' power?"
Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. "Once. He emitted a blood-red chakra, but the seal restrained it quickly. Definitely the Nine Tails' chakra."
"So, that's what Jiraya is wary of? Worrying about the kid losing control?" Satoru's gaze drifted toward a shadowed part of the forest. His Six Eyes could clearly see the figures of several Anbu members lurking nearby.
"They're probably Root members, keeping tabs on Naruto." he muttered. "Danzo… his hunger for power is only matched by his fear of it. Hypocrite."
With a mischievous glint, he raised his hand, shaping it like a gun and aiming at the distant Anbu. "Bang."
A dense black-red mass materialized at his fingertip and shot forward with blistering speed, leaving a deep, jagged trench in its wake as it tore through the forest, exploding on impact and sending dust and wind in all directions. The forest in the distance was reduced to a barren wasteland.
Kakashi stared, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. "Did… one get away?"
Satoru squinted through the haze, shielding his eyes as if apologetic. "Oops. Thought they were foreign spies, watching so intently all day."
Turning back to Kakashi, he grinned. "Surely there's no need for them to watch three ordinary Genin all day, right?"
Kakashi sighed, though his eyes softened with a hint of respect. "You've got a point. I suppose they'll come pestering you soon, but with your strength, that's hardly a concern."
To Kakashi, Satoru, behind his playful, carefree exterior, was the most dependable figure in the village.
Danzo might rage privately, but with Satoru around, any harm to Naruto would be virtually impossible. And spying on an innocent Genin like Naruto was already pushing village regulations.
Kakashi straightened, tucking away his book. "I have a mission to attend to. I'll see you around."
"Hold on!" Satoru called, raising his hand. "Let me borrow the book for a bit. I'll give it back after my task's done. Really, I promise this time."
Kakashi shook his head with a bemused sigh. "This time, huh? You still haven't returned the last few you 'borrowed.'"
Satoru gave a mock-thoughtful look. "Really? Guess I forgot." He wasn't about to mention that Tsunade had shredded all his books, deeming them "too vulgar."
Kakashi eventually relented, handing over the book with a slight smile. "Fine. Think of it as a gift. Congratulations on taking on Team Seven."
Satoru accepted the book, grinning as he tossed a candy toward Kakashi. "Thanks. Here, have a candy for the road."
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