章節 31: Chapter 31 : Caught up to Kakashi
-------Time space Ninjutsu: Time skip, Months later--------------
----------5 year old Shisui Uchiha's pov-----
The academy grounds were buzzing with an energy I'd never seen before. Normally, graduation day would have a few teachers, some of the students' parents, and maybe a handful of shinobi from the village, but today?
It was as if half the village had shown up, crowding around the courtyard, talking in clusters, and glancing expectantly toward the academy doors. But what really threw me was spotting Uncle Fugaku in the crowd.
Uncle Fugaku, our clan leader, was the last person I'd expect to see here. He's always busy, whether it's handling clan matters or being called out on missions. He's important enough that people stop and bow when they see him pass. Even he has that rare look of anticipation—like everyone's here for something more than a regular graduation.
But it wasn't just Uncle Fugaku. Off to the side, I caught sight of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, the heroes from the Suna front. Inoichi, Shikaku, and Choza. They looked exhausted but proud, each carrying themselves with pride.
In a way, they should. After all, Suna front is the only war front we won, finally saving the village from its do or die position. War on all sides is really stressful. Now, a win and war loot from the defeated Suna has put smiles on everyone. Especially the merchants, they look like they are ready to pack up and go to the Land of wind, which has been completely opened to the land of fire's economy.
Though, I don't get the last point and no longer plan to deal with it. I will leave this to the future Shisui.
I even caught a glimpse of my dad's old friends, the jonin, who usually only come together for big village events. Enough that even civilians are coming to the academy after seeing the Jonin gathering.
Turning to my dad, who was leaning heavily on his cane, I had to ask, "Why is everyone here for the academy graduation? I'm sure none of the past graduations were this big."
He gave me a knowing smile, a slight laugh escaping his lips before he got into a fit of coughing. Gently patting the stump where his right leg used to be, he caught his breath and replied, "You've finished your first year in the academy, Shisui. So, why don't you try figuring it out yourself?"
I frowned, thinking hard. Graduation was always a big deal, but not this big. Not big enough to bring out the clan leader or the Ino-Shika-Cho. The last time I'd even heard of a big deal about graduation was when Kakashi-senpai graduated at the age of five. And that was years ago, right around when I was born.
So I guessed, "You mean… someone's graduating early?"
Dad chuckled again, shaking his head slightly. "No, not exactly. It's more like someone already graduated early, and someone else… well, let's just say they're finally graduating a bit late."
I blinked, puzzled. "So… we're all here because of two special cases?"
He looked at me with that same mysterious expression he's had ever since he returned from the war, his words often heavy with meaning I wasn't quite meant to understand yet. Since he lost his leg, he'd been speaking in these strange riddles, trying to get me to see things from a shinobi's perspective, to think deeper, more critically. But this one this was trickier than usual.
"Dad… do you mean someone who shouldn't be graduating is finally getting to?"
He gave me a knowing nod, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. "In a way. Remember, Shisui, the life of a shinobi isn't just in how well you can fight or how young you start. Sometimes, it's about the choices you've made in the shadows, the sacrifices no one sees. And sometimes, those who are delayed the longest… well, they've simply been on the hardest path."
[Author's note: No wonder canon Shisui turned out the way like he did. Before people ask, Let me tell you: Shisui's dad was apparently alive till 2 years after the end of the third shinobi war. At that point in time, he died due to sequalae from the injuries he suffered in war.]
POOF
The sound brought my focus to the ongoing spar in the ground.
I watched with interest as an Inuzuka student's clones appeared in a series of small poofs, each one charging into action. He was impressive, combining his movements with his ninken to create attacks from multiple angles. Still, the wet ground gave him away—the real one's footprints were clear as day if you knew where to look.
Beside me, Dad leaned on his cane, his one leg propped carefully on a small rock. I couldn't help but feel a small thrill of excitement watching the matches. If I were in that ring, I'd have probably outsmarted that clone tactic and won easily. I could already imagine myself wearing the headband, the pride and recognition of becoming a shinobi. Part of me wanted to stand up and apply for graduation immediately.
But as if reading my mind, Dad's voice cut in, serious and low. "Shisui."
I turned, and he gave me a look filled with a strange kind of pain I hadn't seen in a while—one that had been all too common in the early days after he came back from the war.
"Promise me you won't graduate early."
I paused, caught off guard by the intensity in his gaze. For a second, it brought me back to the day he'd first returned from the war, looking worn and changed, the stump where his leg had been still raw. I swallowed, then nodded silently, knowing that any other response will hurt him.
To distract myself, I shifted my attention back to the students graduating today, letting my eyes scan the crowd until they landed on a familiar figure standing off to the side. Kyudo Kirito.
Everyone around the academy knew him as "the pizza guy." Over the past year, he'd become a near-legend among the kids, treating us to snacks and showing up randomly with boxes stacked taller than him. At first, people spoke of him with that disdain they usually reserved for anyone who seemed to linger in the academy. But he'd won us over one treat at a time, and now kids spoke of him with fondness. Of course, most of the uptight kids from the clans hate him for his weakness.
At his side, like always, was that red-haired girl Yarin, and next to her, my own classmate Kabuto, who had somehow skipped ahead to become my senior.
Kabuto had become Kyudo's shadow, following him around so closely that the academy kids called him "Kyudo's tail."
The most striking point was the tower of empty boxes beside him that are stacked in three rows. Each rivalling his long height. It was this moment that I realized that dad was talking about this tall senior from Kakashi's batch who didn't graduate till now.
I nudged Dad, the realization finally clicking into place. "Is Kyudo-san… the one you talking about ?"
Dad gave me a small, knowing smile, his gaze flickering to Kyudo out of the corner of his eye. "Yes, the very same. He's been here, in and out of the shadows, for years now. But today," he added, his voice dropping to a murmur, "they're finally pulling that bird out of the shadows. I'd bet my last coin that uncle Danzo isn't pleased about it, either. Oh, and look who noticed me. Hello! Dear junior, I hope he didn't suffer much under Sekai."
He waved, using a quick series of hand signs that I don't recognize. To my surprise, Kyudo responded in kind, a small smirk appearing on his face before he turned back to the group he was with. Dad ruffled my hair, a little too rough but somehow comforting.
"Shisui," he said quietly, his voice taking on that same weighted tone, "remember this. Some of the greatest sacrifices, the biggest names—they end up buried in the shadows, forgotten by almost everyone. To my surprise and sorrow, that junior has already did his part in the shadows. Though, Rather than being pulled out from the shadows by the Hokage, like everyone else, this kid came back on his own."
[Author's note: Dear readers, especially ones who are puzzles about Root agents being able to leave root. I am saying this after watching Naruto Anime thrice, the root was official unit of Anbu until it's disbandment after Uchiha's massacre. Of course, Danzo kept it running illegally, truly turning it into his private army. So, until then Root has been a special unit of Anbu.]
The crowd settled into an excited hush as the announcer's voice rang out, clear and powerful:
"KYUDO KIRITO!"
Everyone's heads turned to the center of attention, expecting a ready warrior stepping forward—but what we got was Kyudo-senpai scarfing down more food. And not just any food—he had a stack of those familiar pizza boxes, which Kabuto was busy opening beside him, feeding him slices as fast as he could.
Under hundreds of watchful eyes, Kyudo-senpai just kept eating, even more fervently, until finally, with a loud burp, he stood up, wiped his hands, and strolled into the field.
Normally, the graduation fight will have the student fight another student or an active shinobi of genin rank. Of course, in few cases even chunin instructors will go into the field for better evaluation. I figured one of the academy's toughest chunin would step up, but I was wrong.
Suddenly, a yellow blur appeared, depositing a silver-haired, masked figure right on the field. Kakashi Hatake. The famous prodigy from the battlefield, the same one whose name even the grown-ups here whispered with a mix of admiration and respect.
"Minato has grown even faster," Uncle Fugaku muttered, and I felt surprised when I suddenly found that our clan leader was standing beside me, watching all of this unfold. But before I could greet him, Dad stepped forward, his kimono billowing, and shot Fugaku-san a familiar look. "You know, Shisui still has time," he said bluntly, the same phrase I'd heard him say a dozen times before.
But Uncle Fugaku only shook his head. "There's not much time," he replied quietly. "Without you, there's no bridge between our clan and the village. You know Shisui may be the only one they can accept."
The intensity of the moment sent chills down my spine. Dad's Sharingan spun, and Uncle Fugaku's flared in response. They stared each other down, each unyielding, locked in silent understanding—and then, as if remembering where they were, they both softened and turned back to the field.
Kyudo-senpai waved casually to Kakashi-senpai, his easy going smile almost a bit too relaxed given the situation. "It's been a while since we've seen each other," he called out.
Kakashi nodded back, his one visible eye crinkling in what might have been a smirk. "I've been waiting for this day. Ever since you… went dark."
Kyudo-senpai just laughed—a loud, genuine laugh that I'd heard more and more from him lately. I'd heard that he used to be a lot more serious and moody, which I guess is something we Uchiha know well. But he'd changed, and everyone in the academy noticed, especially his increased frequency of laughs. He crossed his arms, still chuckling. "Went Dark? Me? Now, Now Kakashi. People will think it was me who's been binging all those Icha Icha books in hiding. Though, I'll admit," he added, grinning, "they're pretty good. Especially Icha Icha Hidden Loves."
A small, shocked cough escaped Dad, who wasn't the only one flustered. Some people stifled their laughter, while a few—including some of our own clan members—blushed, nodding in agreement. Uncle Fugaku scoffed, muttering under his breath, "How disgusting. To think a kid would turn out to be such a deviant."
And then, just to make things even weirder, Kakashi chimed in. "I'm more into Icha Icha Tactics than Hidden Loves, if you must know."
Kyudo-senpai rubbed his chin, deep in mock thought. "A visual type, are you?" he mused. "Makes sense, especially when I think about the realistic images. I, personally, prefer the imagination side of things from reading the words from Tactics."
Dad, still shaking his head, muttered, "Perhaps the shadows aren't as noble as I thought. Even the youth in them seem…corrupted." Then he added, with a sigh, "Maybe Shisui really does have time before he'd ever consider Root."
My curiosity sparked. I'd heard this "Icha Icha" title before, murmured around the clan. And now, seeing all these senior shinobi—including my own dad—getting flustered or embarrassed over it, I knew I had to find out more. Dad always says a good shinobi is capable of finding the truth on their own. This would be my first real mission—to uncover the mystery of Icha Icha.
Especially, since this icha icha books seemed to make Dad bring up the mysterious Root topic. I am sure they are connected somehow.
POOOF
Suddenly, a puff of smoke erupted near the announcer's stand, and the unmistakable figure of Lord Hokage appeared, drawing everyone's attention. He scanned the crowd, throwing a stern glare at both my senpai and the flustered faces around him.
Kakashi senpai narrowed his eyes in response while Kyudo san kept smiling like always.
"The graduation of Kyudo Kirito, with a final spar against Chunin Kakashi Hatake," he declared, his voice echoing across the field.
The silent crowd now looked at the sparring ground as the Hokage's voice cut through the noise. "Begin!"
The fight that unfolded made me realize why Dad said I will not matter in a battlefield.
Kakashi was a blur, moving in close with his tanto already slicing through the air. Kyudo didn't even flinch; with one swift motion, he raised a hand and fired off a Water ball with his open mouth.
Impressive, he prepared the Jutsu signs out of sight and before the match started. At least, that's what it looks like to me.
Kakashi was forced to twist away, but before he even landed, Kyudo's next move was already aimed right at him—a Fire ball jutsu, this time boosted with chakra so fast it practically sang as it cut through the air.
Kakashi's hand signs blurred, and in a flash, an Earth Wall shot up, hold the fire's explosive impact just enough for him to dart sideways.
Kakashi who dodged sideways didn't even pause for as second as his tanto rippling with lightening chakra pierced toward Kyudo, who to the surprise of everyone said, "Wait ! Wait ! Time out."
Kakashi didn't bother to stop in his path and screamed out while stabbing his tanto, "Are you joking?"
Kyudo simply smirked as he said, "No."
I felt my hair raise on it's end as I saw his leg surrounded by dense chakra that was visible to the eye, lash out at the incoming Kakshi.
BOOOM
It was as if I saw earth style: Stone fist ninjutsu used on the ground. But, in reality it was just Kyudo's leg lashing out.
As the smoke cleared Kyudo appeared while removing some wrist bands.
Dad moaned out, "Oh Kami! This kid is like Tsunade-sama's second coming."
Kyudo who uncalpsed the bands on his 4 limbs said to Kakashi, "You know, I always wanted to do this for a long, long time."
With a combo of punched and kicks, the bands flew through the air making multiple holes of 1 meter diameter on the walls. As of that wasn't enough, a vest also followed suit, whose impact made the academy wall completely collapse.
"KYUDO!"
The hokage's shout made the surprised crowd look back at the half naked kyudo who took out a storage scroll.
Looking Kakshi, he said, "Wait a minute Kakashi! Let me dress up."
Poof
The storage scroll revealed a sleek black armour with teethed design. As he started wearing it, He looked towards the Hokage.
"Sorry, Old man. Send me the bill, I will clear the due."
Uncle Fugaku as usual commented on the proceeding, "Quite arrogant."
Dad only said, "He has the right to say it, especially after expanding his restaurants to outside Konoha, into various towns and cities of land of fire. To think, it started from a stall."
I could only say one thing, "That armour. It is pure chakra metal, right?"
Uncle Fugaku, the rich guy bluntly nodded, "Seems like it."
Rich assholes.
Dad rubbed my head again and asked me while pointing at those two, "You are focusing on wrong things. Did you notice which chakra natures and how many well they used them?"
Kyudo used Fire and Water, Kakashi used Lightening and Earth.
Wait, they used two chakra natures which seems to be mastered.
"Most importantly, they mastered two opposite chakra natures. I thought, a shinobi can only follow the sequence of elemental map if he wants to master the chakra nature."
Fugaka-sama shook his head and said, "It was the case until one genius appeared who invented ways to master the chakra natures in any sequence. His name is Orochimaru, the snake sanin. The fact of the matter is that they both mastered two chakra natures. And none of their other skills are not half assed. Even the arrogant kid, Kyudo is ready to punch or kick Kakashi if he dares to attack when Kyudo is wearing his armour."
Imagining a blow similar to kick I just saw hit a person, I could only think about a tomato being squished.
CLAP CLAP
Kyudo's flamboyant armour lit up as fire chakra spewed from the gaps. He said to Kakashi, "I have been itching to try this armour for quite some time. Come on."
Kakashi not willing to give him time to use whatever Kyudo is planning, ran at him. Especially since Kyudo can't afford to use that super powered punch when channelling this much fire chakra.
SIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
I felt my heart jump as the Tanto filled with Lightening chakra slashed at Kyudo.
But Kyudo was ready, jumping back from the combo of slashes, flicking each wrist into one handed signs, instantly sending out intense fireballs from Phoenix Fireball Jutsu spun out toward Kakashi.
The flames were wild and unpredictable, twisting so fast that Kakashi had to drop his plan of getting in close.
BOOM BOOOM BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM
But just then—Kakashi sank into the earth with the Hidden Mole Jutsu.
"Damn it, Kakashi. You really love this jutsu a lot."
Kyudo didn't miss a beat. His eyes narrowed, and you could practically see him tracking Kakashi's movements underground. When Kakashi burst up from below, Kyudo leapt, twisting as Kakashi's tanto sliced the air just below him.
In a heartbeat, they were trading strikes—Kyudo's armour guards clashed against Kakashi's lightning-infused blade. Sparks lit up the space between them as Kakashi went for Kyudo's midsection, only for Kyudo to counter with a hard kick that sent Kakashi sliding back.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. He wasn't playing anymore. One hand flew up in a series of signs, and suddenly a ripple of lightning cracked through the air—Electromagnetic Murder—its raw, buzzing electricity aimed straight for Kyudo.
Kyudo rather than dodging at the lightening, ran towards Kakashi, putting him directly on the path of jutsu.
However, just as I felt the jutsu hit the Target, I found it to be cut by Tanto with whizzling wind wrapped around it.
To my surprise, I found that Kyudo has tanto in hand suddenly. Dad thankfully pointed out towards his armguards saying, "Fuinjutsu storage seal."
The shock in Kakashi's expression said it all. That technique should've taken out anyone who wasn't prepared.
But Kyudo just smiled, that unreadable look still plastered on his face.
Kakashi didn't waste time, shifting to a new approach—he was already forming the signs for a jutsu most of the uchiha can recognise with ease, Demonic Hell Viewing Jutsu. Kakashi's gaze steady on Kyudo as he cast the genjutsu. Kyudo's expression shifted slightly, his stance faltering as his vision blurred.
He countered without missing a beat, I felt his chakra scramble for minute and the sword run straight at Kakashi and cut him into two pieces.
CRACK
The cut down Kakashi turned into earth while the real one emerged from the ground beside Kyudo, "Hello there!"
Just when I thought the battle was over, Kyudo's empty hand which is not holding the tanto, lit up chakra blazing around his hand as he struck out with Chakra Scalpel aimed at Kakashi's chest. But Kakashi twisted away at the last second, his reflexes razor-sharp, his foot snapping up in a spinning kick that pushed Kyudo back.
They separated for a second, both breathing heavily, assessing each other with a grudging sort of respect.
Kakashi didn't give Kyudo a chance to catch his breath. He was already forming hand seals, and this time the ground itself seemed to tremble as a series of Lightning Style: Electromagnetic Murder crackled around him in a protective arc unlike the attack pattern he used before. TH protective lightening cage illuminating the ground with a deadly blue glow.
Kyudo just grinned, hand seals blurring as he cast, Water Dragon Jutsu. The massive, serpentine form of a water dragon roared toward Kakashi's lightning with unstoppable force. Water and lightning met in a sizzling explosion in which lightening kept conducting into water but the dragon was the stronger jutsu, steam hissing and rising to cover the ring in thick clouds.
CHIRP CHIRP
I heard the sounds of bird chirping when a lightening flash came rushing towards Kyudo.
"HAHAH! I was waiting for this."
I watched as Kyudo's wind chakra covered sword slash towards Kakashi who died out in poof of smoke.
Once again, Kakashi come out from ground with his tanto aiming at Kyudo's blind spot.
"Kakashi, I am damned sensor."
Once more, I saw Kyudo's free hand surge in chakra which started swirling into chakra ball that started pulverizing the electric chakra covered tanto and continued it's path towards Kakshi.
WHOOSHH
CLAP
The chakra ball stopped just an inch away from Kakashi because the hokage caught Kyudo's hand and stopped the fight.
With this move that ended the fight, I found that I had difficulty in even following the fight much less even think of fighting them. No wonder, Dad wants me to train in the academy more.
[Future Kyudo who learnt Shisui's thoughts at this point screamed out, "Freaky kid, what do you mean you can follow this fight? Do you even know what level of fight this was?]
"Multiple chakra natures mastered, Impressive chakra shaping, most importantly the reserves that can manage to hold out the usage of A rank jutsu in battle."
Dad pointed out towards Kyudo and said, "He even has perfect chakra control, there is no doubt it. No Chakra leaked out from Minato's rasengan when he used out. Most importantly, the fact he used the rasengan means that he is on the path of mastering chakra shaping. A few years at most, he will do it."
Uncle Fugaka sighed as he said, "You saw what I saw right?"
Dad nodded with his sharingan blazing like uncle Fugaku, "Yes, their chakra is completely dense. To the point that it possible to enhance their overall abilities as a whole."
"All these combined, there is no doubt it. These kids have skipped the special jonin phase and have reached Jonin level strength directly."
The last thing that left a memory of this historic day was Kyudo's shout from the spot where he collapsed from exhaustion, "AT LAST, I CAUGHT UP TO KAKASHI. TO THINK IT TOOK THIS LONG. TCH!"
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票