"Huff... huff... huff..."
Kakashi lay on the ground gasping like a dead dog, finally managing to sit up.
He looked at Yun and said, "This Sharingan greatly enhances my dynamic vision, but it also massively increases my chakra consumption."
"But whether it's the Body Flicker Technique or mastery over the Sharingan, you're above me. Aside from mission experience, your ability is far beyond the level of a Special Jōnin."
Uchiha Yun smiled. "Alright, drop the act. The reason you're holding back on using your Mangekyō abilities is because of them, right?"
As he spoke, Yun glanced toward a corner outside the training field where a few silhouettes flickered briefly before disappearing into the forest.
Kakashi turned his head and sighed. "Uchiha Yun, the genius of the Uchiha clan. Graduated from the Ninja Academy at nine, passed a special evaluation to become a Chūnin, and then got promoted by the Fourth Hokage to Special Jōnin."
"Your rise through the ranks is practically unprecedented. So how could those two remaining high-ranking elders tied to Root not take interest in you after you showed up at that event?"
Yun looked toward the now-empty area and thought: 'Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane, huh?'
These two had always stood by the Third Hokage's side. While they had kept Danzo in check during Hiruzen's time, now they had effectively become a "fourth faction" supporting the Third.
"Hey Kakashi, we, "
Pakkun, the ninja dog, had just opened his mouth to speak when Yun turned his head and said coldly, "You're still here? Kakashi, I think we can add dog meat to the menu tonight."
Before he finished his sentence,
"Everyone, run!" Pakkun shouted in panic.
Poof!
A puff of smoke dispersed, and the Eight Ninja Dogs vanished as they were released from their summoning contracts.
Kakashi sighed. "They may be a little shameless, but they're actually pretty useful sometimes."
Swish
Swish
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and Shisui appeared in front of them. Minato smiled and said to Yun, "Come report to my personal ANBU unit after you get your gear tomorrow. I'll be counting on you."
Scratching his head, Yun replied, "Looks like peaceful days are over. I was kinda hoping to stay in the Ninja Academy a few more years."
Minato chuckled. "With your help, I think my workload will lighten quite a bit."
'Ugh →_→'
'That cut deep…'
Later that night, Kakashi, Shisui, and Yun sat in a private booth at a yakiniku restaurant.
"Since Yun's still underage, no alcohol for him. We'll drink, and he'll stick to juice," Shisui said, raising his cup along with Kakashi.
Yun helplessly raised his glass of juice.
"To Yun's promotion to Special Jōnin, cheers!"
He downed the sweet juice in one go, honestly, tastier than that so-called sake.
Shisui then took out a scroll and handed it to Yun. "The Fourth was too busy to come himself, but he asked me to deliver your gift."
'A gift from the Fourth?'
Yun opened the scroll and was momentarily speechless.
Shisui smiled. "Your Body Flicker speed already has the potential to surpass mine. At a certain level of speed, you'll need jutsu that can be executed more quickly. So, I'm giving you this A-rank, hand sign-free technique."
Uchiha Yun glanced at the scroll and muttered inwardly, but outwardly, he said, "The Rasengan, an original no-hand-seal jutsu created by the Fourth. It really does suit fast ninjas. No one's faster than him, after all."
Kakashi looked surprised. "The Rasengan? He gave that to you? Looks like the sensei really thinks highly of you."
Yun set the scroll down and gave Shisui a look, clearly asking: Where's your gift?
Understanding immediately, Shisui smiled again and handed over another scroll.
This time he didn't keep him guessing: "Looks like you've already got a decent handle on Fire Release. This is the training method for Sword Leap Flame, a fire-style chakra shape transformation technique. You'll probably find it useful soon."
Yun accepted it with a grin. "Definitely useful. I've been studying chakra nature transformation recently. This fits perfectly."
Then Yun turned his gaze toward Kakashi.
Suddenly under pressure from both stares, Kakashi froze.
'What's this supposed to mean? Was this dinner not a free ride?'
'Do I have to give something too? I mean… I'll pay for the meal, if that's the issue…'
Yun chuckled, "You're a former senior in the ANBU. Shouldn't you be setting an example?"
'Ugh…'
Kakashi thought for a moment, then reluctantly reached into his ninja pouch.
Yun blinked in surprise. 'Wait, really? If I can trick him into giving me the Lightning Blade training method too, that'd open up a ton of options.'
Kakashi finally pulled out a rolled-up booklet. 'Could it be… the training method for Chidori? But why not use a scroll?'
Yun opened it and,
On the cover, in bold letters: Make-Out Paradise: Collector's Edition.
"PFFT!!"
Shisui sprayed his sake all over Kakashi. "Cough, cough! Kakashi! You gave that to Yun?!"
Kakashi calmly grabbed some tissues and wiped his face. "That's a collector's item. I waited in line for hours to get it. I heard Jiraiya-sama is back in the village, if he signs it, its value will skyrocket."
Shisui glared. "But Yun is nine years old, you know?!"
Kakashi tilted his head, thinking. "Nine's fine. I lived alone at a younger age."
And so, amidst the noise and chaos, Yun's yakiniku celebration came to a close.
This time, Shisui didn't walk Yun home, he and Kakashi still had business with the Fourth.
"Rasengan, did you trade S-rank mission credits with the sensei for that?"
Shisui nodded. "Given Yun's speed and reflexes with the Body Flicker, the Rasengan will be a powerful tool for him."
Kakashi agreed. "Though the power of the Mangekyō can overwhelm almost anything, every use comes with a price. For standard combat, yes, he needs something like this. But…"
"Why do you trust him so much?"
Shisui calmly turned to Kakashi. "If I had to give a reason… it's because he pulled the Uchiha back from the edge of the abyss."
"The Fourth was generous too, there's even speculation about further Rasengan developments in that scroll."
Kakashi nodded. Only with something like that could the Hokage's name be put on the gift.
'But still…'
'Has the Uchiha really come this far?'
The change in Konoha has already begun.
.....
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