Chapter 125: Itachi Uchiha's 100th-Day Celebration
The Chūnin Exams are one of the most important tests in a ninja's career. Unless there are special circumstances, no one wants to be a genin forever. More importantly, genin cannot take on solo missions. You must be at least a chūnin to do so. In other words, the exams are directly related to your income. A genin's mission rank is low, and their pay is split between the village and their squad leader, so they don't take home much.
"Then I'll be waiting for you!" Guy said, his excitement rising. He wasn't thinking about the exam's difficulty; he was just looking forward to a series of youthful showdowns, and he couldn't wait for time to speed up.
"It's about four months away," Hoshikawa said, pausing. "And this time, the Chūnin Exams are for Konoha genin only."
Kakashi thought for a moment. With his strength, the Chūnin Exams themselves weren't difficult. The hard part was getting first place. Both Hoshikawa and Guy were difficult opponents to beat. He realized he needed to find a way to perfect his Chidori.
"Will Rin participate?" Obito asked, looking at Rin.
"Yes," Rin said, a worried look on her face. "But I don't think my chances are very high." She specialized in medical ninjutsu and wasn't very good at fighting.
"Don't worry," Hoshikawa said, shaking his head. "The Hokage will definitely take your medical ninja status into consideration." Based on the original series' outcome, Rin passed the Chūnin Exams. It was clear that due to the impending war, the standards for the Chūnin Exams had been lowered. You could see it in the Chūnin Exams held during Naruto's generation. Even with Sasuke's monstrous strength, he didn't pass, and only Shikamaru Nara became a chūnin.
Obito, annoyed that Hoshikawa had stolen his thunder, said, "I'm participating, and I'm definitely going to get first place!"
"Good luck," Rin said, knowing his personality. She didn't call him out and simply encouraged him.
"Hehe!" Obito's face lit up with a huge smile.
"Kakashi," Hoshikawa said, stepping forward. "How's that jutsu you're creating coming along?"
"You mean Chidori?" Kakashi shook his head slightly. "It still has some obvious problems."
So it's already been named Chidori? Hoshikawa knew about the problem. In short, to use Chidori, you needed to move toward your opponent at high speed. The problem was that you might move so fast that you couldn't see the enemy's counterattack. Chidori, or the later-named Lightning Blade, was actually best suited for an Uchiha. Only the Sharingan could keep up with that extreme speed and bring out its maximum power.
"I have an idea," Hoshikawa said, suddenly thinking of Sasuke Uchiha. "Why don't you change its form?" In the original series, Sasuke had derived many jutsu from Chidori, such as Chidori Senbon, Chidori Stream, and Chidori Sharp Spear.
"Change its form?" Kakashi asked instinctively. "How?"
"What about making Chidori a ninja tool?" Hoshikawa asked with a smile.
"Would that work?" Kakashi's face showed his surprise.
"Is the time it takes to run up to your opponent so different from throwing a ninja tool at a distance?" Hoshikawa paused. "Besides that, you could also integrate Chidori into your tantō and into your body."
"I understand integrating it into the tantō, but what do you mean by integrating it into my body?" Kakashi asked, genuinely curious.
"Right now, Chidori's range is limited to your right hand. If you expand it to cover your entire body, what do you think it would become?" Hoshikawa was talking about Sasuke Uchiha's Lightning Release jutsu, Chidori Stream.
"It would become a form of defense!" Kakashi's eyes lit up.
"More than that," Hoshikawa said with a smile. "It would also become a wide-range, area-of-effect jutsu."
"Brilliant!" Kakashi's voice was filled with excitement. He had been trying to solve the problem with Chidori, but he had no way to do it unless he got a Sharingan. Hoshikawa 's suggestion had solved his problem from a different angle. If it weren't for Itachi's 100th-day celebration, he would have started his research right then and there.
"Hoshikawa , thank you!" Kakashi said earnestly.
"No problem, we're friends," Hoshikawa said, clearing his throat. "When you've finished your research, will you teach me the full-body version of Chidori?"
This was his real goal. He wanted to use Chidori Stream to hide his Lightning Release Armor. The Lightning Release Armor came from the Hidden Cloud Village. Although it was powerful, he barely used it because his whole body would glow with lightning, which he wanted to hide. With Chidori Stream, he could perfectly conceal it, as Chidori Stream also covered his whole body in a more dazzling and brilliant glow.
"Of course," Kakashi said without hesitation. "I wouldn't have been able to develop it without your suggestion." For him, Chidori Stream and Chidori Blade were the biggest improvements. The former spread through his body, and the latter was infused into his tantō. In the future, Kakashi could fight with Chidori activated, and his destructive power would greatly increase. The only problem would be chakra, but since he didn't have the Sharingan yet, he wasn't too worried about that for now.
Hoshikawa thought of the official novel, Kakashi Hiden. After losing his Sharingan, Kakashi developed a new version of Lightning Blade called Purple Electricity, which didn't require a Sharingan. In a way, Hoshikawa 's suggestion was the best possible solution, as the future Kakashi couldn't even solve the Sharingan problem.
"You're full of schemes, aren't you?" Tsunade said after overhearing their conversation. She felt Hoshikawa was getting more and more like Tobirama Senju.
"Sensei, it's called being smart," Hoshikawa corrected her. Tsunade huffed, raised her hand, and flicked his forehead. Hoshikawa 's mouth twitched. He now knew Tsunade's habit: if she couldn't win an argument, she'd hit him. Thankfully, she wasn't hitting him for real; it was more like playful banter.
"We're here!" Obito said, his spirits soaring. "I'll lead you guys in!"
But just then, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance.
"Clan Leader?" Obito was stunned. Although it was Itachi Uchiha's 100th-day celebration, Fugaku Uchiha, as the clan leader, would not normally welcome guests at the gate.
Am I that important?
"Tsunade-sama," Fugaku said, walking forward with a smile. "Welcome."
"Congratulations, Fugaku," Tsunade said, glancing at Hoshikawa . Hoshikawa immediately handed her the gift.
"Please, follow me," Fugaku said, accepting the gift.
Hoshikawa followed him into the courtyard, where many ninjas had already arrived. But they were mostly Uchiha ninjas.
"Tsunade-sama," they all stood up to greet her. The Uchiha clan was proud, but they still showed respect to someone who was stronger than them and was also the best medical ninja.
"Please take the head seat," Fugaku said, gesturing to the main table.
"Isn't the old man coming?" Tsunade asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The Hokage-sama is busy with a mission," Fugaku said without changing his expression. "He said having you represent him is more than enough."
Tsunade pouted. Still playing games at a time like this? Hiruzen was indeed showing goodwill to the Uchiha clan, but if he came himself, it might create unnecessary misunderstandings with the other ninja clans. Besides, it was just Itachi's 100th-day celebration; it was normal for him not to come. Tsunade didn't say anything else and sat down in the head seat.
"Obito," Fugaku instructed. "Lead Hoshikawa and the others to their seats."
"Yes, Clan Leader," Obito immediately replied.
"Hoshikawa !" Asuma Sarutobi's voice called out before they even got close. Besides him, Shizune and Shisui Uchiha were also sitting at the table.
Is this the legendary kids' table? Hoshikawa understood Fugaku's arrangement. Although they were important, they were still too young to get involved in the adults' conversations.
"Great!" Asuma said happily. "It's rare for all of us to be together again!"
"We have to thank our newest junior, Itachi Uchiha," Guy said, waving his fist. "When he grows up, I'll teach him the Path of Youth!"
"Don't even think about it. The clan leader would never let him near you," Obito couldn't help but retort.
Hoshikawa sucked in a cold breath. What if Guy taught Itachi? If he led him astray, the Night of the Clan Annihilation would never happen. But he knew it was just wishful thinking. The chances of it happening were very slim.
"Kakashi," Asuma suddenly remembered. "It was Hoshikawa 's birthday last month, and you weren't here. Where are your gifts?"
"Here," Kakashi said, already prepared. He handed Hoshikawa a gift box.
"This is mine!" Guy said, pulling out a pair of nunchucks.
Only Obito was left standing there, dumbfounded. You guys didn't tell me about this part! He hated Hoshikawa too much to prepare a gift.
"I... I forgot to bring it. I'll give it to you tomorrow," Obito said, biting the bullet as he looked at everyone's eyes.
"It's fine. It's the same whether you give it or not. The thought is what counts," Hoshikawa said, shaking his head nonchalantly. He took the nunchucks, which were a nostalgic gift for him, and put them away.
Dinner hadn't started yet, so everyone began to chat about their missions. Hoshikawa listened while he opened his title system. In the past three months, he had gained a new B-rank title. This was another reason why he wanted to learn Kakashi's Chidori—to get a high-level Lightning Release jutsu.
[B-Rank Talent Title: Lightning Release Special Jōnin]
[Trigger Condition: Nine Lightning Release jutsu titles reach Mastery.]
[Effect: All Lightning Release jutsu effects are increased by 100%.]
[Note: Learning and mastering more Lightning Release jutsu can lead to the A-Rank title, Lightning Release Jōnin.]
It was similar to his previous B-rank titles, "Genjutsu Special Jōnin" and "Medical Special Jōnin." This was Hoshikawa 's third "Special Jōnin" title. Besides that, the progress bar for his Yin Seal had also increased a bit, but it was still a long way from completion. He estimated it would be finished next year.
Just then, a commotion came from the distance. Hoshikawa instinctively turned his head and saw three pairs of Byakugan. It was a group of ninjas from the Hyūga clan.
The Hyūga and the Uchiha clans were famous in Konoha. They were both eye-based bloodline clans, and their overall strength far surpassed the other ninja clans. But the two clans had always kept their distance, so seeing Hyūga ninjas as guests was a huge surprise.
"The clan leader invited them," Shisui explained.
In that case, it makes sense for them to come. Since they had been invited, not coming would seem cowardly or disrespectful. Hoshikawa studied the young man leading them. It was Hiashi Hyūga's twin brother, Hizashi Hyūga, Neji's father. In the original story, Hinata was kidnapped by a Cloud Village envoy, but Hiashi found him. After he killed the envoy, the Cloud Village pressured Konoha to hand over the culprit. In the end, Hizashi volunteered to take Hiashi's place and died in his stead.
What can I say about that plot point? It was ridiculous. Hoshikawa couldn't understand why they would handle it that way.
"I'm late, everyone," Minato Namikaze said, walking in after Hizashi.
"Sensei," Kakashi, Obito, and Guy all greeted him.
"Minato-senpai," Hoshikawa said. He guessed that Minato had gone to see Kushina. She probably couldn't come to Itachi's 100th-day celebration because of her jinchūriki status. The Nine-Tails probably wouldn't have wanted to go to a place full of Sharingan users, either. It would have gone crazy.
"You guys chat. I'll go find them," Minato said after exchanging greetings. He didn't stay with them. Since he was older, he went to the adults' table.
As time passed, the empty seats in the courtyard were filled. Hoshikawa looked around. Most of them were Uchiha ninjas, with a few representatives from other clans, such as the Hyūga, the Ino-Shika-Cho clan, and the Inuzuka clan. They had all only sent two or three representatives.
"Everyone!" Fugaku Uchiha stood up, looking very confident. The Uchiha clan hadn't been this lively in a long time. In the past, they had only celebrated among themselves, but now, other ninjas were joining them. This was all thanks to Hiruzen's goodwill toward Shisui and Obito. Fugaku felt that the Uchiha clan had a bright future ahead of it. Maybe they could even produce a Hokage.
In a far corner, a group of Uchiha ninjas watched him with displeasure. They felt that Fugaku had lost his dignity just because Hiruzen gave him a little bit of kindness. They were the hardline, or "hawk," faction. All they wanted to do was to revolt against Konoha and become Hokage themselves. But their faction was weak right now, so they could only bide their time.
The 100th-day celebration officially began. While the adults engaged in political games, the kids didn't have to worry about a thing and simply ate.
"Kakashi," Hoshikawa said, picking up a piece of beef. "How long are you guys staying this time?"
"I'm not sure. It depends on Sensei," Kakashi said, pausing. "But I think we'll be here for a while because the Cloud Village's A-B combo has returned to their village."
"Then you'll have time to work on your Chidori," Hoshikawa said with a smile. "If you need my help, just ask."
"Thanks," Kakashi said without being formal. "I'll definitely find you." There were very few Lightning Release ninjas in Konoha, so he and Hoshikawa were a rare breed
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