Chapter 28 – First Day of School and an Offer from Danzo
The new semester had begun, and students reunited after the long break, with endless chatter filling the classroom. Over there, the chubby Tangdō Akimichi was showing off the latest delicacies he had eaten to Yamanaka Shinya and Shikaji Nara. Meanwhile, Uchiha Obito and Kakashi erupted into another argument in the corner.
When Taichi Matsushita entered the classroom, this lively scene greeted him.
"Taichi! I heard you interned at a hospital over the summer?" Guy was the first to notice him, rushing over like a spark and, after a brief pause, added, "Is that true?"
Taichi rolled his eyes. "I guess you're the last one in class to find out."
"Ah—what? Everyone already knows?" Guy looked genuinely shocked. How had he missed this news?
At that moment, Rin Nohara, busy breaking up a fight, noticed Taichi as well. She pulled the bickering Kakashi and Obito over.
"Taichi, thank you so much for helping me at the hospital the other day," she said earnestly. She knew that without Taichi's skill, no other doctor might have treated her with ninjutsu, and she would have suffered far more.
Kakashi and Obito, realizing the same, also expressed their gratitude.
"Haha, Rin, you're too polite. We're friends—whether in a hospital or not, I'd still help," Taichi said generously.
"By the way, how did everyone find out I was interning? Even Head Fujita got involved later," Taichi added, puzzled.
Rin and Kakashi instinctively turned their gaze to Obito.
"Ah… haha. When we were out together once, I accidentally mentioned it. I didn't expect everyone to go to the hospital to see you," Obito replied awkwardly.
Seeing Obito's sheepish expression, Rin and Kakashi exchanged a look. That was hardly an accident—it was classic Obito showing off. But, of course, neither of them were going to embarrass him in front of Taichi.
"Alright!" Taichi waved it off. "By the way, Kakashi, Guy, let's go to the small grove after school. I'll show you the results of my training."
"Sounds great! Youth is all about challenging ourselves! I'm pumped!" Guy said, practically tearing up with excitement.
The school bell rang, signaling the first class of the new semester. Students gradually returned to their seats, and lessons began.
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After school, at the small grove…
The crackling sounds of fists and feet clashing filled the air. Taichi and the others had come to spar as promised. Taichi was in a taijutsu match with Guy, while Kakashi watched from the side.
After dozens of rounds, Taichi realized that not only was he improving, but Guy had made significant progress as well.
After another exchange, both of them simultaneously paused.
"Taichi, you're amazing. I trained hard over the break, but you're keeping up with just taijutsu!" Guy said, slightly frustrated.
Before Taichi could respond, Guy's determination reignited. "This is youth—never give up, keep striving!"
He sprinted off, shouting back, "I'm going to train! Today, ten laps around Konoha! If I don't finish…" His words faded as he ran off. Taichi and Kakashi could only stare in disbelief.
"Taichi, need a break?" Kakashi asked, slowly loosening his own limbs.
"Yeah, give me a moment," Taichi said, regulating his breathing and recovering from the exertion of his sparring match with Guy.
Ten minutes later, both stood facing each other. A leaf drifted between them, and Taichi launched the first attack.
He charged at Kakashi, tossing three shuriken while simultaneously drawing a short blade from his back. Kakashi didn't hesitate, drawing his own knife to deflect the incoming shuriken and meet Taichi head-on.
The clanging of short blades rang out—ting ting ting—as steel met steel. In just four or five seconds, the two exchanged over a dozen strikes.
After a few more moves, they passed each other, and Taichi quickly formed hand signs. "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!" He expelled nearly thirty fireballs in one breath, attacking Kakashi from multiple directions.
Kakashi didn't hesitate. With swift hand signs, he struck the ground, raising an earthen wall—Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall.
The fireballs slammed into the wall with explosive boom after boom. Just as Kakashi prepared a follow-up jutsu, he realized something was off—the number of fireballs exceeded the usual twelve for Phoenix Fire. Far too many.
Before Kakashi could react, the wall collapsed under the barrage, leaving the remaining fireballs hurtling toward him.
Caught off guard, Kakashi had to dodge once again, but Taichi seized the opportunity to unleash Wind Release: Great Breakthrough. A violent gust of wind carried the fireballs, pushing them directly at Kakashi while Taichi surged forward with the wind's momentum.
After narrowly avoiding the two consecutive attacks, Kakashi now faced Taichi's close-range assault. Losing the initiative, he was forced into constant defense. Dozens of rounds later, he barely regained the advantage thanks to his familiarity with Hatake-style swordsmanship.
Taichi, however, wasn't discouraged. Kakashi had the benefit of a master swordsman as a father, whereas Taichi had only rigorous practice. Considering that, he was satisfied with the outcome.
Then Kakashi launched a counterattack. He summoned Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, massive spheres of flame over two meters high that completely obscured Taichi's vision. Using the cover, Kakashi created a shadow clone and charged alongside it.
Taichi, unflustered by the intense heat, retreated while simultaneously deploying his own shadow clone. Both cleared the fireball's path, only to freeze for a moment—two Kakashis faced two Taichis.
After a brief assessment, each chose a target and engaged. Bang! Bang! Two clones were destroyed, and their originals continued to clash with sword and blade.
The battle raged until both were nearly depleted of chakra, ending in a stalemate. Exhausted, they sat on nearby tree stumps, recovering and sharing tales of their summer experiences.
When Kakashi learned that Taichi had not only interned at a hospital but also received guidance from the legendary Sannin, he couldn't help but admire his friend's luck. No wonder Taichi had progressed so rapidly. Kakashi could tell that Taichi hadn't even used his full strength in the fight—after the first two ninjutsu, the remainder was pure swordsmanship.
As the sun set, stretching their long shadows across the grove, the two parted ways and headed home.
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Passing through the bustling streets, Taichi noticed the crowd thinning as he neared home. Soon, he was completely alone. A chill ran down his spine, and sweat prickled the back of his neck. Three shuriken appeared at his feet, their tips glowing a foreboding purple.
"Good reflexes."
Danzo stepped from the shadows atop a wall, his staff tapping against the stone, freezing the air. Taichi formed hand signs, detonating three smoke bombs.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Fire!" Sixteen fireballs shot through the smoke, but an Earth Flow Wall materialized just two meters in front of Danzo, absorbing the attack.
Taichi leapt, drawing his blade. As one strike was blocked by Danzo's staff, he pivoted, kicking at his opponent's ribs. Danzo's sleeve suddenly extended a chain; the iron rings brushed Taichi's cheek and left a deep gouge in the wall.
"Surviving a few moves against me," Danzo said, shaking off brick dust from the chain, "puts you on par with some chūnin."
Taichi wiped blood from his lips, his chakra nearly depleted. Three Root operatives blocked the alley entrance, their animalistic masks glinting under the moonlight.
"Join Root, and you'll gain true experience," Danzo said, lifting Taichi's fallen dagger with the tip of his staff. "Medical ninjutsu combined with assassination techniques—quite the spectacle."
"Thank you for the offer," Taichi murmured, gathering chakra in his heels. "But the ninja academy regulations—"
"Those rules only bind the mediocre!" Danzo's voice rose, startling crows from the eaves. "Your blade isn't meant for bandages!"
Taichi stepped back into a puddle, the moon reflecting Danzo's sinister single eye.
"Last time, the Hokage said—"
Bang! Danzo smashed the puddle with his staff. Water splashed, distorting his face. "Root trains the Anbu for the Hokage! And your talent shouldn't be wasted in a ward!"
A cold whirlwind stirred in the alley. Taichi gripped his blade, meeting Danzo's gaze.
"If the Hokage approves, I'll report to Root tomorrow."
The air fell silent. Danzo's single eye narrowed, and a night-owl-like chuckle escaped him. "Good… very good." He turned, the black robe fluttering, planting shuriken into Taichi's hair as both a warning and a show of force.
The three Root operatives vanished with him. Taichi leaned against the wall, sitting slowly. Tonight had been intense. Moonlight illuminated the tattered Hokage Rock poster in the alley; the Third Hokage's stone statue loomed faintly in the darkness.
Tomorrow, he would have to seek the Hokage—though he wasn't sure if he could meet him. If not, he'd have to find Tsunade, though she was nowhere to be found. Taichi groaned in frustration.
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