Chapter 164: The Idol is White Fang
Kakashi, who had been preparing to act, paused for a moment, then silently followed Mugetsu.
If Obito's success wasn't due to luck, Kakashi was genuinely curious how he managed it.
Mugetsu led Kakashi quietly through the village, tailing Obito from a distance. With his Byakugan and the stealth skills honed during his Root training, Mugetsu's concealment was flawless. Obito, completely unaware, continued searching with full concentration.
"Light yellow fur, about twenty centimeters tall…" Obito muttered to himself, repeating the mission details as he searched every corner.
He even lifted the lid of a trash can to check inside.
Watching from the shadows, Kakashi's expression twitched. What kind of dog would hide in a trash can?
"Eh? Isn't that little Obito? Looking for something?"
An elderly man nearby called out with a friendly smile.
"Yes, Grandpa. I'm looking for a light yellow puppy, about this big," Obito said, gesturing with his hands.
"A light yellow puppy, huh?" The old man scratched his head. "Can't say I've seen one myself. I haven't gone out much lately, but old Ueki around the corner knows everything that happens in this district. I'll take you to him."
"Thank you so much, Grandpa," Obito said with genuine gratitude.
The old man led him to find this "Ueki."
"Oh, a light yellow puppy?" Ueki said after thinking for a while. "I think I saw one somewhere east of the Main District... can't remember exactly where, though."
"You're getting old, Ueki. That's no help at all!" the first old man said, irritated. "The entire eastern district is huge!"
Obito only smiled. "It's fine, Grandpa. That still narrows it down a lot. From all of Konoha to just the east side—that's a big help."
He thanked both elders again, then hurried toward the east.
Because of how conspicuously he was searching, another elderly villager called out to him along the way—and soon enough, one helpful senior after another began guiding him toward the dog's trail. Through their directions and local gossip, Obito eventually located the stray and dashed forward with his Breathing Technique, catching it with surprising precision.
Mugetsu turned to Kakashi. "So? Do you still think this was just luck?"
Kakashi's gaze followed Obito, who was now holding the puppy proudly. After a brief silence, he admitted, "No... this was a victory of information."
He had tried asking passersby himself earlier, but none had been so kind or helpful. Some brushed him off, others ignored him completely. But the elderly villagers Obito met were unusually enthusiastic—almost eager to help him succeed.
"With the same conditions," Kakashi said quietly, "I could still do better."
Mugetsu chuckled softly. "That's where you're mistaken. Obito's strength lies in creating better conditions."
Kakashi frowned slightly.
Mugetsu continued, "Saying 'under the same conditions' makes no sense. You couldn't possibly have the same rapport with people as Obito. That difference is his strength."
He looked at Kakashi meaningfully. "Instead of competing under identical terms, why not use your own strengths to balance out your teammate's weaknesses? Obito might be slower in action, but he excels in gathering information. If you combine your precision with his connections, wouldn't that make your missions far more efficient?"
Kakashi didn't respond, but he couldn't deny Mugetsu's reasoning. With his field experience, he understood the logic perfectly.
Afterward, Mugetsu gathered the three of them and headed once more to the Hokage Building to report the mission.
"So fast! You've already completed three missions?" the registrar said in disbelief.
[Disciple Might Guy diligently completed the entrusted mission, gaining Chakra +10. Led by the teacher personally, an additional reward of Chakra +5 is granted.]
[Disciple Uchiha Obito diligently completed the entrusted mission, gaining Chakra +10. Led by the teacher personally, an additional reward of Chakra +5 is granted.]
"Fifteen again," Mugetsu thought, glancing at the invisible notifications. "Seems the reward even within the same rank depends on mission difficulty."
"How about it, Kakashi? Convinced now?" Obito grinned triumphantly. "Haha! I, Uchiha Obito, am officially Konoha's Mission King!"
"You're boasting this much over a few D-Rank missions," Kakashi muttered. "Anyone overhearing would think you just completed an S-Rank mission."
Obito puffed out his chest. "You haven't done one yourself, so how do you know I can't?"
"Haha! Obito was amazing today!" Guy said, giving a bright thumbs-up.
Finding one target might've been luck, but finding three in a row? That was no coincidence. It was skill.
Mugetsu smiled warmly. "You all did well today. Let's call it a morning and get lunch. My treat—barbecue."
"Yay!" Obito cheered immediately.
"Yo, Kakashi," Guy said, eyes blazing, "want to compete to see who can eat more meat?"
Kakashi sighed inwardly. Ever since joining Mugetsu's class, it felt like he was constantly being challenged—missions, sparring, and now eating.
Still, once they sat down around the sizzling grill, even Kakashi found himself relaxing. Everyone was too busy devouring the food Mugetsu cooked to argue any further.
At first, Kakashi felt a little awkward; usually, at a barbecue, everyone grilled their own meat. The aroma filled the air and the taste of perfectly grilled slices hit his tongue,
After Mugetsu forcefully placed a piece of grilled meat into his bowl, Kakashi silently accepted his teacher's gesture.
He was deeply confused. They were using the same grill, the same ingredients, and the same seasonings—and Mugetsu hadn't used any special sauce—but somehow, the food his teacher cooked tasted entirely different. It was far superior, almost as if it weren't the same meat at all.
Kakashi had been cooking for himself since childhood due to certain circumstances, and he was confident in his skills. Yet, tasting Mugetsu's barbecue made him realize just how far beyond understanding true mastery could be.
Could it be his precise control over heat…? Making every piece cooked to perfection? Kakashi wondered.
If he didn't know that no Ninjutsu existed to improve flavor, he would've sworn Mugetsu had used one.
After they'd eaten their fill, no one got up right away. The four simply sat there, chatting in a relaxed atmosphere.
"Mugetsu-sensei, you're simply my Six Paths Sage!" Obito exclaimed dramatically, his tone overflowing with admiration.
"You mean the Barbecue Sage, right?" Mugetsu chuckled, gently tapping Obito on the head.
"Hehe! By the way," Obito said with a grin, "is there any Ninja everyone here admires?"
"If it's admiration, then of course it's my father—and Mugetsu-sensei!" Might Guy said, full of youthful fire.
Kakashi didn't respond. At this point in his life, there was no one left he truly admired.
"Speaking of admiration," Mugetsu said with a faint smile, "I also have a Ninja I respect deeply."
"Wow, even Sensei has someone he admires?" Obito's eyes lit up instantly.
To his students, Mugetsu was both kind and enigmatic. Though he had started as a mere Chunin teacher, he had since demonstrated mastery over countless techniques—even forbidden ones—and his strength seemed unfathomable. Moreover, he always instructed them not to reveal their teacher-student relationship to outsiders.
Even someone as dense as Obito could tell Mugetsu wasn't ordinary. So hearing that someone like him actually looked up to another Ninja stirred their curiosity.
Guy also leaned forward, eager to listen.
Kakashi, however, remained indifferent. He assumed it would just be one of the Sannin or perhaps the Hokage.
"He is a powerful Ninja known as the White Fang of Konoha," Mugetsu said softly. "He once achieved great military feats for the village, striking fear into enemies across the battlefield. An extraordinarily skilled and loyal Ninja."
As Mugetsu spoke, his expression seemed to glow faintly with respect and longing.
"The White Fang? I've heard of him too," Obito said excitedly. "A true legend—super strong and super cool!"
"I've heard of him as well," Guy added. "But didn't he… sacrifice himself later?"
Even young students like them had heard of White Fang's renown—his legend had not yet faded from Konoha's collective memory.
Kakashi looked at Mugetsu, eyes wide with surprise. He hadn't expected someone as exceptional as his teacher to admire his father—the man who had taken his own life.
Though he hadn't known Mugetsu for long, Kakashi had to admit: his teacher was extraordinary in every way—far beyond any instructor he'd ever had.
But hearing his father's name brought an ache that never fully healed.
"Made great military achievements… extremely excellent…" Kakashi repeated in his mind, his fists slowly tightening.
If his father had truly been such a great man, why… why had the world driven him to suicide?
Without a word, Kakashi suddenly stood and left the barbecue restaurant.
"Eh? Kakashi, where are you going? You eat too much or something?" Obito called out, puzzled.
Kakashi didn't respond. He simply walked away, his back straight but heavy with something unsaid.
Mugetsu set down his chopsticks and stood. "I've already paid. You two can rest here a while or go for a walk. We'll regroup at Training Ground 22 by 1:30. I'll go check on Kakashi."
"This Kakashi's impossible to figure out," Obito muttered, sighing. "Even the girls in class aren't this moody."
Guy scratched his head, equally lost.
Outside, Kakashi walked aimlessly until his feet carried him to the riverside. He sat by the bank, staring silently at the rippling water.
"Made great military achievements, extremely excellent…" he murmured. "If that's really true… then why was he shamed until he took his own life…?"
His father's image—White Fang's strong yet weary face—flashed in his mind.
"Ninja must follow the rules and prioritize the mission," Kakashi whispered bitterly. "Only then can one be a true Ninja…"
"Is that truly what you think?"
Kakashi's eyes widened at the familiar voice. He turned slightly to see Mugetsu standing behind him, hands in his pockets, his expression calm but knowing.
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