Chapter 482: World Line Convergence
When Mugetsu arrived at the training ground, Yamato was already waiting.
It was exactly half past six. The evening glow dyed the sky a faint orange red as the sun slowly sank beyond the horizon, leaving behind a lingering band of gold.
A gentle breeze threaded through the trees, stirring the layered leaves until they swayed and whispered against one another, as if the forest itself were speaking in hushed voices.
Yamato stood alone at the edge of the clearing, still as a stake. His shadow stretched long across the leaf scattered dirt.
"When did you arrive?" Mugetsu asked, walking over with a mild smile.
"Six-ten," Yamato answered honestly.
"The agreed time was six-forty. Why are you so early?"
"There was nothing to do in that room," Yamato explained. "And I thought I shouldn't make you wait for me, so I came early."
He had only met Mugetsu once, but Yamato truly had a good impression of him.
On one hand, Mugetsu was the perfect shinobi in Danzo's words, the kind of existence Yamato was meant to chase.
On the other, Mugetsu's bearing itself made Yamato feel at ease. Calm, steady, and bright in a way that did not burn.
"Then let's properly introduce ourselves." Mugetsu's smile warmed a little. "I am Hayate Mugetsu. You don't need to call me Lord Mugetsu. You can call me Teacher Mugetsu, or simply Teacher."
Yamato looked at him quietly. "I am Kinoe."
"Kinoe is just your code name in Root, not your real name." Mugetsu shook his head.
Yamato's expression went blank. "But that's the only code name Lord Danzo gave me."
He was someone with no past. For him, what Danzo had given was everything.
"Then how about Yamato?" Mugetsu said after a moment's thought. "As your own name, not a code name."
Mugetsu was not trying to curry favor. He simply felt it was strange for someone to have no name at all.
"If you want to choose your own name later, or if you don't like this one, that's fine," Mugetsu added. "The name is yours. What you think matters most."
Yamato shook his head quickly. "No. I think this name is very good."
How could he dislike a name given with kindness? And more than that, it felt right, like something that had been waiting for him.
"If Danzo asks, tell him I gave you a name so you can operate normally in Konoha," Mugetsu reminded him after thinking it through.
It was not that Mugetsu was overthinking things. It was simply that Danzo was that sensitive.
At this time, Danzo was still dreaming that any Wood Release shinobi who matured normally could become an overwhelming powerhouse. He valued Yamato greatly, treating him like a hidden blade meant to decide the future.
A secret weapon suddenly gaining a name could make Danzo imagine all kinds of needless scenarios. So Mugetsu handed Yamato a reason that was clean, logical, and difficult to argue with.
Yamato nodded, engraving Mugetsu's words into his memory.
"Next, you'll start with tree climbing, then water walking. I want to test your chakra control," Mugetsu said, officially beginning the lesson.
Mugetsu's Wood Release could not be exposed for now. His short term plan was simple: sharpen Yamato's chakra control first, then teach him Water Release and Earth Release.
Yamato followed the instructions. He walked up a large tree as if it were flat ground, then looked around.
Only then did he glance back at Mugetsu, confused.
There was no water nearby.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!"
Mugetsu formed hand signs quickly, gathering a large amount of chakra. The ground in front of him sank as if it had been cut away, dropping three meters in a clean section.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
A massive torrent burst forth, pouring into the depression and filling it rapidly.
In less than a minute, an enormous pool had appeared in the training ground, like a freshly carved swimming basin.
Yamato's mouth parted slightly. It was his first time seeing a shinobi alter terrain with large scale ninjutsu so casually, so decisively.
"As long as you train diligently, you'll be able to do it soon too," Mugetsu said, patting Yamato's shoulder with a smile.
Because of the Hashirama cells, Yamato held a unique advantage in chakra. As long as his proficiency in nature transformation rose, his strength would not fall short.
Yamato's water walking was also solid. Running quickly across the surface posed no problem.
Mugetsu was not surprised. As the only Wood Release user after Hashirama, Yamato was someone Danzo would never neglect. His fundamentals would not be weak.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Mugetsu formed hand signs and summoned a roaring water dragon that tore across the pool. The calm surface turned violent in an instant, waves bucking and churning.
Yamato, who had been composed before, immediately stiffened.
Mugetsu trained Yamato the same way he trained Obito and the others, pressing chakra control and movement together until the body learned to obey without hesitation.
An hour later, Mugetsu began teaching Water Release ninjutsu. Yamato already knew a few Water Release techniques, so Mugetsu went straight to teaching the Great Waterfall Technique.
Although it could not directly amplify power like Great Sunny Day, it could shape the battlefield into a favorable environment for Water Release users. As an auxiliary technique, it was extremely practical.
When the total teaching time reached two and a half hours, Mugetsu announced the end of the first day.
The moment Mugetsu said training was over and he could go home, Yamato fell into a brief daze.
He raised his head and realized that, without noticing, the sky had turned deep and inky blue. Faint stars scattered across it, twinkling with weak but stubborn light.
It was already nine o'clock at night. By time alone, it was late.
This training had been different for Yamato.
He had never disliked training before. If anything, he looked forward to Danzo's guidance. But this was the first time he had completely lost track of time while training.
"Teacher Mugetsu, thank you for your guidance. Goodbye." Yamato bowed with respect, even though reluctance tugged at him.
A shinobi like Mugetsu must have countless responsibilities. The fact that Mugetsu could spare time to teach him at all was already difficult.
After Mugetsu and Yamato each returned home, the Root shinobi who had been monitoring them also returned to Root, reporting everything to Danzo in detail, from beginning to end.
"Solid training exercises, but nothing particularly special." Danzo narrowed his eye, thinking. "Is it a matter of ability?"
He was not worried Mugetsu would teach carelessly. Danzo was simply curious about how Mugetsu taught.
Danzo had paid attention to how Mugetsu trained Anbu, but he had not focused on how Mugetsu raised disciples.
Based on the report alone, Danzo could only call it standard.
"Test Yamato's strength in a month," Danzo decided. "If it's not enough, have Mugetsu change the training plan."
Danzo felt Mugetsu's method was a bit too gentle.
But because of Mugetsu's track record, Danzo chose to believe first, then question.
That was the privilege of the strong. If it were any other Root shinobi, Danzo would question first, then question again.
After five days of monitoring, Danzo withdrew Root's surveillance on Yamato.
Many Root members were undergoing training, and Root was already short staffed. Danzo had no spare capacity to waste resources on a matter he deemed insignificant.
…
Another Sunday arrived. Because it was a holiday, Mugetsu changed Yamato's training time to daytime.
At the same time, Mugetsu notified his other disciples to head to the training ground where he usually taught Yamato.
"It's daytime today." Yamato arrived early, looking up at the sun with quiet anticipation. "I wonder if Teacher Mugetsu will teach a bit longer."
The thing Yamato looked forward to most each day now was training.
More precisely, training under Mugetsu's guidance.
For the past six days, their sessions began at half past six and ended by half past nine at the latest.
This was his first time receiving guidance in daylight.
"If only today could be the entire morning," Yamato thought, and the wish felt almost greedy.
Suddenly, he noticed a figure approaching the clearing.
Yamato's expression did not change. That would not be Mugetsu. The figure was only a little taller than him, only a few years older.
And as the person drew nearer, Yamato became certain.
White hair.
When the white haired shinobi came close, Yamato did not pay attention. He assumed it was simply someone passing through.
Yamato did not care about Kakashi.
But Kakashi found himself interested in Yamato.
He did not know why, but the long haired shinobi in front of him, wearing a headband that covered part of his face, felt strangely familiar.
Kakashi searched his memory again and again, trying to match that face to a name.
Nothing.
Then, like a needle breaking through fog, a flash of inspiration struck.
A figure that did not belong to this time overlapped with the stranger in front of him.
Kakashi raised a hand and rubbed his head. His eyes narrowed, and his gaze turned subtly dangerous.
A certain despicable bastard had taken the opportunity to hit him on the head three times, and each time with plenty of force.
To avoid accusing the wrong person, Kakashi studied the long haired shinobi carefully, confirming the similarities to the Yamato he had seen in the Land of Roran.
"Hello," Kakashi asked, polite and gentle. "May I ask your name?"
Because Kakashi's attitude was so good, and because Yamato's nature was inherently kind, Yamato answered directly.
"I am Yamato," Yamato replied with a small smile.
He remembered Teacher Mugetsu's words clearly. Kinoe was just a Root code name. Yamato was his true name, the name Mugetsu had given him.
"I finally found you." Kakashi's gentle smile widened.
If Obito were here, he would have instinctively taken several steps back. Kakashi almost never smiled, and when he did, it was never a good sign.
Yamato looked confused. He did not know Kakashi. Was this someone Teacher Mugetsu knew?
"What is your relationship with Teacher Mugetsu now?" Kakashi did not strike immediately. He asked first.
Yamato's appearance here was definitely not accidental. It was likely Teacher Mugetsu had called him as well.
"Teacher Mugetsu is responsible for guiding my training," Yamato answered, then asked in return, "Are you also training under Teacher Mugetsu?"
He had noticed Kakashi used the same form of address.
"I am Teacher Mugetsu's disciple," Kakashi said without hiding it.
"You must have only recently started training with Teacher Mugetsu. I've been training with him for over two years, so I guess I'm your senior."
Yamato looked at Kakashi with clear envy. He did not know whether his relationship with Teacher Mugetsu truly counted as master and disciple, and he did not know how much longer he would be allowed to train under Mugetsu.
"Senior Kakashi," Yamato said politely.
Kakashi was older, and he began receiving guidance earlier. That made him senior.
Kakashi's smile deepened. "Yamato, do you know Teacher Mugetsu likes diligent students the most? Let's start training now. Teacher Mugetsu will definitely be happy when he sees us."
"Oh, I see." Yamato's expression turned eager at once.
Teacher Mugetsu treated him so well. Yamato wanted to make Teacher Mugetsu happy.
He looked at Kakashi with gratitude, feeling warmth in his chest.
There were still good people in this world.
"As your senior, I'll guide your training," Kakashi continued.
"Will that be too much trouble for you, Senior?" Yamato felt flattered.
"No trouble at all. No trouble." Kakashi waved a hand. "It's exactly the kind of scene Teacher Mugetsu likes, disciples getting along and helping each other."
"Then what do we do next?" Yamato asked immediately. If it made Teacher Mugetsu happy, he would do it.
Kakashi's smile slowly evolved from gentle to something far more dangerous, so kind it felt almost nuclear.
"It's simple." Kakashi said softly. "Attack me with all your strength. Leave the rest to me."
A practice battle could both satisfy revenge and let him gauge Yamato's current strength. A win win.
He would win twice.
Yamato could not help praising him internally.
As expected of Teacher Mugetsu's disciple. How wonderful.
Even so, Yamato did not know Kakashi's strength. He was afraid of hurting him, so he began with a cautious, probing attack.
After several exchanges, Yamato realized Kakashi was extremely strong.
He could not even touch Kakashi's clothes.
Bang.
Kakashi dodged Yamato's swinging punch, then chopped Yamato on the head with the edge of his hand.
"Your punches are too slow," Kakashi instructed earnestly. "How are you supposed to hit anyone like that?"
Yamato silently etched the words into his mind. Then he feinted with his left fist and snapped out a right leg kick.
But how could Yamato's still immature taijutsu deceive Kakashi's Transparent World?
Every movement was obvious.
Kakashi dodged easily, then punched Yamato on the head again with a backhand.
The moment his fist connected, Kakashi felt refreshed to the core, like downing an icy soda on a scorching summer day.
Clear.
Uplifted.
Kakashi finally understood the future Yamato.
So this was what it felt like.
No wonder that future version hit him three times.
"Your footwork is loose. Your lower body is weak!" Kakashi continued his commentary.
Yamato rubbed his head with one hand. Senior Kakashi's concern felt a bit heavy. It was starting to hurt.
At that moment, Obito and Shisui, who almost never woke up early, arrived at the training ground together.
They watched Yamato and Kakashi fighting.
No, to be accurate, they watched Yamato getting beaten by Kakashi.
Obito felt a strange familiarity.
"Isn't that Captain Yamato?" Obito muttered. "How did he get so small after not seeing him for a few months?"
He was referring to Anbu Captain Yamato, the one who had traveled through time with Naruto.
"That should be the Yamato of our current time, not the future Yamato," Shisui said after thinking.
Shisui had not gone on the Ryumyaku mission and had not seen Yamato personally. But by normal reasoning, the Yamato being beaten around by Kakashi could not possibly be the future Anbu captain.
"Hehe, definitely not." Obito chuckled, speaking casually. "If time travel were that easy, Teacher Mugetsu would have taken us to the future to play during the Land of Roran incident."
As soon as the other disciples arrived, Kakashi stopped.
Teacher Mugetsu was always the last to arrive. That meant he should be here soon.
It would be rude to keep beating Yamato when Teacher Mugetsu showed up.
Just as Kakashi expected, Mugetsu appeared at the perfect moment.
"Teacher Mugetsu," everyone greeted respectfully.
"Good morning." Mugetsu smiled and nodded back.
Guy had temporarily returned to Teacher Chen's squad, and Rin was training under Tsunade. Everyone who could come had come.
Mugetsu then called Yamato aside and faced the other three disciples.
"This is Yamato," Mugetsu said simply. "He'll be training with you today."
Then he gave the three of them a meaningful look.
Kakashi nodded.
The matter of future shinobi was not something to speak of lightly. Even without Mugetsu's reminder, Kakashi would have warned Obito not to say a word to Yamato about the future.
"I am Uchiha Shisui. Pleased to meet you," Shisui introduced himself proactively.
"I'm Uchiha Obito." Obito patted his chest. "Stick with me, and I guarantee Kakashi won't be able to bully you anymore."
Yamato looked at Obito in surprise.
So he really had been bullied by Senior Kakashi?
Kakashi did not speak. He silently pulled a photo from his ninja pouch, a picture of Obito from their internal conflict, and waved it at him.
Obito glared at Kakashi with fury, but he could only shut his mouth.
The meaning was obvious.
If he kept talking, Kakashi would make copies and plaster them all over the main district.
"I'm Kakashi Hatake." Kakashi spoke at last, his voice calm. "Don't listen to Obito's nonsense. Everyone who knows me knows I'm the most reliable."
With a friendly expression, Kakashi gently rubbed Yamato's head.
Then he offered a sincere apology.
"Sorry. Does it hurt? I might have accidentally used a bit too much force just now."
"It's fine," Yamato said quickly. "It almost doesn't hurt anymore. Senior Kakashi, you were just guiding me."
Yamato thought he might have misunderstood him.
After all, Senior Kakashi looked gentle too, even if not as gentle as Teacher Mugetsu.
Kakashi smiled at Yamato.
There was plenty of time ahead.
He would slowly take back those three head strikes, with interest.
"Ahem." Mugetsu cleared his throat twice. "Since you've all met, let's begin training."
.....
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