After a brief rest, Feng Bai and his team encountered a border patrol squad that had come to investigate the commotion.
Following a short exchange, Aburame Ryōma led Feng Bai and the others back to Konoha, where they headed together to the Hokage Building to report their mission.
"There are twenty-five abandoned or damaged outposts along the northern border, all marked on this map."
Handing the scroll to Hiruzen, Aburame Ryōma reported on the mission's progress with his characteristic expressionless demeanor: "Additionally, near old Outpost 12, we were attacked by unidentified enemies. The details have been handed over to the border patrol for investigation."
"Old Outpost 12? That's quite deep into the border... We really do need to increase patrol frequency." Hiruzen opened the scroll, located Outpost 12, then removed the pipe from his mouth, already contemplating how to strengthen the patrol squads.
After offering a few words of encouragement, Hiruzen signaled that Ryōma and the others could leave, but kept Feng Bai behind.
"I've reviewed the battle report. You performed excellently. Your Ice Release techniques are becoming increasingly refined, and you're successfully applying the Flying Thunder God Technique in actual combat." Hiruzen extinguished his pipe, smiling warmly at his disciple.
Feng Bai showed little emotional response to the praise, simply smiling at Hiruzen while replying somewhat sheepishly: "Compared to Minato-nii, I'm still far behind. Currently, I can only sense three Flying Thunder God marks simultaneously—nowhere near the level of true mastery."
Hiruzen wasn't bothered by Feng Bai's modesty: "Humility is indeed a virtue, but excessive humility becomes undesirable. You're only ten years old. When your father was your age—ahem, let's not dredge up old stories."
Suddenly realizing it was somewhat inappropriate to criticize Feng Bai's father in front of him, Hiruzen cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"Although Ice Release is your primary combat method, you shouldn't neglect training in the five basic nature transformations. They'll provide additional solutions when facing difficulties."
When Hiruzen first accepted Feng Bai as his student, he'd tested his chakra nature: all five elements present, with wind and water being strongest, fire and earth secondary, and lightning the weakest.
Hiruzen wasn't surprised by these results, since Danzō's chakra nature encompassed fire, wind, earth, and water.
"Yes, Sarutobi-sensei."
Though agreeing verbally, Feng Bai had his own concerns.
Currently, he needed to develop Ice Release techniques, train in fūinjutsu, practice the "Self-Restraint Binding Seal" curse mark the old man had recently taught him, maintain his Flying Thunder God training, master the five nature transformations, and learn Sarutobi-style taijutsu...
He might not get whipped anymore, but somehow still felt like he was being worked to death.
Feng Bai wasn't particularly diligent by nature; his motivation stemmed from his age.
If nothing unexpected occurred, the Third Great Ninja War would erupt in two years.
If he didn't sweat now, he'd bleed on the battlefield later.
Whenever he remembered that beneath Kusagakure lurked a "kind and amiable" ordinary Uchiha grandfather waiting for a fated challenger, Feng Bai felt a wave of helplessness.
...
Though the air was already thick with the scent of gunpowder, most villagers and ninja continued living at their usual pace.
Outside a Konoha bookstore, a silver-haired youth with hands in his pockets glanced around before quickly entering the shop.
"Welcome..."
Hearing the movement, the owner sitting behind the counter reading a newspaper glanced at the newcomer, then returned his attention to the paper, speaking lazily: "New arrivals are on the innermost shelf, third row from the bottom."
Following the owner's directions, the youth found the mentioned shelf and located the new release he sought.
After completing his purchase, he couldn't wait to find a comfortable spot and opened the book right at the store entrance, eagerly examining its contents.
"Yo, Kakashi, what are you reading here?"
Having just left the Hokage Building and heading toward Training Ground Nine, Feng Bai spotted Kakashi standing before the bookstore from afar. Walking up behind him, he threw an arm around Kakashi's shoulders while snatching the book away.
"Feng Bai? Give it back quickly!"
Sensing the familiar presence, Kakashi panicked and tried to reclaim his book, but Feng Bai nimbly dodged.
"Heh heh heh, you think I'll return it just because you asked? Too bad—I'm going to read it!"
"Hmm, let me see... 'The stunningly beautiful and aloof yuki-onna is subdued through despicable means by a one-eyed man and forced to bear his child'?"
Reading this plot development, Feng Bai visibly froze, and Kakashi seized the opportunity to snatch back his book.
Was it his imagination, or did this storyline feel very...
No, that's not the important part.
"Kakashi, you're actually reading adult novels?!"
Feng Bai pointed accusingly at Kakashi, who was attempting to stuff the book into his jacket. Hearing Feng Bai's accusation, Kakashi accelerated his movements.
Indeed, regardless of what fate befell Uncle Sakumo, Kakashi remained the same reserved Kakashi!
"This is merely ordinary literature!"
Kakashi protested weakly.
"Oh? Feng Bai, Kakashi, are you exploring the mysteries of youth? If so, I cannot stand idly by!"
A green figure charged from somewhere, performing a spinning ground kick that stirred up a cloud of dust before landing steadily in place.
"Guy?"
Without waiting for the dust to settle, Feng Bai recognized the newcomer by his distinctive green jumpsuit alone.
Speaking of which, Guy's description wasn't entirely wrong—adult novels were indeed an essential component of youth exploration, just like how he'd once secretly read "Young So-and-So" and "Heroic Battle So-and-So"...
Ahem, appreciation—purely from an artistic perspective.
"Hmm, why aren't you two saying anything?"
Guy looked at them with some confusion.
Kakashi remained silent from guilt, Feng Bai from reminiscence.
Hearing Guy's inquiry, Kakashi hastily changed the subject: "Guy, didn't you say Feng Bai is your best friend and rival? Now that he's back, go challenge him to a duel!"
Kakashi successfully redirected Guy's attention to Feng Bai with this diversionary tactic: "That's right, Feng Bai! Since your promotion to chūnin, we haven't had a proper match. This time, let's work up a good sweat and burn our youth to the highest peak!"
"Kakashi, you—" Feng Bai was about to unleash his verbal fury when he saw Kakashi escape the scene with a Body Flicker Technique.
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