Chapter 119: Instruction
What is peace?
"Peace" is commonly understood, desired, and pursued as a world order or state. It signifies a condition free from war. The antitheses of peace are "violence," "conflict," and "war." In its negative sense, "peace" is simply a cease-fire or the absence of war.
A true understanding of peace entails the eradication of war within a given period.
Having experienced modern life, Kakashi understood better than anyone how true peace is achieved.
Without the deterrence of nuclear weapons, peace would be nothing but an empty promise.
The morning after the misunderstanding was resolved, Uchiha Mikoto knocked on Hatake Kakashi's door.
"Knock, knock."
"Excuse me."
"Are you the Uchiha Clan Head's wife? Please come in."
Sara was the first to wake and open the door. Before her stood a beautiful woman with a slightly swollen belly. Upon his return yesterday, Kakashi had informed her that the Uchiha Clan Head was expecting a second child and that he had decided to take Uchiha Itachi as his disciple.
"So this little one must be Uchiha Itachi."
"I won't come in. Itachi is here to learn ninjutsu from Hatake-sensei today, so please be patient with him."
"Take care."
Uchiha Itachi was visiting Kakashi's home for the first time. He kept his gaze straight ahead, not looking around at his teacher's surroundings, as his mother had told him it would be very rude.
"You're Uchiha Itachi, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Your teacher is probably still washing up. You can wait."
Sara didn't look down on Itachi due to his age. She was a ninja herself now and fully understood that for a ninja, strength is fundamental, even if she is currently studying medical ninjutsu.
She would soon be heading out to study with Yakushi Nonou as well.
"Big sister, do you and Mei Terumi-nee-san both live here?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"Mei Terumi-nee-san and Kakashi-sensei are a couple, aren't they?"
"Yes."
"Do you like Kakashi-sensei too?"
"No, don't say such things, child."
Itachi pondered for a moment, then spoke again.
"Does Kakashi-sensei like you?"
"Stop asking!"
"Why? Isn't it just a yes or no answer?"
"You little rascal..."
Sara's two Loulan-style braids came undone as her face flushed. She hurriedly called out to the bedroom, "I'm heading out!" and without waiting for a reply, dashed out the front door.
[Why did she run away?]
Unable to comprehend Sara-nee-san's actions, Itachi deeply felt the difficulty of human interaction. He felt he had a knack for scaring people away.
Indeed, people truly cannot understand each other.
After finishing his wash, Kakashi grabbed two pieces of bread, drank a cup of Sara's special milk tea, and called for Uchiha Itachi. They then headed towards the training ground to complete the first lesson of his mentorship.
Early in the morning, the sky in the Land of Rain was clear, tinged with a faint mist, much like the climate of the Land of Water thousands of miles away. It was September, and the air was slightly chilly. The flat ground of the training field was deserted, save for a few fallen leaves scattered by the wind. There were no other signs of plant life. The training ground, ravaged by countless ninjutsu, bore the desolation of a battlefield. If not for the daily efforts of the repair crew who leveled the ground, this place would have long since become overgrown and forgotten.
The only color in the entire training ground was the earthy brown. Beyond that were the three-meter-high walls surrounding the field, completely covered in green moss, making them ideal for chakra absorption training.
A ninja who could walk freely on such walls would never again be stumped by any smooth building.
Uchiha Itachi wore the Uchiha Clan's fan-emblem battle tunic, with a short sword strapped to his back. This sword had been given to him by Uchiha Shisui, the Uchiha clansman his father disliked.
Although he didn't understand why his father disliked Uchiha Shisui, it didn't affect his rather positive impression of the man.
"Uchiha Itachi."
"Kakashi-sensei."
The slightly damp and cool air entering his nostrils cleared the lingering sleepiness from Kakashi, who hadn't rested well the previous night. He focused his gaze on the five-year-old boy before him.
Under his teacher's scrutinizing gaze, Uchiha Itachi remained perfectly still, lowering his head in a posture of humility.
"Your father asked me to teach you ninjutsu. Before that, you must first understand the concept of ninjutsu."
"Ninjutsu refers to the process of extracting chakra and releasing it by forming hand signs to transform its shape and nature."
"That's what the ninja books teach, but in reality, the hand sign part can be omitted."
Purple electricity flickered in Kakashi's hand.
"The concept of ninjutsu is merely the conversion of chakra. Any environment or other factors that can enhance a ninjutsu's power are merely catalysts for chakra conversion. It's the same principle as how it's easier to use Water Style in a watery place, or Fire Style in a dry, explosive place."
"What ninjutsu do you know?"
"Transformation Jutsu, Clone Jutsu, Substitution Jutsu, Great Fireball Jutsu, Dragon Fire Jutsu, Body Flicker Jutsu."
"Body Flicker Jutsu? Who taught you that?"
"Uchiha Shisui."
"It truly was him."
"Next, your task is to make me take a single step forward, using any means necessary. I will respond with an equally powerful counter-attack, corresponding to the chakra amount of the ninjutsu you use. You must treat me as an enemy and fight me with the resolve to kill."
"The resolve to kill you?"
"Yes, the resolve to kill me."
Uchiha Itachi's grasp of combat opportunities was even stronger than Kakashi had imagined. Before Kakashi had even finished saying "resolve," the young boy had already made his move, disappearing from sight. A wave of heat swept towards him from ten meters away.
[He specifically went ten meters away instead of attacking from close range. Is he afraid I won't dodge?]
The silver-haired youth smiled. This little guy knew his limits quite well. It was a pity, however, that he still didn't possess that kind of resolve, or perhaps, he hadn't fully recognized the difference in their power.
He didn't use ninjutsu to defend. This level of Great Fireball could be completely defended against by simply releasing some Dragon Vein Chakra, without even needing to channel chakra to his body surface.
"Clang, clang, clang."
Three shuriken clashed in mid-air, then flew from three different angles towards various parts of Kakashi's body.
"Good use of shuriken. You don't have the Sharingan yet, do you?"
He easily deflected a shuriken shot from a blind spot with his kunai, then twisted his body to dodge the other two. None of the three shuriken hit. In Kakashi's perception, three steel wires had been deployed, suggesting this technique likely had a complementary ninjutsu.
[Fire Style, Dragon Fire Jutsu.]
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