But could you phrase things a little less ambiguously?
What exactly do you mean by "cultivating together"? Does Konoha even use that kind of term?
"No, Tenten, you misunderstood," Shiki quickly explained. "Kakashi-senpai was just trying to distract you so he could finish his noodles quickly!"
At this point, Shiki suddenly realized something.
He immediately looked over at Kakashi!
Come on, you're joking, right?!
Kakashi was still in the exact same position as before, yet his steaming hot deer meat dragon whisker noodles had completely vanished.
Aren't you worried about burning your mouth?!
Kakashi met Shiki's resentful glare and casually said, as if nothing unusual had happened, "Mmm, delicious. These noodles really are something special. What do you think, Shiki?"
What do I think?
Shiki started to feel like he'd been teased.
"I'd really like to know how you, Kakashi-senpai, managed to finish an entire bowl of piping hot noodles—and even taste them—within such a short time?"
"Oh, that's simply part of a ninja's required training."
Shiki curled his lips slightly. "Then is spreading false accusations also considered part of a ninja's necessary cultivation?"
"Mmm, yes."
Helpless. Utterly helpless. Shiki finally understood why Naruto always struggled against Kakashi. What kind of environment could possibly turn someone like Kakashi—who used to be as cold as Sasuke in his youth—into such a shameless character today?
However, thinking of this, Shiki suddenly recalled someone who could counter Kakashi perfectly—Might Guy!
A mysterious smile crept onto Shiki's face.
"Kakashi-senpai," he said slowly, "what if I told Master Guy that you've actually always enjoyed his 'youthful challenges,' but due to typical male embarrassment, you just never expressed it out loud? What then?"
Hearing this, Kakashi couldn't help but shudder inwardly.
Male embarrassment? Why would this kid say something so dangerously cunning?
Shouldn't a genius like him act more detached?
For a moment, Kakashi even questioned whether it had been a mistake to come looking for Shiki today with what felt suspiciously like deliberate intent.
Chapter 68: Recognition
By the time dinner ended, the sky had already grown quite dark. The streetlights blinked on one by one.
Even though it was early spring, the air remained somewhat chilly, making the streets feel strangely quieter than usual.
Walking alone down this path—which was unusually not heading toward home—Shiki appeared to be making his way toward an old secret training spot.
After separating from Tenten and Rock Lee, Shiki continued walking in that direction.
It was all because of that chakra signature behind him.
Finally passing through busy streets and narrow alleys, Shiki arrived at the familiar location.
Sighing helplessly, he said, "Alright then, Kakashi-senpai. Shouldn't you come out now?"
In an instant, a figure seemed to materialize directly before him.
"You've improved quite a bit too, Shiki," came Kakashi's voice. "Your sensory ability has gotten much better."
Shiki gave a bitter smile. "Probably only because you weren't even trying to hide yourself, Kakashi-senpai, right?"
Kakashi scratched his head awkwardly. "You've caught me."
"Come to think of it, Senpai, what exactly did you need to talk to me about anyway?"
"Don't get straight to business yet. Shouldn't we chat about something else first?"
Shiki plopped his butt down on the ground. "Fine! Whatever you want to talk about is okay with me. Anyway, I've got plenty of time."
Kakashi sat down across from Shiki without a second thought.
"I heard from Guy that you're from the Uzumaki clan?"
"Yeah, probably obvious enough from my surname and skin tone already, right?"
Kakashi nodded. "Nothing much, just wanted to confirm."
"By the way, Shiki, as a genius yourself, why do you work so hard?"
Shiki still gave it slight thought before saying, "The title of genius is just for show. One must still become strong."
"Oh, so that's how you feel." Kakashi seemed lost in thought. "Come to think of it, do you have any grudges or hatred?"
"Not yet." Shiki answered, then realizing his reply sounded incomplete. He added, "I've just temporarily set a goal for myself—I just wish to seek vengeance against one person."
"Is that person Danzo?"
Shiki nodded slightly. He showed no reluctance toward this matter in front of Kakashi.
"Oh yeah, Kakashi Senpai, why aren't you reading Make Out Paradise now?"
Shiki noticed that Kakashi wasn't holding anything in his hands.
"When doing something important, generally speaking, I can actually be pretty serious."
"Important things?" Shiki furrowed his brow, not quite getting what Kakashi meant.
But Kakashi didn't answer Shiki's question. Instead he said, "Actually, I had quite a good relationship with someone from the Uzumaki clan."
"Who?" Feeling puzzled, Shiki couldn't remember seeing Kakashi interact with any Uzumaki clan members.
"Hmm... Guess I should refer to her as 'the teacher's wife'?"
Instantly a figure flashed through Shiki's mind—Uzumaki Kushina!
How could he have forgotten about her? Considering Kakashi's squad leader was The Fourth, there surely had been interactions between him and Uzumaki Kushina.
Suddenly Kakashi looked solemn. "Uzumaki Shiki, don't you hold even the slightest resentment toward Konoha?"
"Why would I resent them?"
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