"I just don't want you carrying too much. Compared to most geniuses, you're actually the most mature kid I've seen. You haven't become cold-hearted despite the burdens on your shoulders. I truly hope to see you grow."
"Understood. Regarding our mission discussion—was that all?" Shiki asked.
"That was all," Homura answered, puzzled yet still responding.
"Then may I proceed to drag out this little twerp who's been ready to ambush us all along?" A wry smile curled Shiki's lips.
Following his pointing finger, a spherical bulge clearly formed upon the ground. A blanket covered it, its color sharply contrasting against the yellowish-brown floor.
Of course, Shiki knew both he and Homura had sensed the person's presence from the start. They simply chose to ignore it.
Unexpectedly though, after hearing Shiki's words, the large bump visibly trembled.
Immediately afterward, that glaringly mismatched blanket was forcefully tossed high into the air.
"It's no wonder even Naruto Uzumaki respects you—only someone as sharp as you could have seen through my disguise so quickly, Konohamaru!"
"That's what you call a disguise?" Shiki was utterly astonished.
"Aren't you impressed by such flawless camouflage?" Konohamaru crossed his arms proudly across his chest.
"I'm more shocked by how foolish you look!"
"Great! Indeed, only someone like you, Shiki Uzumaki, would dare mock me directly! Looks like you're definitely a man worthy of my recognition!"
What is this kid...
What is it with him and humiliation anyway?
"I originally wanted to challenge the Hokage today, but since you, the legendary red devil Shiki Uzumaki—who even Naruto respects—is here instead, I should test myself against you first!"
What is going on?
A deep sense of helplessness surfaced on Shiki's face. "Konohamaru, can't you at least stop slapping ridiculous nicknames on people randomly?"
"Fine! Since the red devil Shiki Uzumaki has spoken, I shall oblige! Come on! Ready to test your strength against mine?"
With that, Konohamaru drew a kunai and took an aggressive stance.
"And yet somehow, you still won't drop that ridiculous title... 'Red Devil'? What kind of stupid name is that?"
Clomp! Clomp! Clomp!
The sound of shoes striking the wooden floor echoed. Soon after, someone burst dramatically through the door.
"Lord Konohamaru!!! Please don't interrupt the Hokage's work—why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Obviously because you're the loudest one here, you absolute moron!" As usual, Konohamaru despised Ebisu.
"My deepest apologies, Lord Hokage. I will certainly take Lord Konohamaru away and properly discipline him." Ebisu quickly explained to Homura.
"Ebisu... next time, try to correct this reckless behavior of yours," Homura said before taking another puff of smoke.
"Yes, sir!" Ebisu stood up straight.
Yet ignoring Ebisu completely, Konohamaru turned back toward Shiki and shouted again: "Red Devil Shiki Uzumaki! Let's fight!"
Boom!!!
A fist suddenly appeared above Konohamaru's head. To Shiki, it was merely a light tap.
But Konohamaru fell flat instantly.
"C-curse you! How dare you do this to Lord Konohamaru!" Ebisu was stunned at first, then immediately shouted furiously.
Shiki withdrew his fist and spoke indifferently, "Ebisu, actually, you're an unfit teacher."
The serious expression on Shiki's face startled Ebisu for a moment before he angrily shot back, "Brat! What do you know about education? Only under my instruction can Konohamaru become a worthy Hokage!"
Before Shiki could reply, Konohamaru suddenly stood up, rubbing his head and brushing dust off his clothes. He stubbornly declared,
"You truly deserve the recognition of both Naruto and my grandfather! Now, I, Konohamaru, officially recognize you as well!"
Chapter 91 A Bet (Third Update)
"It still feels kind of strange to me every time I say it, but you're actually not bad, kid." Shiki patted Konohamaru's head affectionately.
It was only now that Shiki recalled why Konohamaru's personality had become nearly identical to young Naruto's.
One longed desperately for recognition, always striving to prove himself, while the other was constantly sheltered and wished to be seen as 'Konohamaru,' not merely as 'the Third's grandson.'
Therefore, they both became willful. However, Naruto's defiance, such as graffitiing the Kage Rock, would always provoke public outrage.
When Konohamaru acted defiantly, others always handled him with care because he was the Third's grandson.
For anyone with self-respect, constantly living in someone else's shadow feels deeply humiliating.
Because what people remember is merely 'the Third's grandson.' Without that background, no one would care who Konohamaru really is.
"What is the most important thing for a ninja?" Shiki asked.
"Naturally talent, followed by ninjutsu, and then having a great teacher like me guiding him!" Ebisu scoffed disdainfully at Shiki.
"Wrong!" Though just a genin, Shiki stood firmly before Ebisu without flinching, boldly refuting him.
"Wrong? Kids will be kids, still so naive," Ebisu naturally refused to accept Shiki's criticism, immediately countering.
Facing Ebisu's sneer, along with the contemptuous gaze clearly visible even through his sunglasses, Shiki smiled in return.
"Do you think Naruto could become a truly formidable ninja?"
"Don't joke around! How could that annoying brat ever become a truly formidable ninja?"
Shiki continued asking, "How about Lee Rock then?"
Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses, as if the previous contemptuous glare had overworked them already.
"Who's Lee Rock?"
Of course he wouldn't know Lee Rock—the untalented child whose existence barely reached anyone's ears.
Just like Guy's father, Might Duy—who never achieved anything remarkable, essentially a lifelong Genin.
It was only in the end, when he fought to protect his son, that he revealed decades of consistent effort. By opening Gate 8 of the [Eight Gates Release]—the Death Gate—he single-handedly defeated the [Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist]. Only then did all of Konoha bear witness to his radiance.
Though Lee can't yet measure up to Might Duy, he's undoubtedly a genius among his peers.
If it weren't for Might Guy restricting him from using the [Eight Gates Release] under normal circumstances or removing his weights.
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