Chapter 208: Trust Level Increase
In the early morning, Kakashi woke not to his alarm or his usual body clock, but to a delightful aroma.
Before opening his eyes, he wondered where the fragrance came from. Then he saw the unfamiliar ceiling and remembered he had stayed at Mugetsu's house.
Perhaps because he had slept well, his body felt lighter and more energetic.
He stepped out of the room and went downstairs.
"You're awake," Mugetsu said with a smile, setting breakfast on the table. "I just finished. Come eat."
"Thank you. I appreciate it," Kakashi replied.
He glanced over the spread. It looked like Mugetsu had made extra for him: sweet red bean rice, steaming miso soup, thick omelets, and grilled fish.
"I'm eating," Kakashi said as he sat.
It had been a long time since he'd said those words at breakfast. They weren't for the food, but for the people eating together. Eating alone, there was no one to say it to.
By the time he finished Mugetsu's breakfast, the chaos in his mind had eased. Everything tasted wonderful, and for a moment he was immersed in the world of food.
He set down his bowl and noticed the empty plates. He hadn't realized how much he'd eaten.
[Disciple Kakashi Hatake's trust level has increased. Current trust level: Three]
"It seems you really like my cooking," Mugetsu chuckled as he stood to clear the table. He felt his efforts had paid off at last.
"Because your cooking is truly delicious," Kakashi said earnestly.
He wasn't sure who the strongest ninja in the world was, but if anyone claimed to cook better than Mugetsu, he would be the first to object. This was genjutsu level cuisine.
"I'll clean up," Kakashi offered.
After all the guidance and the lavish breakfast, he would feel uncomfortable not helping.
"Then I'll trouble you," Mugetsu said with a smile, not refusing.
Sometimes accepting kindness brings people closer and deepens trust.
After washing the dishes, they went to the South Border Forest to train.
Mugetsu's care had worked. Kakashi showed no mental strain or physical fatigue that day. He was back to normal, at least for now.
"Is this why you said I was weak? You can't even stand straight after one day of training," Kakashi needled Obito after Total Concentration Breathing practice.
"You… what do you know? Maintaining Total Concentration Breathing is exhausting," Obito huffed, his words uneven from fatigue.
"No matter how tired you are, it's still training. Be tougher," Kakashi said, intent on settling the recent score.
Obito rolled his eyes and slumped to the ground, as if exasperated by someone who didn't understand the Breathing Technique.
Mugetsu nodded inwardly. This too was a sign of recovery. If Kakashi had the energy to bicker, he would be fine.
"Rest well when you head back. We have a mission tomorrow," Mugetsu announced.
He had planned to keep training until after Obito's birthday, but given Kakashi's state, he felt it necessary to resolve things sooner. The village wouldn't provide the chance he needed; outside would.
He didn't expect one mission to solve it. There had already been two accidents. Even with his edge, a third in a row was unlikely. They would take more missions and look for openings.
"Another mission!" Obito's eyes lit up as he fought his way to his feet.
Every mission was something to tell Rin later and brag about at the Academy. While others talked about odd jobs, he would talk about A rank and B rank. He could already picture their envious faces.
"Everyone, please be careful. Don't get hurt," Rin reminded gently.
"Don't worry, with me and Mugetsu sensei here, there won't be any problems," Obito said, patting his chest.
"Are you underestimating my youth? At the crucial moment, I will protect my comrades with blazing youth," Guy declared with a bright smile and gleaming teeth.
"Then I'll rephrase. With Mugetsu Sensei, me, and Guy here, there definitely won't be problems," Obito said after thinking it through. The current Guy was strong. Aside from Shisui with his Sharingan, anyone who faced him would get a headache.
Kakashi: …
"Mugetsu and Guy are reliable. You? Not so much. If I hadn't provided support last time, you would have been seriously injured," Kakashi said bluntly when provoked. "You're reckless and think too little. You didn't even notice your opponent trading blows."
"Obito, be careful during combat," Rin said, worried.
"That only happened because I went to help him," Obito shot back, dredging up the time Kakashi had been inactive for ten minutes during the mission before last.
"You're both energetic, but save it for tomorrow," Mugetsu said with a smile, stepping in to stop the argument.
They quieted at once.
…
The next morning, Mugetsu took his disciples to the Hokage Building to accept a mission.
"Are there any C rank missions in the Land of Rivers today?" he asked directly.
The war between the Cloud and the Sand affected that region. It would be easier to find opportunities there.
Land of Grass would be even easier, since it was the main battlefield for the Stone and the Leaf, but that meant most missions there were war related. With interns, they couldn't take those.
"The Land of Rivers. Let me see," the Registration Ninja said, flipping through the list. "There's a bandit suppression near Sankawa Town, and an escort back to the Land of Rivers capital."
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