Chapter 3
The Konoha branch of Yakiniku Q was bustling. Charcoal flames crackled brightly, meat slices sizzling on the griddle, filling the air with mouthwatering aromas.
But the atmosphere inside felt oddly off.
Nohara Rin poked at her rice bowl restlessly, her eyes flicking toward Kakashi beside her.
Since they'd sat down, Kakashi hadn't touched his chopsticks.
He was staring fixedly at a noisy table across from them.
That group was loud, led by a boy around their age. His features bore a faint resemblance to the Third Hokage.
"Have you heard? That Sakuya Senxuan is taking the promotion exam with Kakashi!"
"Hah? That super tail-ender? What is the Hokage thinking?"
"Who knows? It's just asking for humiliation."
Obito had stepped out to the bathroom, leaving Rin sandwiched between the silent Kakashi and the grating chatter. She felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
The leader, Sarutobi Nobu from the Sarutobi clan, took a swig of sake, a sneer on his face.
"I've hated that guy for ages. Word is he only survives by selling out his teammates. Every mission he comes back from, he's the only one left alive. You think that's normal?"
"What? For real?"
"Of course! My uncle works in the mission desk—he says the tasks Senxuan takes have insane death rates, but he always returns unscathed. Either he's stepping on his comrades' corpses or using them as bait. How else?"
"So that's it… what a disgrace to Konoha!"
"I bet he's a spy from another village, deliberately weakening our forces!"
The slander and malice spread like greasy smoke through the small restaurant.
Rin's face paled. She wanted to speak up but didn't know how.
She didn't know Sakuya Senxuan well, but her instincts screamed that these vicious rumors were wrong.
At that moment, the silent Kakashi finally moved.
He uncrossed his arms.
"Are you done?"
His voice was quiet, but cold—like an ice-coated kunai stabbing straight into their noise.
Sarutobi Nobu and the others turned. Seeing it was Kakashi, their expressions stiffened awkwardly.
"Kakashi? You… heard that?"
Nobu sounded guilty, but with numbers on his side, he tried to bluff.
"What, you defending that loser too?"
Kakashi stood. He wasn't tall, but his presence was overwhelming.
"Let me ask you: what is a ninja's duty?"
Nobu blinked, answering instinctively.
"To complete the mission, obviously."
"And if completing the mission requires sacrifice?"
Kakashi's tone stayed flat, stating a simple fact.
"Well…"
Nobu faltered.
Kakashi's gaze swept over their table—like he was looking at inanimate trash.
"You don't even have that much resolve, and you dare talk about a senior?"
"What did you say?!"
Nobu slammed the table and stood, face flushing with rage.
"A guy like Sakuya Senxuan who survives by sacrificing teammates deserves to be called a senior?!"
"Oh?"
Kakashi stepped forward, locking eyes.
"If sacrificing trash like you could guarantee an S-rank mission's success and save the whole village… that'd be a damn good trade."
"You—!"
Nobu's face turned purple, chakra flaring uncontrollably.
"Trash should know its place."
Kakashi's voice remained calm, but the words cut deeper than any insult.
"Gossiping about someone stronger just makes you look even more pathetic. Spend that time training instead—swing a kunai a few more times at the grounds. That way, when you're on the battlefield, you might at least know how you died."
The entire restaurant fell silent.
Nobu's friends yanked him back, bowing repeatedly to Kakashi.
"Sorry, Lord Kakashi! We had too much to drink—talking nonsense!"
"Yeah, yeah—don't take it personally!"
In front of the real genius Hatake Kakashi, their petty clan status and pride were crushed to dust.
Kakashi didn't spare them another glance. He turned and headed for the door.
"Kakashi!"
Rin hurried after him, grabbing his arm.
He paused but didn't turn. He gently shook off her hand.
"I'm full."
With that, he vanished into the night.
Rin stood there, hand outstretched, stunned.
"What happened? Fight again?"
Uchiha Obito returned just then, scratching his head at the scene.
"Where'd Kakashi go?"
"He left."
Rin lowered her hand, mood low.
She quickly recounted what happened.
Obito's eyes widened. He slammed the table in fury.
"Those bastards! Talking about Senxuan-senpai like that! And Kakashi—his words were way too harsh!"
"Obito-kun,"
Rin asked softly,
"Do you think… Kakashi was right? Sacrificing comrades for the mission…"
"Of course not!"
Obito shot back without hesitation.
"Missions matter, but comrades are family! I'd never—never—abandon anyone! Guys who spout rules and toss teammates aside like that? They're the real trash!"
His voice rang strong, eyes blazing with conviction.
Rin looked at him and suddenly smiled.
"Then… what about Senxuan-senpai?"
She asked again.
"Do you think he's that kind of person?"
Obito paused, then scratched his hair hard.
"I don't know… but he's different from Kakashi. He acts all lazy and laid-back, but I feel like… he has his own ninja way. One he sticks to, even if no one understands it."
Rin froze.
She thought of Kakashi's resolute, lonely back as he left.
Then of Sakuya Senxuan in the Hokage's office—reluctant but ultimately accepting the order.
In that moment, their backs oddly overlapped in her mind.
The same strength… and the same solitude.
...
Meanwhile, at Sakuya Senxuan's home.
Senxuan sat cross-legged on his bed, studying the new ability in his mind.
[Recovery].
Synchronizing with the target's pain and memories sounded spine-chilling.
But the chance to copy talents? Impossible to refuse.
This skill was tailor-made for war.
Battlefields were full of wounded. If he could endure the mental toll, he could become a walking ability copier.
"Medical ninja…"
The term popped into his head.
Yes—perfect cover.
A powerful medical ninja was a treasure in any squad—respected, protected in the rear.
It was the ultimate "low-profile" path.
Safe in the back lines, with legitimate access to powerhouses for copying.
Sharingan, Sage Body… heh heh.
The more he thought, the more feasible it seemed. The irritation from the upcoming chunin exam faded, replaced by this grand "lie-flat" plan.
He even started looking forward to the exam.
Senxuan stretched lazily, joints popping.
After a long day, he was exhausted.
Better sleep and recharge—prep for the exam tomorrow.
He blew out the oil lamp. The room plunged into darkness.
Just as he lay down, drifting toward sleep—
Swish.
A faint sound—cloth slicing air—from the roof.
Senxuan's eyes snapped open in the dark.
The usual sleepy gaze turned ice-cold.
Hm? Who is it?