"Everyone, look—this is what I brought for you: the Sarutobi clan's essential Fire Release manual!"
Asuma said with great swagger, lifting the book in his hand high in an unrestrained manner.
"Wow!"
The crowd exclaimed loudly, fully playing along.
"If anyone wants to learn sword techniques or taijutsu, then take a look at mine instead."
Kakashi glanced at Might Guy and likewise took out a book. "Father picked out some that are suitable for us."
"Oooh! White Fang-sama's guidance? That really gets my blood boiling!"
Guy cried out like a crowing rooster, going into a one-handed handstand and extending his thumb.
"As expected of my lifelong rival, Kakashi! Come—let us duel!"
Kakashi's face darkened as he subconsciously moved a bit farther away.
Who would want to duel with someone like you…
He had only been at the Ninja Academy for a short time before this guy inexplicably latched onto him, insisting that they were destined lifelong enemies…
Still, much like Obito, Kakashi could sense from Might Guy a fondness and goodwill directed toward him.
And so, being someone who fundamentally longed for friendship, he begrudgingly went along with it despite his verbal resistance.
"Hey, hey! Wasn't it agreed you had to get past me first?" Obito shouted loudly.
"You are…"
Guy frowned deeply. "Your name is… sorry, but…"
Obito looked exasperated.
Even though he had introduced his name two or three times already, this guy still could not remember it…
"I'll tell you one more time—this great man is called Uchiha Obito!"
Shisui's lips curled upward slightly as he watched everyone joking and bickering, his mood exceptionally good.
He liked this kind of relaxed and united atmosphere…
Compared to the clan compound, which had been rife with conflict lately, this place was practically heaven.
Recently, within the Uchiha clan, a portion of the members who had joined the patrol forces began to view the village more favorably…
But many others believed this was merely sugar-coated bait—that the village was trying to divide the Uchiha…
Neither side could convince the other, making the atmosphere extremely strange, even more tense than before.
Shisui had originally thought that his own talent might be enough to change some things.
But after hearing Kakashi's description of matters outside the Ninja Academy…
Shisui chose to let things settle for a while longer. Moreover, he was now reluctant to graduate.
The genuine sincerity his friends shared so selflessly was simply far too intoxicating.
"Over here, I have something on genjutsu!" Kurenai raised her hand and said.
"As for medical ninjutsu, I've dabbled in it a little…" This was Nohara Rin.
One book after another—like the boxed lunches brought on a picnic—everyone was showing off the "dishes" they had brought, hoping to trade and have a taste of what others had.
"What I brought is a Water Release manual!" Shisui took out a booklet whose title page had yellowed with age.
The scene fell into an eerie silence for a moment.
An Uchiha bringing Water Release?
Was that reasonable?
Shisui scratched his head awkwardly:
"Well… I heard Asuma was going to bring Fire Release. The techniques passed down in my family are either Fire Release or nintaijutsu that's compatible with the Sharingan, and those aren't very convenient for everyone to train in…"
"Shisui, I want to learn this!" Obito's face flushed red. "But I don't really have anything to give you. Still, in the future, I'll definitely give you something too!"
"Of course, no problem, Obito."
"We're in this together—we should be helping each other. Why talk about repaying or not…" Shisui said with a cheerful smile.
"But this isn't ordinary Water Release!" Shisui cleared his throat lightly. "This is the Second Hokage's personally streamlined Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
When the other boys and girls heard Senju Tobirama's name, they all became so excited their eyes practically turned into stars.
The Second Hokage's reputation in Konoha—aside from within the Uchiha clan—was still relatively good…
Asuma and Kakashi exchanged a glance.
These two sons of Konoha's upper ranks were finding it even stranger…
Tobirama passed secret techniques to the Uchiha? Shisui really was working hard to fit in…
Seeming to notice their looks, Shisui sighed inwardly and explained, "Um… I'm a descendant of Uchiha Kagami. My ancestor was friends with the Third Hokage, and was a member of the Second Hokage's guard unit."
Asuma suddenly understood, and Kakashi did as well.
"In any case, even though I'm not proficient in Water Release, and not many in the Uchiha clan are interested in it…"
"But if it can help everyone, then whether it's the Second Hokage or my ancestor, I believe they would both feel gratified!" Shisui said seriously, pressing his palms together.
Someone—no one knew who—started clapping.
The others followed, and the applause gradually grew more enthusiastic.
Shisui's face unconsciously turned red—not from embarrassment, but from excitement.
Asuma jumped out to sum it up: "Everyone, we are this united, this strong!"
"With these manuals, if we train together as one, we'll definitely make the adults understand our resolve!"
Flames seemed to burn in Asuma's eyes as he recalled that Namikaze Minato was Jiraiya's disciple.
That unserious toad catching him red-handed—that scene was still vivid in Asuma's mind…
A sensei's debt repaid by the disciple—that was only natural, wasn't it?
Everyone excitedly discussed among themselves, exchanging and talking according to each person's needs.
"Everyone! I also brought a gift for you all!"
Guy shouted excitedly, "Do you want to change into the Youth Outfit my father and I wear? After putting it on, your training will feel even more powerful!"
No one knew where Guy pulled out a bundle from; inside were set after set of green tights.
"No, let's skip that for now, Guy." Asuma covered his face, but a moment later, a thought suddenly stirred in his heart.
When the time came, should he make a bet with Minato?
If they won, they would make him wear it—hmph, hmph, hmph…
"Oh right, Father told me to tell everyone."
"If you encounter difficult problems, write them down first. Don't force your training and end up injured… And if you gain any insights, try to explain them to the other classmates as well. He says this is called learning through teaching."
"When everyone has accumulated a certain number of questions, Father said he can set aside time to answer them!"
Asuma said this with his hands on his hips.
"What? You mean the Hokage?"
"The Hokage is going to teach us?"
The children cheered in unison, every face filled with eager anticipation.
Their enthusiasm for preparing to face Minato naturally grew even stronger.
And while the children were pushing one another forward…
Orochimaru's kinjutsu was finally completed.
Its name was Living Corpse Reincarnation. Its effect was to forcibly invade another person's body with one's soul, in order to achieve "eternal life."
Orochimaru hesitated for a moment, then shook his head in relief.
He had long since decided to tell his teacher, hadn't he?
Objectively speaking, the Hokage had already noticed his abnormal desire for soul-related texts.
And subjectively, he did not wish to conceal it either—he wanted the acknowledgment of Hiruzen, who was both mentor and father figure to him, for this subversive technique.
Or rather, acknowledgment of his ninja way…
For that, he would rather face conflict than suspicion.
"How bold of you, Orochimaru…" he murmured to himself. "If it fails, everything good in front of me now will be gone."
A moment later, Orochimaru smiled again. "But if it succeeds, then I will lack nothing!"
He decided to take this gamble.
That night, he went to find Hiruzen.
"Sensei, would you accompany me for a walk?" Orochimaru said softly.
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