Leaving the village, Sasuke ran. Leaning his body forward for speed, he ignored all obstacles—rocks, uneven ground, roads. He ran without slowing, at full speed, barely controlling his breathing. His heart pounded wildly, legs going numb, but they carried him. The activated Sharingan flawlessly caught every minor road issue, reading sparse signs along the way.
Though he ran straight most of the way, he had to detour around a small farm and hunting grounds a few times.
From Konoha's gates to the town sign: 11.5 kilometers. Despite his speed, covering that on foot still cost precious time, and he was furious. Furious at himself for not calling Naruto to morning training right away—he didn't know how to face his friend now. All the effort honing his invented techniques and learning "Chidori" was useless against that monster, and Naruto fought it without hesitation and won. He saved his life again, and no matter how he tried not to think about it, envy consumed him, making him angrier at himself. He shouldn't envy him, but couldn't help it—ego won, and he trained alone. He should've been with Naruto today, and now Itachi might take him too.
He was also furious at Kakashi for sending him to the village's far end on some flimsy pretext. Thinking back, the reports' reactions were surprise and confusion, like it happened twice. Did Kakashi know Itachi was in the village? Why did Asuma and Kurenai rush off? Was it all a distraction so he wouldn't run into Itachi?
Thinking this, he clenched fists till knuckles whitened and jaw till teeth ground on the run.
"Why? Why? Why don't they want me facing Itachi?! I could've helped in the fight! Damn Kakashi's sent where he belongs for his arrogance! He'll learn not to make plans within plans! Main thing: why the hell did you come back, Itachi?! Why Naruto?! Is your damn power lust bottomless, wanting that demon's power too?! I barely brushed it and know that thing can't be controlled easily! Or is it because of me? He sees Naruto's my best friend and wants to awaken that power in me too?! Damn maniac..." Sasuke thought, veering right at another crossroads sign. "About a kilometer detour around this field and... Then straight. I'm coming, Itachi! Today, I end your endless crimes. I'll finish this story with 'Chidori' and you'll die! Wait for me... Naruto!"
Sasuke slowed involuntarily; noticing, he willed himself faster, overstraining muscles. It'd hurt later, but now it was irrelevant... His life was on the line—he ignored such trivia.
Wind whipped his month-grown hair and cooled his body in just a new short-sleeved black T-shirt. Late autumn chill, now a hindrance at that speed, could cause serious cold, tonsillitis, or pneumonia—lungs burning at limit. Ground pounded soles harder, but he ignored it. He'd reach Naruto and kill Itachi, even if last thing he did.
Sasuke never sprinted such distances. Academy max "sprint": five kilometers. Run a couple times over years, but exams stuck to tested two or three. Now, he broke records in distance and time. Iruka-sensei would freak. No sane person aims for that.
Nearing the city-outpost entrance—block posts like Konoha, but entry barely restricted, only blocked on specific order. Sasuke breezed past sleepy guards' puzzled stares.
"Hm? That kid... Yeah... Definitely a Konoha shinobi! Something happen? Why's he rushing?" Flashed through the guard's mind.
Sasuke slowed seriously after a block, fatigue hitting muscles and lungs—he even stopped to catch breath. Even for him, with trained body, such records weren't easy.
By watch: seventeen and a half minutes from Konoha gates to forced stop.
Incredible even for shinobi.
Heart thrashed to escape chest, lungs gulped air faster... Legs buckled, vision darkened. Body so heavy, seemed immovable.
Sasuke realized he overdid it—might faint. As body numbed seconds and black veil closed eyes, he sent chakra to brain as Kakashi taught. Simple technique, harsh aftereffects. First time: opened inner gates for unseeable, unpredictable Sharingan strike—deceptive maneuvers at superhuman speed. Hit Kakashi, but paid: bedridden hours, then day sipping hot tea for recovery, barely walking.
Kakashi said first time always so... Sasuke lucky. Teacher: three days, three nights incapacitated. Second: couple hours down, couple to recover.
Now, minimal consequences—full fight viable, activating muscle potential over twice daily.
That's why "Chidori" max twice daily. From Kakashi's lectures: inner gates work by...
Chakra bundle to brain points overloads nerves electrochemically. Unlike external (instant full paralysis including heart, quick death), chakra efficiently removes nerve limiters—stronger, faster impulses than even stress peaks. Organism pays: nerve cells die from overloads brain-wide. Unrestricted muscles tear from blood/chakra flood via channels.
Boost short. Gate "opening" matches overload need. Supra-instant speed: crack one door, nudge other for strikes. Only "Primary Lotus"—chakra-spun air twirl, instant snap strike, hold foe—flings gates wide.
Now, mere trifle... Crack door, avoid blackout. Heart thump and darkness scatter proved success.
Stepped forward, stayed upright— hearing normalized. Quick scan: crowded street, his side empty. Shinobi headband, kunai pouch right leg, bloody-red multi-pupil eyes visible afar—people gave wide berth.
"Tch..." Sasuke clicked tongue, jogged to nearest inn. Konoha shinobi often stopped here pre-long trips. "If Naruto fought, chaos here. Still peaceful—no familiar chakra sensed, though I'm poor sensor." Deactivated Sharingan to draw less eyes, found sign.
No time queuing—shoved to reception, pushing people.
"Excuse me, miss—urgent: in last hour, old man long white hair and blond my age, same headband, sleeveless leather jacket check in?!" Sasuke raised voice.
"Young man... I get it, but there's a line!" Elderly man remarked.
"It's urgent!" Sasuke snapped back. "Well?!" To receptionist.
"N-No... No one like that."
"Sure?! You here last two hours?!" Pressed Sasuke.
"Y-Yes..." She repeated, scared. "Sure... I'd remember shinobi like that."
"Shit!" Sasuke swore, punched counter, shoved through, ran out.
Second inn: no queue, but girl pondered description minutes while Sasuke boiled...
"Yes, they were, but..."
"Where?! Room?!"
"Three twenty-three... Third floor and..." As she said floor, Sasuke bolted upstairs. Corridor dash—found 23, loud knock. Minute, another.
"Naruto! Open this fucking door before I kick it! You're in danger!" Sasuke yelled bluntly.
Young blond opened—not Naruto. Younger, scared, shocked. Glimpse: gray-haired old man behind.
"Damn... Sorry, wrong room!" He bolted. Leapt open stairwell window to street.
"Small town, smaller than Konoha—not many inns. One more max." Sasuke thought, scanned street—found sign.
"This way... He's here! No more mistakes!" He screamed inwardly.
Entering, felt his Kyu... First since that day. Second floor corridor—halted abrupt.
Brother ahead. Changed, but instant recognition. Hair less black, thinner, taller. Nails painted, odd ring. Sasuke's Sharingan snapped on, etching details.
Beside: another dumb cloak, gesturing bandaged huge thing—alive, shimmering. "What the?!" Irrelevant now... Even Naruto beside irrelevant. Only what happened next mattered.
Today replayed memories, pain time-dulled. As if reading mind, Itachi said...
"Almost five years since that day..."
"Long time no see, Naruto." Itachi said, Sharingan in eyes. No genjutsu shove from threshold... Or would I feel? Dunno...
In his place, I'd do it. From anime memory: instant genjutsu master, exploits surprise. Good I have ace against it, but even sans genjutsu, beating Itachi impossible till Senjutsu at least—far off.
Kisame—total nightmare...
Fish-man: my anti-class gaming terms. Jinchuriki power useless—he drains my chakra, heals self/power/health. No-touch sword impossible. Swing in Kyu range devours chakra. Rasengan—pure chakra—gone. Only effective technique vs tank. Gamabunta theoretically, but doubts: help vs Kisame? Effective vs drain, strength, water jutsu holding even him?
And that's solo—with Itachi, powerless.
Window to door, opening, seconds eye-lock: realized, chilled. Face-to-face, felt his Kyu. Slightly surpasses jonin Kakashi in volume/power. Kisame? Thrice, chakra alone.
"Not even a greeting?" He asked, looking down—head taller. I just frowned. Answer?
Instead hello, tried right foot back, grab sword—almost, but...
Kisame: Samehada reach, brushed bandaged edge on arm.
"On your spot, wouldn't, kid. Oho-ho... Troublemaker, Itachi-san. Chop hands so no reach weapon?" Turned to Itachi.
"Think Naruto gets it without, right, Naruto?" Itachi said. I nodded. "Let's go." Stepped aside. Each forward step heavier than last pushup/squat. Few steps—time slowed, voice pulled to caged room.
"Things bad, Wanderer?" Turned: fox awake, perky. "Switch... Those two too much, your toads no match—one glance sends to dreamland. Only I can, but need strain, expand seal more—prior chakra output insufficient vs them. Each strong as forest sword guy.
"No, Kurama. All power useless. Only stall till Pervert arrives."
"Why?"
"Blue-face sword feeds on chakra touch or near-pass. Transfers eaten to owner, restores life/body."
"How know?"
"Lucky I do!"
"Tch... Know win too?!"
"Maybe, but watch my chakra—yank me from genjutsu with yours instant. He won't expect."
"Hm... Fine, second? Sword issue—no win."
"Not planning. Fight Kisame now: we're fucked."
"Even name... Someday tell who you, damn it!"
"Not today." Dialogue ended. Kisame prodded back, urging, closing door.
Asshole.
"What look, kid? Still wanna fight?" Half-turn glare. "Itachi-san... Seen such brats—trouble, mark words. Allow chop leg, guarantee delivery. Jinchuriki won't die, less worry..." Itachi eyed him, then me.
"Jinchuriki... Delivery... Kidnap me? Lost minds?"
"One organization goal. Dawn claims Nine-Tails power in you."
"So... My say irrelevant?"
"Well, Itachi-san?"
"You're right, Kisame. No extra trouble..." Grabbed sword again. Hope withstand couple hits. High ceilings—Kisame good swing. Fingers blade-seal, chakra mass body block heavy—focus sword arm.
But no Kisame fight today—Itachi interrupted.
"Almost five years since that day..." Kisame halted mid-swing, glanced Itachi, then behind.
"Huh?" "Hm... Sharingan? Itachi-san, kid looks like you. Know him?"
"Can say... My little brother."
"Finally found you... Uchiha Itachi!"
"Not quite..." Itachi muttered self-like. "I expected..."
"Will be! As you wanted! Grew stronger hating, plotting kill daily! Turn!"
"Hm? Missed my words, Sasuke..." Half-turn, head. "Your eyes not like mine yet."
"Shut up! Shut stinking mouth! Waited, prepared so long, now..." Sasuke slowly raised arm—heavy weight feel. Quick no-seal: chakra sphere to lightning, full arm ball lightning. Discharges everywhere, blinding like massive arc welder. Ignored minor control loss—hand burned too. Pain irrelevant. "Now, won't hear dead man! You're dead!" Yelled, lunged Itachi frontal. Trail melted concrete, blasted doors. "DEAD!"
Jumped accelerated, arm to chest—Itachi partial flicker step, redirected to wall. "Chidori" energy demolished—desk, lamp in my room too.
Held Sasuke forearm-wrist, pain points full control.
Kisame: sword pose unchanged—holding effortless.
Itachi turned from brother, glanced: "Wanted hurry?" Extra pressure—broke wrist bone.
"AAAAA! Damn!" Pain scream. Yanked body, kicked flying couple meters. "Enough." Humiliated add.
"Good then..." Kisame sword flew—blocked instant my-size toad front-leg shields. Behind: summon Jiraiya, shouldered unconscious tall brunette—not head-over-heels swoon.
"Yeah!" Burst like jack-in-box, right-shoulder spin, hair flourish, palm forward. "Surprised, shitheads?! Heh-heh... Enchant any woman, but no fooling me! When like me, girls at feet no illusions—now tremble before Mount Myoboku sage wrath!"
"Tch..." Itachi clicked.
"Heh-heh-heh-heh..." Kisame laughed unrestrained. "Total degenerate, Master-Jiraiya. Can't believe one three legendary ninja."
"Believe..." "Only scum treat beauty so." Laid her wall-side away. "Can't trust eyes—feel with liver, spat organs." Advanced.
Titanic effort: unstick face-palm fused from shock.
"All to split me from Naruto? Can't wait Nine-Tails power?!"
"Desires irrelevant... Orders." Itachi.
"Orders? From 'Dawn' organization?" Jiraiya grinned.
"Clear... Kakashi knew from you. No point capturing then. Despite interference... We take Naruto."
"Hah! Decided? Watch hands... Dispel illusions easy, bird hand smells sweaty balls. Ready die, boys?" Jiraiya.
"No! Don't!" Rising Sasuke yelled, drawing eyes. "Only I kill him!" Bad shape: left arm burns multiple spots, trembling, bone broken. Shaking aspen, low chakra, Sharingan held.
"Butt out, Sasuke. You irrelevant." Itachi cold reply.
"Here's how... I'll get you interested now." Sasuke tried to attack with a right fist to the face, but Itachi used partial flicker again, and in the moment of his swing, a powerful kick flew into Sasuke's chest at tremendous speed, sending him flying a dozen meters to the far wall, leaving a dent and a couple of cracks there. From such a blow, blood mixed with saliva flew out of Sasuke's mouth. It almost hurt me to watch it from the front row. Turning and looking at the Pervert, I noticed that he wasn't in a hurry to intervene either.
"Ha! Don't hold back on him, Itachi-san... These thick-headed little bastards need to feel the difference in strength with their spinal cords to finally understand that they can't do shit here." With that, Jiraiya took a step forward, and I followed him.
"Back!" It came not even from Kisame, who hadn't turned to us, but from Sasuke, who hadn't lost consciousness from the blow to the back of his head and was getting back on his feet. "This... My... This is my fight!" he shouted and charged at Itachi again. His attempt to strike with his right hand, now with a kunai drawn from its sheath, was instantly blocked; he took a knee to the solar plexus that lifted him into the air, followed by the same spinning kick to the chest, sending him crashing into the same wall again.
"Well... You heard him. Don't interfere, let them sort it out themselves." Kisame said, stepping into the middle of the corridor and blocking our path. The toad had already disappeared by then, back when Sasuke first attacked.
Itachi slowly approached his brother, who had managed to pretend to lose consciousness, but even I wouldn't have fallen for that. It was too clumsily done. Especially the position of the kunai he held in his right hand gave him away. Not to mention that his opponent wielded the Sharingan and could see and predict muscle movements from the slightest twitches.
Of course, Itachi saw through the trick, and even at his level, if he hadn't known, he would have reacted and grabbed the arm in time, which he did masterfully. Another gut punch, a twisted wrist, the clatter of the kunai hitting the floor, and an extra fist to the face. After that, he released his arm, grabbed him by the throat, lifted him to eye level, and pressed his body against the wall.
"What a foolish brother I have." Itachi began. "You can't beat me... You're still too weak for that. And do you know why?" he asked with a smile. "You're lacking... hatred." With that, he looked straight into his eyes and used Tsukuyomi, making Sasuke scream as if he were being burned alive in there.
And again, there's nothing I can do... I stood there, fists clenched, frantically scanning for an opening to attack. Kisame, damn him, was too fast and would intercept me if I tried to slip past.
"Heh-heh-heh... How touching, using Tsukuyomi upon reuniting with your own brother after five years." With that, he turned for a second to look at those two, and I tried to use the space that opened up with the wall's destruction to slip past Kisame, but suddenly, the floor under my feet softened and turned into flesh. The walls and ceiling grew meaty, leaving only the chandeliers to light up the mess. Besides the softness, I couldn't lift my sole from that meat; it was like I was glued to the floor, and so was Kisame's sword, and apparently his legs and arms too. Sasuke was sucked into the wall, shielding his body from Itachi, who was forced to pull his arm back so he wouldn't get sucked in too.
"Sage Art: Toad Mouth Bind! Unfortunately, your adventures end here, kids. You've just been swallowed by a giant toad, and you're all in its intestine, which obeys me. It's not the most honorable death, but you should be more humble knowing you're now toad food." Jiraiya pronounced.
"Tch..." Kisame clicked his tongue. His expression changed sharply at that moment. He seemed to realize what kind of mess he was in and even quicker understood that with all his abilities, he couldn't escape from here.
"Kisame, retreat!" Itachi shouted, forcefully ripping his feet from the floor and concentrating chakra on his soles as he ran in one direction. Kisame used brute force to free himself and quickly caught up to his partner.
"Useless! No shinobi has ever been born who could escape the Toad Mouth Bind!" Jiraiya pressed his hands to the floor, and the walls obeyed his will, pursuing those two, closing the passage and sucking inward. Kisame and Itachi ran very fast, but they were on a meaty treadmill.
"The passage is closing too fast, what do we do?!" Kisame asked. Itachi silently released a large amount of chakra through his eyes, using one of his trump cards.
A strange sound echoed through the corridor, and the Pervert ran forward to check what happened, but as soon as he peeked around the corner, he stopped, staring ahead. I caught up to him in a minute, while getting used to running on the sticky, soft flesh.
What I saw was like a goddamn glitch in the Matrix. First, a wave of really hot air hit me, as if around the corner they hadn't burned a hole in the wall but some fuel warehouse was on fire. Second... The fire around the edges of that hole... I'd have to look far for weirder shit. It was more like madness—black fire... It looked like black hair clumps glued to the wall or something. Knowing the properties of that stuff, I didn't risk getting closer to examine it.
The Pervert used a sealing scroll, gathered the flames with chakra, sealed them with a few hand seals into the scroll—whose seal he wrote himself—and additionally tied it with rope before stuffing it into his bosom.
After freeing Sasuke, he was in a clearly shitty mood. To be precise, he clearly wanted to kill someone, judging by his face. After a quick check, he exhaled.
"We can't help him here... He needs a hospital." He said, getting to his feet.
Then Gai appeared out of nowhere and smashed a flying kick into his face. Only after a few seconds did he realize whom he'd hit and immediately helped him up, frantically apologizing and bowing like an idiot—though... why like?
Gai explained what happened in the village, told about Teacher Kakashi, and tried to take the Pervert with him as someone who could help sort out the mess, but the latter explained some details of our mission and told whom exactly we were after.
"So that's how it is... I've heard about this woman many times and even seen her once, briefly. Tell me, can she help if the damage is...?" The words came hard to Gai. We were already at a crossroads, at the city exit. After learning about Kakashi and now Sasuke was hurt too, we couldn't delay, so we decided not to wait the whole day. Of course, the Pervert paid for all the damage at the inn without even arguing the clearly inflated amount. I didn't hear the details, but it seemed they charged him several hundred thousand Ryo...
Holy shit...
"I'm no expert, but... In her time, Tsunade pulled off even greater miracles. If anyone can, it's her." Jiraiya replied with a smile.
"I hope in you, Master-Jiraiya..." Gai bowed. With Sasuke on his shoulders now, he couldn't bow properly. "Naruto, you're a great kid too. You did well on the exam, and if it were up to me, you'd be Chunin. I hope you'll help the master and you'll sort it out faster together."
"I'll do my best, Teacher Gai." I replied. He smiled and gave me a thumbs-up. From that, the Pervert and I cringed in unison.
***
For a while, we just walked along the road. I tried to start a conversation about the road or that black flame, but it didn't go well. He only said it was a sealing technique, but I already knew that, thanks, captain.
When we stopped at a local shrine to refill water, his mood seemed to improve.
"Hey, Pervy Sage, maybe while we're walking, show me some new technique that could be useful if Itachi comes back for me."
"Heh... Well, I was planning to anyway. You get why they came for your soul, right?"
"Yeah..." I replied and lowered my head. "Old Man Third managed to tell me about Jinchuriki and gave me the gist. But how does Itachi know about the Nine-Tails? Isn't that a secret?"
"Well... Yes and no... You know 'you can't hide a sewing needle in a sack'? Same with the Nine-Tails. While the Jinchuriki can't fend for themselves and use its power, they keep the identity secret, and even after, it's better not to blab about it on every corner, but you know... In our world, info spreads fast, especially among those who know how to work with it. Itachi was Konoha ANBU Captain and took a ton of village secrets with him. That's why we crack down so hard on desertion and betrayal. None of the five great nations will take a Leaf shinobi if someone decides to switch sides now. In the best case, the traitor gets tricked into spilling our secrets and killed or handed over to us. Most 'rogues' wear those crossed-out forehead protectors to emphasize their status and that they take ANY job, even the dirtiest.
"Got it... But I wasn't talking about rogues. Tell me, Pervy Sage, do you know kendo?"
"Kendo? Hm... Let's say I'm versed in it, but I don't use weapons in combat practically. And you using a sword... I don't know... Seems unnecessary for someone like you. Those who rely on weapons end up too dependent on them later, and if they lose it, they lose half their strength. That's why I don't use swords and such. The best shinobi weapon is the shinobi himself." He spouted his "wisdom."
In my head, it sounded like: "A samurai without a sword is like a samurai with a sword, only without a sword."
"Well, I don't know... Isn't chakra or techniques the same kind of weapon?" I replied. "Lose the ability to use one or another technique, and you get weaker too."
"Heh... You're an idiot... Chakra isn't a weapon, and techniques are part of you. You could lose an arm in battle just as well."
"That's what I mean. A sword is just as much a part of you, and losing it is unacceptable." I replied with Hayate's words.
"I've heard that somewhere... Won't argue. My teacher used a two-handed staff in battle, and my friend—the strongest swordsman in Leaf history and maybe the world. So I get it somewhat, that's why I think it's not too reliable."
"Friend? Strongest swordsman?" I asked. Who was he talking about? No way...
"You know him too, even got a taste of his power. His name's Orochimaru." He replied. "Let's go." He got up from the steps, folding the map into his backpack. "And don't call me that anymore... 'Pervy Sage'... Sounds like 'King of Beggars' or some other bandit nickname, not my style.
"Then what should I call you?"
"I told you, I'm Jiraiya. You can call me teacher, since we're at it."
"Fine, but Master-Jiraiya sounds cooler. Maybe that?"
"Ha... Suit yourself. I'll show you the technique when we reach the city, but for now, listen about kendo."
"Well?" We headed out from the shrine grounds to the main road. Sunset would start soon, maybe two or three hours left. Hard to track time, should've bought a watch, but kept putting it off because of the price.
"I take it you've mastered partial body flicker, right? When you fought the toads, I don't remember you being able to do it."
"Yeah, mastered it through hell, but it's not easy for me, you know."
"Lack of stamina?"
"Not really, just at some point I start shaking and the body fails, and vision blurs from the shifts. And chakra channels burn like fire from overload."
"I figure you're using acceleration, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Acceleration momentarily reduces your body's mass, sharply speeding up chakra flow. Hence the effect... But as fire has ice to cool it, there's the flip side here. That feeling of losing control and the shaking... If you accelerate chakra flow like that several times in a row, chakra will start flowing faster on its own in some points, and normal elsewhere. Read about Hyuga and their chakra point work? They can disable or kill foes with pinpoint strikes. Accelerate flow in the heart—heart attack up to infarction. Slow it—heart stops.
"Woo..." I replied. Damn, he knows his stuff... I was hooked. "I'm starting to get it. Suggest slowing chakra myself? Tried it, momentarily increases body mass or part, but... Honestly, besides blocking heavy attacks, I don't know how to use it in battle, and blocking heavy attacks isn't the best idea.
"You're right, but you forget your own strikes, for example. What you do is called 'moon dances,' but there are 'sun' techniques based on sharp chakra deceleration.
"Cool, and you know them?"
"No."
"Then it's not cool..." I was disappointed.
"Hey, I told you the basic principle. It's like a blade with two sides, blunt and sharp. Or a staff with two ends, one pointing one way, the other the opposite." Man... Analogies aren't his thing.
"Heh..." I exhaled. "Well, then I'll think how and when to use it best."
"Think about it." He agreed. "Look at Itachi... See how he kicked then. The strike was fast and strong at once. At the last moment, he decelerated chakra right on impact. You saw the effect.
"So that's how he strikes so fast, and you figured it without Sharingan?"
"Ha... I've got something cooler than some Sharingan... Experience! I knew what he did because I can do the same. Those chakra control principles are used in advanced taijutsu. Just using their body instead of weapons.
"Got it..." I replied. Man... Gave me food for thought. Fine, let's try reaching that 'advanced level.'
We didn't reach the city by evening. Though I enjoyed the trip. Nice to see the Land of Fire isn't just Konoha and surroundings. We passed dozens of farms. Saw those huge fields where harvest was gathered and work continued. Several peaceful villages with friendly folks. They even treated us to bread and apples. Ate a bit, mood improved.
As it got dark, Jiraiya led us to meadows off the road and summoned some blue-yellow toad. Turns out, this toad can mimic a building for quite a while. He also summoned his pack-toad, and we got lanterns and lamps from the stuff pile, setting them inside the toad. Convenient as hell... No tents, spend some chakra and get real shelter.
"We've got five hours sleep, then release the toad. We'll make a fire and breakfast early."
Said and done.
There's benefit to such early rises. I even did a full workout before breakfast. The Pervert settled for a light warm-up. Trying to practice that Itachi-style kick with clones, realized I got nothing. Succeeded twice out of ten. Otherwise, couldn't catch the switch between chakra acceleration and deceleration. Really hard, especially without Sharingan-enhanced reaction, and literally seeing your own chakra flow—which I think makes it easier. Controlling chakra at that speed by feel alone is no joke.
Still, Uchiha are cheaters, but breaking it down... Not all-powerful. Sharingan cool? Undoubtedly, but even awakening it just accelerates development; no real cheats unless Mangekyo, and hardly any owners... Can't copy clan techniques like Kiba's or Shikamaru's. Eye genjutsu can be bypassed many ways. Reaction boost and prediction don't always work—Lee showed that with taijutsu. Gotta be a real genius to use Sharingan at that level. Doubt many Uchiha can.
After breakfast, we headed toward the sunrise, and a couple hours later we were at the edge of a trading city in some depression or ravine—point is, we had to descend long via narrow, almost mountain paths. Jiraiya explained it wasn't quite a trading city. A service city. On one hand, pretty big, bigger than the whole Leaf village, tourist hub in the middle of nowhere. On the other—a manufacturing center; per Jiraiya, they make tons of goods shipped across the Land of Fire.
Weird spot for such a city... Asked how they ship goods out, got "open your eyes." Those paths weren't the only ones. Hm... Then if there are proper roads, why the hell did we come through this ass? Some sage...
"Naruto, you bring money?"
"Yeah..." I replied on autopilot. We were at the market now, and honestly, my eyes were darting everywhere. Like a fair, but per Jiraiya, it's always like this.
"Can you lend me some? Better write a check; you got Konoha bank checks, right?"
"Yeah, but you got a shitload of money and checks too. Why?"
"Heh... Basics of recon and intel gathering. Some places, never pay with your real name. Harder to track you. Your checks on someone else too? Kakashi set it up?"
"Nah, here..." I pulled out the bankbook and showed him a copy of Iruka's signature.
"Iruka Umino? That young academy teacher. Even better... Make it ten thousand."
"Where you spending that much?!"
"Not one check, dummy! Ten of a thousand each..."
"Heh..." Had to write him ten checks.
"Here, hold the stuff. By the way, placed a bet here too, gonna collect. Don't worry, you'll get all your money back."
"Well... Trust you for now..." He sounded convincing. Probably off to booze and pleasure houses, but... As someone familiar with ops work, I get it—this is one of the most effective ways to get info. Best informants are hookers and merchants. Service sector in general.
Heh... Where's my 26 years?
Sad I'm in a kid's body, gotta survive till I can pass for adult.
Fine, enjoy what we got. Before leaving the village, I deposited 35 thousand, plus 15 on me—can buy almost anything here without checking prices much.
Start with fast food...
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: patreon.com/Granulan