After calming the irritable little lion, Akira turned to Hinata and smiled.
"You're next. Good luck."
Hinata's face instantly turned as red as a tomato. She nodded vigorously.
"Y-yes!"
Her voice was soft and sweet, like a piece of cotton candy.
With the Hyūga clan's techniques, a test like this was practically child's play for her.
But when Ino saw how gently Akira treated Hinata, the jealousy meter immediately exploded.
"Hey! When it was my turn earlier, why didn't you cheer for me? That's totally biased!"
A girl's jealousy could appear in an instant.
Akira felt mentally exhausted.
"Didn't you say you wanted to show me how amazing you were? If you're that amazing, why would you need cheering?"
"Hinata's shy. If I didn't encourage her and she got nervous, what if she messed up?"
The explanation was a bit forced, but Ino reluctantly accepted it.
"Hmph. Fine. I'll forgive you this time."
Watching her tsundere attitude, Akira regretted not sitting farther away from her in the first place.
As expected, Hinata scored a perfect mark as well.
With the assistance of the Byakugan, missing the target would have been a disgrace to the Hyūga clan.
When she stepped down, Akira smiled and praised her.
"Not bad. Looks like a normal performance."
Hinata blushed deeply but gathered the courage to look up into Akira's eyes for the first time.
"Um… it's because Akira-kun cheered for me."
Before Akira could respond, Ino cut in immediately.
"Hinata, didn't you get a perfect score last time too? What does that have to do with this guy?"
The comment instantly left Hinata speechless with embarrassment.
She wished the ground would open up and swallow her.
Akira gently patted her shoulder.
"Don't listen to her nonsense. You did great."
That single touch made Hinata feel like all the bones in her body had turned to jelly.
If they hadn't been surrounded by people, she might have collapsed straight into Akira's arms.
Ever since he had held her hand before, she had never forgotten that warmth.
Now that he touched her again, her brain felt like it might shut down from embarrassment.
Ino watched the scene with a sour expression, like she had just swallowed a whole lemon.
In the distance, Shikamaru and Choji exchanged glances.
Both saw the same thought in each other's eyes:
Anyone who can keep someone like Ino completely under control… that guy is terrifying.
---
After the exam ended, Akira stayed at school until the final bell rang.
The moment it rang, he shot out of the classroom like an arrow released from a bow.
Ino and Hinata were still packing their bags and stared in shock.
Ino reacted first. She grabbed Hinata's arm and chased after him.
"Quick! Hinata! If he's running this fast, he must be up to something shady again!"
In Ino's logic:
Running fast = feeling guilty = doing something bad.
But by the time they reached the school gate, Akira had already vanished without a trace.
"Damn it! He escaped!" Ino stomped angrily.
Hinata was curious too, but she was more considerate.
"Ino… if Akira-kun ran away so quickly, it probably means he doesn't want us to know where he's going. We should respect his privacy."
Ino looked at her like she was an alien.
"Hinata, are you sick? What if he's hanging out with delinquents and gets expelled later? You'll regret it then."
Hinata blushed again but quietly muttered back:
"As if you wouldn't cry too."
She might be shy, but she wasn't stupid.
Anyone could see Ino's feelings toward Akira.
---
Meanwhile, Akira had already used the Body Flicker Jutsu to shake off the two girls and reached the grassy clearing behind the mountain.
Kakashi was lazily leaning against a tree beside the pond.
Akira walked over and smiled.
"Kakashi-sensei, that must've been a tough mission. You disappeared for over a month."
Kakashi closed the book in his hand—Icha Icha Paradise—and squinted his lazy eye.
"Yeah… it had a bit of difficulty."
"You didn't slack off during this month, did you?"
"Not really. I kept up with my training."
Kakashi nodded.
He knew this kid's self-discipline was terrifying. He didn't need supervision.
"During this mission, I copied a pretty good Water Style jutsu."
"It's called Water Style: Water Wall."
Akira blinked.
"Water Wall?"
He knew this jutsu well. In the original story, Kakashi used it to block a combination attack from Kakuzu.
Kakashi explained:
"I 'borrowed' it from a jōnin from the Kirigakure. It's a B-rank jutsu, and one of the better defensive Water Style jutsu."
"Perfect. A defensive water jutsu fills one of my weaknesses."
Akira's eyes lit up.
"Let me explain the chakra flow first."
Three minutes later, the theory lesson ended.
With anyone else, they'd still be memorizing the hand seals.
Kakashi stood beside the pond and formed hand seals.
"Watch carefully. I'll demonstrate once."
The seals completed. Chakra surged.
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
ROOOAR!
A towering curtain of water rose from the ground like a reversed waterfall, protecting Kakashi inside.
It was more than ten meters tall.
Akira smiled mischievously.
Suddenly he leapt to the other side of the water wall and formed seals rapidly.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive fireball over five meters wide surged forward with scorching heat toward the water barrier.
SSSSSS—!!
Water and fire collided violently.
The previously impenetrable water wall evaporated rapidly under the intense heat.
White steam instantly filled the entire field.
In the end, both techniques neutralized each other.
Kakashi waved away the mist in front of him.
"Your Great Fireball… it can actually clash head-on with a B-rank Water Wall?"
Normally a C-rank fire jutsu would lose to a B-rank water jutsu.
But the quality of Akira's fire chakra was ridiculously high.
Akira grinned.
"Kakashi-sensei, why don't you use a fire jutsu and see if my Water Wall can block it?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow with interest.
"Alright. But don't blame me if I don't hold back."
His hands blurred into motion.
Akira, standing over ten meters away, formed seals just as quickly.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bomb!"
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
Both techniques activated at nearly the same time.
The Dragon Flame Bomb was a high-level B-rank fire jutsu with devastating power.
This time it was a direct clash of equal rank jutsu.
BOOM!
A ferocious flaming dragon roared forward and reached Akira in an instant.
At the same time, a towering wall of water rose before him like a crashing ocean wave.
This water barrier was several meters taller than the one Kakashi had demonstrated earlier.
SSSSSS—!!
The fire dragon slammed into the water wall.
The intense heat instantly boiled the water.
Explosions echoed as boiling water sprayed everywhere.
When the smoke cleared, the two techniques had cancelled each other out.
Kakashi looked at the chaotic battlefield and sighed.
"I even used the Dragon Flame Bomb… and it still ended in a draw?"
Akira looked amazed.
"Kakashi-sensei, that Dragon Flame jutsu is incredible!"
"The force and temperature are on a completely different level from the Great Fireball."
Kakashi explained:
"Of course. That's one of the signature techniques of the Hiruzen Sarutobi. Top-tier stuff."
Akira thought to himself:
Of course it is. Those two techniques are basically destined rivals.
Back when the Third Hokage fought the reanimated Second Hokage, they used these exact two jutsu against each other.
"Kakashi-sensei, I want to learn the Dragon Flame too!"
Kakashi blinked.
"Do you still have enough chakra? You just used a big jutsu."
Akira didn't answer.
He simply smiled mysteriously and walked toward the pond.
Standing by the water's edge, his hands rapidly formed the same seals Kakashi had just used.
The moment the seals completed, Akira's eyes sharpened.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bomb!"
ROOOAR—!!
A massive pillar of fire even thicker than Kakashi's burst from his mouth.
The flames twisted in the air, forming three raging fire dragons.
They charged toward the natural waterfall dozens of meters away with overwhelming force.
SSSSSS—!!
Even the endless waterfall was instantly vaporized wherever the flames touched it.
The inferno burned for nearly half a minute before finally dying out.
At this moment, within several hundred meters of the waterfall, the entire area had turned into a massive sauna.
Steam was so thick that you couldn't see your own hand in front of your face.
Kakashi was completely petrified.
"Learned a B-rank Fire Style… just by watching it once?"
"And the power is even stronger than mine?"
What shocked him even more was another detail.
"This kid has already used three B-rank techniques in a row, hasn't he? Why isn't he even breathing hard?"
"This is ridiculous… It's only been a month. Why does his chakra feel like it's doubled?"
Kakashi felt his scalp go numb.
"This physique… is monstrous."
If Danzō ever discovered that Konoha had produced a prodigy like this, Akira would probably have already been dragged into Root for brainwashing—or worse, turned into a research specimen.
After releasing the jutsu, Akira looked completely satisfied.
"That felt great! The power is practically on par with Great Fireball."
Of course, he meant the version used by ordinary people.
If it were used by Madara Uchiha, that was a completely different story.
"But as long as my chakra keeps increasing, this Dragon Flame Bomb will eventually reach that kind of natural-disaster level."
Akira clenched his fist, feeling the abundant power still flowing through his body.
"Chakra reserves really are king."
"At this rate, aside from Naruto—who has a tailed beast cheat code—my chakra should easily rank first among people my age."
He wasn't in a hurry.
His physique had no upper limit.
As long as he stayed cautious and continued developing quietly, he would eventually reach an almost divine level of physical strength.
There was no need to train something like the Eight Gates, a forbidden method that injured the user almost as much as the enemy.
"This Dragon Flame Bomb will probably remain my ultimate jutsu for quite a while."
Akira felt extremely satisfied.
Kakashi walked over and heavily patted his shoulder.
"Your talent keeps raising the ceiling of what I thought was possible."
"But Akira, the faster someone grows, the more important it is to strengthen their mindset."
"History is full of geniuses who fell early. Many of them simply couldn't keep their mentality in step with their strength."
"I don't want you to follow that path."
Akira's smile faded. He looked at Kakashi seriously.
"I know. Might Guy told me about your past."
"Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei. I won't go down the wrong road."
"And honestly, I don't think you should keep living in guilt either. If Obito and Rin were still here, they'd want you to live happily."
"When Obito entrusted you with his eye, he wanted you to carry his share too—and see the future of this world."
Kakashi froze for a moment.
Then he smiled in relief and ruffled Akira's hair.
"You brat… you understand quite a lot. Are you the teacher, or am I?"
Akira curled his lips.
"When it comes to emotional counseling, you're honestly more of a negative example."
Kakashi didn't argue. His gaze softened.
"Maybe. But I hope you can become a ninja like Minato."
"He was the most perfect one."
"Whether it was strength or character, everyone respected him. I believe you can reach that level."
Akira smiled faintly.
"He was your sensei, right? Honestly, if those tragedies hadn't happened, I don't think your achievements would necessarily be any lower than his."
"And that Sharingan… I think you've already mastered it."
Kakashi was silent for a moment.
Looking at his unusually mature student, he suddenly felt lighter than he had in years.
"Alright, enough lecturing me," Kakashi said.
"Let's head down the mountain. I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen."
Akira blinked.
"Sensei… can we go somewhere else? I'm not Naruto. I don't love ramen that much."
"Objection denied! I want ramen!"
Kakashi shoved him forward toward the mountain path without listening.
Akira sighed helplessly.
"Did the ramen god curse everyone in Konoha? Why is everyone obsessed with this stuff?"
---
When they arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, Kakashi ordered familiarly.
"Two bowls of tonkotsu chashu ramen. Extra portions!"
The owner Teuchi looked surprised seeing the pair.
"Oh? Kakashi, did you take on a student?"
Kakashi smiled.
"Yeah. My prized disciple."
Akira glanced up at him.
Although they hadn't formally established a teacher-student relationship, hearing the word "disciple" didn't feel bad.
"Uncle Teuchi, your ramen is famous throughout the village," Akira said casually.
Teuchi beamed.
"That's right! The kid has good taste! Here, I'll add some extra toppings!"
He enthusiastically piled a mountain of chashu pork and marinated eggs into Akira's bowl.
Akira stared at the massive bowl and laughed awkwardly.
Kakashi immediately exposed him.
"Don't believe him, Uncle. On the way here he said he doesn't even like ramen."
To protect the meat in his bowl, Akira quickly improvised.
"That was before I smelled your cooking! Now that I smell it, I feel like not opening ramen shops across the entire Land of Fire is a crime against the ninja world!"
He slurped a huge mouthful of noodles.
Teuchi laughed loudly.
"Kid knows how to talk! I'll give you an extra plate of bamboo shoots too!"
Akira buried his head in the bowl and ate happily.
Kakashi watched with gentle eyes.
---
After finishing the meal, they went their separate ways.
Akira hummed a tune as he walked back home.
But when he reached his front steps, he suddenly stopped.
Two small figures were leaning against each other on the steps, their heads bobbing sleepily.
"These two girls… why are they sleeping here?"
Ino was one thing.
But Hinata was the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan.
How had Hiashi not sent someone to drag her home?
Akira sighed and walked over.
Seeing the two peaceful sleeping faces, he couldn't bear to wake them.
He gently picked up Ino and placed her on a lounge chair in his yard, covering her with a blanket.
Then he carried the sleeping Hinata on his back and walked toward the Hyūga compound.
After about ten minutes, they arrived at the grand gate of the clan estate.
Akira lightly shook the girl on his back.
"Hinata, wake up. We're home."
Hinata rubbed her eyes sleepily.
Several seconds later she realized she was lying on Akira's back.
Boom!
Her face turned bright red instantly.
"Akira-kun… why are you… carrying me…"
Akira chuckled helplessly.
"When I got home, you two were sleeping on my doorstep like little pigs. What happened? Why didn't you go home so late?"
Hinata's voice was barely audible.
"We… wanted to see you… but you didn't come back… we were worried something happened… so we waited…"
Akira felt warmth in his chest.
His voice softened.
"Don't do that next time. I'm not going to disappear."
"If you want to wait, just go inside. Sleeping outside like that—you'll catch a cold."
Hinata murmured softly.
"I'm sorry… Akira-kun."
Even while apologizing, lying on his warm back made her heart feel sweet like honey.
Akira smiled gently.
"Alright, enough with the polite apologies."
He reached out and gently brushed aside the strands of hair that the night wind had blown across her face.
"Remember this. If it's dark, don't wait outside like that."
"If I'm late, it just means something delayed me."
"If you really want to wait, go inside. The night wind is cold."
"If you get sick, I'd feel bad."
Hinata lowered her head shyly.
"I understand… Akira-kun."
Her pale eyes shimmered with obedience and embarrassment.
Akira chuckled softly.
"Alright, go inside. You're home."
"I still have to escort Ino back. Someone has to act as her bodyguard."
---
After safely sending both girls home, Akira finally returned to his own place.
He had barely touched the pillow when—
Crack!
A faint sound came from the roof.
The sound of roof tiles being stepped on.
In the silent night, it was as loud as thunder.
Akira instantly sprang up from the bed like a compressed spring.
His sleepiness vanished completely.
After a brief moment of thought, chakra surged into his feet.
Body Flicker Jutsu.
In the next second, he appeared silently in his courtyard.
Moonlight poured down like liquid silver.
Two shadowy figures dashed across the roof.
The one chasing wore a patterned mask—clearly the uniform of the Anbu.
"ANBU executing a mission?"
Akira frowned slightly.
"If ANBU are involved, the one fleeing ahead must be someone important."
Curiosity clawed at his mind like a cat's paw.
Should he follow them?
Just as the two figures were about to disappear into the distance—
Akira finally couldn't resist.
His figure flickered and melted into the night.
This chase carried them all the way to the ancient forest behind Konoha.