Read 20+ Chapter's Ahead in Patreon
Kakashi's recovery brought Kitagawa Gen's life back to its usual rhythm.
Perhaps it was because he had expressed his desire to apply for the Chūnin Exams, but Kakashi had started deliberately taking him along on missions, increasing his task load.
However, due to the ongoing issue with Kirigakure, they were still mostly confined to operations around the outskirts of Konoha. That naturally meant there were no high-level missions to take on for now.
Fortunately, Kakashi seemed concerned he might get bored. Aside from teaching him essential shinobi knowledge, he also imparted quite a few jutsu to him.
In a way, it could be said that Kakashi was helping him down a path of "whitewashing."
"You really do pick things up quickly, kid."
At a quiet training ground in Konoha, Kakashi sat down beside Kitagawa Gen with a two-stick popsicle in hand. He snapped it in two and handed over one half.
"But why are you learning so many jutsu? I think you should be putting more focus into the Flying Thunder God Technique. Either that, or you could work on expanding your Purple Lightning."
The moment he brought up Purple Lightning, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a bit odd. That jutsu seemed unnervingly well-suited for him.
Not only did it incorporate the core characteristics of Raikiri, but it had also been upgraded, becoming a technique that balanced offense and defense with impressive harmony.
If not for the fact that his Sharingan had been devouring his chakra at an increasingly alarming rate, he would have seriously considered learning it himself.
"Haven't I already been expanding on it?"
Kitagawa Gen was not polite; he took the popsicle and then said with a smile.
"But for now, is my main task really supposed to be focusing on the Flying Thunder God?"
"Then why bother learning all these other jutsu?"
"Well, it's just to broaden my abilities a bit. They aren't exactly hard to learn anyway."
Not hard?
Kakashi no longer felt like talking to him. He himself had only managed to copy over a thousand jutsu thanks to his Sharingan.
While Kitagawa Gen hadn't learned nearly as many jutsu or explored such a wide range, his focus remained primarily on Lightning Release, Fire Release, and Earth Release.
Even so, the speed at which he absorbed techniques was nothing short of astonishing, leaving Kakashi more than a little incredulous.
For a brief moment, Kakashi even wondered whether the title of "Copy Ninja" might be more fitting for this boy.
After all, this brat had managed to learn his kenjutsu right in front of his eyes.
"Kakashi-sensei, why aren't you eating?"
Just as Kakashi was lost in thought, Kitagawa Gen glanced at him curiously, then broke into laughter.
"Come to think of it, why do you always wear that mask? Are you just shy or something?"
"It's just a habit."
Kakashi shook his head, clearly uninterested in discussing the matter. Instead, his tone shifted, becoming more thoughtful.
"By the way, what kind of weapon do you prefer? Are you used to using a short blade?"
"A short blade?"
Kitagawa Gen gave him an odd look. He turned his head, dangling the popsicle from his lips as he stared up at the sky, wondering if Kakashi was planning to give him that broken short sword of his.
Actually, that wouldn't be so bad.
If he remembered correctly, Kakashi's short blade was particularly good at conducting chakra. If paired with his Purple Lightning, it might lead to even greater results.
"I think that would work just fine, Kakashi-sensei."
As the thought took root in his mind, Kitagawa Gen turned his head back toward him, only for his expression to freeze in disbelief.
Kakashi already had his head down, reading Icha Icha Paradise, while the popsicle stick stood upright in the ground.
"Wait, you're finished it already?"
"It was just half a popsicle. Not much to eat anyway."
Kakashi gave him a puzzled glance, then nodded thoughtfully.
"Since you can use it, then in a few days I'll prepare a gift for you."
Kitagawa Gen hadn't guessed wrong; Kakashi truly had such an idea in mind.
Because of the Sharingan in his left eye, he had long since changed his approach to combat.
In his memories, Uchiha Obito had died because of him, and he now bore Obito's eye.
Naturally, he hoped to make full use of that eye's power to honor Obito's sacrifice, even if his body could hardly keep up with the Sharingan's growing consumption.
Now, however, the emergence of new developments had only served, in a way, to further strengthen certain convictions.
Uchiha Obito was a hero, not some lost and wandering wraith in the world of the living. That Sharingan was the most tangible proof of Obito's legacy.
And since this kid, Kitagawa Gen, seemed to have learned his kenjutsu and was his student besides, then why not entrust him with the blade he no longer used?
Let it be a gift, then—a token of a teacher's regard for his disciple.
"Although, that sword is broken. I'll need to have it repaired first."
Kakashi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Then he closed his book with a soft snap and rose to his feet.
"All right, you take your time and keep training. Reflect carefully on the Flying Thunder God Technique or think about ways to improve your Lightning Release. I'll go prepare your gift."
"What, you're just leaving like that...?"
Watching Kakashi's retreating back, Kitagawa Gen gave a little shrug and chose not to dwell on it. Right now, it really was time to devote more effort elsewhere.
◇◆────────────────◆◇
[Name: Kitagawa Gen]
[Age: 13]
[Bloodline: Ōtsutsuki (Development Level: 13 percent)]
[Chakra Capacity: S Rank (Above average for Kage level)]
◇◆────────────────◆◇
Kitagawa Gen opened his status panel, gave it a quick glance, and nodded silently to himself.
Although receiving Kimimaro's Yang Release hadn't resulted in any dramatic surge in chakra, even this "subtle" growth was impressive in its own right.
What's more, he had never stopped working hard. Even at night, he remained diligent, continuing his senjutsu training and deepening his familiarity with it. His growth had never once come to a halt.
"If I push a little harder and bring the development level up to fifteen percent, there should be another boost in my chakra reserves. And besides..."
While mulling this over, he suddenly pulled out a kunai. As chakra flickered softly around it, a peculiar marking appeared upon its surface.
This was where the unique nature of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline truly began to show.
As long as a technique was compatible with his bloodline, or if he already possessed a similar innate trait, then with a clear enough sense of direction, exploring and awakening that power became significantly easier.
After all, chakra control came to him almost instinctively.
And this trait would only grow stronger as his bloodline continued to develop.
"Space-time techniques are something the Ōtsutsuki inherently possess. And chakra control is effortless for me. So..."
Gazing at the seal etched upon the kunai, Kitagawa Gen allowed a faint smile to tug at the corners of his lips. But soon after, he shook his head.
"It's still too crude. Maybe I haven't explored the concept deeply enough. But..."
Kitagawa Gen seemed to remember that Uchiha Obito had a Flying Thunder God seal etched onto his back.
The seals used for the Flying Thunder God technique seemed to resonate with one another, even if they were not perfectly identical.
He couldn't be certain whether this was due to his own perception or if that was how it naturally worked, but at the very least, he could sense something now.
The last time he encountered Uchiha Obito, he had not yet begun delving into the power of space-time. Naturally, he could not have sensed the Flying Thunder God seal then.
But things were different now!
Of course, if the mark was too far away, he likely wouldn't be able to do anything with it yet.
After all, when it came to the Flying Thunder God, he was still a complete beginner—one who had only just stepped through the door by sheer effort and determination.
But if the enemy was within arm's reach when he went all out, well, that would be another story entirely.
"Hmm?"
In the midst of his thoughts, Kitagawa Gen suddenly felt a twitch in his eyelid. He knew what that meant—his system was probably about to issue a mission.
[New Side Mission Acquired]
[Cut through the darkness of the ninja world and soar through the realms of space]
[Acquire the mission to travel to Kirigakure and let Uchiha Obito witness the might of the Flying Thunder God Technique]
"..."
Staring at the mission, Kitagawa Gen was momentarily dumbfounded.
After a while, he finally looked up at the towering Hokage Rock in the distance, and the corner of his mouth twitched faintly.
"…You're kidding me This counts too?"
**
**
[IMAGE]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Chapter End's]
🖤 Night_FrOst/ Patreon 🤍
Visit my Patreon for Early Chapter:
https://www.patreon.com/Night_FrOst
Extra Content Already Available