Chapter 37: Kakashi's Recognition
The afternoon always seemed to pass slowly.
Sunlight filtered through the branches, scattering across the road and creating a tranquil, warm atmosphere.
Konoha's bustling streets, however, were just as lively as ever.
It was as if no great war had taken place, and the sacrifices of the fallen shinobi had never disturbed the lives of the civilians.
"We're tied at five wins each."
"So this final match will decide everything."
Sigh...
"I guess refusing is pointless."
"So for the deciding match..."
"I get to choose the event, right?"
"What'll it be?"
"Taijutsu?"
"A hundred-meter sprint?"
"Diving?"
"Or maybe an eating contest?"
"Forget it."
"I need to conserve chakra lately."
"Let's just settle it with rock-paper-scissors."
"I accept!"
"I definitely won't lose."
"Kakashi!"
"If you lose, you'll have to walk around Konoha on your hands five hundred times."
"Hmph!"
"Then it's settled."
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
Watching the two of them playing rock-paper-scissors beneath a tree in the distance, Pakura pressed her lips together, trying desperately not to burst into laughter.
There are so many idiots in Konoha.
No...
My stomach hurts.
I'm Pakura, a hero of Sunagakure.
I have to maintain my composure.
One was the son of the White Fang.
The other was the son of Might Duy.
Yet they were settling their rivalry with rock-paper-scissors.
These two were truly something else.
Ever since seeing the black-masked guy acting so strangely, Pakura had wanted to laugh.
She had never expected the sons of two legendary shinobi—
One whose very name once caused Sunagakure to abandon missions...
And one who had kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist into complete disarray...
To turn out so unbelievably silly.
Neither of them looked like they could pose any threat to Sunagakure.
"Go ahead and laugh."
Asuka watched the two competitors expressionlessly.
He wasn't planning to stir up trouble today.
After all...
He still had a match with Kakashi tonight.
He might as well let him enjoy the afternoon.
"Pfft..."
"Hahaha!"
"I really never imagined the White Fang's son would turn out like this."
"If Elder Chiyo found out..."
"She'd probably be delighted for quite a while."
Hearing that, Asuka glanced at Pakura's smug expression and said slowly,
"Hmm."
"They've always been like this."
"I've been trying to stir things up between them for years."
"It never works."
"There has to be something wrong with them."
Pakura rested her chin on one hand, pretending to analyze the situation seriously.
"I heard Kakashi had one of his eyes replaced with a Sharingan."
"Could he have been influenced by it?"
"That news reached Sunagakure?"
"Konoha never hid it."
"Anyone who pays attention to Konoha's intelligence knows the White Fang's son possesses a Sharingan."
At that moment, a thought suddenly struck Pakura.
Staring into Asuka's eyes, she asked in confusion,
"How could the Uchiha Clan simply allow a Sharingan to leave the clan?"
"It didn't exactly 'leave the clan.'"
Asuka shrugged.
After confirming the direction they were walking, he continued,
"His Sharingan came from a legitimate source."
"It was a gift from a comrade, given willingly."
"Besides..."
"His teacher is the Fourth Hokage."
"If any clan members have objections..."
"They can keep them to themselves."
"Furthermore..."
"The Uchiha Clan has always been loyal to Konoha."
"The clan also recognizes Kakashi's talent."
"There's no need to destroy a genius over a single eye."
"It's only a two-tomoe Sharingan."
"A few elders grumble about it."
"Everyone else simply pretends not to notice."
"We're not the Hyūga Clan."
Cough! Cough!
Just then, someone coughed nearby.
Asuka stopped and turned toward the Hyūga clansman standing not far away.
"Lord Hizashi."
"Hmm."
Hyūga Hizashi nodded.
Glancing at Pakura walking beside Asuka, he said quietly,
"Make sure the Hidden Sand shinobi doesn't get hurt."
"The negotiations are nearly finished."
"Understood."
After watching Hizashi leave with a pregnant woman, Asuka and Pakura stepped aside.
Pakura folded her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Is that the Hyūga Clan Head?"
"No."
"That's Hizashi."
"The child in his brother Hiashi's wife's womb will become the next Hyūga Clan Head."
"Actually..."
"I think Hiashi is the one who ought to get a vasectomy."
"Think about it."
"According to the Hyūga Clan's rules..."
"Once he has this child..."
"Every child afterward will receive the Caged Bird Seal."
"Isn't that basically ruining your own children?"
"A vasectomy would solve everything."
"It'd bring happiness to the Hiashi family."
"And save him from agonizing over whether future children should become branch family members."
"Tsk."
"The Hyūga Clan really is feudal."
"Mm. Mm."
"Asuka."
"I recently heard you advised your Clan Head to get a divorce."
"What's that about?"
"Just how many spies does Sunagakure have in Konoha?"
"Even something like that reached your ears?"
"A lot."
"So..."
"You'd better be careful when you come to Sunagakure."
"Don't let them dig out your eyes."
Sigh...
"Without Uchiha blood..."
"The Sharingan has severe side effects."
The two gradually disappeared into the distance beneath the setting sun.
Their shadows stretched long across the road.
The civilians walking nearby lowered their heads, vaguely watching the exaggerated movements of those shadows.
A gentle spring breeze swept through Konoha, rustling the treetops.
---
Congratulations, Host.
Through perseverance and wisdom, you have successfully demonstrated your talent to Kakashi.
Although your talent at the same age is somewhat inferior to Uchiha Itachi's, Kakashi believes that given enough time, you will undoubtedly reach a level comparable to Itachi.
You have now earned Kakashi's recognition.
Would you like to claim your rewards?
As expected...
Using tricks to force Kakashi into fighting had admittedly gone against Kakashi's wishes.
Recalling how he had used the excuse of helping Kakashi practice his Sharingan...
Forced him to activate it...
Rapidly drained his chakra...
Then defeated him within only a few minutes...
Asuka let out a long sigh.
Watching Kakashi's departing figure, he tugged at his collar, letting the cool evening breeze flow into his clothes and carry away the lingering heat.
Kakashi's mastery of the Sharingan was improving faster and faster.
It had been a close call.
They had nearly fought for a full ten minutes.
"Claim."
The moment the words left his mouth, a sharp pain shot through Asuka's eyes.
As the pain intensified, his Sharingan activated automatically and began spinning rapidly.
The warm current flowing into his eyes this time was just as astonishing as before.
Nearly twenty times stronger than the previous reward.
If his Sharingan's awakening progress were quantified...
Before obtaining the system:
[3000 / 10000]
After completing the first mission:
[3000.5 / 10000]
After completing the second mission:
[3120.5 / 10000]
After completing this mission:
[3320.5 / 10000]
A full increase of 200.
If the next mission rewards me again...
Will I still be under four thousand?
That would be terrifying.
The thought that only two more missions might awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan caused Asuka's raised arm to freeze.
I don't even have a brother.
What am I supposed to do if I awaken the Mangekyō and go blind?
Clink!
A crisp metallic sound rang out.
Following the sound, Asuka saw an ancient bronze key appear on the ground.
Mysterious Key
Can open a mysterious chest containing Uchiha secrets. It may contain forbidden techniques capable of greatly increasing your strength.
"...?"
Asuka tightly gripped the key.
He stood up...
Walked around the area several times searching...
Then returned to where he started.
System...
Where's the chest?
Whoosh...
A gentle breeze drifted past.
Looking at the silent system, Asuka's expression gradually darkened.
A key...
Without a chest?
Where exactly am I supposed to find something this key can open?
Looking down at the exquisitely crafted ancient key in his hand, Asuka twitched the corner of his mouth before silently putting it into his pocket.
As a jōnin of the Uchiha Clan, he knew most of the clan's secrets.
Yet he had never heard of any mysterious locked chest belonging to the Uchiha.
Could it be...
Inside the Clan Head's house?
Or hidden in the clan treasury?
Looking up at the moon hanging overhead, Asuka pondered aloud,
"I've shed blood for the clan."
"I've made contributions to the clan."
"And soon I'll even be representing the clan in the Hidden Sand."
"So..."
"It shouldn't be a problem if I browse through the clan treasury tomorrow, right?"
"The treasury is inside the Clan Head's residence."
"I'll check then."
His attention then shifted to the final reward.
Once You Eat It, You'll Love It
(Extra Stinky, Extra Spicy Luosifen)
Unlimited Supply
Ready to Eat Upon Opening
Whoosh.
A large bowl of luosifen instantly appeared before Asuka.
The familiar pungent aroma he had missed for so long drifted toward him.
Sour bamboo shoots...
Wood ear mushrooms...
Pickled long beans...
Along with generous portions of vegetables, peanuts, and snail meat.
The colors were vibrant.
The presentation was excellent.
"Not bad."
"It exceeded my expectations."
"I thought it'd be one of those disappointing instant-pack versions."
Holding the bowl of luosifen, Asuka couldn't resist taking a large sip of the broth before eagerly slurping the noodles.
A satisfied smile soon spread across his face.
"Mm..."
"The spice level is perfect."
"And it tastes great."