"No big deal. It's just that while practicing the Spirit Transformation Technique, there were some changes."
In response to Ino's question, Hikari answered gently.
"The Spirit Transformation Technique? You already got it that fast?"
Compared to the confusion of Shikamaru and Chōji, Ino knew exactly what was going on. They had only discussed the Spirit Transformation Technique yesterday, yet he had already obtained and learned it by today.
'The Hokage-sama is way too generous to him!'
'And his training speed is ridiculously fast!'
"When you're as handsome as me, you'll understand that this is only natural. After all, in the entire Konoha, the only one who can barely compete with me in looks is Kakashi!" Hikari declared with complete confidence, making the trio beside him burst out laughing.
"Haha, that's so shameless!"
Hikari shook his head with a smile, then formed hand seals and split off two shadow clones to deal with the White Zetsu corpses nearby.
To him, these were extremely valuable experimental materials.
White Zetsu were weapons created by Ōtsutsuki Kaguya using the God Tree. They could mimic human chakra precisely because they originated from the God Tree.
The origin of chakra is the Ten-Tails, so this sort of imitation was only natural.
Although these White Zetsu were originally humans, they had been completely altered by the God Tree's catalyzation. They were no longer human—only biological weapons.
Using them as sacrifices for the Impure World Reincarnation would allow the deceased to regain their full power from when they were alive.
And they also had various other special traits. Hikari had coveted White Zetsu for a long time, but previously he didn't want to draw attention, so he never went after them.
But now that they had all been subdued by Yakumo's genjutsu, it was the perfect chance to seal them.
As for the White Zetsu that had died, they had already turned into trees. However, adhering to a spirit of frugality, Hikari collected these trees as well.
Before long, the scene was restored to its original state. Hikari even used Earth Release to fix the ground. Aside from looking a bit newer, no one would ever guess anything had happened here.
"Hikari-senpai, what on earth were those things?" Shikamaru asked curiously.
Beings that could transform into people and turn into trees after death... it seemed there was no such strange species in the shinobi world, right?
"Those were White Zetsu. You only need to know the name. But keep this a secret—even from your parents. It's not the right time yet."
Shikamaru hesitated. "Hikari-senpai, if these White Zetsu transformed into our parents, how would we tell the difference?"
Hikari replied, "As long as I'm here, they won't dare come again. And besides—there's Yakumo. Telling your parents will only make them worry."
"And White Zetsu aren't scary. I can deal with them effortlessly. What matters is the person behind them. You all need to train hard—danger is coming. If you don't train as hard as Naruto and Sasuke, you won't even qualify to participate in the war."
The moment these words came out, Shikamaru's expression tightened.
He trusted that Hikari would never lie to him—which meant there were enemies in this shinobi world that even Hikari was wary of.
"Hikari-senpai, we'll definitely work hard!" Chōji promised loudly.
Recently, he could clearly feel the changes in his body. Compared to other Akimichi, his attacks were stronger, his defense was solid, and even when using the Multi-Size Technique, his speed was noticeably faster.
And all of this was thanks to Hikari.
"I have complete faith in you, Chōji." Hikari reached out and ruffled Chōji's hair.
"The future belongs to you youngsters. Naruto and Sasuke will definitely become the strongest of your generation. Hinata will probably be impressive too. If you three don't want to fall behind, then you'd better work hard."
"Mm-hmm! I'll definitely train hard!"
Ino smiled brightly at Hikari. "I have a slightly personal question... I wonder if Hikari-senpai can answer it?"
"No." Hikari refused instantly.
"Don't be like thaaat!"
Ino refused to give up. She grabbed his arm and shook it. "Hikari-senpai, just hear me out!"
"Ugh..." Hikari, Shikamaru, and Chōji all made the same dubious sound.
More accurately—expressions of disgust.
"You three... don't be ungrateful!" Ino was angry now. And that meant danger!
Shikamaru and Chōji immediately turned their heads away, pretending to admire the scenery. Hikari sighed in defeat. "Fine. One question only. After that we're going to eat."
"Great! Then... is Kakashi-senpai handsome or not?" Ino asked, clearly curious about the mysterious masked jonin.
"He's just a little bit worse than me!" Hikari extended his thumb and index finger, showing a tiny gap.
"I don't believe that! Kakashi-senpai wears a mask—he must be more handsome!"
"I can't agree with that. Kakashi is still just that tiny bit below me. Otherwise, why would I be Konoha's number one most handsome man instead of him?"
"Ahem... I'm right here." A voice suddenly came from the tree above, making the Ino–Shika–Chō trio look up. It was Kakashi.
Hikari didn't even bother lifting his head. "Of course I knew you were there. Got a problem with what I said?"
A problem?
Kakashi could only roll his eyes at the word. What a joke—of course he, the Copy Ninja Kakashi, was Konoha's most handsome man.
No contest.
"Ahem. The sensory division noticed something unusual here and sent me to check." Kakashi explained his purpose.
Hikari spread his hands and pointed at the empty ground. "Maybe the sensory division made a mistake. Nothing unusual here."
Kakashi sighed helplessly at Hikari's blatant uncooperativeness. He couldn't beat him anyway, so he looked toward the trio. His usual dead-fish eye suddenly sharpened with killing intent.
"Shikamaru, Ino, Chōji. Tell the truth. What happened here?"
"Uh..."
This Kakashi felt completely different from the fake one earlier. The pressure instantly multiplied several times.
"Alright, alright. I'll report this to Tsunade-sama. If you've got nothing else, go pay for Naruto's meal bill!"
Kakashi's dead-fish eye returned. "Why should I pay for Naruto's food? Don't they have enough money to eat?"
Hikari: 'You underestimate Hinata's appetite way too much.'
Naruto and Sasuke didn't have much money left.
They hadn't done missions lately and were only training. Even a lot of money gets burnt through fast.
And Hinata was a big eater.
"Just go. You two are close anyway. Hmm... how about this? You pull down your mask and let these three see your face, and I'll go pay the bill."
"Yes yes yes!" Ino clapped in excitement.
She and Sakura were close friends, and Sakura had told her many times that none of them had ever seen Kakashi's real face. If she could see it today, she'd have something amazing to brag to Sakura about.
Just thinking about it made her happy.
"Heh. Why would I bet with you? I'm leaving." Without warning, Kakashi vanished with Body Flicker.
Leaving behind a very disappointed Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
And a completely indifferent Kamizuki Hikari.
He had zero curiosity about Kakashi's real face.