Chapter 17: Wind Style, Five Natures
After Raiton, Kakashi tried the other four chakra natures: Wind, Water, Fire, and Earth.
But unfortunately, the current Kakashi had only mastered the nature transformation and shape transformation for Raiton (Lightning Style) and Doton (Earth Style).
And Doton wasn't a chakra nature well-suited for offense with the White Fang.
Although Fūton (Wind Style), Suiton (Water Style), and Katon (Fire Style) chakra could be channeled into the White Fang like Raiton, because of Kakashi's own inexperience, their power was far inferior.
Looking at the White Fang in his hand, Kakashi decided to focus on researching the nature and shape transformation of Fūton.
Fūton was extremely well-suited for use with ninja tools. Also, in the original story, when Naruto was training to create the Rasenshuriken, he had analyzed the characteristics of wind chakra with Asuma's help.
Cutting.
If he had a master teacher, Kakashi could master the nature and shape transformation of Fūton at the fastest possible speed.
And the Fūton masters in Konoha...
Shimura Danzō?
...Better not.
Kakashi thought of the man obsessed with the Hokage's seat and immediately gave up on that option.
"I'm leaving, Guy."
Kakashi waved to Might Guy, who was in the middle of his hellish training nearby.
"OH!"
"Go ahead, Kakashi!"
"I'm still 500 short of my 1,000 push-ups!"
"And after that, I have 1,000 sit-ups!"
Might Guy shouted back.
"...You do that."
Kakashi was already used to this. He sheathed his White Fang and left the training ground.
"Waaaah!"
"Bearing the hopes of my best friend, I will not let Kakashi down!"
"BURN, MY YOUTH!"
"RAGE, MY FIGHTING SPIRIT!"
[Emotional Fluctuation from Might Guy +1]
[Chakra +1%]
Hearing Guy's hot-blooded roar from the training ground, Kakashi scratched his head, speechless.
Compared to Might Guy, am I a little... lazy?
But, sensing the half-a-Kakashi-unit of chakra left in his body, Kakashi gave up on the idea of training any more with Guy.
Anyone would seem like a decadent sloth compared to Might Guy.
The evening sun shone through the mottled shadows of the trees onto Kakashi's face. He looked up and saw a figure land in front of him.
"Kakashi. A summons from the Hokage-sama."
The person, wearing an ANBU mask, spoke calmly.
"Ah. I understand."
Kakashi replied and changed direction, heading for the Hokage Tower.
What is it now?
Kakashi quickened his pace.
He arrived at the Hokage's office. As he was about to knock on the partially open door, Hiruzen Sarutobi's weary voice came from within.
"Come in."
Kakashi pushed the door open.
Hiruzen was sitting in the Hokage's seat as always, but his face looked more tired than Kakashi remembered.
"You're here. Sit."
The Sandaime looked at the boy in whom he had placed high hopes and pointed to the sofa.
"Hokage-sama, you summoned me?"
Kakashi glanced at the coffee table. Someone had been here, and not long ago. There were still fresh water rings from tea on the table.
"Jiraiya will be back in Konoha tonight. When he arrives, you will go out on a mission with him and the others."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
Jiraiya... and me...
Jiraiya was Konoha's top fighting power aside from Hiruzen himself. What kind of mission required one of the Sannin?
"Do you remember Uchiha Mumei, whom Fugaku Uchiha asked you to inquire about?"
Hiruzen said, making Kakashi's heart pause.
It couldn't be...
"That's right. When Jiraiya returns, he will lead the team. You, Aburame Shibi, and Hyūga Hizashi will form a four-man cell to investigate whether Uchiha Mumei has broken her seal."
Seeing the slight change in Kakashi's expression, Hiruzen already guessed his thoughts.
Uchiha Mumei...
"If the seal is intact, you won't need to do anything."
"If the seal is broken, it means the mysterious masked man is very likely Uchiha Mumei in disguise."
Hearing this, Kakashi thought: Trouble.
But, thinking that Jiraiya would be there, even if he didn't want the mission, he figured he could go and just tag along.
He was Minato Namikaze's student, Minato was Jiraiya's student, and Jiraiya was Hiruzen's student.
He was just thinking about researching the nature and shape transformation of Fūton, and Jiraiya was the perfect person to ask.
If Kakashi wanted to master all five nature and shape transformations, Hiruzen Sarutobi was actually the best teacher.
He, like Kakashi, possessed all five chakra natures. He was an expert in all five, even able to combine them, ignoring the usual counters, to create the Goton: Dairendan no Jutsu (Great Five Elements Combo Technique).
"Well?"
"Are there any other problems?"
Hiruzen rubbed his tired eyes and looked at Kakashi.
"Well, I was thinking..."
Kakashi quickly told Hiruzen what was on his mind.
"You want to master the nature and shape transformations for all five chakra natures?"
Hiruzen looked at the boy with surprise.
"That's right. I've already succeeded in channeling Raikiri into the White Fang, bypassing the original weakness of needing the Sharingan to use it freely," Kakashi said seriously.
"Is that so..."
Hiruzen looked at Kakashi with admiration.
With Minato's sacrifice, Tsunade's impending departure, and Uchiha Mumei's potential escape... he had finally heard a piece of good news that gave him some comfort.
It just proves that Kakashi is Kakashi.
As expected of the genius who became a Jōnin at only twelve years old.
"Alright. Tonight, I will have Jiraiya bring you the training materials for all five natures."
Just like that, Hiruzen had solved the problem Kakashi had just run into.
This was the benefit of having connections and a powerful backer.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Kakashi said gratefully.
"There's no need for that between us. If Minato were still here, I'm sure he would have done the same."
Hiruzen shook his head and stood up, looking out the window at Konoha.
More than half a month had passed since the Nine-Tails attack. Konoha was almost completely rebuilt. The pain of the past seemed to be fading with time.
But that was just on the surface. That night, Konoha had not only lost the Yondaime Hokage, but also countless elite shinobi who had survived the war.
Konoha's current peace was just an illusion. The pain carved into its very bones was so hard to forget.