Kakashi, over there, was also a sensible kid.
He immediately understood Hagoromo's intent and followed up calmly,
"Minato-sensei, we should be taking our leave as well."
"What? Leaving already?" Obito protested at once.
"I was still planning on having a fated showdown with Hagoromo! And I haven't even finished today's training yet—I was going to ask Minato-sensei to—"
A fated showdown?
When did Obito get infected by some bowl-cut, green jumpsuit–wearing weirdo?
Hagoromo slapped his palm hard against his forehead.
Read the room, Obito. Read. The. Room.
"Obito," Rin said gently, "we really should head back."
"Uh… well, if Rin says so…" Obito scratched his head awkwardly and finally agreed to disband.
Obito's rampages never needed Kakashi to suppress them.
Nor did they need Hagoromo to intervene.
All it took was one look and one sentence from Nohara Rin.
Students' good intentions were something a teacher would naturally accept.
"Alright then," Minato said warmly.
"Go back and get some proper rest. Now that you're back in the village, you can finally relax—especially you two, Obito and Rin."
Minato and Kakashi were used to the rhythm of war.
But for Rin and Obito, who had only been on the battlefield for three months, the strain had been severe.
This time, they had a seven-day rest period, enough to truly recover inside the village.
After Minato finished speaking, the group finally split up.
Hagoromo had gotten a close look at the Yellow Flash.
The three students had gotten an equally close look at the Red-Hot Habanero.
What more could anyone ask for? Time to go home.
The only unfortunate part was that Hagoromo and Obito lived in the same direction.
Which meant Hagoromo had to endure Obito's nonstop chatter the entire way.
The Next Day
Minato treated his students to barbecue.
Naturally, this invitation also included KamiKamishiro Hagoromo.
Given Hagoromo's past circumstances—living entirely off Konoha's orphan relief—something like barbecue had once been a luxury bordering on fantasy.
After officially becoming a Genin, that relief stipend had stopped automatically. Neither he nor Kushina had much interest in grinding low-rank missions, so his income was still limited.
If he wanted barbecue, his only option was clinging to Kushina's leg for sponsorship.
Otherwise, it remained a distant dream.
Now, however—
The future Fourth Hokage was paying.
So would he go?
Of course he would. Why wouldn't he?
"It's been a long time since I've been back in Konoha," Minato said after ordering.
"I really missed the taste of Konoha's barbecue."
Given Minato's mission volume and rank, he firmly belonged to the highest income bracket in the village. Even if they emptied the entire restaurant, it wouldn't make a dent in his wallet.
Everyone knew that—so no one bothered holding back.
Rin and Obito were dressed much more casually today. Though they still carried basic weapons, it wasn't the full combat gear from the day before. After a full night's rest, they looked much more refreshed.
Resting on the front lines and resting in Konoha were two completely different things.
At the front, vigilance was constant.
In the rear, safety was nearly guaranteed.
Rin had said that casualties had already appeared among their peers.
That was a gentle way of putting it.
The truth was that in just three short months, more than half of the newly graduated ninja had been killed or injured.
Even shinobi at Minato's level—bordering on Kage-class—couldn't guarantee safety in every battle. For brand-new Genin, survival was even less certain.
War always came with death.
And death was always impartial.
It could claim a Kage-class warrior—or an unknown Genin.
A Hokage's child—or a nameless ninja.
Returning to Konoha allowed those who had walked out of the battlefield to temporarily forget that weight.
"You two are really developing forbidden jutsus together?" Minato asked casually while eating.
Most of the conversation was between Minato and Kushina.
The kids were mostly just listening.
Hagoromo, for his part, was too busy stuffing his mouth to talk at all.
Kushina, meanwhile, was proudly showing off her genius student—only to be met with Minato's obvious shock.
"What's the problem?" she said unhappily.
"I taught you plenty of forbidden jutsus when you were young, didn't I? In my opinion, Hagoromo's talent is even greater than yours."
Minato laughed awkwardly.
Had Kushina developed a habit of embarrassing him in front of the younger generation? That didn't feel like a good trend.
"Well, that's—" Minato began.
Before he could finish, Kushina turned to Hagoromo instead.
"Hagoromo. Show Minato one of your jutsus."
"…Here?" Hagoromo swallowed hurriedly and hesitated.
"Isn't this a bit inappropriate for a barbecue restaurant?"
Kushina had said your jutsu.
Hagoromo knew exactly which one she meant.
And from this very moment onward—
The Copy Ninja would truly become the Copy Ninja.
Because the only original jutsu he would ever create was about to be pirated.
By a shameless transmigrator.
"Just do it," Kushina snapped.
"So much nonsense."
After receiving another not-too-light smack on the head, Hagoromo had no choice but to extend one hand.
Everyone looked confused.
What was this? A hand-modeling demonstration?
Kakashi studied Hagoromo carefully.
Two years older than himself. Slightly taller. Same hair color. Pale complexion. Lean build.
Honestly, Hagoromo felt unfamiliar to him.
Even though they'd spent half a year in the Academy together, Kakashi barely remembered him. By contrast, Might Guy was unforgettable.
After all, no one could forget someone who challenged them dozens of times a day.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Hagoromo announced calmly,
"what you are about to witness is a newly developed jutsu. Please observe closely. This move is called—Chidori."
As he spoke, he raised his forearm slightly. His right hand relaxed, fingers loosely curled.
In the very next instant—
A piercing chirping sound erupted.
Brilliant blue lightning burst to life in his palm.
The crackling chakra seemed almost alive, leaping wildly within his hand. His fingers trembled as if barely able to restrain it.
Danger.
Destruction.
They seemed ready to explode at any moment.
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