Chapter 16: Chapter 16

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Forest of Death

Two figures blurred and clashed in rapid motion, so fast their silhouettes were barely distinguishable.

Kitazawa paused, eyes widening with interest.

Originally, he’d left the academy intending to find Might Gai. Bringing Hinata along had simply been an opportunity to start her special training.

But now, he stood still, content to watch the intense one-on-one battle unfolding before him—a pure contest between men.

He knew both combatants well.

Might Gai, in his trademark green jumpsuit and radiant enthusiasm, spun and struck with flamboyant precision.

Opposite him was Kakashi Hatake, silver-haired and masked, only his single visible eye betraying a sharp alertness that contrasted his otherwise languid demeanor.

Kitazawa focused his attention on Gai’s movements.

Moments later, he recognized the technique: the Leaf Great Whirlwind.

Though he tried to memorize the strikes and footwork, he knew that Taijutsu wasn’t just about form. The crucial element lay in the method of delivering force. Without someone to teach him proper application—or a Sharingan to analyze it in slow motion—he’d never fully master it on sight alone.

With a resounding bang, the two fighters broke apart, leaping back from each other.

“That’s enough for today,” Kakashi said coolly, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Kitazawa’s here. I’m guessing he didn’t come out this far just for the scenery.”

“Then we’ll continue our youthful battle next time!” Gai exclaimed, chest heaving, sweat glistening on his brow.

Kitazawa stepped forward with a nod. “Gai. Kakashi.”

Kakashi’s single visible eye flicked to Hinata, who was half-hidden behind Kitazawa like a shy kitten. “What brings you out here at this hour, Kitazawa?”

“I finished classes and thought I’d pay a visit,” Kitazawa said lightly. “This is one of my students—Hyuga Hinata.”

Gai’s eyes sparkled. “Hyuga Clan’s Gentle Fist! I’ve always admired their style!”

“She’s still just a kid,” Kakashi interjected dryly.

Gai paused, scratching his cheek with one finger. It was true—the Hyuga Clan, while highly respected, wasn’t easy to approach. Unlike the Uchiha Clan’s icy arrogance, the Hyuga were simply bound by layer upon layer of rigid rules.

“Actually, Gai—I’m here because I need a favor,” Kitazawa said bluntly.

“Oh?” Kakashi said. Then, without waiting for further explanation, he lifted a hand in casual farewell. “Well, I’ll leave you two to it. I’ve got Anbu business to handle.”

And with a swirl of leaves, Kakashi vanished.

Kitazawa’s lips twitched. He strongly suspected Kakashi had bolted to avoid being dragged into another of Gai’s “youthful challenges”. In the original timeline, Gai had latched onto Kakashi as his eternal rival, trying to outdo him in everything from sparring to rock-paper-scissors—a persistence that had even the stoic Kakashi on edge.

Truly, it was proof that even the strongest men could fear a determined eccentric.

“Can you teach me the Leaf Great Whirlwind?” Kitazawa asked without preamble.

“Of course!” Gai gave a booming laugh, flashing a thumbs-up so bright it practically sparkled. “The power of fiery youth must be shared! Everyone should train in Taijutsu and sweat together!”

In the original timeline, Gai had even taught Kakashi the secrets of the Eight Gates, a forbidden technique. Compared to that, the Leaf Great Whirlwind was practically a beginner’s move.

“Thanks,” Kitazawa said, grinning. Then a thought struck him. “By the way—do you know Rock Lee?”

Gai blinked. “Rock Lee? No, can’t say I do.”

Kitazawa wasn’t surprised. Rock Lee was only a second-year student right now. In the original future, he and Gai would become inseparable—mentor and student, bound by shared dreams and burning determination.

“He’s a student in Second Year, Class A,” Kitazawa explained. “You should meet him sometime.”

Gai tilted his head. “Why?”

“Because,” Kitazawa said, smiling, “he’s overflowing with youthful spirit—and he’d be perfect for your Taijutsu training.”

“Really?” Gai’s entire face lit up like the sun.

Gai suddenly lit up with enthusiasm.

In the ninja world, the bond between teacher and student was both common and deeply significant. Many ninja aspired to find a disciple who could inherit their techniques and spirit.

Gai was no exception.

But for him, finding a successor had always been especially difficult. After all, the Eight Gates technique was infamously grueling and dangerous to master.

“You’ll understand once you meet him,” Kitazawa said confidently. “He won’t disappoint you.”

“That’s… incredible!”

Gai froze in place, his body quivering as tears poured down his face. “This… this must be the power of youth!”

Four words popped into Kitazawa’s mind: Utterly awe-inspiring.

Meanwhile, Hinata was completely bewildered.

What… is going on? she thought. These adults are so strange…

“Excellent!”

Gai wiped away his tears and declared, “Then let’s have a youthful training session right here and now!”

“Hinata, since you’re already here, you’re joining too,” Kitazawa said, trailing after Gai.

“O-okay…”

Hinata blinked and nodded, still trying to process everything.

“Watch closely!”

Gai stopped in front of a large tree and shouted, “Leaf Great Whirlwind!”

He lashed out with a powerful low kick, striking the tree trunk. In a fluid motion, he twisted his body, transforming the low kick into a sharp upward strike.

Boom!

The tree shuddered from the impact. Leaves rained down around them, and a deep dent appeared in the bark.

“What insane power,” Kitazawa muttered under his breath, clicking his tongue.

Then again, it wasn’t surprising. In the original timeline, Gai’s relentless training was practically legendary. Apart from eating and sleeping, the man was a machine of pure effort.

“All right—your turn!”

Gai stepped aside, giving Kitazawa space.

Kitazawa took a deep breath and stepped forward. Mimicking the motions, he executed the Leaf Great Whirlwind with surprising ease.

“That’s amazing!”

Hinata couldn’t help blurting it out as she watched him land the technique perfectly on his first try.

Gai stared at Kitazawa, eyes wide. “Wait… have you trained in this before?”

“Nope,” Kitazawa replied calmly, shaking his head.

While he’d never formally learned the Leaf Great Whirlwind, he had already mastered the basics of the Leaf Whirlwind, which gave him a solid foundation.

“Kitazawa!” Gai exclaimed, gripping his shoulders, “Join me in the path of Taijutsu mastery! Let’s train and sweat together in the name of youth!”

Kitazawa cleared his throat and gently pried himself free. “I… don’t have that kind of time for constant training. Besides, we were classmates once. If we become teacher and student now, it’ll completely mess up our seniority.”

The thought of learning the Eight Gates made Kitazawa shiver inwardly. That was a lifetime sentence of grueling pain and effort.

He’d finally acquired a system. Wasn’t he allowed to enjoy life a little?

By midday, the training session wound down.

After just two hours, Kitazawa had fully mastered the Leaf Great Whirlwind.

Current Task: Master a C-rank Ninjutsu faster than Uchiha Sasuke.

4

Task Reward: Manipulating Shuriken Technique.

Host has completed the task. Reward granted.

Manipulating Shuriken Technique…

Kitazawa recalled it well. It was both a ninjutsu technique and a skill for throwing shuriken. In essence, it allowed the user to control shuriken mid-flight using nearly invisible threads—turning ordinary throws into lethal surprises.

“Gai, thanks for today,” Kitazawa said, wiping sweat from his brow. “Let me treat you to a meal. What do you feel like eating?”

“Ichiraku Ramen!” Gai exclaimed, striking a thumbs-up pose, his teeth gleaming.

Kitazawa chuckled, then glanced at Hinata. “Hinata, how about you?”

Hinata was flushed pink from exertion, her fair skin glistening with sweat and her usually tidy hair now a tousled mess.

“I… I’m fine,” she managed between quick breaths.

“Great. Let’s head to Ichiraku Ramen,” Kitazawa said, watching her thoughtfully. He was already plotting the second phase of her special training.

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