Chapter 176: Rekindling the Flames
There was a reason Kaida was a little aggressive from the start during the meeting.
Kakashi was a genius, that everyone knew. So what do you think would have happened when he stopped training and increasing his strength due to the loss of his loved ones?
Yes, many people all over Konoha would have given him advice on how to cope with the loss and how to move on.
But he was not able to do that, and there were two reasons for that. The first one lies in the same line:
'Everyone you're talking about has already been killed.' He simply thinks that since all his loved ones are already dead, what does increasing his strength will achieve? It is not like he could save them now.
The second reason being that he had already achieved every much a final goal of many ninjas, that is attaining Jonin-level strength. The rank too is around the corner, that's why he never did anything to increase his strength anymore.
At least these were the reasons Kaida could think of, that's why his plan was simple: give Kakashi two new reasons to once again work hard to increase his strength.
And these two reasons should counter his other two reasons for not doing any exercise.
1st reason: Naruto, his sensei's son, may need his help. So now Kakashi will not be alone; he will have the responsibility of protecting his sensei's child, who is a jinchuriki and is at constant risk even inside the village.
2nd reason, which Kaida gave to Kakashi, was hurting his ego a little. Just imagine you are a boy who everyone considers a genius, who had achieved something that many twice, even thrice your age, may not achieve even by practicing hard (Jonin-level strength). There is bound to be an ego inside you, especially when you are still in your teenage years. Kaida used that and showed Kakashi that an unknown Uchiha child, who is almost 8-9 years younger, is more powerful than him (Showed, not proved).
With this, Kakashi will know that he is not as powerful as he thought he was, and he will need to increase his strength in the future. Why? So that he could protect his sensei's son from both external and internal threats.
...
"What are you planning to do? You know that I could help you with many things, right?" Kakashi said with a fully serious tone.
"Of course, that's why I came to you, but now that we have actually met, I don't think further discussion is necessary. I wanted your strength also your support on helping Naruto, but it looks like I have to do it on my own," Kaida said.
"You can stop this facade. If you actually believed what you are saying, then you would have left without saying this rubbish," Kakashi said.
'That's Kakashi for you,' Kaida thought and then smiled, but this time it was a real smile.
"At least you are smart. Okay, I will tell you the full plan, but you have to insert your chakra into this seal," Kaida said, taking out a paper from his pocket.
"Let's take this discussion somewhere else," Kakashi said since they were in a restaurant, which by no means a safe place to discuss these types of things.
Kaida nodded his head with a smile. This was the reason Kaida had chosen the restaurant for the discussion because it would easily specify whether Kakashi was interested in the talk or not.
"Let's go to my house," Kakashi said.
"I'm not into boys, sorry," Kaida said while raising his head.
With a vein bulging on his forehead, Kakashi said, "I don't think it is time for jokes."
"Okay, I'm sorry," Kaida said and followed Kakashi to his house, only to find Guy waiting for Kakashi in front of his house.
"Yo! Kakashi, how are you?" Might Guy said as soon as he saw Kakashi, but seeing the extra serious look on Kakashi's face and Kaida accompanying him, Guy also changed his goofy behavior and became serious.
"Are you in any problem, Kakashi?" Guy said, standing in his position with the same stance he was standing in before.
But suddenly, Kaida felt that he was in danger. The back of his neck got a little wet from the sweat, even though there was a distance of 20 meters between him and Guy. For him, it felt like a punch was just a few millimeters away from his face.
"No, Guy, I have to discuss something with him," Kakashi said with a calm voice, and suddenly, all the pressure Kaida was feeling vanished.
'I am sure that in ninjutsu, kenjutsu, and genjutsu, I am above Guy, but the problem is his taijutsu skills are so developed that I instinctively felt danger from him. I am hundred percent sure that in an actual fight, Guy can wipe the floor with my face if he becomes serious and opens even three out of eight inner gates,' Kaida thought.
"Who are you, boy? I don't remember seeing you in the village."
"Yeah, I am just a newly promoted genin. My name is Kaida Uchiha, and I am currently doing my specialization on medical jutsu at the Konoha hospital," Kaida introduced himself.
Guy nodded his head, hearing Kaida's introduction and deducing that he was not a threat since he had heard about a young Uchiha who is doing quite well in the hospital.
But one thing about Kaida's introduction bugged him: 'A newly promoted genin and already possesses this level of strength.' But stopping his thought, he looked toward Kakashi and asked, "Okay, then can I also join you guys in the discussion?"
Kakashi gave this idea a thought but then shook his head, saying, "No, Guy, if I need your help, then I will directly come to you."
Guy looked at both Kakashi and Kaida for some time, then said, "Okay, try to complete whatever you are on to. Our challenge was not completed last time; we have to start that once again."
"Okay," Kakashi said with his eye smile.
Guy nodded toward Kaida and then left toward a Training area to continue his training. Kakashi looked toward Kaida and said, "You were unusually respectful towards him but not towards me. Why?"
Kakashi had easily sensed that Kaida was more respectful towards Guy.
"When he became serious for a second, I was sure that if he attacked me, my only choice would have been to flee, not fight. Since I was able to sense his strength, I had to give him the respect," Kaida said, shrugging his shoulders.
"What about me? I am pretty sure my and his strength are at a similar level," Kakashi asked.
"It is not that you are weak or something, but from the rumors I had heard about you, you were not that impressive. That's why I was a little rude at that time," Kaida replied.
"No problem, let's continue. We have more important things to discuss."
And both Kakashi and Kaida went inside the Hatake compound.
Well, calling it a compound would be an overstatement since Kakashi was the last member of his clan. Most of his compound had been used for other purposes by the village. Kakashi was getting a monthly rent for that property.