Kurenai's Authority and Other Things That Won't Be Exercised

"Remember, don't breathe a word in the village about Kage taking down Itachi all by himself…"

Back in Konoha, Yuhi Kurenai once again cautioned her two disciples.

"All the geniuses of the Uchiha clan end up… I think that guy Kage must have considered this, which is why he chose to conceal his strength."

The Uchiha clan never lacked geniuses, but none of them had good endings, like Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi.

"I understand, Teacher."

Aburame Shino nodded seriously.

Uchiha geniuses never had good endings. The fact that the entire Uchiha clan was wiped out in one night reinforced Aburame Shino's belief that Uchiha Kage's low profile was the right choice.

"Also, we won't be taking on any missions for the time being. Before Kage returns to the village, I will be giving you special training."

It was almost time for the Chunin Exams.

Yuhi Kurenai believed that after experiencing this life-or-death battle, her disciples would definitely shine in the Chunin Exams.

"Yes!"

"Alright, dismissed for today!"

Finally, she could go home, take a nice hot bath, and get a good night's sleep.

As for that Uchiha Kage, if he dared to come back to the village too late, she would definitely let him know what a Teacher's authority was!

Yuhi Kurenai silently added that in her mind, then turned and walked towards her own home.

"Hey, Kurenai! You're back in the village and didn't even say anything? Want to grab a drink later?"

At the corner, a panting Asuma Sarutobi finally caught up with Yuhi Kurenai, who was about to go home.

"Asuma? No, let's skip it today. I plan to get some rest. Maybe another day."

Yuhi Kurenai, of course, knew that Asuma had been pursuing her recently. Although she wasn't against this childhood friend she had known since she was little, lately her mind had been preoccupied with that troublesome Disciple of hers, and she had no time to deal with Asuma.

"I see, you just got back to the village, you should get some rest. I'll ask you again another day…"

Before Asuma could finish speaking, he noticed that Yuhi Kurenai, who had been in front of him just a moment ago, had already disappeared.

He couldn't help but feel a little melancholy.

What is Kurenai thinking? Does she hate me?

----

"Sorry, Hayate can be a bit childish sometimes, but he's not a bad guy…"

Uzuki Yugao felt a headache coming on at Gekko Hayate's sudden decision to have a Ninjutsu battle with Uchiha Kage.

"It's okay, I also want to see Hayate-senpai's strength."

Or rather, it was exactly what Uchiha Kage wanted.

Gekko Hayate's strength wasn't that great, but he possessed the Transparency Release that allowed him to become invisible.

This was a good ability. Uchiha Kage was wondering how to get his hands on it, but the other party actually offered it up.

"Don't worry, Yugao, I won't hurt him."

Gekko Hayate confidently formed the opposition seal first.

In order to restore his image in Uzuki Yugao's mind, he decided to properly demonstrate his strength and also make this Uchiha Little Kid, who *looked* down on his weak constitution, *would* submit to him.

"Okay, then please guide me, Senior."

Until he managed to get Gekko Hayate's ninja fragment, Uchiha Kage said he would never stop.

"Be careful, almost no one can see through Hayate's Kekkei Genkai except for the Byakugan."

Uzuki Yugao kindly reminded him.

She also believed that Uchiha Kage had no chance of winning against Gekko Hayate.

After all, the advantage of Transparency Release was too great.

"Is that so."

Wasn't that convenient?

As he absorbed more and more of Hinata's ninja fragments, Uchiha Kage's control over the Byakugan was becoming more and more skilled.

"Open your eyes wide, Little Kid."

Gekko Hayate announced the start first, and then used his most proud Release Technique—

Transparency Release: Invisibility.

In just a moment, Gekko Hayate had turned completely transparent.

In this state, he could even hide the aura of his Chakra.

It could be said to be the perfect stealth Ninjutsu, but once he launched an attack, the stealth of Transparency Release would be greatly reduced.

Moreover, besides the Byakugan, Wind Release ninjas who could detect the flow of air were also the nemesis of Transparency Release.

"He disappeared completely. Hayate-senpai is really amazing."

Uchiha Kage clearly watched Gekko Hayate's every move, and pretended not to see anything as he 'casually' threw a punch.

*Bam!*

"Huh, I think I hit something?"

"Cough…"

Gekko Hayate originally planned to quietly approach his opponent and tease him.

Caught off guard by Uchiha Kage's sudden punch, he felt a sharp pain in his face.

This Little Kid is really lucky!

But you won't have such good luck next time… Huh!?

*Thump!*

Before Gekko Hayate could make a move, he felt a dizzy spell.

"I told you, Hayate-senpai's cough can be heard."

Uchiha Kage stretched out his leg and tripped Gekko Hayate to the ground, also revealing him from his Transparency Release: Invisibility state.

"You…"

A little frustrated, Gekko Hayate no longer tried to tease his opponent with Transparency Release, and directly drew the long sword from his back.

"Let me show you the power of Konoha-Style Swordsmanship!"

He almost forgot that even without Transparency Release, he couldn't possibly lose to a Genin in a head-on fight.

Illusionary Technique: Tree Binding Technique!

Uchiha Kage looked at Gekko Hayate rushing over with a slight smile, and then used the Illusionary Technique that he had already prepared.

"This is…"

Looking at the pile of roots that suddenly grew out from under his feet, and then even his body was bound by Tree Branches, Gekko Hayate couldn't believe his eyes.

His action of holding up his long sword also seemed to be frozen, unable to move.

"It's the Body Paralysis Technique Teacher Kurenai taught me. I didn't expect it would work so easily."

Although it was actually because he absorbed the ninja fragment dropped by Yuhi Kurenai that he knew this move.

"It's actually an Illusionary Technique?"

Gekko Hayate quickly closed his eyes and began to use all the Chakra in his body to deal with the interference of the Illusionary Technique.

After a while, he finally broke free from the Illusionary Technique that had trapped him.

"Hmph, it's not that great, my swordsmanship is still more…"

"Enough, Hayate!"

Looking at Gekko Hayate, who was still planning to attack Uchiha Kage, Uzuki Yugao quickly stopped him with a cold voice.

"You've already lost. If Kage wanted to make a move just now, you'd already be dead."

"I…"

Gekko Hayate reluctantly sheathed his long sword.

Having picked up the ninja fragment that fell from Gekko Hayate, Uchiha Kage stopped attacking.

After all, they were still going to go on a mission together, so he gave the other party a little face.

"In a head-on battle, I probably wouldn't be Hayate-senpai's opponent."

"I was wondering why you were beaten so easily… So that's how it is."

Hearing this, Gekko Hayate finally felt much better.

"Hayate, be quiet for a while."

Uzuki Yugao couldn't help but rub her forehead. It seemed that the long period of peace had really made Hayate regress a lot.

He couldn't even see such an obvious situation.

"In short, let's rest here first. After Kakashi-senpai comes to join us, we'll set off for the Land of Water together."

But, how has Kakashi-senpai not arrived yet after so long?

The Land of Waves isn't that far from here, right?

Could it be… that something happened?