Chapter 27: Honestly, I’m Fine

Kazekaze stared, dumbfounded, at Tobirama and Might Bai, who were completely lost in their own theories. He had to admit—Might Bai's explanation sounded pretty damn convincing. If he didn't already know the truth, he might have believed it himself! No matter how he looked at it, Duy's analysis was flawless!

Meanwhile, Tobirama's expression was filled with certainty. After all, Might Bai was a taijutsu master. At his current level, he was capable of opening the Sixth Gate—The Gate of View. Even Tobirama acknowledged Duy as a formidable warrior. Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen Might Bai as Kazekaze's personal taijutsu instructor. From Tobirama's perspective, Duy's deduction was highly credible.

"Based on my assessment, Kazekaze-sama must have started training in the The Eight Inner Gates at the age of five." Might Bai flashed his signature bright white grin, exuding absolute confidence in his theory.

"Uh… this…" Kazekaze felt incredibly awkward.

He had no idea what kind of expression he should be making right now. Should he just go along with Might Bai's story? That he had spent two years secretly training in monstrous strength and the The Eight Inner Gates while away from the village? But who would have taught him? Surely not Hashirama secretly tracking him down and forcing him into training?! That lie would fall apart the moment Tobirama confronted Hashirama!

And besides— Kazekaze didn't feel the need to lie at all. Who was he? The grandson of the God of Shinobi! His entire character was built around being a bloodline genius! Who would dare attack him out of jealousy? Not Hashirama. Not Tobirama. They'd never lay a hand on him!

However, Might Bai wasn't done being amazed. "Even if you started at five, mastering the Gate of Pain in just two years… You'd still be an unparalleled genius in this world!" Might Bai gave Kazekaze a big thumbs-up.

As a true-blooded Might clan member, his heart was pure and full of sunshine. Despite his shock at Kazekaze's talent, there wasn't a single ounce of jealousy in him. To him— Kazekaze was Kazekaze. Might Bai was Might Bai. As long as he could burn with youthful passion, he had no regrets.

"Is that really the case?" Tobirama asked again.

Though he already believed Duy's theory was the correct one, he still wanted confirmation from Kazekaze himself.

"Alright then." Kazekaze sighed. "The truth is—I really only started practicing the The Eight Inner Gates yesterday. Whether you believe me or not, that's up to you. If you insist on thinking it took me two years, then there's nothing I can say." Kazekaze shrugged, looking completely uninterested in arguing.

For a moment, he felt like he wasn't talking to his great-uncle. But to a girlfriend in an argument. The kind who demands an explanation but then covers her ears and goes—

"I don't hear you, I don't hear you, I don't hear you!"

What was he supposed to do?! He was just as frustrated as they were! But this was the truth! Kazekaze hadn't spent a day training— No. Not even a moment! He had pulled the technique from a check-in reward! Of course— Putting aside the fact that the check-in system was his ultimate secret, his foundation for survival in this world— Even if he told the entire truth, no one would believe him.

Just like now. No matter how much he explained, Tobirama refused to believe him! 

"So, you're telling me… you only watched Might Bai's demonstration once, then spent one night, and now you've mastered the The Eight Inner Gates?" Tobirama pressed.

"Yes." Kazekaze nodded firmly.

"That's impossible!" Tobirama's voice boomed with absolute certainty.

"Learning the The Eight Inner Gates in a single night? Why not just say you mastered monstrous strength in a day too?!"

"But I really did learn monstrous strength in just one day." Kazekaze let out an exasperated sigh. "Forget it, Lord Tobirama. If that's what you want to believe, I won't argue anymore. Maybe to you all, monstrous strength and the The Eight Inner Gates seem like incredibly difficult taijutsu techniques. But for me, they're really simple. And honestly… The things that will shock you in the future will only keep increasing!"

Kazekaze wasn't boasting—he was simply stating a fact.Monstrous strength? The The Eight Inner Gates? They were both check-in rewards. And… He had mastered them instantly. So of course, it was easy. Plus, his check-in system wasn't a one-time thing. The abilities he would acquire from his daily rewards would only keep getting stronger.

Flying Thunder God.

Deep Forest Emergence.

Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu.

And so much more.

Aside from basic physical training, he didn't need to learn ninjutsu or genjutsu at all. He could just pull them from his check-in rewards. And for those unaware of the truth, like Tobirama and the others— They would keep being stunned by his "talent" over and over again! Tobirama stared at Kazekaze, his face covered in dark lines. His mind was in chaos.

"I'm your great-uncle, Kazekaze! I personally assigned Might Bai to be your taijutsu teacher! Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others—I'm training them to be the elite Hokage guard unit. One day, when you become Hokage, they will be your most loyal subordinates! There are no outsiders here! So why won't you just tell the truth?!" From beginning to end— Tobirama didn't believe a single word Kazekaze said.

As for Might Bai, who was also training in the The Eight Inner Gates— Even though he wasn't jealous of Kazekaze's talent, The idea of someone mastering the The Eight Inner Gates in a single day… Shook him to his core. He couldn't help but compare himself to Kazekaze. Thinking about how long it took him to open the Gate of Pain… He felt crushed. Mastering the The Eight Inner Gates in just one day… Was that even possible?! Yet, no matter how he analyzed it, Kazekaze didn't seem to be lying. Besides— He was just a seven-year-old child. How could he possibly have such impeccable acting skills? Mastering monstrous strength in one day. Then mastering the The Eight Inner Gates the next day. Even Lord Hashirama himself couldn't have done that! And on top of that— No one had even taught Kazekaze. This was beyond ridiculous—it was monstrous.

"Forget it." Seeing Kazekaze refuse to admit the "truth," Tobirama reluctantly let it go.

He figured— Big brother Hashirama must have told him to keep it a secret. Although… Hashirama was a terrible liar. And unlike Kazekaze, he didn't have the shamelessness to deny things with a straight face.

"Big brother… just wait until I get back to the Hokage office."

Meanwhile— Sarutobi Hiruzen noticed that Danzo was still lying on the ground, not getting up. As both his rival and closest friend, Hiruzen quickly stepped forward to help him up.

"Are you okay?" Hiruzen asked, knowing Danzo must be devastated.

Hearing Kazekaze's words earlier— Hiruzen almost wanted to slap him. 

'What do you mean, 'it was really simple'?! Explain. What do you mean, 'it was really simple'?! '

"Honestly… I'm fine." Danzo glanced at Hiruzen and muttered quietly.

What else could he say? Danzo's gaze darkened as he stared at Kazekaze, whispering under his breath—

"If only I had Lord Hashirama's DNA too…"

"What did you just say?"

"N-Nothing." Danzo shook his head, burying the thought deep inside.