Roran - Puppets Besiege the City
Kakashi, who everyone had always told was a genius, felt stunned by Sarutobi Ryo's words, causing him to rethink everything. It was almost a second awakening.
He had never heard such blunt truths. Kakashi had always been protected, never truly seeing the world's harshness. His father, Hatake Sakumo, and his teacher, Namikaze Minato, had both let Kakashi get away with things, indulging his personality. This gentle treatment had created the Kakashi everyone knew, the talented but somewhat spoiled ninja.
Ironically, it was Uchiha Obito, a person Senju Tobirama would have called naturally wicked, whose strong will eventually changed Kakashi for the better.
The situation was full of contradictions.
After hearing those harsh words, Kakashi slowed down, sweat forming on his brow. His head twitched as he began to question himself.
Sarutobi Ryo, on the other hand, had achieved incredible things. Every move he made resulted in a kill, and he was taking down experienced ninjas. He was becoming famous throughout the ninja world. His title, the Black Grim Reaper, was just as impressive as Namikaze Minato's Golden Flash. While regular ninjas might run away from Namikaze Minato, seeing Sarutobi Ryo meant almost certain death.
In that sense, the Grim Reaper title was far more terrifying.
Because it represented real, unavoidable death.
Sarutobi Ryo's strength gave his words immense power.
As a result, Kakashi's confidence started to crumble.
However, Kakashi was also proud. He still believed he was a top talent, at least before Obito's influence. After a moment of hesitation, he bit his lip, humbled himself, and asked Sarutobi Ryo to teach him hand-to-hand combat.
"When it comes to fighting up close, you can't copy Guy's style," Sarutobi Ryo said. "The best way is to learn the quick movements of your father and your teacher."
He meant focusing on technique and speed.
But Kakashi's ability to react to fast-moving objects was terrible, so he could only learn the basics.
"And the best way for you to fight is to stay far away during missions," Sarutobi Ryo continued, "create distance from the enemy, and then use your ninjutsu from a safe range."
In other words, become a long-range attacker.
That is, of course, unless you faced enemies like Ai, who were incredibly fast.
"..."
Namikaze Minato, standing nearby, felt awkward.
He knew that if Kakashi didn't have the Sharingan, he would only ever be an average jonin. Minato was waiting for Obito to meet his destiny. He knew Obito would be taken by Uchiha Madara, have White Zetsu cells implanted, gain some of Hashirama's power, and then awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan. If he and Kakashi each had one eye, then Kakashi could be saved. Until then, Kakashi's training was in the hands of fate!
Yes, fate!
Because Namikaze Minato didn't know how to train Kakashi properly. His fighting style didn't suit Kakashi at all. Kakashi couldn't learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, and the Rasengan used too much chakra. Kakashi could only use his Chidori, but that required excellent vision...
It was a hopeless, never-ending cycle.
In fact...
Namikaze Minato had always been more hopeful about Obito. Even without knowing the future, he felt that Obito would eventually surpass Kakashi. After all, the Sharingan was an incredible gift. That's why he had told Obito many times, "Obito, one day we'll both become Hokage."
He had never said that to Kakashi.
Even though, in his memories of the future, Kakashi eventually became the Sixth Hokage.
Plus, Kushina liked Obito the most of the three kids, treating him like a younger brother.
So...
Kakashi's training was pretty much left to chance.
As for Obito being tricked by Madara and witnessing Rin's death, which led to Obito turning evil, Namikaze Minato believed that, with his knowledge of the future, he wouldn't let Obito go down that path again.
Think about it: Obito, with the Mangekyo Sharingan and White Zetsu/Hashirama cells, would be an amazing ninja.
This time, Madara, I won't let you win.
----
That night, the team stopped to rest.
Kakashi came over again.
Sarutobi Ryo ignored him, using this as a way to test him.
But Kakashi was determined to follow Sarutobi Ryo.
He didn't say anything, he just kept following him.
Namikaze Minato didn't stop Kakashi, seeing how persistent he was. He really didn't know how to teach Kakashi, so if Sarutobi Ryo had a way...
Two days later, the tired group arrived at the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers.
Yellow sand filled the sky, and a strong wind blew.
In this desert, there was a city surrounded by green plants.
It didn't make sense.
"Those trees must have been created using chakra..."
Sarutobi Ryo looked at the green vegetation, lost in thought.
It's the power of the Dragon Vein, Namikaze Minato thought.
Hundreds of meters tall, spires pierced the clouds.
The massive buildings looked more advanced than even Konoha.
The design of these buildings came from someone from the future... Mukade.
Sarutobi Ryo was interested in the future.
After all, parallel worlds and time travel were closely connected to him.
So, what would the future of this world be like?
"If you impress me during this mission," Sarutobi Ryo said to Kakashi, "I'll find a way to help you become stronger."
"For your father's sake."
Kakashi didn't say anything.
Soon, the group entered Roran together.
As they approached the walls, Namikaze Minato warned, "Everyone be careful. They say there are many puppets here..."
As soon as he finished speaking, a swarm of puppets flew out from behind the walls.
They looked like two-meter-tall robots, mostly made of wood.
They had steel and other metals for weapons.
Guren had been injured by them before.
They had confirmed that the weapons weren't poisoned then, but they couldn't be sure now.
The overwhelming puppet attack seemed designed to drive away invaders and prevent them from entering.
"Behind them... chakra lines..."
Ruri whispered.
Behind the puppets, faint purple chakra lines controlled them, like marionettes.
Almost all the towers in the city were sending out chakra.
Like... television transmission towers.
Sarutobi Ryo's right eye narrowed. He quickly followed the chakra lines and saw the entire city's chakra structure.
"I'm afraid that simply cutting the chakra lines won't stop them..."
*
**
***
[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter Access up to Ch 249 (Vol 2 Ch 191)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 124 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
➡️ patreon.com/Boundless_Beacon
]