《Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline》Chapter 65: Eight Inner Gates, This Team Can't Be Without Me!

"Who would've thought, I finally get to go on a mission with Kakashi-sensei and Guy-sensei!"

At the base of the Hokage Tower in Konohagakure, Kitagawa Minamoto was in an exceptionally good mood.

"Hokage-sama is surprisingly easy to talk to!"

"Alright, alright, stop talking and go get ready already."

Kakashi covered his forehead with one hand, clearly exasperated by what had just happened. The scene from earlier still gave him a headache.

When the Anbu came to find them, Minamoto insisted on tagging along. Kakashi had initially planned to refuse, knowing full well that this was a mission.

But Guy didn't seem to object at all—he simply brought Minamoto along without a second thought, leaving Kakashi no choice but to follow.

Even now, Kakashi could still recall the pained and helpless expression on the Third Hokage's face when Minamoto showed up in the Hokage's office.

Especially when the Hokage tried to persuade Minamoto to stay behind, only to hear the boy say:

"Hokage-sama, I understand. Just like how I haven't earned the rank of Jōnin or Special Jōnin yet—it's because I'm not strong enough, and I've disappointed you."

Kakashi was used to Minamoto's occasional bouts of eccentricity, but the Third Hokage and Guy clearly weren't.

Watching Minamoto feign a look of dejection, the Third Hokage could only sigh and give up.

"And you call that Hokage-sama being easy to talk to?"

Kakashi sighed deeply and looked at Minamoto.

"That was really out of line. Besides, Hokage-sama is only trying to protect you."

"Well, maybe a little, Minamoto," Guy chimed in, nodding in agreement. But then he quickly gave a thumbs-up, his teeth gleaming in the sunlight.

"But still, well said!"

"Hey, hey, whose side are you on?"

Kakashi looked at Guy in disbelief, caught between amusement and frustration. He hadn't expected this "straight-laced" teammate to "betray" him.

Even so, he didn't argue with Guy's praise, though he felt it wasn't entirely appropriate in this situation.

After the mission briefing, the team moved into action. Hiruzen Sarutobi's original plan had been for Kakashi and Guy to handle the mission together.

Clearly, the Third Hokage hadn't intended for Minamoto to join. But Minamoto wasn't having it.

"Hokage-sama, I request to join the mission..."

"No! Minamoto, you're indeed very capable, but this mission already has its arrangements. Moreover, staying in the village is for your protection!"

"But I have experience in the Land of Hot Water, and I've also participated in missions in the Land of Water. The facts have proven that I can lead others to retreat safely."

"That may be true, but..."

"If you refuse, Hokage-sama, I'll have no choice but to leave Flying Thunder God markings on Guy-sensei or Kakashi-sensei."

"???"

"Hokage-sama, I understand. Those who don't follow the rules are trash, but those who don't value their comrades are worse than trash. I beg your forgiveness for my selfishness."

Hearing this, Kakashi fell silent, Guy laughed, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was left speechless.

Those words had been a driving force for Kakashi ever since Obito had spoken them. There was no way Kakashi could object to them now.

Not to mention, he still remembered his conversation with Minamoto before their last mission to Kirigakure.

In the end, the Third Hokage could only sigh and relent, repeatedly reminding them to be cautious before issuing the mission.

"Thank you, Guy-sensei."

Minamoto continued to grin, prompting Kakashi to roll his eyes.

"Go get ready. We're on a tight schedule. Meet at the village gate at noon. Dismissed."

"Yes!"

Minamoto nodded energetically before turning to run home.

In truth, when the Anbu approached earlier, Minamoto had already guessed that a new mission might be coming. Around the same time, his System had triggered a notification.

[New Side Quest Unlocked]

[This Team Can't Be Without Me!]

[Assist Kakashi and Might Guy in the Land of Hot Water.]

[Do you accept?]

Upon seeing this quest, Minamoto hesitated briefly.

After all, his last mission had already been completed, and he hadn't received any particularly good quests recently.

"It's mostly because Naruto and the others haven't been pulling their weight..."

On his way home, Minamoto muttered to himself.

Over the past few days, he had run into Naruto and his team several times, but none of the triggered quests had been reliable!

For instance: convincing Sasuke to learn the Sexy Jutsu with the quest If Naruto Can Do It, Why Can't I?, or teaming up with Naruto for pranks in My Father Needs Makeup.

There was even Kiba's Dogs Can Be Emergency Rations and Chōji's Who's the Ultimate Glutton?, which involved eating out his family's barbecue restaurant.

Honestly, the last one was the most practical, but Minamoto didn't have that kind of money...

He had considered exploiting a loophole, like using the Earth Style Wall to help Naruto with graffiti, but after weighing the risks, he decided against it.

The fear of the System suddenly assigning him an absurdly difficult quest kept him cautious.

For example, there was the infamous Delicious Twin Sisters quest from long ago—a task that would take over a decade to even have a chance of completing. Wasn't that just asking for trouble?

So, he decisively accepted the mission to the Land of Hot Water. Besides, after enduring so much "beating," it was time to see some results!

"But it's not all bad news."

After enduring Kakashi and Guy's combined assault during training, the System had rewarded him.

[Side Quest Complete: I'll Fight Two at Once!]

[New Reward Unlocked: Eight Inner Gates]

This reward wasn't bad at all.

Though he would've preferred something like "Kakashi's Combat IQ" or "Might Guy's Combat Awareness," such rewards hadn't appeared yet.

"Still, the Eight Inner Gates is a treasure."

Whether the Eight Inner Gates was a secret technique exclusive to Guy's family or something officially recorded in Konoha, Minamoto couldn't quite recall.

But he knew one thing for sure—when Guy opened the "Gate of Death," his strength was unparalleled.

Even the proud and powerful Uchiha Madara, who had reached the Six Paths level, had acknowledged him:

"In terms of taijutsu, I, Madara Uchiha, declare you the strongest!"

"I wonder how many gates my current body can handle?"

A fully developed Ōtsutsuki body would have no problem, but Minamoto was only at "Ōtsutsuki Stage 21."

"Maybe I can unlock more Ōtsutsuki potential. But can a complete Ōtsutsuki still awaken latent abilities?"

Shaking his head, he resolved to consult Guy later and fully master this technique.

"Old man, it's rare to see you at a loss."

Meanwhile, back in the Hokage's office, Jiraiya leaned against the windowsill, watching the trio leave. He couldn't help but laugh.

"That was intentional. Stop talking nonsense."

Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted, puffing on his pipe. He glanced at the Hokage Rock across the village and spoke slowly.

"That kid hasn't even done a single D-rank mission since graduation. He started directly at C-rank and has already been involved in multiple S-rank missions.

For him to stay put and train for so long is already commendable."

"Isn't that because Kakashi's still adjusting to his time in the Anbu?"

Jiraiya scratched the back of his head and chuckled.

"Regardless, a hawk can't stay under its parent's wing forever. It has to soar high eventually. Even if you hadn't agreed, I would've convinced you."

"And if I had agreed anyway?"

"Tch. Worst case, I'd take him out myself. Besides, with Flying Thunder God, could you even stop him?"

Jiraiya's words earned him an eye-roll from Hiruzen, who tapped Jiraiya's head with his pipe.

"Aren't you leaving? You're the most urgent case, yet you're the least in a hurry."

"I'm going, I'm going."

With that, Jiraiya leapt out the window onto the rooftop opposite, waving back at Hiruzen.

"I'm off, old man!"

"Just go already."

Hiruzen waved him off with mock annoyance, but soon sighed deeply.

Jiraiya's mission to track Orochimaru left a complicated feeling in his heart. He turned his gaze back to the Hokage Rock, focusing on the youngest face carved into it.

"More recklessness, huh? Maybe he really will surpass you, Minato..."

Recalling Minamoto's earlier words, a warm smile spread across Hiruzen's face.

But then his expression froze.

He suddenly remembered that awkward moment in front of Ichiraku Ramen, when Minamoto had called him "reckless."

It wasn't that he was petty, but as Hokage, he had long since stopped carrying money around...

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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