New Rewards

"Since that's the case... I'll teach you an earth-style jutsu!"

"..."

An earth-style jutsu? From a Fire Country ninja? Gen suppressed a twitch of his lips. But then—

[New Side Quest: Who's the Real Copy Ninja?]

[Accept?]

Should I take it?

"A shinobi's life isn't just about combat. Start with a defensive technique." Kakashi's voice cut through his thoughts. Slowly, deliberately, he formed hand signs—clearly for Gen's benefit.

After a series of intricate seals, his palms slammed the ground.

"This technique protects your comrades. Earth Style: Earth Wall!"

Chakra surged. The earth trembled as a thick wall of soil erupted skyward.

"See it clearly?" Kakashi stood, already flipping open Make-Out Paradise. "Practice well. The shinobi path is long, and this technique isn't difficult—"

"It really isn't."

Before Kakashi finished, Gen nodded. His hands flew through identical seals.

"Thanks for slowing it down, sensei. Made it easy to learn. So—"

Earth Style: Earth Wall!

The training ground shuddered. Under Kakashi's stunned gaze, an identical earthen wall burst from the soil.

"This..." Kakashi murmured.

Gen tilted his head. "Though I think I can refine it. Like this—"

Refine?

Kakashi's deadfish eye widened. Before he could speak, the wall shifted.

Chakra rippled across its surface—sculpting the faces of every Hokage into the stone!

This jutsu...

...can be used like this?!

"You... learned it instantly?" Kakashi stared at the wall, then at Gen. For a moment, reality felt slippery.

He'd slowed the seals, but mastering a jutsu required more than mimicry—precision, chakra control, repetition. Yet...

He copied it in one glance?

Added artistic flair?*

And his sealing speed... I barely glanced at my book!

Absurd.

"Well, I've studied this one before, so..." Gen feigned humility. Truthfully, he'd barely registered the hand signs. His Ōtsutsuki bloodline felt the chakra's flow—its rhythm, its intent.

Hand signs were crutches invented by mortals. At Hashirama's level, a single clasped palm birthed forests. Gen wasn't there yet... but why not carve the Hokage?

No one loves Konoha more than me!

"I see..." Kakashi managed. Guy hadn't mentioned this. "Your talent exceeds expectations."

"Thank you." Gen bowed slightly. "Guy-sensei said the same. He wanted to train me, but his request got denied this year..."

"..."

Kakashi's eye twitched. So I'm just a substitute?

Still... this boy didn't belong with Guy. Taijutsu wasn't his destiny.

With me... he'll flourish.

Especially after echoing those words.

Kakashi's gaze sharpened. "Then show me your limits."

"Eh? But yesterday—"

Shunshin!

Kakashi vanished, reappearing behind Gen—hand chopping at his neck!

"Yesterday tested your team. Now it's just you." Kakashi's voice was calm, clinical. "This is why I hesitated. Prove yourself."

Whoosh!

Gen dissolved into air.

"His Body Flicker... truly exceptional." Kakashi noted, grudgingly impressed. At least he can escape danger.

"Tch." Gen crouched atop his Hokage-wall, kunai already spinning in his hands.

Flick-flick-flick!

Four blades streaked toward Kakashi's vitals!

"Accuracy improved." Kakashi sidestepped—only for six fiery orbs to erupt from Gen's mouth, weaving through the kunai's trajectory!

Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!

Flames and steel boxed Kakashi in. He spotted an opening, the path of Gen's first volley of kunai. But as he moved, sunlight glinted on near-invisible wires strung between them!

Phoenix Flower... and Uchiha throwing tactics?

Where did he learn this?!

Kakashi's focus crystallized. Time to get serious.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!

No evasion. Kakashi exhaled a tsunami of flame—swallowing Gen's fire orbs, melting kunai, and roaring toward Gen himself!

"Damn... a jonin's no joke." Gen didn't dodge. Hands clasped.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!

BOOOOOOM!

Gen's fireball—only slightly smaller—collided with Kakashi's. The explosion shattered the air, heat warping the training ground. Grass ignited. Smoke blotted the sun.