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That doesn't seem right?!
Although Hatake Kuroshi hadn't attacked from beginning to end, just this dodging speed and unrestricted movement range... made him seem like a considerably troublesome enemy no matter how you looked at it.
"Forget it. Regardless of who he is, this is forbidden ground. He shouldn't be here."
"Besides, he's an outsider."
Peace hadn't lasted long; letting outsiders approach the Unraikyō was practically impossible. How this person found his way here was also quite perplexing.
Although the Unraikyō wasn't so hidden that its name was unknown, reaching here from the village inevitably required passing guards. But the guards outside were all accounted for, yet they hadn't noticed any outsider entering.
This person's strength was unfathomable, especially this teleportation ability. If a weakness wasn't found, he would be extremely troublesome. Need to assign ANBU to follow these two closely later.
Based on various discussions, Hatake Kuroshi and Kimimaro were allowed to stay in Kumogakure but could no longer approach the Unraikyō.
Killer B, having been confined here for some time, felt somewhat disappointed at the departure of a rare, like-minded teacher with whom he could study rap.
"After all, this is forbidden ground. It's already a miracle you got in."
"I won't forget you or your rap!"
It doesn't matter if you forget that rap; it was just something I came up with randomly. Hatake Kuroshi complained silently in his heart but didn't say it out loud.
Immediately, Hatake Kuroshi tilted his head, looked at the Fourth Raikage standing behind Killer B with his back turned, and grinned slightly.
"Well~ It doesn't matter, we'll definitely meet again anyway—"
"It might not necessarily be here next time."
"Whether rap or swordsmanship, you need to improve a bit."
Excluding Hatake Kuroshi's unsettling strength, this person was actually quite interesting.
Killer B nodded in agreement.
"See you outside next time."
Then, Hatake Kuroshi left the Unraikyō with Kimimaro, following A.
Kumogakure's geographical environment was practically tailor-made for Hatake Kuroshi's teleportation. Those widely spaced, unconnected peaks rising abruptly from the ground might be inaccessible to others... but for Hatake Kuroshi, it was a purely natural geographical advantage. His teleportation could reach various places directly.
Kirigakure at least had connected mountain ranges, Konoha had various obstructive forests, but this place had none of that.
Hatake Kuroshi even found a suitable peak near the Unraikyō to train Kimimaro's physical flexibility, reaction speed, and combat abilities. Although he said he brought him out to broaden his horizons, the current Kimimaro couldn't possibly have the Cursed Seal. So he needed to raise his own strength another level.
Kumogakure offered favorable conditions in terms of timing, location, and people; practicing here for a while wasn't bad.
Hatake Kuroshi spread out a map in the inn, briefly planning his subsequent route. Anyway, there was still plenty of time; visiting all the major nations was feasible. Need to give the kids still schooling some time to grow.
...
Land of Earth.
Dim yellow light shone into the dilapidated room. Deidara took the Akatsuki cloak with one hand, slinging it over his back. A horizontal line was already slashed through the middle of his forehead protector. To him, belonging anywhere didn't matter much; it was just changing titles.
Deidara looked at all the Akatsuki members standing before him and said.
"Let me be clear first, I will not stop pursuing art."
Pain glanced at him indifferently, stepped forward, and handed him the ring engraved with "Blue".
"Do whatever you want with those things. But since you've joined Akatsuki, you must obey orders and execute missions."
"Got it, got it."
Anyway, there will be missions no matter where I go. Isn't that obvious? But compared to these matters, the guy who almost insta-killed him with Genjutsu was more annoying.
Deidara took the ring, glanced at it, then shifted his gaze towards Itachi standing not far behind Pain. He frowned unhappily and pointed at him.
"But, that guy over there! I won't fall for your Genjutsu again!"
"Since we've become comrades, I will no longer use Genjutsu on you." Itachi looked expressionlessly at Deidara. Although Akatsuki members changed rapidly, once someone joined, Itachi would consider them comrades by default. Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't attack his own people.
Although only a few years apart in age, Deidara was clearly more childish than Itachi. He had always pursued his own art alone and didn't quite understand Itachi's concept of comradeship. Deidara directly interpreted Itachi's words as looking down on him. Isn't that saying he can be insta-killed just by using Genjutsu?
Deidara immediately puffed up angrily, pointing at Itachi and jumping up and down, clamoring.
"I can let you taste art!"
Pain blocked Deidara with one hand, stating expressionlessly.
"That's enough."
With Deidara's joining, Akatsuki had basically completed its future combat lineup. A grand conspiracy targeting the nine Tailed Beasts, actually woven by countless figures hidden in the shadows, was being quietly unveiled by Akatsuki...
Time flew by. Konoha Year 60, Land of Fire.
Only three people remained in the empty classroom.
"So slow. The other teachers have already picked up their students. Now it's just us left."
Sakura Haruno leaned against the desk and sighed.
Naruto Uzumaki stood on a chair, placing the blackboard eraser on top of the sliding door.
"Isn't this a bit wrong..." Sakura hesitated, looking at the eraser above the door. Although she kind of wanted to do it too, she usually maintained her image as a good child.
"What does it matter? He's the one who's late anyway." Naruto squinted, jumped down from the chair, and pushed it aside. He propped himself up on the adjacent desk and sat down.
"How could a Jonin fall for such a boring trick..." Sasuke Uchiha lowered his head expressionlessly, looking disdainfully at the clumsy prank on the sliding door.
Just as he finished speaking, the sliding door rattled open. All three pairs of eyes looked over simultaneously.
Thump.
The blackboard eraser landed squarely on the head of the incoming Jonin. Chalk dust settled on his white hair, surprisingly inconspicuous. Most of his face was covered by a mask, and even one eye was obscured by his crookedly worn forehead protector.
"Eh! This person looks a lot like Kuroshi-nii?" Naruto paused, whispering to Sasuke beside him. Same hair color, same hidden face; the attributes of the two overlapped instantly.
Although similar, this dodging ability is way too different. Getting hit by a blackboard eraser... is this guy really a Jonin? Sasuke blinked, unable to help raising an eyebrow.
Kakashi Hatake casually tossed the eraser back onto the table, thoughtfully rubbing his chin as he looked at the three kids before him.
"Hm—how should I put this? My first impression of you guys..."
"Quite annoying."
Being disliked by the teacher right off the bat... doesn't feel like a good thing.
Before the three could argue for themselves, Kakashi tilted his head back decisively.
"Well, can't just let you guys stay here. Head up to the rooftop first~."
As soon as the words fell, Kakashi vanished instantly using Body Flicker.
The three kids quickly jumped up and ran out the door, but Kakashi's figure was already nowhere to be seen.
Ninja Academy Rooftop.
"Alright, let's start with self-introductions. Although you know each other, I'm not familiar with you yet."
"Roughly, what you like, what you dislike, future dreams, and hobbies, something like that."
Kakashi sat on the rooftop railing, gesturing slightly towards the three kids before him. Although he knew their names and identities, personality and hobbies weren't listed on the roster.
"Um, um, I think the teacher should introduce himself first!" Ever since noticing Kakashi's resemblance to Hatake Kuroshi, Naruto had become very interested in their new teacher.
"Me? My name is Kakashi Hatake. What I like and dislike... don't feel like telling you."
"As for future dreams... well, whatever. As for hobbies... I have many." Kakashi stared with dead fish eyes, speaking lazily.
"After all that talk, we still don't know anything..." This guy really is a master of evasion. Besides his name, not a single piece of useful information. Sakura couldn't help complaining aside.
"Oh right, family-wise, I have an older brother, but he's been missing for several years."
"Besides the living expenses he sends back proving he's still alive, there's no other news."
Kakashi spread his hands towards the three; that was basically all the information about him.
"Eh?! Missing for several years? Could it be your brother is Kuroshi-nii!?" Naruto perked up upon hearing the keyword, looking eagerly at Kakashi.
"Yeah. Looks like his social circle is quite wide." Kakashi had heard Naruto's words in the classroom earlier and vaguely realized this kid might know his older brother. However, back then, he and Hatake Kuroshi were estranged, so he didn't know how these people got connected. Well, it doesn't really matter anyway.
"That person's younger brother..."
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