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At first, Kitagawa Gen had been wondering what kind of new trick Jiraiya might try to pull.
But to his surprise, Jiraiya went straight for a Rasengan right out of the gate. That was when Kitagawa Gen realized he no longer needed to keep up appearances.
The core of the Rasengan, beyond chakra control and proportion balancing, lies in the mastery of chakra transformation.
Just as he had told Jiraiya earlier, the Purple Lightning he wielded was the pinnacle of both shape and nature transformation.
Having already grasped Purple Lightning, even if it still required refinement, handling a single Rasengan was child's play for him.
As for intelligence analysis, his performance at the academy hadn't been bad. And during the time he had spent with Kakashi on missions, he had already proven his capability in that area.
At this level, there really wasn't much of an issue, especially since he had even stated a disclaimer ahead of time.
"Jiraiya-sama? Hey, Jiraiya-sama?"
Seeing Jiraiya standing there in a daze, Gen immediately put on a face of pure innocence.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"Ah…"
Jiraiya slowly lifted his head, his expression blank and lifeless. It took him a moment to come back to his senses, and even then, his words came out thick and sluggish, as though his tongue had grown stiff.
"No… very good. Very good…"
Even Jiraiya himself felt embarrassed at how awkwardly he spoke.
But at this moment, he finally began to understand what Kakashi meant when he had said, "Before long, there won't be anything left for me to teach."
Instructing a genius could be deeply frustrating. It truly would not be long before he had nothing left to offer.
"You did very well. That's enough for today."
As the words left his mouth, even Jiraiya felt a twinge of shame.
They had only just left the hospital. How long had it even been?
And now it was over?
He'd spent more time at a red-light district than this.
But he really had no other choice. Kitagawa Gen's words earlier had left a deep impression on him.
"I'm going to find the old man… the Third Hokage. What you said earlier was a bit chaotic, but there was logic to it, and it gave me a new line of thought."
"This is something I have to bring up with him. You're free to do whatever you want today. Since you're training under me for the time being, I'll make sure to guide you properly."
"Uh… your idea of proper guidance means leaving me behind like this?"
"…"
Jiraiya ignored Kitagawa Gen entirely, turning his back and running off on his own.
Seeing this, Gen could only shrug his shoulders. Still, this was the outcome he had hoped for.
"I wonder if this method will be enough to complete that exclusive side quest…"
***
"What's the meaning of this? Why did you drag me here?"
Inside Konoha Hospital, in Kakashi's ward, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked puzzled as he glanced between Jiraiya and the equally bewildered Kakashi. His voice was low and filled with confusion.
"Old man… that boy, Kitagawa Gen, he's truly something else."
Jiraiya plopped into a chair with a heavy sigh. He scratched his head in frustration and glanced over at Kakashi.
"I think I finally understand how you felt."
"…?"
Kakashi looked puzzled, but Jiraiya continued speaking.
"Trying to teach a genius like that really messes with your head."
"You know, even though I already knew about his Purple Lightning, I still couldn't help myself. I had to test him with the Rasengan."
"But that kid… he actually watched me use it just once and then successfully replicated it. Honestly…"
Jiraiya rubbed his forehead as he spoke, visibly troubled. Minato had taken three years to develop the Rasengan, and even that was with the cost of research in mind.
Jiraiya himself had needed three months to learn it, and that was with improved technique. It had still taken a significant amount of time and effort.
But this kid?
He had pulled it off in the blink of an eye. Even Jiraiya, patient as he was, felt deeply frustrated.
"Jiraiya-sama, you've seen Gen's Purple Lightning, haven't you?"
Kakashi sat up a little straighter, muttering softly.
"With that technique as a foundation, jutsu requiring shape and nature transformation aren't difficult for him."
"When I first taught him Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, he mastered it almost instantly, and even went as far as carving the faces of past Hokage into the wall."
"From that moment on, I knew Gen had exceptional talent when it came to ninjutsu."
"That Purple Lightning is truly something extraordinary. If memory serves, only the Third Raikage ever developed something remotely similar."
Hiruzen nodded slowly, deeply impressed by such talent. As the so-called "Professor of Ninjutsu," he was well aware of the immense difficulty involved in such feats.
For someone so young to have already reached this level of mastery, how could he not feel proud? This was a treasure of Konoha.
"But Jiraiya, no matter how talented he is, wasn't this a bit too much? Kakashi still needs to rest."
"If it were only about a Rasengan, I wouldn't be reacting like this."
Jiraiya let out a heavy sigh, his expression growing solemn.
"Moreover, he also analyzed that masked man from last night. His thoughts gave me a new idea."
Jiraiya went on to recount everything that had happened earlier, from his intentionally vague description of Kakashi's experience to the in-depth analysis that Kitagawa Gen had drawn from that limited information. He laid it all out in full detail.
"Although his theory isn't perfect, I think it's worth considering. If what he says holds any truth…"
"Then this Uchiha Obito is extremely dangerous. The organization he is part of might be even more so, especially since they possess Wood Release…"
Hiruzen's brows furrowed deeply as he spoke, and he couldn't help but feel a chill at the thought.
Although Kitagawa Gen's deductions had their share of flaws and gaps, they nonetheless offered a framework that could plausibly account for many puzzling events.
Still, Hiruzen cast a worried glance at Kakashi. He understood all too well the temperament of the Uchiha clan.
That clan was known for their deep-seated obsessions and emotional extremes. If this really was the case, then things could become very troublesome indeed.
"Kakashi…"
"Hokage-sama, I'm fine."
Kakashi's voice was low, tinged with sorrow, but resolute. He understood now why Jiraiya had felt compelled to come here and speak so openly.
Yet after a moment, he shook his head and spoke again, his voice firm and resolute.
"Whether or not it's true, I've long since come to understand one thing. If he really is Obito, then he has done things that can never be forgiven."
"Whether it's the devastation caused by the Nine-Tails' night of terror, or everything that happened to Sensei and the others… there's no need to worry about me."
Kakashi was, after all, still Kakashi. Though the truth might have shaken him, he remained composed. If he had not learned to temper his heart, he would not have fought so decisively in the Fourth Great War. He would not have hesitated in that moment when he drove Chidori into Obito's chest.
And even as Obito lay dying, it had been Kakashi who stepped forward to strike the final blow, only to be stopped by the Fourth Hokage.
Back then, he had had Naruto—a student who rekindled the light in his heart.
And now, he had Gen.
To Kakashi, Kitagawa Gen was a true new beginning.
The return of an old comrade from the dead was something worth rejoicing over. But watching a friend walk willingly into the abyss—that was a sorrow no words could mend.
Even so, none of it would overwhelm him. On the contrary, it gave his heart strength and direction.
He had found a clear purpose. He would uncover the truth. He would discover what had happened to Obito, and more importantly, who had twisted him into what he had become.
"The priority now is to investigate thoroughly," Kakashi declared. "Whether it is that man who may be Obito, or the organization behind him, we cannot afford to let any detail slip by."
"Indeed," Sarutobi nodded gravely. "Rest assured, we will not be negligent in this matter."
A smile finally returned to the Third Hokage's face as he looked at Kakashi with genuine warmth.
"It is good to see you regaining your composure, Kakashi. Always remember, no matter how that man thinks or acts now, the real Uchiha Obito lives on in our hearts... and in your left eye."
"I understand," Kakashi murmured, gently touching his left eye before giving a solemn nod.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
"Enough of that," Jiraiya interrupted from the side, his voice once again carrying its usual air of laziness and irreverence.
"In any case, didn't you leave this entire mess to Danzo, old man? Just have him hurry up for once. Let's talk about the brat instead. How exactly am I supposed to train him? That kid learns way too damn fast."
"Kitagawa Gen, you mean?" Sarutobi narrowed his eyes in thought. After a brief pause, an idea came to him.
"In that case, I'll entrust you with the Flying Thunder God Technique. You can teach it to him."
"Huh?"
Jiraiya blinked in disbelief, pointing at himself as if he had misheard.
"Me?"
"Yes. Given Kakashi's current condition, it is clearly out of the question. And Guy is better suited for taijutsu. That leaves only you."
"Wait wait wait, old man, I don't even know how to use that jutsu!"
"Then figure it out. You always brag about how good you are at training your students, don't you?"
"Come on, that's not fair! Why don't you do it yourself? Aren't you the strongest Hokage or something?"
"..."
Hiruzen's breath caught in his throat. He resisted the urge to bring his smoking pipe down on Jiraiya's head. Glancing at Kakashi, who had quickly turned away and was now pretending to be either dead or asleep, he took a long, calming breath.
"Jiraiya," he said through gritted teeth.
"Hmm?"
"Shut up."
"..."
**
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[Chapter End's]
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