In the backyard training ground of the Mitarashi family.
Several trident kunai flew through the air as Kai Mitarashi weaved through the training ground. After dozens of times, he finally collected all the kunai back into his ninja tool pouch.
"Indeed, using kunai made of chakra-conducting metal for the Flying Thunder God Technique not only prevents damage to the kunai but also significantly reduces the chakra consumption since the chakra flows smoothly. At full power, performing the Flying Thunder God Technique a dozen times is no problem," Kai said with a satisfied expression.
"Now that I'm familiar with the Flying Thunder God Technique, I should find out what Shakumo-sensei wants from me."
With that thought, Kai left his home and headed towards the Hatake residence.
Upon entering the Hatake residence, he saw Kakashi Hatake practicing the Hatake swordsmanship with a short blade in the yard.
Even though he noticed Kai's arrival, Kakashi didn't stop.
"Kakashi, where's Shakumo-sensei?" Kai had to ask.
Kakashi glanced at Kai, continuing his sword practice, and replied coldly, "Father is in the main hall."
Seeing Kakashi's cold demeanor, Kai shrugged helplessly and walked towards the main hall of the Hatake house.
Inside, he found Shakumo Hatake sitting cross-legged on the floor. Kai straightened up and greeted, "Shakumo-sensei."
"Kai, you're here, sit down."
Shakumo Hatake rarely showed a smile, which surprised Kai. In the two years they had known each other, he seldom saw Shakumo smile.
Once Kai also sat cross-legged, Shakumo continued, "Kai, you're the most talented ninja I've ever seen. Your talent in swordsmanship is no less than mine. If you specialize in swordsmanship, your future achievements will certainly be no less than mine."
Here, Shakumo showed a bitter smile, "However, your talent in ninjutsu is even more terrifying, not inferior to the First Hokage. Specializing in swordsmanship would waste your talent."
Kai scratched his head, not agreeing or disagreeing with Shakumo's words. Indeed, he couldn't abandon ninjutsu to specialize in swordsmanship, as the enemies he would face in the future couldn't be dealt with by swordsmanship alone.
Shakumo didn't force Kai either. Instead, he took out a scroll and handed it to Kai, saying:
"This is a secret technique of the Hatake clan—Lightning Body Technique. This jutsu uses lightning chakra to stimulate the entire body, making your physique stronger and your speed faster. Although you're only seven, your body's strength is already no less than that of an average adult ninja, so you can start using this Lightning Body Technique."
Though Kai was tempted by the Lightning Body Technique, he didn't take it immediately. Instead, he shook his head and said, "Shakumo-sensei, this is a Hatake clan secret technique. It might not be appropriate for me to learn it."
"Take it. After all, you're my disciple, and haven't you also learned the Hatake swordsmanship?" Shakumo smiled.
Hearing Shakumo say this, Kai thought it over and accepted the scroll.
Seeing Kai take the scroll, Shakumo nodded and said, "Alright, the village's situation is quite tense now. I have to leave the village for a mission soon, so I won't keep you."
"Okay, then Shakumo-sensei, I'll be leaving."
Kai stood up, and before he left the main hall, he suddenly felt a chill when he saw Kakashi practicing swordsmanship in the yard:
"Kakashi is the same age as me, which means he's seven this year. In the original story, Minato Namikaze told Obito that Kakashi's father committed suicide five years ago, when Kakashi had just become a Jonin, at twelve. Five years ago is this year, isn't it?"
Having spent two years with Shakumo Hatake, Shakumo held a significant place in Kai's heart. Knowing that Shakumo was about to leave the village for a mission, Kai couldn't shake an uneasy feeling.
"What's wrong, Kai?" Seeing Kai suddenly stop, Shakumo asked.
Turning around to face Shakumo's deep gaze, Kai asked seriously, "Shakumo-sensei, I have a question for you."
"What is it?" Shakumo asked.
"Shakumo-sensei, if during a mission, you had to choose between completing the mission and the lives of your comrades, which would you choose?" Kai asked.
Shakumo pondered for a moment, looked directly at Kai, and said with certainty, "I would choose my comrades."
"What if failing the mission meant being criticized by the villagers and comrades? What would you choose then?" Kai pressed.
"Still my comrades!" Shakumo affirmed.
"Phew."
Kai exhaled, feeling slightly relieved, and said to Shakumo, "Then I'll be going, Shakumo-sensei, please remember your choice."
With that, he quickly turned and left the Hatake house without giving Shakumo a chance to ask further.
In Kai's mind, Shakumo Hatake wasn't a weak person, and he couldn't believe Shakumo would choose to commit suicide. As Shakumo's disciple, Kai didn't want to see Shakumo's death.
However, Kai couldn't just tell Shakumo that he knew the future. He could only use this method to strengthen Shakumo's resolve.
The distance between the Hatake and Mitarashi houses wasn't short, requiring quite a bit of walking.
Suddenly, Kai stopped, sensing something amiss in the atmosphere around him.
Kagura Mind's Eye!
The surrounding scene turned black and white in Kai's mind, with several distinct red chakra signatures appearing behind him.
"Come out."
Turning around, Kai spoke to the seemingly empty space behind him.
"Step, step, step..."
As Kai's words fell, several figures slowly emerged from the nearby forest.
"Quite the impressive detection technique, is that the Kagura Mind's Eye?" The leader spoke, his voice cold and sinister.
Seeing the man's face, Kai's pupils shrank. Although he hadn't met this person, the cross-shaped scar on his chin and the dark aura he exuded were unmistakable.
There was no need to ask; Kai could guess the man's identity.
Danzo Shimura!
A former teammate of the Third Hokage, now an advisor to the Hokage, head of Konoha's Root division, and known as the "Darkness of the Shinobi World."
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