Tsunade, I am the Hokage!

Hokage's Office

The Third Hokage placed his hand on the crystal ball, observing the movements of Kakashi, Kyohiko, and Yuhi Kurenai.

At that moment, a strange noise was heard, and the Third Hokage immediately held down the crystal ball and looked toward the window.

He reacted.

No, what am I afraid of?

Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed lightly, looked toward the window, and said, "Jiraiya, can't you come in through the front door?"

"Hey, this is faster."

Jiraiya was still not serious. He glanced at the crystal ball and then his face became serious. "You're watching? How is it going?"

The Third Hokage held the pipe with one hand.

"Ryomine Kyohiko is indeed talented."

"The most important thing is his awareness and thinking. This child is very mature, but the more mature a child is in a war, the more dangerous they become. He needs guidance, just like Kakashi."

Jiraiya walked over and looked at the crystal ball together.

In the scene, Kyohiko and Kakashi were running and punching each other, competing in physical skills.

Kyohiko was often at a disadvantage, but with his speed, he was always able to escape danger and avoid the sharp edges.

However, as the battle continued, the Third Hokage and Jiraiya could see—through the crystal ball—that Kyohiko's taijutsu skills were continuously improving!

How is this possible?

Is there really such a genius in the world?

Jiraiya pushed the Third Hokage.

Snap!

The pipe fell.

The Third Hokage immediately reached out to catch it, but all the tobacco in the pipe spilled out.

But clearly, now was not the time to worry about the tobacco.

The Third Hokage looked serious and stared at the crystal ball.

What is this rate of progress?

If he hadn't been sure that the other party was a descendant of the Senju Clan, he might have thought that Kyohiko had opened his Sharingan and was imitating Kakashi's physical skills.

"Jiraiya, have you seen him before?"

"Old man, I've known him for over a year. I can assure you that this kid is very hardworking and has made great progress on his own. He must have never fought anyone before, so he accumulated a lot of experience and has made rapid progress."

"Mm."

The Third Hokage nodded.

He believed it; he was just surprised at first.

A child who was completely unknown in the past actually has such talent and perseverance.

"Haa! Haa!"

Kakashi panted.

He couldn't believe that there were people in the world who could improve so quickly.

A genius?

But what does that mean for all the years of hard work I've put in?

Kakashi absolutely didn't believe that any talent could lead to such rapid improvement in a short time.

The person in front of him was probably someone who had been practicing privately before, so he didn't know how to fight, and only now was he revealing his strength.

What's more…

The opponent's speed seems to be increasing without notice.

He is still getting stronger!

Although Kakashi wasn't panicking or unable to defeat his opponent, he was still shocked. Moreover, as Kyohiko's "strength increased," the battle between them became more and more intense.

But…

Kyohiko himself understood.

Without the help he had gained from training with Guy before, he would never have been able to improve his boxing and kicking skills so quickly.

Also—

Fighting is the fastest way to integrate knowledge and abilities into oneself!

"Stop fighting. It will be bad for both sides."

Kurenai tried to stop them from behind.

But no one listened.

She gritted her teeth, hardened her heart, and formed seals with her hands.

Cherry Blossom Wave Technique!

Cherry blossoms fell from the sky.

When Kyohiko and Kakashi saw this, they knew something was wrong and immediately stopped fighting, quickly starting to break the illusion.

After a while, they both opened their eyes at the same time.

Of course, it wasn't that they broke the illusion, but that Kurenai had quickly removed it.

Yuhi Kurenai immediately bowed and apologized.

"I'm sorry! But the fight was getting more intense, and I don't know any medical ninjutsu. If something went wrong, it would be very dangerous in the Death Forest."

"Kurenai, we should thank you."

Kyohiko said.

Kakashi didn't say anything.

At his age, Kurenai could already use illusions at that level! Her illusion technique was indeed impressive.

No wonder she was chosen by Lord Jiraiya.

Fortunately, he wore a mask, so others couldn't see it, thus preserving his cool image.

Kyohiko didn't mind this.

"We're a team. The battle just now helped us understand each other's strengths, so we can better plan tactics for tomorrow's assessment."

Team, partners…

Kakashi said indifferently, "Just don't hold me back."

Kurenai's blood pressure rose.

She had always been gentle, but her impression of the genius Kakashi was constantly being shattered.

How could this guy be so arrogant?

She took several deep breaths, but when she looked at Kyohiko, she saw that he was quite calm.

Was Kyohiko mentally prepared?

Maybe.

The two had once been in the same class.

Unlike her, who was a year behind Kakashi's class.

However…

The next moment, Kurenai was stunned.

"Perhaps you didn't use all your strength just now. After all, you still have a sword. But no matter how powerful you are, can you defeat Lord Jiraiya alone?"

Kakashi turned around and didn't say anything, just staring at him.

Kyohiko spoke calmly.

"The purpose of cooperation is to cultivate comrades. If you disregard the safety of your companions, whether we pass the assessment or not, we're just strangers and workers in your eyes."

"You like to be alone, why don't you go join the Anbu?"

"It's no wonder you came back two years after graduation. How you view others is how others will view you. No one would want to be your teammate."

Kyohiko finished speaking and calmly added, "Kurenai, let's survey the terrain first. It may be useful tomorrow."

It's not that I was mentally prepared, but I had been suppressing my emotions, which finally burst out at this moment.

What sharp words!

Isn't he afraid of a fight?

Kurenai looked at Kyohiko blankly, then at Kakashi.

At that moment, Kakashi's eyes were filled with anger, and his fists were clenched.

But…

Kyohiko had no regrets and didn't intend to apologize.

In Kakashi's case, it wasn't possible to talk to him nicely. Even if he changed someday, he might even sacrifice a teammate…

Kyohiko didn't want to become Obito.

Even if he had to, maybe there wouldn't be anyone left to save him.

Besides…

The speed of "persuasion" is too slow. Kyohiko still hoped to defeat Kakashi, the "boss," as soon as possible and gain many rewards. How could he afford the luxury of emotional persuasion?

Of course.

He didn't expect to conquer him all at once.

Not once…

Two or three times is always better than emotional persuasion.

The first step is to make this guy understand that respect is mutual.

His individual strength is indeed inferior to that of the other party, but that doesn't mean Kakashi can throw out his "outrageous remarks" again and again.

The second step—

It all depends on whether Jiraiya can cooperate well.

Kyohiko thought to himself.

Kurenai hesitated for a moment but still caught up with Kyohiko.

"Kyohiko-kun, wait for me."

"My ability to detect traps is average, so please help me observe them. It's best not to touch them."

"Good."

The two walked deeper into Training Ground No. 7.

Kakashi was angry.

Behind them, Jiraiya's shadow clone silently sighed.

This silver-haired kid really doesn't respect others, no wonder so many people complain about him!

But.

The boy was very angry, and his words hit Kakashi's sore spot, leaving the silver-haired kid silent.

He's still a child after all!

No matter how mature and composed he seems, he'll still get angry, his fire burning and no way to fully calm down.

Jiraiya couldn't help but smile again.

This is like a kid!

But.

What will happen in tomorrow's test?

That evening, the three of them went their separate ways.

After the quarrel, there was an obvious rift between them, so much so that they hardly communicated afterward.

"Is this really good?"

Kurenai asked softly.

Kyohiko's words earlier had also overturned her initial impression that she had formed in just half a day.

It turns out that the other party is just more tolerant!

"Kakashi has his reasons for acting like this, and I understand. I've been in a similar situation before, but if you want to solve the problem, you can't just obey him blindly. That's not right."

"So that's it…"

The setting sun turned red as it spoke to itself.

Kyohiko stopped.

"It's near your house, I won't send you any further."

"Eh?"

Kurenai woke up with a start, looked around, and realized she had arrived at the intersection near her house.

She hadn't paid attention, still thinking about the events of the day and the person in front of her.

"Goodbye, let's work hard together tomorrow."

"Yes! Thank you, Kyohiko-kun, I learned a lot today."