Chapter 45 - Behind the Pitiful Thick Wall

The training began quickly, with the sounds of fierce battle echoing throughout the Forest of Death.

Soon after.

Within the forest, several figures resembling Kyōen and Kai were darting through, making it difficult to tell who was real and who was a clone.

These were Narao Shadow Clones.

Yūhi Kurenai had successfully learned them.

As Kakashi dispelled the illusions, he quickly focused on locating the real Kyōen and then rushed toward one of them with his blade drawn.

The two clashed fiercely...

With a clink of metal, Kakashi immediately turned to aid his teammates.

However, in the blink of an eye, Kyōen, moving faster than expected, sliced through the air with a flurry of rapid strikes.

After several instantaneous movements, Nohara Genma and Ebisu were already “dead.”

The outcome was clear.

Kyōen’s speed had become much faster, and the rate at which he could control his speed had become terrifying.

With Nohara Genma and Ebisu’s capabilities, they couldn’t stop Kyōen’s blitz and assassination attempts, losing in the same way multiple times!

Such rapid progress!

Kakashi tightened his grip on his sword, then relaxed it.

“Let’s take a break for now.”

“Alright.”

Kyōen nodded.

The two teams separated, sitting in two different spots.

"Ha! So strong!"

After just a few bouts, Nohara Genma was already drenched in sweat. His kunai had shattered in his hands, causing his palms to bleed slightly.

He had suspected that Kyōen was strong, but he never imagined the gap between them would be so large.

Ebisu bitterly said, “We can’t win at all!”

Kakashi glanced at the two of them.

“So, you thought you could win before?”

Even Kakashi had never entertained the thought of victory.

“Well… I thought the gap wouldn’t be too big,” Nohara Genma admitted with a flushed face.

Before the battle, he had hoped that with Kakashi on their side, their overall strength might surpass Kyōen’s team. Perhaps with Kakashi’s tactics, they could win.

However.

The reality was harsh.

Nohara Genma recalled Kyōen’s lightning-fast movements, dodging their kunai and shuriken with ease, not a single one landing.

That had been his limit.

Even with explosive tags, the result likely wouldn’t have been any different.

“Then, do you think luck could have made you win against the three of them?” Kakashi’s gaze was cold.

Nohara Genma and Ebisu dared not meet Kakashi’s eyes.

Yes, that’s exactly what they had hoped.

Before, they had always underestimated Kai, failing to recognize his strengths and potential.

But now.

From this comparison, they clearly realized—

Kai might not have the most impressive demeanor, but he was much stronger than them!

Kakashi approached Kyōen.

“Kyōen, your strength is overwhelming. This training won’t be effective anymore.”

Saying this, Kakashi’s mood was quite complex.

Kyōen had grown even stronger!

Though Kakashi had recently adopted similar training methods and made some progress, it was nowhere near as rapid as Kyōen’s.

Astonishing talent and effort!

Kakashi silently sighed in his heart.

“...”

Kyōen rubbed his forehead.

He could feel it too.

His mastery of the Master-level Instantaneous Body Technique allowed him to dodge most attacks with ninja tools, enabling him to strike swiftly and even assassinate his opponents. For someone like Nohara Genma or Ebisu, they were no longer able to put up much of a fight.

Nohara Genma and Ebisu remained silent, following behind.

“Both of you...” Kyōen started to say something comforting, but their performance was too dismal.

They were too weak...

Though they were performing well for their age, Nohara Genma was considered somewhat better than most. But compared to Kakashi, Kai, and the others, they couldn’t hold their own.

Especially Ebisu.

If he had helped Nohara Genma, they wouldn’t have been repeatedly defeated.

Kyōen hesitated.

In the end, he decided to be blunt.

“You both need to work much harder to become stronger. Your current strength is far too weak.”

“...Yes, we’re sorry!” Nohara Genma and Ebisu immediately apologized.

Kyōen shook his head.

“I’m here to help, so no need to apologize to me. But the situation is unstable, and war will inevitably happen. The more power we have, the better our chances in the future.”

“We will work even harder!”

“Starting tomorrow, let’s train together. We can improve together, grow stronger.”

Kyōen suggested.

“Is that alright?”

Nohara Genma and Ebisu hesitated for a moment, both surprised and pleased.

“Of course.”

...

The next day, a new sight appeared in Konohagakure.

“Run 500 laps! If you can’t do it, punch the air 100 times! Awoo!”

A green figure sprinted ahead with unstoppable energy.

“Eh?”

Nohara Genma and Ebisu froze.

They had agreed to train together, but this... they were really going to train with Maito Kai?

This was not what they had imagined!

“Are you backing out?”

Kyōen glanced at the two of them, as well as Kakashi and Kurenai.

Their faces turned green.

However.

Backing out now would make them look cowardly and lacking in courage.

Ahead of them—

“Awoo! My youth and blood are boiling! My eternal rival, let’s duel!”

Kurenai covered her face.

Training with Kai was truly a test of one’s mental strength.

But.

“Let’s go!”

Seeing Kyōen run ahead, Kakashi gritted his teeth and followed.

Kai had always challenged him to a duel.

This was the first time they were running together!

Kurenai had no choice but to follow.

As they ran, she kept her head down, not daring to look up, but soon realized that the embarrassment was only temporary.

Once she got used to it, it wasn’t so bad... as long as...

She didn’t run into anyone she knew!

As the class time drew near, she and Kyōen ran past the ninja academy, breathing heavily. When their gazes met some strange eyes from the students, she immediately ducked her head.

There were familiar faces!

Inside the academy, Asuma, who was practicing combat, stared at the fence outside in a daze.

Running with Kyōen and the others... was that Yūhi Kurenai?

No!!! That couldn’t be right! He must have seen wrong!

Asuma rubbed his eyes, but after several attempts, he confirmed it wasn’t a mistake.

It really was Kurenai!

Her aura had completely changed.

“Asuma, what are you looking at? Oh, Kurenai? I heard she’s training with Tsunade-sama now. Ah, I’m so jealous! She might even become as great a kunoichi as Tsunade-sama one day!”

A classmate commented with admiration.

Asuma froze.

Training with Tsunade-sama?

Kurenai?

Looking outside, Asuma vaguely felt—

Although he and Kurenai were separated only by the academy fence, it felt as if a thick, pitiful wall now stood between them.

...

The embarrassment of training would gradually fade with continuous practice.

One day, two days...

Until after twenty days, everyone had fully adapted.

Of course.

Kai’s loud and boisterous habits were something Kyōen could never fully learn.

He just wanted to get stronger, not to go overboard.

That evening.

Everyone lay on the grass, utterly exhausted, with Kurenai looking slightly better.

Kyōen sat up.

“Now, do you still think this kind of training is laughable?”

“As long as it makes us stronger, there’s nothing laughable about it,” Kakashi replied, expressionless.

Nohara Genma and Ebisu hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Due to their poor physical foundation, their improvements were visibly noticeable.

This kind of training really did make them stronger!

“Then, even when Kai and I aren’t around, you must keep up the training. Only daily effort will bring results. Understand?”

Kyōen solemnly warned, “Not only that, you need to inspire everyone to train together. Good things should be shared, shouldn’t they? Even if you don’t share, wouldn’t it be embarrassing for everyone? Do you still care about that?”

“We’ll make this a tradition in Konohagakure, holding an extreme training competition once a year!”

Kyōen spoke about his vision.

Except for Kai, who was enthusiastically fired up, the rest remained silent.

That kind of scene...

Was just too terrifying!