Chapter 30 - Kakashi I Just Want to Improve So Badly!

"If you refuse to cooperate, I'll have no choice but to detain you and bring you back to Konoha for negotiations with Kirigakure."

Jiraiya crouched down as he spoke.

Kisame remained silent.

He didn’t dare bear the cost of “cooperating.”

Without further courtesy, Jiraiya bound him tightly with rope and knocked him unconscious, too.

As for the other two—

He let them fall asleep.

Well, one of them might never wake up again.

"Yūhi, there's no need to treat him. Just bind the survivors and bring them with us."

"Understood."

Yūhi Kurenai stood up and glanced at Kyōen.

Truthfully, even if she wanted to help, she couldn’t. Earlier she was only studying the situation to build up her medical experience.

The wounded shinobi was probably a chūnin from Kirigakure, around fourteen or fifteen years old.

The moment the situation turned critical, Kyōen had moved in an instant and punched the assailant who had lunged at her.

And the result—

Just that single punch.

The victim’s heart was almost shattered by the impact. His current condition suggested massive internal bleeding.

She didn’t have the ability to save him.

Such terrifying power!
Has he already fully mastered Lady Tsunade’s monstrous strength?
Yūhi Kurenai secretly studied Kyōen, her heart flickering with admiration and envy.

Just a short time ago, Kyōen hadn't fully mastered it, but now he could wield it with ease and without self-injury...

What terrifying progress!

Two or three months ago, she would’ve chalked it up to raw talent.

But now—

Her view had changed.

Behind such rapid growth, both Kyōen and Kakashi had poured in unimaginable effort.

They had undoubtedly been training tirelessly these past few days.

"Jiraiya-sama, is it over?"

"Yes, Mr. Matsuyama. We can resume our journey to Cardo’s place now."

"Great, thank you! If not for you… and your three subordinates, I would've been doomed this time."

Matsuyama Ichirō breathed a deep sigh of relief.

At the same time, a dark hatred gleamed in his eyes.

"That damn Cardo! Our Matsuyama family dealt with him in good faith, and yet he wants to devour us whole. I’ll make sure he pays for it!"

Then, Ichirō looked up, still filled with resentment.

"Jiraiya-sama, could I trouble you with one more request?"

"If it’s to kill Cardo..."

Jiraiya hesitated briefly, then shook his head. "I’m afraid I can’t give you an answer right now."

"Why not?"

Ichirō looked confused.

Jiraiya explained patiently.

"According to your description, Cardo is currently a major power in the Land of Waves. But things are delicate there. Any action I take could send unintended signals to outside forces."

"Sigh… I understand. Let’s go. At the very least, we should finish this trade mission."

Ichirō sighed.

They continued northeast.

When they reached a nearby roadway, Kakashi finally regained consciousness.

He opened his eyes, still groggy, but quickly regained clarity upon surveying the situation.

I lost consciousness?
Then—

Wait—?!

Kakashi’s face went pale. He instantly leapt off the back of the toad he was riding.

He saw two people tied up and strapped to a wagon.

Kirigakure shinobi?!
Did I miss something important?!

Jiraiya sensed Kakashi waking up and slowed the group, making his way back to the middle.

"Jiraiya, your subordinate’s awake. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back."

"Understood. Thank you."

Jiraiya bowed politely.

The iron-armed toad nodded and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Kakashi immediately bowed deeply.

"I’m sorry, sensei. To pass out at such a crucial moment in the mission—I’m not fit to be a shinobi!"

Both his tone and expression reflected that he truly meant what he said.

Jiraiya sighed.

This kid really takes things too far sometimes.
Mission above all else?
This wasn’t even a top-priority mission.

He swept his gaze around the group and made up his mind. He spoke solemnly, "Kakashi, you shouldn’t be apologizing to me. You should be apologizing to your teammates—they’re the ones who needed you most."

Kakashi looked back at Kyōen and Yūhi Kurenai.

He immediately understood Jiraiya’s point.

To Jiraiya, Kakashi’s power wasn’t vital—but to Kyōen and Kurenai, it could’ve made all the difference. Yet, during the battle, Kakashi wasn’t there.

Of course—

The battle hadn’t been as dangerous as Kakashi imagined.

Yūhi Kurenai had nearly been struck, but Jiraiya had been keeping an eye on both her and Kyōen the entire time. The iron-armed toad had also remained nearby.

If things had truly gone south, the toad would’ve intervened.

After Jiraiya said his piece, he returned to the front of the group.

Kakashi fell to the rear.

As soon as he arrived, before he could say anything, Yūhi Kurenai greeted him gently, "Kakashi, I’m glad you’re alright. But next time, don’t train yourself into unconsciousness, okay?"

He looked at Kyōen and Kurenai. His mask moved slightly, as if trying to speak, but no words came out.

Kakashi had imagined countless scenarios.

For example—

Kyōen might mock him, criticizing him for not following protocol or contributing to the mission.

Maybe even call him useless.

And Kurenai…

Despite her gentle nature, she might still resent him for dragging them down.

But—

Kyōen said nothing, and Kurenai wore only a warm, comforting expression. Neither treated him as a burden.

Kakashi stood frozen.

"But… I didn’t help at all."

"You don’t need to apologize. We all have flaws and weaknesses—that’s why we rely on each other and work as a team. This mission wasn’t even that important. As long as everyone is safe, it’s fine."

Kyōen’s face was still youthful, but his tone carried surprising maturity.

Then suddenly—

His expression shifted. "But you do owe us an apology."

"Huh?"

Kurenai blinked in surprise.

She’d thought Kyōen was trying to comfort Kakashi—but the tone shift said otherwise.

Kakashi was confused too, unsure of what Kyōen was getting at.

"As shinobi, we have a responsibility to our teammates and comrades. Even I, fresh out of the Academy, understand that. You knew we had a mission today, and still pushed yourself with overnight training? Even if you hadn’t passed out, would you have been in any condition to perform? You might’ve endangered your own comrades!"

Kyōen said this with utter seriousness.

"I’m sorry. I just really wanted to master that jutsu… I promise it won’t happen again!"

Kakashi bowed his head, sincerely.

Over the past few days, he’d been desperate to catch up to Kyōen.

Even if Kyōen claimed he’d been training this kind of technique for a while, Kakashi knew for a fact he hadn’t shown this level of chakra control before.

At most, it started with his Water Release training.

That was barely a month ago.

In just one month, Kyōen’s progress had been staggering.

And him?

He’d barely moved forward at all.

Kakashi had come to a sobering realization—his skills weren’t nearly enough.

That’s why he’d been training so obsessively.

But—

That obsession had clearly gone too far.

Whether in terms of the mission or his teammates…

Kakashi was overwhelmed with guilt.

Kyōen, watching from the side, secretly felt pleased.

Though the process and details were different than he’d imagined, the outcome was just as he’d hoped.

Next, he hoped Kakashi would come to truly understand what teamwork and comrades meant.

Besides—

According to the reward system, if he significantly influenced someone, the reward would often relate to that person's greatest strength.

Kakashi… you'd better start improving soon!