On this side, Kakashi handed Natsuki a scroll.
"This contains the sword techniques my father left behind. Study it on your own. I didn't learn it well when I was younger… compared to my father, I fall far short. I probably wouldn't be able to guide you properly. I once tried to master this sword style too, but I could never grasp its essence. So whether you learn it or not… is up to you."
Natsuki received the scroll quietly and stared at Kakashi for a long moment.
Kakashi was puzzled. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Natsuki answered honestly, "I thought Kakashi-senpai had given up on Sakumo-senpai's sword style…"
"Heh, so that's what you thought."
Kakashi smiled. "You might be right. There was a time I resented my father for his suicide. I even abandoned his sword style. Later, I understood his will… but perhaps I no longer had the right to inherit his blade. Maybe… that's why I could never truly master it."
Natsuki shook his head. He didn't really understand.
Even after watching the anime, he still didn't fully understand Kakashi.
Those who have experienced too much often carry deep complexities—especially in a twisted world like this, where holding onto one's beliefs is already a precious thing. Maybe Kakashi did understand his father, maybe he didn't…
Perhaps only when he dies like in the original story and meets Sakumo again in the afterlife, having a heart-to-heart as father and son, could he truly understand.
But Natsuki wasn't going to worry about all that. He got what he came for.
Eight Gates + Hatake Sword Style—more than enough for him to face down any threat in the early stages!
Once Hiruzen dies and Tsunade takes over as Hokage, he'll aim for Flying Thunder God next.
—
At Ichiraku Ramen, Natsuki, Tenten, Kakashi, and Guy sat down together. Originally, Natsuki had planned to treat them to something fancy as a small token of appreciation, but Kakashi insisted on Ichiraku.
Natsuki couldn't argue and agreed.
Maybe for Kakashi and Guy, they never expected anything in return from Natsuki. Passing down what they knew was simply part of nurturing the next generation for the village.
And so, Natsuki didn't mind protecting the village.
Of course, the village he wanted to protect was the one with Tenten, his father-in-law, Shino, Shikamaru, Chōji, and the others. Not the one run by the so-called "F4" of the old generation. He had no intention of sacrificing for them. Those old fossils from the previous era would be better off dead to stop hindering the new generation.
"By the way, Natsuki, you've got a few interesting moves, don't you? Like the Rokushiki," Kakashi casually brought up.
"Oh, Kakashi-senpai must've heard from Guy-sensei. Yeah, the Rokushiki is a taijutsu style I developed myself. It's a bit rough, but it helps when I'm not using the Eight Gates. If Kakashi-senpai is interested, I can demonstrate so you can copy it with your Sharingan."
Natsuki didn't mind spreading the Rokushiki. It wasn't anything too valuable.
After all, Kakashi had just given him the family sword style—this little taijutsu was nothing in comparison.
Kakashi split his disposable chopsticks. "No need to copy it. I'm just curious. After all, there aren't many techniques Guy praises."
Natsuki picked up a piece of meat and placed it in Tenten's bowl. "Really not going to copy it? One of the moves, Geppō, lets you run through the air."
Kakashi froze mid-bite. "Now that you mention it, that does sound worth copying. Not many ninja techniques allow for aerial movement. If you come across a flying enemy, it's no good being stuck on the ground. That technique's called Geppō, huh? Explain it to me."
"Oh, you gather water vapor under your feet, using chakra control to step on it and launch yourself. That way you can run or dash through the air…"
As Natsuki spoke, he put down his chopsticks, stood up, and demonstrated by walking a few steps mid-air with Geppō, then landed again.
"This technique doesn't use much chakra. As long as you control your chakra flow well, you could run for ten kilometers in the sky no problem."
Kakashi quietly lowered his forehead protector, covering his Sharingan.
He had already copied the technique just now.
He understood what Natsuki was doing. The Hatake sword style was too precious, and Natsuki felt uneasy receiving it without giving something in return. Treating them to ramen wasn't enough, so when the topic of Rokushiki came up, he naturally offered it as a gesture of goodwill.
And truth be told, Geppō was actually quite useful—solving the common problem of aerial combat among ninjas.
Tenten stared at Kakashi in shock. "Kakashi-senpai, your eye…"
Kakashi smiled faintly. "Just some old stories. Not something kids need to understand. But yes… the title 'Copy Ninja' does come from this eye. Nothing worth admiring."
Tenten remembered when Natsuki and Kakashi talked earlier—he mentioned the Sharingan and Copy Ninja. So this was what he meant.
She was curious, but not the type to pry into others' secrets.
And if she really wanted to know, she'd just ask Natsuki later—he always seemed to know everything.
—
After finishing their meal, they said their goodbyes outside the shop.
Natsuki and Tenten walked home hand-in-hand, exchanging a smile.
Tenten leaned on his shoulder. "Natsuki, looks like you finally achieved all your goals. Are you happy?"
Natsuki pinched her cute nose. "Yup. And it's all thanks to my most beloved girlfriend. So… how should I thank you? Maybe we should just get married?"
"Hmph! In your dreams! You're only eleven, little brother!"
Tenten's teasing giggle was charming enough to leave Natsuki dazed. They gazed into each other's eyes and slowly leaned in.
Mm, tonight's kiss tasted like ramen.
—
That night, in the gravity training room.
Natsuki had returned the gravity to normal. Since he was going to practice sword techniques, it was best not to let gravity interfere—otherwise, he'd just be wasting effort.
He opened the scroll and studied it for a long while. His summary could be boiled down to one word: Speed.
The essence of the Hatake sword style was speed—unmatched, overwhelming speed. It was quite similar in principle to the Flying Thunder God or the Raikage's Lightning Release.
The scroll contained many techniques. They looked simple and ancient, clearly passed down from the Warring States era. The key was the coordination of sword techniques with Lightning Release chakra, and high-speed movement techniques.
Simply put, Hatake Sakumo was powerful because his Shunshin (Body Flicker Technique) was already fast—but his sword was twice as fast as him.
By the time the enemy saw him, their head was already separated from their body.
"No wonder Kakashi couldn't master it. This is insanely difficult! Kakashi learned a bit as a child, but after Sakumo's death, his swordsmanship faded. Later, with the chakra drain from the Sharingan, it became impossible to keep up. And I'm not more talented than Kakashi… can I really learn this?"
It felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over Natsuki's excitement.
But he wasn't the type to give up easily.
He was still young—very young—and he had time. As long as he kept grinding, he was sure he could master at least part of it. And even if he only grasped the basics, pairing it with the speed and strength of the Eight Gates could still be enough to cut down some Kage-level foes.
And so, gritting his teeth, he dove into practice.
(End of Chapter)
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