Chapter 78: A Pact of Growth!

Sasuke and Neji exchanged a glance. Realizing they still hadn't managed to bring down Kakashi, they finally understood the true weight of his reputation.

A name like his was never built on empty words!

Even if Kakashi's growth over the years seemed slow, among the ranks of jōnin, there were almost none who could best him.

Unless he cheated.

But honestly—where would you find that many cheats in the world?

Kakashi, watching them calmly, was also inwardly impressed. Sasuke's fighting style leaned on Lightning Release, backed up by Fire Release and Taijutsu. His techniques were still a bit raw, but his chakra control was exceptional for his age.

Meanwhile, Hyūga Neji's Gentle Fist struck Kakashi as… different from the standard form he knew. More refined, perhaps, or adapted in ways beyond the traditional clan style.

One excelled at mid-to-long-range offense, the other at close-quarters combat. And yet, they could switch roles seamlessly. Truly, they were worthy heirs of the Uchiha and Hyūga clans.

With this level of strength, the two working together could easily overwhelm an average jōnin.

But—

Kakashi Hatake was no ordinary jōnin.

It was time to end the fight.

"Chidori!"

Lightning shrieked from Kakashi's palm, chakra condensed into a blazing spear of crackling energy.

Naruto, watching nearby, twitched his lips. Seriously? Kakashi was going that far? Using Chidori against them?

Boosted by Lightning Release chakra, Kakashi's speed exploded. The oppressive aura radiating from Chidori sent a shiver down Sasuke and Neji's spines. What made Naruto roll his eyes, though, was how Kakashi shamelessly infused killing intent into the attack, intimidating them further.

Under that crushing pressure, the two froze. Kakashi blurred past in a flash—

—leaving a deep scar carved into the training field behind them, the ground gouged where the Chidori had torn through.

Sasuke and Neji stared in shock.

So this… was the strength of a jōnin?

A moment ago, they had been confident—even arrogant—thinking they could best a jōnin together. But Kakashi had swept them aside without even going all out. And this was still Kakashi at the jōnin level!

If an elite jōnin was this untouchable, then how terrifying must a true Kage be?

Their pride shattered in an instant under Kakashi's demonstration.

Naruto, however, saw this as a good thing. Both Sasuke and Neji had been getting carried away, drunk on the gap between themselves and their fellow academy students. Without someone putting them in their place, Sasuke especially might have spiraled into the same arrogance he had in the original timeline.

Kakashi's display was calculated—to humble them and to show the overwhelming difference between their level and a true veteran shinobi.

And of course, Chidori itself caught their attention. The fact that Kakashi had cast it with no hand seals made Sasuke's eyes widen.

Chidori could be performed with or without hand seals—the seals only made chakra control easier and reduced consumption. Back during the battle with Zabuza, Kakashi had used seals. But later, against Orochimaru, he launched it instantly, knowing that even a moment's delay could mean death.

"Alright, that's enough," Naruto clapped his hands, stepping forward.

"I told you not to underestimate everyone around you. Now do you see?"

Their faces fell, and guilt replaced arrogance.

"Sorry, Naruto. We were too arrogant…" they both admitted.

Then Sasuke looked at Naruto, curiosity burning in his eyes.

"You've seen Kakashi's strength. How long would it take you to defeat him?"

Naruto tilted his head, imagining it. A few volleys of ninjutsu to grind him down, followed by overwhelming pressure. With his current chakra reserves, Kakashi wouldn't last long. If he unleashed Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and Kakashi didn't use Kamui… well, that would be a fight to the death.

Naruto's current power, honed under relentless training, had already reached terrifying heights.

"Cough, cough… if I went all-out with ninjutsu, ten minutes at most," he replied casually.

Sasuke and Neji nodded. Of course—Naruto's strength was fathomless. For him, even taking down Kakashi in ten minutes sounded believable.

Kakashi's eyes, however, narrowed. He too had used up a lot during the fight. Hearing Naruto's words, he couldn't help but wonder—was Naruto planning to drain him using that bottomless Uzumaki chakra? It was enviable, certainly. Still, Kakashi doubted he'd fall in just ten minutes.

And yet… deep down, he admitted Naruto would most likely win. He couldn't see through Naruto at all. Instead, it felt like Naruto could see through him.

"As expected… of Sensei's son," Kakashi thought grimly. Memories of Naruto's father, of old conversations with Shisui, and of the truth behind Naruto's heritage ran through his mind.

His heart grew heavier.

Then Naruto stepped forward, his expression serious.

"Kakashi-sensei, you're a smart man, so I'll be direct. Your Chidori may be an S-rank jutsu, but what we're cultivating isn't inferior. Our Unbreakable Golden Body technique can already reach the Golden Body stage."

"That means it can grow to Kage-level, rivaling the Raikage's Lightning Release Armor in raw physical might. In terms of rank, it's fully capable of matching your S-rank Chidori—and it even has further stages of cultivation beyond this."

"What?!"

Kakashi's eyes snapped wide open, disbelief flooding his usually calm expression.

Kakashi had originally assumed that the Unbreakable Golden Body technique, at best, could rival the power of a Kage. He hadn't expected Naruto to casually drop such a revelation—it could grow even stronger!

For a brief moment, Kakashi was stunned. But with his sharp mind, he quickly grasped the implication behind Naruto's words. Naruto wasn't just boasting—he was making an offer.

"You mean…" Kakashi's single visible eye narrowed.

Naruto smiled faintly. Dealing with someone as perceptive as Kakashi required little explanation.

"An exchange," Naruto said. "You help Sasuke polish his ninjutsu, and in return, I'll guide you in cultivating the Unbreakable Golden Body. We don't have time to waste—what do you think?"

If Sasuke trained on his own, it would take him at least three months to master the technique. With Kakashi's guidance, he could cut that time down to a single month. The same logic applied to Kakashi—Naruto's help would drastically shorten his own path.

Kakashi thought for a moment, then extended his hand. "Pleasure working with you."

Their hands clasped firmly, a smile tugging at both their lips. Outwardly, it seemed like a simple deal. But both knew this cooperation carried far more weight than a mere transaction.

Sasuke, watching silently, was left speechless. Naruto had made all these arrangements purely for his sake, asking for nothing in return. In the shinobi world, people like that were exceedingly rare—outside of the closest bonds of family or comrades.

In the days that followed, the group's training intensified. Time and again, Naruto pushed Sasuke, while Kakashi offered steady instruction. Before long, Sasuke had started addressing him with newfound respect: "Kakashi-sensei."

At times, Kakashi would also share deeper insights into the Sharingan's use, along with lessons drawn from his battlefield experience. These teachings didn't just benefit Sasuke—Naruto, too, reaped unexpected gains.

[Battle Experience +5, Combat Skills +6…]

Naruto's lips curled into a grin. This was an unexpected reward indeed.

...

TN:

⚒️ Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin (+60 Chaps Available!)