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Kitagawa Gen had quite a good relationship with Naruto.
After all, they lived in the same neighborhood, in houses built in exactly the same style. They were both orphans too.
And on top of that, Kitagawa Gen was a transmigrator. Naturally, he harbored no ill will toward Naruto.
With time, the two gradually became familiar with each other.
At first, he had been somewhat cautious. After all, Naruto was likely being watched constantly by the ANBU, or worse, the Foundation.
But after spending some time together, he realized that no one was trying to make trouble for him. That discovery finally put his mind at ease.
"Come on, I'm just a kid. My background is probably spotless. I'm definitely not an Uchiha. So what the hell am I even afraid of?"
Even if he were an Uchiha, Sasuke was in the same class as Naruto.
Besides, Naruto was actually loaded. The amount of allowance he received was far from ordinary.
It was just that most people in the village harbored hostility toward him and sometimes outright refused to sell him things. As a result, whenever he went shopping, he would buy in bulk and stockpile everything at home.
But after sitting around for so long, most of it eventually expired.
On top of that, he had a strange fondness for buying things like "limited edition" ramen, which were ridiculously expensive.
Kitagawa Gen wasn't exactly dirt poor, but he certainly wouldn't pass up the chance to befriend such a "big spender."
"And honestly, I should thank the kid. He helped me figure things out."
Back home, Kitagawa Gen plopped down onto his bed, his mind still replaying the odd, fateful moment when he and Naruto met.
He knew the composition of the Ōtsutsuki power. What puzzled him was that his own bloodline was completely blank. That alone made his thoughts more complicated.
If he were an Uchiha, it would be easy. Even if he were from the Hyūga clan, as long as he found the passage to the moon, he could wait for the right moment and launch a fierce strike—blinding someone and seizing control with ease.
But now, things had taken a turn. When he encountered Naruto, he found himself strangely drawn to the power within him. That unexpected resonance had sparked new thoughts in his mind.
"If my bloodline is a blank slate, then its compatibility and malleability should be even greater. In that case…"
Why shouldn't he try to gather every power that might be connected to the Ōtsutsuki?
For example, Indra and Asura's chakra?
Strictly speaking, Indra and Asura's power was a mutation that came after Kaguya Ōtsutsuki consumed the God Tree's fruit.
But isn't it still part of Kaguya's lineage?
And then there were the Tailed Beasts. They had been born from the Ten Tails, and the Ten Tails was more or less a pet of the Ōtsutsuki clan, wasn't it?
"Not to mention that clan with Uchiha-level mental instability and a Senju-like obsession with physical strength… the Taketori clan."
Whether the Taketori could be considered direct descendants of the Sage of Six Paths was something Kitagawa Gen couldn't say for sure.
But the Hyūga were known descendants of Hamura Ōtsutsuki. And if the Hyūga matched the Uchiha in that lineage, then there had to be some clan that inherited the Sage's physical prowess, didn't there?
After all, Kaguya herself once used the "All-Killing Ash Bones."
As for the Byakugan…
"Who knows, if I fully develop my bloodline, maybe I'll awaken it on my own?"
At first, Kitagawa Gen had been worried. What if he actually awakened the Byakugan? Would that mean he'd have to become "Hyūga Gen"?
But to his mixed relief and disappointment, no such transformation had occurred.
Perhaps his bloodline had not developed enough yet, or perhaps he would need to gain power from others.
"In any case, I basically know what I need to do now."
With that thought, Kitagawa Gen gave a silent nod. Now, all that remained was to wait for Kakashi to take him out on a mission.
After all, only by venturing out could he meet more people and obtain higher-level side quests that were suited to him.
However, the very next day…
"What do you mean you 'haven't decided' yet, Kakashi-sensei?"
Early that morning, in a training ground somewhere in Konoha, Kitagawa Gen stared at Kakashi in disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me, right?"
"No need to be so shocked about it."
Kakashi, looking as dead-eyed as ever, rubbed his messy silver hair and then spread his hands helplessly.
"Your case is a little… unique. Based on your performance yesterday, it's obvious you can't just start with D-rank missions. As for other tasks, I haven't quite figured that out yet. Don't forget, I only just left the ANBU."
Kakashi wasn't lying. It was his first time acting as a jōnin instructor since leaving the ANBU, and he was still a bit rusty.
What he didn't mention, though…
Was that he had spent the entire morning standing in front of the Memorial Stone, lost in thought, and hadn't given much consideration to anything else.
Of course, he also had his own plans.
"Why not just follow the same path you took back then?" Kitagawa Gen asked, frowning. His eagerness to progress was almost tangible.
"My circumstances were different. Back then, we were in the middle of a war. It's not the same as now."
Kakashi gave a slight shrug. That answer earned an eye roll from Kitagawa Gen.
"What's the difference? At the end of the day, ninja are just hired blades anyway, taking on jobs and cutting down enemies to earn money for the village, aren't they?"
"Well, that understanding isn't entirely wrong, but it's also a bit of an extreme take."
Kakashi's eyelid twitched, but Kitagawa Gen remained unmoved. Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he continued speaking.
"I overheard a merchant in the village saying that a wealthy tycoon named Gato is planning to forcibly seize control of the trade routes around the Land of Waves. So why don't we..."
As he spoke, he formed a hand seal and suddenly yanked his hands apart with deliberate force.
"If we go deal with him, we can take his money and bring prosperity to the village, right?"
"..."
Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief. For a moment, he wondered if he had truly been fooled.
Could it be that the clash between those two kids yesterday hadn't been without reason?
"No. Absolutely not. That idea is far too extreme. If a mission hasn't been issued, we cannot act recklessly. Do you understand?"
"Yes yes yes"
Kitagawa Gen pressed his lips together, clearly frustrated. He was even considering submitting a mission himself just to get them out of the village.
But he had no money. And missions were always recorded, which meant he could only abandon the thought with a bitter heart.
"This kid"
As Kitagawa Gen brooded, Kakashi was no less troubled. He was quickly coming to understand that guiding a student was far more taxing than he had imagined.
This boy, though he clearly carried the Will of Fire in his heart—even when attempting something as reckless as robbery—had still been thinking of the village's good. Yet he was far too intense.
Kakashi knew then and there that the road ahead would be long. This child needed proper discipline.
"Alright, enough of those wild thoughts for now. Let me teach you something simple first."
"Oh"
Though a bit disheartened, Kitagawa Gen gave a small nod.
"From your battle yesterday, it seems you've learned quite a few Fire and Earth Release techniques from Guy."
Kakashi recalled the fight from the previous day, stroking his chin thoughtfully before speaking.
"In that case, I'll teach you an Earth-style jutsu."
What?
You're a ninja from the Land of Fire and you're voluntarily teaching Earth Release?
Kitagawa Gen pressed his lips together again. But just then, a notification appeared in his mind.
[New Side Quest Acquired]
[Who Is the True Copy Ninja]
[Accept Quest?]
"A ninja's life isn't just all about fighting and killing. Let me start by teaching you a defensive technique."
While Kitagawa Gen hesitated, still unsure whether to accept the quest, Kakashi spoke again. However, he moved slowly as he began making hand seals with his hands, clearly for Kitagawa Gen's benefit.
After forming a long sequence of intricate signs, Kakashi pressed his hands firmly against the ground.
"With this jutsu, you'll be able to better protect your comrades. Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall."
As he channeled his chakra into the earth, the ground began to shake. In the next instant, a thick wall of earth rose before them.
"Did you get a good look?"
Having finished, Kakashi stood up and casually pulled a copy of Make-Out Paradise from his pocket, speaking offhandedly.
"Learn it well. The path of a ninja is a long one. Besides, this jutsu isn't all that hard."
"Indeed, not hard at all."
Before Kakashi could finish his sentence, Kitagawa Gen nodded and began forming hand seals with both hands himself.
"Thank you for deliberately slowing your movements, Kakashi-sensei. That made it much easier for me to follow along, so..."
As he spoke, Kitagawa Gen mimicked Kakashi's stance and pressed his hands to the ground. Chakra surged violently from within him.
"Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall."
The grass covering the training field quivered.
Before Kakashi's astonished eyes, an earthen wall rose from the ground, nearly identical in size to the one he had just conjured.
"This..."
Kakashi muttered softly to himself, stunned. But just then, Kitagawa Gen spoke again, his voice quiet but steady.
"And I think... I might be able to refine this jutsu further. For example..."
Refine it?
Kakashi's face was already numb, but before he could speak, his eyes widened once more in disbelief.
Because as the chakra coursed through the wall, a series of carvings began to emerge on its surface.
They were the faces of the Hokage, one after another, etched in vivid relief.
This jutsu—
Could it be used like that?
..
..
[IMAGE]
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[Chapter End's]
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