Chapter 178: Mysterious and Cool Kakashi!

After hearing Jiraiya's words, Tsunade fell silent. A moment later, she finally replied, "Being Hokage often leads to this kind of fate—it's something you get used to."

"Who was the enemy?"

Jiraiya responded, "The mysterious person who previously took Uchiha Obito, suspected to be Uchiha Madara!"

Tsunade's gaze sharpened. "Jiraiya, stop chasing after that elusive 'destiny' of yours. Just stay focused. That guy will show up again."

She paused and added, "And when he does, don't let it end up costing the Fourth as well…"

With that, Tsunade turned and waved him off, saying, "I understand. I'll be there when the time comes. Right now, I need to rest."

Entering her quarters, Tsunade quickly drifted into a deep sleep, finally free of the weight she'd been carrying.

...

Inside the illusion, years passed, but in reality, only a few minutes had gone by.

Her eyelids trembled, and Tsunade slowly opened her eyes, still drowsy and drooling a bit—only to find a smiling face right in front of her.

"Shūichi?"

"What are you doing here…?"

Tsunade murmured, still half-asleep. But then she snapped to attention, startled. "Your body hasn't fully recovered yet—why are you wandering around…"

She cut herself off mid-sentence, realizing something was wrong.

The boy in front of her looked taller and older than she remembered, and this wasn't her resting room!

Focusing on Shūichi Hoshita, Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "That was… an illusion, wasn't it?"

Shūichi blinked innocently. "Tsunade, what are you talking about?"

"Did you have a dream? I could hear you calling my name nonstop!"

Tsunade blushed, gritting her teeth. "It's definitely because of something you did, you little rascal… You're dead meat!"

With a kick, she smashed a large crater into the ground.

Shūichi jumped back, startled. "Hold on! This is the research base!"

"And don't you want to check if your hemophobia is really gone?"

Tsunade stopped in her tracks, frowning as she recalled the dreamlike scenario she'd just experienced.

Shūichi took out a kunai, made a small cut on his hand, and flicked droplets of blood toward her before it healed.

Tsunade instinctively dodged, but to her surprise, she felt no symptoms of hemophobia.

As the wound closed, Shūichi grinned. "Seems like you're cured."

"Good thing it was a psychological issue, huh?"

The method he'd used was certainly targeted for her specific problem.

If it had been physiological, he clearly wouldn't have taken such a risky approach.

As Tsunade landed, she hesitated, frowning. "Your genjutsu… I didn't detect any flaws at all. How did you pull that off?"

Shūichi grinned mysteriously. "That's classified."

There was no way he was going to admit to her that he'd set up a scenario in the genjutsu that involved role-playing. If he did, she'd probably chase him through three districts. The consequences would be… severe.

"Well, now that you're healed, I'll get back to my work."

With a casual wave, Shūichi vanished.

Tsunade opened her mouth to call after him, but stopped herself.

The illusion had felt too real, and since she couldn't pinpoint the mechanics of Shūichi's technique, she couldn't dismiss the idea that it might have tapped into some deeper reflections within her mind.

...

In another lab, Shūichi didn't immediately get back to work. Instead, his attention turned to his Tag Tree.

A new tag had just arrived.

Tag: [PUA Expert]

Requirement: Successfully PUA at least three people.

Effect: Talk no Jutsu effectiveness +100%, Mental Willpower +100%.

Looking at the new tag, Shūichi's expression instantly changed.

This was slander!

Libel!

The Tag Tree was making outrageous accusations!

All he'd done was cure Tsunade's phobia and help Pakura avoid being consumed by hatred, and now it labeled him a "PUA." Too much!

Although… the boost to persuasion skills and the doubled mental resilience were admittedly tempting.

"Guess I need to PUA three targets to fully activate it…"

Sighing inwardly, Shūichi focused himself again, shaking his head. "The Tag Tree's turning me into more of a freak every day…"

"Better focus on research and training…"

Refocusing, he retrieved a sample of Asuka's blood he'd prepared earlier and began his study.

...

Meanwhile, in his usual training ground, Shūichi's Shadow Clone was practicing Magnet Release when Kakashi approached him.

"Shūichi, I've decided to start training in the Flying Thunder God Technique. Do you have any tips?"

"Minato-sensei said you mastered it in under six months—faster than he did."

Shūichi opened his eyes and smiled. "It's true I mastered it in under six months, but what Minato-sensei probably didn't mention is that I was already skilled in sealing techniques, along with several other space-time ninjutsu."

"Also, I had solid grasp of sensory ninjutsu—those were all part of my preparation."

Kakashi nodded. "I see. No wonder Minato-sensei told me to ask you—he must have known your background."

"By the way, Shūichi, about the Tailed Beast Chakra—I've decided to give it a try."

Shūichi nodded thoughtfully. "I'll report this to the Third Hokage. When everything's ready, I'll reach out to you."

"Understood. I'll head out, then."

With that, Kakashi departed.

Watching Kakashi leave, Shūichi thought to himself, Kakashi should be able to master the Flying Thunder God Technique, but reaching the level where he can use it as seamlessly in battle as Minato-sensei and I… that'll be tough.

Even with his Lightning Blade technique, Kakashi's reflexes might not be fast enough.

That said, the Flying Thunder God would still be useful for him.

After all, it's a space-time ninjutsu!

And as for the Tailed Beast Chakra… Shūichi was curious to see how far Kakashi could go without the Sharingan.

Would he still live up to his reputation as "Copy Ninja Kakashi," the legendary "Kakashi of the Sharingan"?

…

A full day went by in the blink of an eye.

After receiving the feedback from his shadow clone, Shūichi finished his daily training and headed to the Hokage's office. Even though he had the authority to proceed with the tailed beast experiment on his own, it was still necessary to inform the Hokage formally.

Once he left the Hokage Building, Shūichi sent a shadow clone to Kakashi's place while he returned home.

In the kitchen, Asuka was already preparing dinner. After freshening up, Shūichi entered the kitchen, where Asuka looked at him with a hint of frustration. "Shūichi, it's so hard to improve the Adamantine Sealing Chains; I can't find any breakthroughs at all!"

Shūichi had previously suggested that she integrate the power to seal souls into her Adamantine Sealing Chains. Unfortunately, he had overestimated Asuka's ability; several days had passed, and she still hadn't found any progress.

Seeing her struggling expression, Shūichi smiled and said, "If that's the case, I'll develop a separate sealing technique for binding souls first. Once you've mastered it, then you can try integrating it into your Adamantine Sealing Chains."

Asuka's eyes lit up at the idea, nodding eagerly. "That could work! Thanks, Shūichi!"

At that moment, Nonō Yakushi's voice called out, "Asuka, that's not the right mindset for training!"

"You're depending too much on Shūichi."

Hearing this, Asuka stuck her tongue out playfully, quickly replying, "It's just that I'm not very good at it, Nonō-senpai!"

Nonō entered the kitchen, shooed Shūichi out of the way, and joined Asuka in preparing dinner. Shūichi lingered at the kitchen door, watching the two busy themselves while they chatted casually.

After dinner, he left a shadow clone in the study to continue working while he himself used the Flying Thunder God technique to teleport to a research base near the Land of Fire's Daimyo's palace.

When Shūichi arrived, Pakura promptly reported, "Lord Shūichi, the ninja selected by the Daimyo has arrived. Do you want to meet them?"

"Will send a shadow clone; we'll continue with our training."

Shūichi sent a clone to handle the matter and joined Pakura in the training room. They sat facing each other, holding hands, their chakras linked together. Shūichi was using a mind-link technique to help him understand the secrets of Pakura's Scorch Release.

It wasn't the first time he'd trained this way with Pakura, but this was the first session since unlocking the "Prodigy" Tag, and the efficiency had noticeably increased.

Before they knew it, it was nearly 10 p.m. Reluctantly ending the training, Shūichi said to Pakura, "Your chakra reserves may not be high, but with the help of the Bijuu Sealing Mark, you'll have enough to sustain the Scorch Release Chakra Mode."

"From now on, focus all your efforts on mastering this mode to maximize your Scorch Release power and enhance your combat effectiveness."

Pakura nodded. "Rest assured, Lord Shūichi. I'll do my best."

Shūichi couldn't resist throwing in a little PUA technique: "If you don't give it your all, I'll end up leaving you far behind."

"You don't want to become an irrelevant subordinate, do you?"

Pakura's expression turned resolute. "I won't disappoint you, Lord Shūichi. I will master the Scorch Release Chakra Mode!"

Satisfied, Shūichi nodded. "My Fire Release Chakra Mode incorporates Wind Release, so it should serve as a good reference for you."

"Additionally, I'll teach you several techniques: Fire Clone, Lotus Inferno, Flame Dragon Breath, and the Fiery Lotus Steps. When performed with Scorch Release, they'll be even more powerful. Scorch Release's properties should also enable you to fly once you master its chakra mode. The Fiery Lotus Steps will enhance your speed and agility in the air."

Though difficult to master, these techniques would be easier with a Kekkei Genkai.

Pakura, eager for the new jutsu, promised, "I won't let you down, Lord Shūichi!"

"I'll be watching."

With that, Shūichi vanished.

---

The following day…

Shūichi brought Kakashi to the experimental base.

Seeing Kakashi, Tsunade blinked in surprise. "Is this for the tailed beast experiment?"

Shūichi nodded. "Yes. We'll begin by letting Kakashi gradually acclimate to the tailed beast's chakra."

Tsunade, recalling the experience from the Genjutsu world, merely nodded. "Be careful. Take it slow; don't rush things."

Shūichi grinned. "Relax, Tsunade. I'm not one to rush."

Tsunade nodded and walked away.

Kakashi, however, looked intrigued. "Shūichi… you and Lady Tsunade…?"

Shūichi tilted his head with a grin. "Kakashi, what do you think about me courting Tsunade?"

Despite his suspicions, hearing Shūichi say it so bluntly left Kakashi momentarily speechless.

"You idiot! Do you have a death wish?" Tsunade's voice suddenly echoed.

Shūichi instantly grabbed Kakashi, and they teleported into a room shielded by seals and barriers.

Kakashi, finally composed, chuckled. "You're really something, Shūichi. Bold, to say the least."

Shūichi scoffed. "Kakashi, this is a trait you should learn from me. If you like someone, be bold about it! Only by facing your desires head-on can you avoid being controlled by them."

"This also applies to facing tailed beast chakra. The so-called malice of a tailed beast is nothing more than an intensification of negative emotions."

Kakashi listened intently as Shūichi's expression grew more serious. "Everyone has desires, both good and bad."

"No matter how righteous or optimistic someone is, they always carry some negativity deep inside. The tailed beast chakra's malice amplifies these negative parts."

"So first, you must confront this, or even if your body endures, you'll lose your mind to it and be unable to control the tailed beast's power."

"Human desire must be controlled; if left unchecked, it'll overwhelm you. But suppressing it constantly only makes the backlash stronger."

"Face it. Control it. Direct it. Dissolve it. Master it…"

Shūichi paused, then continued, "A ninja's chakra combines both spiritual and physical energy. Its strength depends not only on your body but also here—" he pointed to his head, "—and here." He pointed to Kakashi's heart.

"Spirit and mind."

"Your thoughts and your willpower."

Kakashi reflected deeply.

Shūichi added, "Kakashi, if you want to reunite with Obito or protect those you hold dear, you must first strengthen your spirit, your thoughts, and your heart."

"This is essential for breaking through your limits. Otherwise, you'll always be constrained by your body."

From his research, this was the closest he'd come to understanding chakra's relationship with the human body.

"I'll remember that."

Kakashi nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Shūichi."

Shūichi chuckled, "If you want to thank me, be my kid's teacher one day!"

Kakashi readily agreed, "Absolutely."

After a brief pause, he added seriously, "But, with whom will this kid be? Shizune, Lady Tsunade, or Asuka-san?"

Shūichi burst out laughing. "You sly Kakashi! Acting all serious, but secretly you've got jokes! Next time we treat Rin, I'll expose your true self."

"No wonder you wear that mask all the time!"

Kakashi almost rolled his eyes when he heard this.

(End of Chapter)

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