Ch-26 Fake smile.

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"Using the 'Substitution technique' at the last moment to escape is clever," Nakamura said with a smile.

Michikatsu hurled several shurikens towards Nakamura from behind a tree for cover. Nakamura easily deflected the shurikens with his kunai, but suddenly, all of the shurikens that had been deflected by Nakamura turned around and attacked him from all directions.

Nakamura was startled by the shurikens' return, but upon closer inspection, he saw thin strings attached to them. Michikatsu was using 'Blood Demon Art: Thread Manipulation' to control the shurikens.

Nakamura also employed the 'Substitution technique,' causing the shurikens to impale a wooden decoy in his place.

Michikatsu reappeared on the ground, grasping his katana and unleashed 'Moon Breathing First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace.' A cluster of crescent moon blades materialized, which Michikatsu used to assault all the nearby trees. Nakamura emerged from one of the trees, skillfully dodging the crescent moon blades.

"Your ability to control these slashes is truly commendable and useful," Nakamura said with a smile as he employed 'Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet' and unleashed multiple mud balls.

In response, Michikatsu used 'Lightning Ball' and released several lightning balls that collided with the mud balls. Despite lightning's inherent strength against Earth Release, Nakamura, being a Jonin with greater mastery of Chakra nature than Michikatsu, ultimately overpowered the lightning balls released by Michikatsu.

Michikatsu had to leave the area because of this, using the 'Body Flicker technique' to evade the 'Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet.'

However, as soon as he reappeared on the ground, Nakamura materialized behind Michikatsu with a kunai in hand. This was unmistakably sensed by Michikatsu, prompting him to immediately employ his Blood Demon Art's lightning control ability. The lightning struck Nakamura directly, but as soon as it hit him, Nakamura transformed into a cloud of smoke. It was a shadow clone of Nakamura, not the real one.

After dispelling the 'Shadow Clone,' Michikatsu sheathed his sword.

Nakamura remarked, "Giving up already?" with a maintained smile.

"I simply wanted to assess the difference between my skills and those of a Jonin. My objective has been achieved, so this fight is pointless," Michikatsu replied.

"So, what conclusion did you reach?" Nakamura inquired.

"If you were fighting me with the intent to kill, you would have been able to injure me within a few moves," Michikatsu admitted.

"It's good that you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses," Nakamura acknowledged.

"Your strength is impressive, and you can easily keep pace with these two, or even surpass them. Since this is a time of war, we don't have the luxury of time for bonding through low-level D-rank missions. I will be taking on a C-rank mission tomorrow, so be prepared for a challenging battle. You all need to enhance your teamwork and bond during these missions," Nakamura instructed.

Michikatsu nodded, and Nawaki, the most enthusiastic of the group, exclaimed, "We will not disappoint you, Teacher."

"Yes," Matsuda replied.

"Okay, then you are all dismissed for today," Nakamura said before leaving.

After Nakamura departed, Nawaki approached Michikatsu and commented, "I saw you fight with Minato and Shikaku, and you were also able to hold your own against our teacher. You're really strong."

"No, it wasn't holding my own. He wasn't fighting seriously," Michikatsu replied.

"Yeah, if the teacher had been fighting seriously, you wouldn't have stood a chance against him," Matsuda added before leaving.

"Don't worry about him; he's like this. He recently lost his academy friend on our last mission, so he's a bit on edge. He'll come around with time," Nawaki reassured.

"You don't have to defend everyone's actions," Michikatsu replied.

Afterward, Michikatsu started to leave, and Nawaki followed him from behind. Nawaki asked, "Can I come with you? I mean, today no one is at home, and even Grandma is resting, so can I go to your home with you?"

"Sure," Michikatsu nodded and continued walking.

Then Nawaki said, "By the way, you know, I think our teacher Nakamura's smile is fake. But maybe I'm overthinking it."

"You have quite sharp senses. Yes, his smile is fake. It's like a mask pasted on his face," Michikatsu revealed.

"But why?" Nawaki inquired.

"There are many problems in the life of a ninja, perhaps due to some unknown personal reasons," said Michikatsu. Although he said it to quiet Nawaki, he had a hunch that this ninja was most likely a member of ROOT.

Michikatsu reached his home, where Nawaki was greeted by Kiyomi.

"So, you're Tsunade's brother?" Kiyomi asked.

"Yes, my sister is currently on a mission, and in the clan's land, there's no one there except for maids and workers. So, I thought maybe I'd come here. I hope I didn't bother you," replied Nawaki.

"Not at all. After all, you're a friend of Michikatsu," said Kiyomi.

"It depends on whether Michikatsu wants to be my friend," Nawaki remarked.

"Why not? He will be your best friend," Kiyomi assured. She could tell that Nawaki didn't harbor any disgust towards Michikatsu, so Nawaki could definitely become Michikatsu's friend, and this made her happy, thinking that Michikatsu would now have a friend.

After that, Nawaki played with Kakashi, and Kakashi peed on Nawaki as soon as he held him. Michikatsu, who had been expressionless from the morning until now, smiled at this.

A simple scene of happiness unfolded: Kiyomi laughing, Nawaki also laughing while holding Kakashi, Kakashi sporting a sweet smile, and Michikatsu smiling too.

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