Chapter : 112

Shino continued, "When I was in the Ninja Academy, back when I first enrolled, I heard that some senior students graduated early. Out of curiosity, I decided to look into it."

"Perhaps it's because this person stood out. He always seemed out of sync with everything around him. It was as if he was observing the world from an entirely different perspective—detached and otherworldly. That made me unconsciously pay more attention to him."

"In the following year, I often saw Fujiwara Kirito picking up a girl from the Uchiha clan after school. I also noticed him frequently going on missions in the village with Sensei Kurenai."

"Then the news came out—Kirito had been promoted to Jonin at an exceptionally young age. Shortly afterward, he disappeared without a trace. I didn't find out he had become a rogue ninja until I became a Genin myself and read about him in this handbook."

Kakashi took the Rogue Ninja Handbook from Kiba and flipped through it. After a moment, he said admiringly, "You have excellent observational and analytical skills. It seems you're very detail-oriented."

Shino adjusted his sunglasses slightly. "I simply notice what most people overlook. But looking back, if I had noticed something was wrong with Kirito earlier, maybe… maybe a lot of tragedies could have been avoided."

Kakashi fell silent, his mind flashing back to his days as a Genin. He thought about Obito and Rin—the mistakes he'd made, and the tragedies that had followed. A bitter smile formed beneath his mask as he stood up.

"Team 8 is excellent at tracking and reconnaissance," he said, looking at Kurenai. "It seems you've taught them well, Kurenai. We'll talk more another time."

With that, Kakashi placed the handbook back on the table, picked up the groceries he'd bought earlier, and disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

Kurenai didn't say a word. She sat quietly, her fingers brushing the pure gold ring hanging from her neck, her mind lost in memories of Kirito.

Team 8's Curiosity

"Sensei," Kiba said, breaking the silence. "Is this Fujiwara Kirito really that strong? I get that Uchiha Itachi is a big deal—he's from that clan—but Kirito…"

"He is indeed very powerful," Kurenai replied simply, her voice calm and unreadable.

Hinata, sitting beside Kiba, lowered her gaze. She saw something familiar in her sensei's expression—a quiet, lingering sorrow. Sensei Kurenai, I know you don't believe that Brother Kirito is a bad person either, she thought.

At that moment, Naruto came bounding over, having just finished walking a particularly energetic ninja dog. "Hey, Kiba! Hinata! Shino! What are you guys looking at?" he asked cheerfully.

Trailing behind him were Sasuke and Sakura. Unlike Naruto, they didn't seem eager to greet Team 8. Sasuke's mind was elsewhere, his thoughts still preoccupied with his recent brush with death in the Land of Waves. The experience had left him determined to grow stronger, and he wasn't interested in idle chatter. Meanwhile, Sakura's focus remained fixed on Sasuke, as always.

Kiba rolled his eyes at Naruto. "None of your business, loser," he said, crossing his arms smugly. His eyes lit up as an idea struck him. "Actually, I was just telling everyone about this!" He held up the Rogue Ninja Handbook. "It's got all the top-tier rogue ninjas in it. One of them is a former member of our Team 8—a student of Sensei Kurenai. Impressive, right?"

"It's impressive, sure, but no matter how strong he is, he's got nothing on my Kirito Nissan!" Naruto retorted. Before Kiba could react, Naruto snatched the handbook from his hands.

"Hey, give it back!" Kiba lunged for the manual, and the two began a tug-of-war.

As they struggled, the handbook slipped from their grasp and flew through the air, landing on Sasuke, who was passing by.

"Sasuke, be careful!" Sakura called out, her eyes lighting up at the chance to play the heroine.

But Sasuke didn't need saving. Without even glancing up, he casually caught the book, his movements smooth and effortless.

"Sasuke, you're amazing!" Sakura gushed, hearts practically popping out of her eyes.

Everyone else present cringed, collectively unimpressed by her outburst.

Sasuke, as aloof as ever, ignored Sakura and opened the handbook. As his eyes scanned the pages, they landed on the entries for Kirito and Uchiha Itachi. His expression darkened, and an icy chill radiated from him, making Sakura shiver.

Kiba sauntered over. "Hey, Sasuke, there's another Uchiha in there. You know him?"

"He's my brother," Sasuke replied coldly.

Sakura, oblivious to the tension in the air, clapped her hands together in excitement. "Sasuke's brother is so amazing! He even made it into the book!"

"Shut up," Sasuke snapped, glaring at her. "One day, I'll kill him."

Ignoring Sakura's shocked expression, Sasuke turned to Kurenai and pointed to Kirito's entry in the handbook. "Was this guy your student?"

"And if he was?" Kurenai responded evenly, her voice laced with coldness. She clearly had no patience for the boy's attitude and began to walk away.

"Wait!" Sasuke called out, stepping forward. Before he could take another step, Kurenai formed a seal, casting a genjutsu on him.

In his mind's eye, Sasuke found himself trapped in the trunk of a massive tree, his body immobilized with only his head exposed.

"What's the point of asking these questions now?" Kurenai asked, turning to face him. Her calm demeanor was gone, replaced by a sharp edge. "Are you planning to hunt him down, like a bounty ninja?"

"No," Sasuke replied through gritted teeth, sweat beading on his forehead. "I just… I want to know how strong he is. How does he compare to Uchiha Itachi?"

Kurenai studied him for a moment, her expression softening slightly. She released the genjutsu, and Sasuke staggered forward, breathing heavily.

"I've never fought Uchiha Itachi, so I can't tell you who's stronger," Kurenai said. "But I can tell you this: Kirito is very strong. Even as a Genin, he mastered every ninjutsu and genjutsu I taught him—and then surpassed me, his teacher."

Sasuke's fists clenched at his sides, his determination to grow stronger burning brighter than ever.

(End of this chapter)