"So, your surname is Zenin?"
"Yeah."
Garou nodded. "But I'm just a civilian."
"Some civilian families were once noble clans during the Warring States era," Kakashi mused. "They just declined after the rise of the ninja system. I remember reading the Zenin name in a scroll once, probably a former samurai clan."
"Maybe." Garou wasn't sure. There were no sword manuals left in his house. If there had been, he wouldn't have needed to ask Tenten for help with sword training.
"Well, those old traditions don't matter much anymore," Kakashi said with a shrug. "Even the Land of Iron practices chakra now. Whether or not you're from a samurai bloodline doesn't mean much."
Despite his words, Kakashi's right hand twitched slightly.
The conversation was getting dull, and he was feeling the itch to open a book. But considering its adult content, he resisted the temptation, for now.
Still…he could control his mind, but not always his hand.
Garou wasn't a ninja yet, but his senses were sharp and well-trained. He noticed Kakashi's subtle fidgeting.
'Looks like this version of Kakashi still cares about appearances.'
In the original series, he'd read Icha Icha Paradise openly, even in front of his students, without a trace of shame, like he had nothing left in the village to be embarrassed about.
Maybe Kakashi was cautious around him because he seemed too perceptive.
Maybe he thought Garou would figure out the book wasn't child-friendly.
Garou gently shook his head and said, "If you want to read your book, I won't mind."
"Uh…" Kakashi froze for a second, clearly caught off guard.
"It's alright. I haven't read Master Jiraiya's work, but I've heard the rumors."
He had, in fact, snuck a peek at one of Jiraiya's books. To be honest, the content wasn't all that shocking, more like Jiraiya's personal fantasies with some eccentric fluff thrown in. Garou had a dozen ideas more creative in his own head.
Kakashi went silent for a few seconds.
He'd been in this situation before, but somehow with Garou, it felt different.
Usually, he wouldn't care. But this kid walked while reading medical textbooks and ninjutsu theory scrolls.
Meanwhile, he was flipping through adult novels.
The contrast was a little… painful.
Kakashi cleared his throat awkwardly. "No worries. Books are just for personal growth, not necessities. Let's keep chatting. Lord Third mentioned you to me. I've been a bit curious."
"Lord Hokage mentioned me?"
Garou was genuinely surprised.
It looked like the old man had tried to pass him off to Kakashi. But from the look of things, Kakashi must've refused. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone straight to offering an Anbu invitation earlier.
"Haha. The Third cares a lot about the village's talent."
'Yeah, right,' Garou thought.
Hiruzen's record with nurturing talent was not nonexistent, but mostly lip service. He was still coasting on Tobirama's legacy, the academy system and structural foundations he'd inherited.
That said, Garou respected his skill.
As someone without any unique bloodline or special body constitution, Hiruzen had still reached the peak.
That, in itself, was impressive.
Just… teaching wasn't his strong suit.
Garou and Kakashi didn't know each other well.
Even with Hiruzen acting as a bridge, it would've been rude to outright ask Kakashi to train him in swordsmanship or ninjutsu.
Likewise, Kakashi didn't know Garou's full potential, so their exchange remained casual.
They continued chatting while walking through the forest path. As they neared the village, Garou finally voiced a question that had nagged at him since his past life.
"Kakashi-senpai, your Sharingan… it's always active, right?"
"Hmm? Why do you ask?"
Kakashi's face was hidden behind a mask, and his nose buried in a book. Garou couldn't read his expression.
But he continued anyway.
"Since you can't deactivate it, doesn't it constantly drain your chakra? I've heard your chakra reserves aren't that high, so wouldn't using a sword help manage that better?"
It was something he'd wondered about since watching Naruto in his previous life.
The White Fang's sword style was powerful.
Kakashi had trained with the sword from a young age, using it before he even developed Chidori. Even though the original blade was destroyed, Garou refused to believe that neither the Hatake clan nor Konoha could provide a chakra blade to replace it.
Sure, Lightning Blade could be seen as a form of sword technique, but Garou knew Kakashi couldn't use that all the time.
Kakashi didn't answer immediately.
He stared at the same page of Icha Icha for nearly half a minute before replying.
"Maybe swords just don't suit someone like me. And this eye… it was a gift from a comrade. I've chosen to live with it."
He paused, then added, "Besides, there aren't many people left who can actually force me to burn through all my chakra."
He closed the book and sighed, though he soon flipped it open again.
Garou said nothing.
Even among Jonin, there were vast differences. Elite Jonin like Kakashi weren't just strong. They were terrifyingly versatile.
"Well, I've enjoyed our conversation," Kakashi said, stretching lazily as his tone returned to its usual relaxed drawl.
"As I said before, that Anbu offer was serious. But your answer was also correct."
"Sometimes, rushing ahead too fast can backfire. Still, if you ever change your mind, just speak to the Hokage."
"Yes, sir."
"Later."
Kakashi gave a small wave, nose buried in his book again as he casually strolled toward Ichiraku Ramen.
Garou grabbed a few rice balls from a vendor and made his way toward the academy.
At the gate, he spotted Shikamaru lounging on a swing and Choji glancing around restlessly nearby.
"This is such a drag. We could've left ages ago, but we've been waiting for you for like half an hour."
"Sorry. Got caught up talking with a senior."
Garou handed over a few rice balls. Choji's eyes lit up and, without hesitation, grabbed one and began munching gratefully.
Shikamaru sighed and pulled out two books from his pocket.
One was Nara Clan Medical Research.
The other wasn't a book at all but a collection of notes, clearly copied from the Akimichi clan.
"Here's your stuff."
"Pass my thanks to Lord Shikaku."
Shikamaru looked confused.
"You know… you could spend more time on jutsu training. Why bother with this medical stuff?"
Garou leaned against the academy wall and replied with a shrug.
"For me, developing medicine isn't hard. And if it boosts training efficiency across the board, why not? Plus, I'm not the only one who benefits."
He gave a faint smile. "You wouldn't understand now. But one day, when you're faced with helplessness and despair, you'll get it."
"…" Shikamaru paused. He didn't reply.
He jumped off the swing in silence and walked away.
On his way home, he saw Naruto practicing alone.
'Haven't experienced it, huh?'
He looked at Naruto, then turned to glance back toward Garou's direction, his face contemplative.
"Shikamaru, you've been zoning out lately."
"I don't get it."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing… Maybe he and my dad are right. Let's go, Choji. Time for dinner."
Shikamaru sighed heavily, dragging his feet.
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