As Hoshita Shūichi examined the array of expert-level skills on his Skill Tree, his gaze settled on [Fire Release Mastery].
Among the available options, this one seemed the most attainable.
The requirement was to master at least five C-rank or higher Fire Release techniques. Currently, he had already mastered two.
Additionally, he had yet to practice the C-rank Dragon Flame Jutsu in his possession.
That left him two short. Perhaps Tsunade could help with that?
With his goal set, exhaustion crept in. Shūichi turned off the lights and went to bed.
The Next Morning, 9 AM
Shūichi arrived punctually at Ten'shō Shop and began crafting explosive tags in the workshop.
Meanwhile, at the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen received the detailed dossier on Shūichi submitted by Root.
Just as he finished reviewing it, Orochimaru knocked and entered.
Hiruzen handed the documents to him without preamble.
Orochimaru skimmed through the contents, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "A talent rivaling Minato's, it seems. Are you asking me to take him as my student?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "No. You're going to Root."
Orochimaru's eyebrow arched. He immediately grasped the implication—this boy, Hoshita Shūichi, had drawn Danzo's interest. Sending him to Root meant surveillance, curbing Danzo's influence, even supplanting him eventually...
How amusing.
"I understand, Sensei," Orochimaru replied smoothly.
Hiruzen continued, "Once Shūichi completes his special training in Root, he'll be under your supervision."
Root Headquarters
After leaving the Hokage's office, Orochimaru headed straight for Root's base and met with Danzo.
Once the subordinates were dismissed, Danzo cut to the chase. "I hear you're interested in researching Hashirama's cells."
Orochimaru nodded. "Indeed. Though the village denied my request."
"I can assist you," Danzo offered, well aware of Hiruzen's intentions behind Orochimaru's assignment. How naive of his old friend.
"I'll provide everything—Hashirama's cells, test subjects, funding." Danzo's tone was laden with temptation. "Naturally, I expect a share of the results."
Orochimaru's smile widened. "Naturally."
The deal was struck. Then, casually, he added, "Shūichi will undergo Root's training soon. The old man assigned him to me."
Danzo's expression darkened, but his composure held. "Ensure he serves Root's purposes."
Orochimaru inclined his head. "Understood."
Four Days Later
Shūichi had earned 24,000 ryo in one go—and promptly spent it all at Ten'shō Shop.
The shopkeeper, Ten'un, gifted him a set of shuriken, kunai, and senbon free of charge. But the real expense was the secret medicinal ingredients for his baths, which devoured his entire summer's earnings.
The supply would last three months, roughly covering the new semester.
Yet Shūichi didn't bat an eye.
These medicinal baths alleviated fatigue, healed micro-injuries from training, and strengthened bones and muscles. They even marginally boosted chakra reserves.
The effects weren't dramatic, but they compounded over time—just like the advantages clan-born shinobi enjoyed over their civilian counterparts. Better nutrition, resources, and generational accumulation all widened the gap.
September 15th, Academy Grounds
The new semester began as if nothing had changed.
But appearances were deceiving.
During the afternoon's weaponry class, girls cheered for Kakashi as usual, while Uchiha Obito fumed in predictable frustration.
Shūichi performed adequately, avoiding flashy displays.
The real spectacle came during sparring matches.
As the class watched the bouts, Shūichi quietly updated his Memory Palace with observations on everyone's progress.
Unbeknownst to them, Hiruzen was also watching—through his crystal ball in the Hokage's office.
"Next match: Hatake Kakashi versus Hoshita Shūichi!" Kimura Katsuya announced.
Obito immediately protested. "Sensei! Why isn't I fighting Kakashi?"
Kimura ignored him. Because the Hokage ordered it, you fool.
"Form the seal of confrontation!"
Shūichi and Kakashi complied, the latter quirking a brow as Shūichi whispered, "I'm going all out this time."
Kakashi's visible eye crinkled. "Looking forward to it."
The moment Kimura signaled the start, the two lunged at each other.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Their fists and feet blurred, stirring gusts of wind with each collision. The speed of their exchanges left the audience breathless, the cheers dying into stunned silence.
Even Shizune and Nohara Rin forgot to vocalize support, eyes glued to the duel. Many struggled to follow the action.
"That damn Kakashi..." Obito clenched his fists. Reluctantly, he admitted Kakashi had improved even further over the break.
Meanwhile, Sarutobi Asuma watched Shūichi with growing unease. First Kakashi, now him?
As the Hokage's son, losing to one prodigy was bad enough.
But Shūichi's progress was undeniable.
Despite his reflexes, Shūichi gradually lost ground in pure taijutsu—outmatched in technique and raw power.
Thud!
Kakashi's kick sent Shūichi flying. Yet mid-air, Shūichi drew two shuriken and hurled them.
Kakashi blocked them effortlessly with a kunai, already forming hand signs—he'd spotted Shūichi preparing a Fire Release.
Anticipating the evasion, Kakashi launched his kunai and crouched.
Shūichi dodged the projectile smoothly, then altered his seals.
Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!
Clone Technique!
A barrier erupted before Kakashi. Simultaneously, a swarm of clones materialized around him—but not as Shūichi's duplicates.
They took the forms of Yūhi Kurenai, Nohara Rin, Shizune, Sarutobi Asuma...
On the first day of the new term, Shūichi delivered a small shock to the entire class.
Kakashi had previously combined clone and transformation techniques during Kimura's assessment, conjuring a dozen copies of their instructor. But Shūichi's execution was far more dazzling.
Now, the entire class "surrounded" Kakashi.
The transformations were flawless—mimicking even their fighting styles. For a moment, Asuma and Obito struggled to distinguish illusion from reality.
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