"Brother, it's my fault!" Shikamaru cried out as he looked at the "devil" in front of him—his face bruised, swollen, and blue.
"I know I was wrong! Why did I lie to you?"
The "devil" in Shikamaru's eyes was none other than the very trouble he'd been trying to avoid—Menma.
As soon as Menma found Shikamaru, he didn't say a word—he simply beat the poor guy senseless.
With his genius-level IQ, Shikamaru quickly figured out why: obviously, it was because he lied to avoid playing chess. But every time he opened his mouth to apologize, Menma silenced him with another blow. No chance to speak, no chance to escape.
According to Menma, Shikamaru was the smartest among his younger brothers… and also the most disobedient.
After the one-sided beatdown, Menma finally let go and questioned him.
"Boss, you're way too good at chess—I can't win," Shikamaru said, forcing himself to hold back the truth. No, it's because you suck at chess! ┭┮﹏┭┮ I don't want to play with you!
"Ohh? That's all? Don't worry, I'll let you win next time."
Am I really that good at chess? Menma thought. Why didn't I notice? Sigh… being too strong is a curse.
With that, Menma let him go, and Shikamaru limped home with his face puffed up like a pig's head.
Shikamaru: ┭┮﹏┭┮ Someone please save me.
Meanwhile, although Zabuza had been declared dead, Kakashi couldn't shake a strange feeling of unease.
Why does something feel off? Did I overlook something?
"Kakashi-sensei, is something wrong?" Sakura asked, noticing his distracted expression.
"No," Kakashi replied with a smile.
Elsewhere, Naruto and Sasuke were deep in conversation about the battle.
"When we get back from this mission, I'm going to ask my brother to train me," Naruto said, reflecting on what had happened. If Kakashi-sensei hadn't been there, I could've died!
My brother was right—only the strong survive. I have to learn more techniques if I want to protect my brother and Hinata.
Naruto clenched his fists with resolve.
"Me too. This time, I'm going to unlock the three-tomoe Sharingan," Sasuke said. "Naruto, you'd better 'die' again."
"Pervert! You use me for training every day—do you even feel guilty?" Naruto yelled.
"I do," Sasuke nodded seriously, showing just how much Naruto meant to him.
"Pervert!" Naruto yelled again.
Sasuke: O(∩_∩)O
He just smiled at Naruto. When they got back, he'd ask his brother to trap him in a genjutsu again—filled with scenes of Naruto's various "deaths." After dozens of iterations, he would finally awaken the three-tomoe Sharingan.
Sasuke even told Naruto about it later.
Upon hearing it, Naruto flipped out and started fighting him.
"You psycho! You want me to 'die' for real?"
Then he ran home to complain to his brother.
But Menma just laughed out loud.
Naruto stared in disbelief. "Brother! You're laughing? Do you even love me anymore?!"
Menma stroked Naruto's hair with a smile. "That just means you're very important to Sasuke."
Then, he explained the origin of the Sharingan.
"Hmph!" Naruto snorted and turned his head away. But the corners of his mouth curled upward.
Don't worry, Sasuke. I'll protect you too. You're my first real friend.
Naruto's consciousness suddenly entered his mindscape, interrupting Kurama, who was right in the middle of a juicy scene in his novel.
"Nine Tails! Nine Tails!" Naruto called out.
Kurama looked up with a scowl. "What do you want now, brat?"
Interrupting me during the climax…
"Nine Tails, I want to become stronger. Can you help me?" Naruto asked sincerely.
Kurama squinted at him. "Brat, wouldn't it be better to ask your brother? His fighting style suits you more anyway."
That brother of yours is a total monster. He might even match the old man someday…
"I know, my brother's amazing," Naruto said.
Kurama: (へ╬) Then why are you bothering me?!
Without another word, he tossed Naruto out of the mindscape and resumed reading.
Eventually, Kakashi and the others successfully escorted Mr. Tazuna back home, officially completing their mission.
Naruto and Sasuke were practically bouncing with anticipation to return to the village.
"Thank you so much!" Mr. Tazuna said, gripping Kakashi's hand gratefully.
But Kakashi's next words shocked everyone.
"Zabuza… is still alive."
Mr. Tazuna: (O_o)??
Naruto: ε＝ε＝ε＝(#>д<)
Sasuke: Σ(⊙▽⊙"a
Sakura: (ΩДΩ) "Still alive?!"
"Mr. Kakashi, didn't you confirm he was dead?" Sakura asked in disbelief.
"I did. But I'm afraid it was suspended animation," Kakashi explained. "Those flying needles used by the Hunter-nin—unless they hit a vital point—they're extremely low in lethality. They're primarily used in acupuncture."
"Hunter-nin are highly knowledgeable about human anatomy. It's easy for them to put someone into a death-like state."
"Also, that masked kid carried a full-grown man heavier than himself, and he used needles that barely do damage… All of that tells me his goal wasn't to kill Zabuza—it was to save him."
Mr. Tazuna hesitated. "Don't you think you're overthinking this?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No. A ninja must always prepare for the worst. That's the rule."
He turned to his students and said sternly, "Even if your enemy is seriously injured, finish the job. Always land the killing blow."
Just like in LoL—no gold if you don't last-hit the minion.
The three nodded seriously.
Naruto and Sasuke glanced at each other, then smirked.
At the same time, they both turned to Kakashi and said, "Kakashi-sensei, we're going out to train!"
Before Kakashi could respond, the two had already taken off.
Sakura chased after them. "Wait for me!" she shouted.
That annoying Naruto is trying to be alone with Sasuke again. No way I'm letting that happen!
Kakashi clutched his forehead and sighed.
These two troublemakers… Looks like that fight really fired them up. But that's a good thing.
As for their safety, he wasn't too concerned. Zabuza wouldn't be back anytime soon. After all, he was hit with Chidori, and Naruto's seal had been loosened, unleashing Kurama.
Right now, Kakashi's top priority was to report everything back to the village.
"Ninjutsu: Summoning Technique!"
(End Of Chapter)
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