Chapter 132: I Want to Talk to the Nine-Tails!

In the Forest of Death. "Captain." Upon seeing Kyohiko’s "Kirin" mask, the four men bowed respectfully. They were the captains of the four divisions of the Anbu. Though the man before them was much younger, his strength had earned their recognition and admiration. Especially recently. Over the past two days, more and more intelligence had been sent back to Konoha, giving them a whole new understanding of Kyohiko’s achievements and power. The strongest of the younger generation. The only one who could compare to him was Namikaze Minato—who was eleven years his senior. However... Minato’s personality wasn’t suited for the Anbu, so... At least he’s better than Orochimaru, right? They sighed inwardly, praying Kyohiko wouldn’t pull any outrageous stunts. Kyohiko’s gaze swept over them before settling on a mask with an "Elephant" pattern. Elephant? A relic who survived all the way until Pain’s destruction of Konoha... and he’s already in the Anbu now? He stared at the man. "Your codename is Elephant?" "Yes, sir." Elephant lowered his head, his tone respectful. Besides him, there were masks with flower and tiger patterns. One by one, they introduced their codenames. Of course— Not everyone had one. For example— One of them simply went by his real name. Gekko Shusaku. A member of the Gekko clan, skilled in swordsmanship and assassination. Currently, he was the captain of one of the combat squads. Kyohiko spoke: "My codename is ’Rin.’ Starting today, I’ll be your colleague. For the upcoming selections and training, I’ll need your cooperation and assistance." "Understood. We’ll do our best." "Rin-sama, there’s one candidate I believe is already fit to join the combat squad. His abilities, judgment, teamwork, and leadership skills are all Anbu-level." Gekko Shusaku said. Kyohiko replied, "Hatake Kakashi? He will be an Anbu member. But before that, I need him to help with the training division." "Understood." The moment Shusaku heard "Kakashi," he knew he didn’t need to worry anymore. Within the Anbu, who hadn’t heard of Kakashi and Kyohiko? One was a genius. The other was a being who transcended the very concept of genius. Each more terrifying than the last—and they were from the same squad. They must have already worked things out between them. He fell silent. But then Kyohiko added, "Once the training is over, I’ll assign Kakashi to your squad. How does that sound?" "Huh?" Shusaku was stunned at first—then overjoyed. "Really?!" "Of course. But don’t regret it later." Kyohiko nodded. The Gekko clan contributed greatly to the Anbu, and he would need their support in the future. It was only natural to win them over. Shusaku eagerly agreed. "I won’t regret it!" "Rin-sama..." The others, seeing this, immediately spoke up, each wanting the candidates they had their eyes on— Kakashi might have been taken, but there were still plenty of promising shinobi worth training! "Aside from Kakashi, the others haven’t met the standard. If you want someone, you’ll have to take responsibility for their training." "Eh?" Elephant and the others were dumbfounded. This condition... Was something they hadn’t expected. After a moment of hesitation, they asked, "Then... does Shusaku’s squad not need to train theirs?" "Of course they do. But for Kakashi, we’ll assign three rookies. Most of their training will be done together—you’ll just need to provide one-on-one guidance." Kyohiko clarified. "Then... Deal!" Shusaku agreed without hesitation. The other three also nodded in agreement. If it was just one-on-one training, each squad could spare at least one person— A division had four teams. It wasn’t like every team was constantly on missions. "Rin-sama, what about the others?" "Some are only here for training. They might not qualify this time." Kyohiko explained briefly. The captains exchanged glances, confusion in their eyes. Not qualify? Then what was the point... "Some are young but have potential. If they don’t make it this time, they might next. Besides, stronger shinobi benefit the village. Training one person or two makes no difference—why not let them participate?" Kyohiko countered. They fell silent. That... made sense. But under Danzō, things had never been run this way. It would take time to adjust. "I know Danzō had a different style. But from today onward, I am the commander. You’ll need to adapt to my way of doing things." "Yes, sir!" "Elephant, according to the records, you specialize in ninjutsu, correct? You’ll handle that area. Shusaku, kenjutsu. Flower, reconnaissance..." One by one, he assigned their roles. ... Since this was a test, some had failed. Yet— In the end, everyone found themselves gathered at Training Ground 33. Confusion and surprise were evident in their eyes. Then, Kyohiko appeared. "Surprised? This wasn’t an elimination—just an assessment. To evaluate your skills, talents, and where you’d fit best. The training will be tailored accordingly." He leaped down from a tree. "Starting today, you will all undergo Anbu training!" The crowd exchanged bewildered looks. Anbu training... For them? They couldn’t believe it—until representatives came forward, asking each of them if they consented. Only then did they realize it was real. Free training from Konoha’s elite Anbu? Who would refuse? Kyohiko raised his hand. In an instant, four figures entered the field and took away most of the candidates, leaving only three behind. One was Kakashi. The other two— Shiranui Genma and Tatami Iwashi. "Kakashi doesn’t need basic training. Genma, your skillset is too one-dimensional. And Iwashi..." Kyohiko’s gaze settled on Tatami Iwashi. Iwashi tensed. He didn’t know who this man was, but given the earlier display, he was clearly a high-ranking Anbu official. Genma, however— He recognized Kyohiko immediately. Kyohiko had already told him he’d be joining Anbu training. With a faint smile, Kyohiko said, "Today, I’ll train you three personally. Consider it... a private lesson." Then, he reverted to his original appearance. Iwashi’s eyes widened in shock. "Kyohiko?!" "Attack me." Kyohiko looked at Kakashi, then closed his eyes—even plugging his ears with cotton. The three hesitated. A second later, Kakashi didn’t hold back. He drew his blade and slashed at Kyohiko with lightning-fast precision, his movements sharp and deadly. He even channeled Lightning Release chakra to enhance his speed. Yet— Clang! Kyohiko’s eyes snapped open. His counterattack struck first, hitting Kakashi’s wrist and deflecting the blade mid-swing. Kakashi froze. He tried several more times, but each strike was intercepted before it could land. After a moment of thought, he glanced at Genma and Iwashi, signaling them silently. Then— Iwashi launched a sneak attack from behind. Shiranui Genma flicked his wrist, launching four senbon with flawless precision. The needles flew silently—a hallmark of his clan’s technique, which used chakra to dampen sound. Yet— Kyohiko sidestepped Kakashi’s slash, drew his blade with his right hand to block Tatami Iwashi’s ambush from behind, and— With his left hand, he unsheathed a second sword, deflecting all four senbon in the blink of an eye. "See it now?" "...Somewhat." Kakashi’s visible eye narrowed in contemplation. Lately, his swordsmanship had hit a plateau. He’d been obsessing over the gap between himself, his father... and Kyohiko. What Kyohiko had just demonstrated might be the answer. "Between recognizing an attack and reacting, there’s always a delay. But if you train your blade, tools, or taijutsu to the level of instinct, your body will move before thought." Kyohiko mimed the motion. Mastery to the point where intent and action merge. That was how Might Gai operated. Without it, he couldn’t maintain precision or reaction speed under the strain of the Eight Gates. Kakashi, Iwashi, and Genma fell silent, digesting the concept. Instinctive mastery... "Alternatively, if your raw reflexes are fast enough, you can bypass this entirely." Kyohiko glanced at Kakashi. Kakashi shook his head. He wasn’t that fast. In pure reaction speed, Namikaze Minato topped his mental list—followed closely by Kyohiko. But their approaches differed. Minato was naturally gifted. Kyohiko compensated with heightened senses, perception, and relentless training, bridging the gap through sheer ingenuity. Kakashi could claim neither advantage. Instinct, then. After a long pause, he nodded. "Understood." "The training camp will give you that opportunity." One Week Later Namikaze Minato arrived at Kyohiko’s invitation. The moment he saw Kakashi, Iwashi, and Genma being chased across the field—bombarded by ninjutsu and forced into frantic evasion—he wiped cold sweat from his brow. "Kyohiko... isn’t this excessive?" "Not for them." Kyohiko grinned. Especially Kakashi. Genma and Iwashi lacked the skill to dodge perfectly, often taking hits. That forced Kakashi to push beyond his limits to protect them. Minato watched a while longer, then nodded faintly. "Training reflexes and instinct through live combat? It’s unorthodox... but very you." It reminded him of Kyohiko’s old "punching bag" drills. Except now, the "bags" were people—and the stakes were real. A misstep meant actual injuries, hence the medical team stationed nearby. Thorough as always. Minato relaxed. "You didn’t call me here just to watch, did you?" "Of course not. I need your help with an idea." Kyohiko’s tone turned serious. Minato gestured for him to continue. "I’ve studied the Flying Thunder God. Its complexity lies in spatial channel construction and coordinate seals. For one person, it’s near-impossible to maintain over long distances..." Kyohiko met Minato’s gaze. "But what if multiple users—or shadow clones—collaborated? A team casting it via combined seals or a barrier array?" "Team-based Flying Thunder God?" Minato’s brow furrowed. He ran simulations in his mind, drawing on his expertise in fūinjutsu. Within seconds, several array configurations surfaced. He couldn’t confirm which would work yet, but— "It’s possible." The implications were staggering. Even if it required three or four shinobi to execute, long-range teleportation would revolutionize warfare. "My own research on Flying Thunder God is rudimentary at best. I’m not sure how much help I can be..." Kyohiko admitted sheepishly. Minato chuckled. "It took me years to master it. Struggling is normal. This variant might take even longer to develop." Then, recalling Kyohiko’s track record, he side-eyed him. ...Or not. For all he knew, Kyohiko would crack it by next week. Clearing his throat, Minato shifted topics. "Actually, since you brought me here... there’s something I need your help with." "Oh?" Kyohiko turned, intrigued. What could Minato need now? Obito hadn’t even graduated yet. The Uchiha’s future "family-stabbing" spree was nowhere on the horizon. Then it hit him. "Kushina?" "Ah—hahaha, yeah." Minato rubbed his neck awkwardly. Most of his requests were Kushina-related. But with her cooped up in the village and bored out of her mind, she’d been pestering him for "something meaningful to do." Kyohiko smirked. Restless and eyeing the Hokage seat already? "How about teaching? The Academy could use a fūinjutsu instructor. Or the Anbu’s sealing division." "Teaching? Her?" Minato’s eye twitched. Kyohiko laughed outright. Clearly, Kushina’s patience with students was... lacking. "Let her try. If she fails, she’ll have to confront her own shortcomings. Isn’t becoming Hokage her goal? If she can’t handle this, how’d she lead the village?" Minato’s face lit up. He seized Kyohiko’s hand. "Genius! I’ll propose the Academy option first. Anbu work’s too grim for her." Kids would be far more forgiving than hardened operatives. Grinning, he added, "You always have the best solutions." "Just returning favors. Speaking of which... how’s the Nine-Tails situation?" "Still volatile." Minato sighed. The fox remained hostile, rejecting all attempts at dialogue. Kyohiko hummed, filing the information away. Perhaps winning Kushina’s favor could deepen his ties with Minato—and by extension, grant him access to Flying Thunder God without years of research. The Nine-Tails... "Minato, would you let me talk to it?" "What?!"