Kakashi fell silent.
Garou's way of thinking had always been different from that of ordinary shinobi.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to create so many original techniques.
But when it came to the Hyūga Clan...
After mulling it over for a moment, Kakashi finally said seriously, "If you plan to submit this technique to the Book of Creation, it probably won't face much resistance. But if you want to spread it widely… that might be difficult."
"I figured as much," Garou nodded. "Actually, if you think about it, the Eight Inner Gates are essentially chakra points too."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
Why were they suddenly talking about the Eight Gates again?
This kid's train of thought really was impossible to follow sometimes.
While Kakashi tried to catch up, Garou continued, "The Eight Gates regulate and protect the body. But what if we could open them partially? Controlled access, something safer."
"Controlled access…" Kakashi murmured, eyes narrowing. "Plenty of people have tried. Even the Second Hokage explored that idea once."
"But it's hard, right?" Garou said. "The chakra released is too volatile. No matter how many safety measures you add, it's almost impossible to contain."
Kakashi nodded slowly. "Yeah."
Then Garou tilted his head. "By the way, Sensei, you came looking for me, right?"
"Ah, right," Kakashi said, shifting gears. "That matter you asked me about, it's done."
Garou blinked. "What I asked?"
Then it clicked.
His eyes brightened in realization.
'Danzo took the fall? Perfect.'
It was always convenient having someone in the village willing to shoulder the blame when necessary.
Excited, Garou took a breath to calm himself and asked, "So we've got time to focus on the ninja tools project?"
"Yes. The Hokage approved it. He even assigned Tenten to assist you. But Garou…" Kakashi's voice dropped. "You'll have to deal with Danzo and Root eventually. Be very careful."
"I understand," Garou said sincerely.
He truly did.
Danzo was dangerous, ruthless, secretive, and armed with too many unknowns. But now that Danzo had taken interest, avoiding him wasn't realistic.
Still, meeting Danzo as a potential collaborator might not be such a bad thing. There were aspects of Root, its infrastructure, its forbidden knowledge, even its secrets, that intrigued Garou deeply.
When they arrived at Ichiraku, they were relieved to see the lights still on.
Soon, the comforting slurp of noodles echoed within the stall.
Kakashi hadn't just come to reassure Garou. He was worried. Tenten, for all her promise, wasn't a threat, or a target. But Garou…was different.
The next morning, there was a knock on his door.
"Lord Danzo. Please, come in."
"Hm." Danzo stepped inside, leaning on his cane. His sharp eyes swept across the disordered room, cluttered with scrolls, chakra diagrams, sealing blueprints.
Messy. Purposeful. Focused.
It reminded him of the old labs used by Tobirama and, later, Orochimaru.
Smaller in scale, but the atmosphere was the same.
Danzo didn't speak for several seconds.
Then he finally said, "The proposal you gave Yamato was well structured. He tested it. Wood Release performance improved."
Garou's eyes narrowed slightly. 'He knew about that? Already?'
Danzo had eyes everywhere.
"I, uh..."
"The Third Hokage and Kakashi may have told you about me," Danzo interrupted. "So I came in person. When it comes to chakra-based tools, your research and Root's goals align."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out.
In and out. Like a ghost.
But the message was clear.
Danzo wasn't there to threaten him. He was interested. Maybe it was the tools. Maybe it was Garou.
Or maybe both.
As long as he saw potential value, Danzo would play along, even as a scapegoat.
At least for now.
Garou muttered under his breath. "Guess he's not even trying to hide how shady he is anymore."
Moments later, Kakashi arrived, late and clearly annoyed.
"What did he want?"
"Just to tell me I don't need to worry about him."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
He'd rushed over the moment he sensed Danzo's presence. He'd expected an ultimatum, or worse.
But Danzo had already left, just to deliver that message?
It was unsettling.
Under his mask, Kakashi's face was unreadable. But Garou imagined he looked like someone who just missed the last train.
Still, Danzo's visit passed like a shadow.
Life moved on.
And for a shinobi, morning meant training.
Garou, curious as ever, performed a quick internal chakra scan.
His body… definitely felt stronger than yesterday.
He smirked.
So the Fifth Mark enhanced physical growth. That explained the surge in strength and height lately.
Kakashi had his usual routine: light exercises, some reading, and leisurely "patrolling" the village while pretending to be off-duty.
"Kakashi-sensei, are you free today?"
Kakashi glanced at him over the top of his book.
Then closed it with a sigh. "I'm not."
"Which means you are. Great. I need your help."
Garou grinned, already clapping his hands.
Kakashi groaned.
He already knew, this was going to be a pain.
"What is it this time?"
"After yesterday's experiments, I've got the basic structure down," Garou said. "But shadow clones aren't durable enough for proper testing. I even tried it on a few chickens. Surprisingly effective."
Kakashi paused.
Even with the Sharingan, Kakashi wasn't sure he could develop a technique like that this fast.
The air turned heavier.
Kakashi finally asked, "Which technique? The point-strike one?"
"Sensei, don't be silly. Shadow clones don't even have chakra networks."
"…Right."
Kakashi sighed again. "You know, this doesn't feel like asking for help."
"Sorry!!" Garou apologized with a quick bow.
Moments later, they stood in a quiet training courtyard near the medical unit.
The location was intentional.
Internal-targeting jutsu were dangerous. If something went wrong, they'd need backup. A few curious med-nin peeked from the back entrance.
"What are they doing?" one whispered.
"Testing a new technique," said Kitayama, arms crossed.
"So soon?"
"Soon?" Kitayama scoffed lightly. "He's been delayed. If he hadn't been busy, this would've happened days ago."
She was used to it by now.
Garou's insane growth didn't faze her anymore. In fact, ever since she met him, her own progress had accelerated.
A student surpassing their teachers?
Well… she could live with that.
Not that she'd ever admit it out loud.
Hyakusa, standing nearby, grimaced. "You're not wrong…"
"Sensei, I'm ready," Garou called.
Kakashi's eye twitched slightly.
Something about this still didn't sit right.
"What's wrong?" Garou asked.
"Ah, nothing," Kakashi muttered, wiping his forehead. "Just let me finish this page real quick…"
Then, he felt it.
A shift in the air.
A familiar chakra flared in the distance, closing in fast.
A blur appeared at the hospital's back gate, then zipped forward.
In the next instant, a green jumpsuit landed beside them.
"Kakashi! We meet again! Let's duel! I want to see how much you've improved!"
Kakashi didn't even flinch. "Sure. But I'm picking the rules this time."
Guy's eyes sparkled. "As expected! You're challenging me! My youth burns ever brighter! What's the competition today?!"
Kakashi looked him dead in the eye.
"Let's see… Who can take a beating better."
"That's terrifying! Only you would come up with something so outrageous!"
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