Early the next morning, Natsuki transformed into his adult form and bought a hardcover edition of hot blooded paradise at the Shueisha store.
Although Kakashi's house should already have a collection, the best gift Natsuki could think of was this. He figured Kakashi probably wouldn't refuse... right?
Tenten casually picked up a volume and flipped through it, her face instantly turning red. She quickly closed the book.
She looked at Natsuki awkwardly, hesitating: "Xia, Natsuki, if you have needs, you, you can tell me, you don't need to read this kind of book..."
Natsuki knew the girl had misunderstood and quickly explained: "It's not for me to read. Didn't I say Kakashi-senpai likes this kind of thing? This is a Meeting Gift . Besides, this book was written by Lord Jiraiya, and it's selling like hotcakes in the Ninja World."
"Huh? It was written by Lord Jiraiya, One of the Sannin?!"
Tenten's eyes widened, "One of the Sannin actually wrote this kind of thing, it's completely disillusioning!"
Natsuki seized the opportunity: "Jiraiya is perverted, Tsunade is a gambler, and Orochimaru is a rogue ninja, so let's not even talk about him. In short, don't have too many illusions about the Sannin. They are far inferior to Sakumo Hatake-senpai. And Tenten, be careful in the future. Jiraiya has a habit of peeping into women's bathhouses. You'd best not go to bathhouses in the future."
This, this, this....
Tenten was stunned, clearly unable to accept it.
The Sannin she admired, how could they be like this? Even Tsunade-sama is a gambler?
Seeing that it was almost time, Natsuki and Tenten took the hardcover edition of hot blooded paradise to the agreed-upon training ground. Kai was already waiting, doing one-handed push-ups.
"Yo! Natsuki, Tenten, you two are here."
Kai immediately got up and started lecturing Natsuki, "Tenten told me everything. Natsuki, you were too eager for success, you overtrained and fainted from pain. That's not good at all. Let me tell you the most reasonable way to train... Blah blah blah... Understand? Youthful, passionate training won't deceive you. Make sure to pay attention in the future!"
Natsuki could only nod repeatedly, realizing for the first time how much Kai could talk.
Tenten, however, took the opportunity to look around, not seeing anyone. For a moment, she thought they had been stood up.
"Teacher Kai, where is Kakashi-senpai?"
"Oh, Kakashi is definitely helping an old lady cross the street. Being late is normal for him," Kai replied matter-of-factly.
"What the heck? Helping an old lady cross the street? Although it's kind, as a Ninja, being punctual is important, right? Is Kakashi-senpai really an Elite Ninja like this?" Tenten couldn't help but complain.
"Well, Kakashi is only like this normally. If it's a real mission, he won't be late."
Hearing Kai's explanation, Tenten didn't really believe it.
Tenten always felt that the Ninja of the Village gave her a disillusioned impression. Not only the Sannin, but now even the legendary Konoha technician is like this. Yesterday, she felt sorry for him after hearing the story her boyfriend told, but she didn't expect him to be like this. Maybe he really is listless, otherwise, why would he be like this?
Natsuki thought for a moment, formed hand seals, and used the Water Release: Telescope Technique, condensing lenses in front of him and in the air to form a telescope.
The scene within a one-kilometer radius immediately appeared within the lenses in front of him. He quickly found a man with one eye covered by his headband and wearing a mask, who was none other than Kakashi Hatake.
"This is Kakashi-senpai? He looks pretty cool, but the dead fish eyes are real," Tenten said, giving her first impression.
"Hahaha! Kakashi is very strong, and he's my eternal rival! So far, my score against him is 40:39, I'm a bit better than him!" Kai said, laughing with his hands on his hips.
"Really?" Tenten didn't believe him.
"Of course it's true! I'm really better than Kakashi!"
"Hey, hey, hey, Kai, don't talk nonsense to the kids. The score so far is 38:39. How can the last two meals count as matches?"
A lazy voice came. Kakashi appeared with his hands in his pockets. His speed was quite fast, surprisingly.
Kakashi's dead fish eyes swept over Tenten, finally landing on Natsuki: "This little guy must be the Natsuki Kai was talking about. You handle this Water Release: Telescope Technique quite well."
Tenten's mouth dropped open in surprise. She hadn't even noticed when Kakashi arrived.
He was clearly in the water mirror just a moment ago, meaning he was walking slowly within a one-kilometer range, but he arrived in the blink of an eye. Could it be that he truly lives up to his name as the legendary Konoha technician, Kakashi?
Kai smiled and gave a thumbs-up: "Yo! My eternal rival! You're finally here!"
"Kakashi-senpai."
Natsuki greeted him, "I didn't expect to receive praise from Kakashi-senpai on our first meeting. It's truly an honor. I heard Kakashi-senpai has the title of Copy Ninja. Do you think highly of my Telescope Technique? Do you want to try copying it with your Sharingan?"
Kakashi's dead fish eyes stared at Natsuki: "You certainly know a lot. However, this Telescope Technique of yours is indeed useful. In a team without Byakugan assistance, it's the best exploration Ninjutsu. But are you underestimating me? I don't need the Sharingan, yet I've already learned it."
Natsuki silently canceled his Ninjutsu. He naturally didn't underestimate Kakashi.
He even knew more than Kakashi did.
However, his goal this time was the Hatake Swordmanship. There was no need to say anything else, so he quickly took out the hardcover edition of hot blooded paradise and handed it over.
"I heard Kakashi-senpai likes to read this kind of book, so I bought the hardcover edition despite the pressure of potentially getting my girlfriend's ear twisted. Kakashi-senpai must already have a collection at home, but please accept this as a meeting gift."
"Oh? You even inquired about my preferences?"
Kakashi stepped forward and took a look. He didn't refuse, accepting the entire set of books. A junior's heartfelt gesture, it wouldn't be good to refuse, right?
"Speaking of which, you already have a girlfriend, and she's Kai's student. The little girl is quite cute, you have good taste."
"My taste is naturally excellent. If Kakashi-senpai wants to find a partner, I can also help set you up. I know quite a few beautiful female Ninja in the Village. For example, Kurenai Yuhi-senpai, who lives next door to Teacher Kai, is a great beauty..."
"Cough cough cough! Stop, stop! Kid, do you want me to get beaten to death by Asuma?"
Kakashi didn't want to keep going back and forth with this kid.
If they kept talking, he might actually have to help set him up, and then Asuma would surely come directly and kill him!
Tenten looked at her boyfriend, then at Kakashi, feeling that the two were engaged in a verbal sparring match, but she couldn't quite understand it. People who speak in riddles are really annoying.
Kakashi went straight to the point: "Kai told me that you want to learn the Hatake family's swordmanship."
Natsuki nodded seriously: "Yes. I'm very sorry, I took the liberty of inquiring about Sakumo Hatake-senpai's affairs..."
Kakashi waved his hand: "It's no big deal. On the contrary, I'm actually quite relieved that there are still children who know about my father and even want to learn his swordmanship. He, he should be happy too, right."
"Then, will Kakashi-senpai teach me?"
"Teaching swordmanship isn't a problem, but I need to see your capacity first!"