Chapter 383: Greeting Gift
Masahiko sat in a daze for a long time.
It wasn't until the conference hall became noisy and people started leaving that he finally came back to his senses.
"Is it because of the founder?" Masahiko's mouth twitched. "If that's the case, I should have had Nagato and Konan establish an Akatsuki in the Land of Whirlpools ages ago. I reckon they could have done it too. I almost missed out on all these Witness Points."
"Then Team Hawk would be Sasuke. When I get back, I'll have him, Naruto, and Toneri form a 'We Can't Stand Each Other, Hawk' team. No problem there." Masahiko looked thoughtful. "Who else could do it? If I had known, I would have had Danzo establish a 'Root'..."
By the time he finished thinking about all this and looked up, the attendees had mostly left. Only Obito's trio stood beside him, Kimimaro's trio stood behind him, and Yahiko looked at him from a distance with inquiring eyes...
"Master, is it really you?"
Masahiko smiled and glanced at Obito, then turned to Kimimaro's trio. "I announce that Team Hawk is officially disbanded!"
Karin heaved a sigh of relief. "Great Elder, what kind of crazy idea did you... It's good that it's disbanded. What a weird name."
Masahiko curled his lip. In the original story, when the handsome Sasuke gave this name, she didn't object... Could it be that I'm not handsome enough?
"Master, is it really you?!"
Masahiko raised an eyebrow. "Guess?"
Rin covered her mouth and snickered. Kakashi looked at Obito with the eyes of someone looking at an 'idiot'.
Masahiko waved at Yahiko, signaling him to go about his business, and placed his right hand on Obito's shoulder. "Come on, let's go outside and let you taste the Iron Fist of Love. Then you'll know whether I'm your master or not."
Obito showed a goofy smile. "Is it really you, Master? I didn't expect it to be you, Master. How could it be you, Master..."
Masahiko was speechless. He feared he had accepted a foolish disciple. "Rin, control him."
Obito's face turned serious. "I'm ready, Master! Let's go. You don't have a clone in my dimension this time, so you can't hit me..."
Masahiko lifted the hand placed on Obito's shoulder. A red light flashed in his palm and disappeared. "Did you think I would just casually drape my arm around anyone's shoulder? Why don't you try activating your Mangekyou and let me see?"
Obito was slightly startled, and his face immediately turned bitter. "Master, you are too cunning!"
"Idiot."
"Kakashi! What did you say?!"
...
Talking and laughing, the group walked out of the conference hall together. Just a few steps outside the main door, Masahiko's footsteps paused. A tall, beautiful girl with a good figure was walking towards them.
The girl was around twenty years old, with a prominent mole under her right eye. Seeing the group emerge, she showed a pleasant surprise. "Kakashi-kun!"
"Eh?" Masahiko and Obito said in unison. Then they simultaneously stepped back, conveniently pulling Kimimaro's trio back into the conference hall. Rin was stunned for a moment, then smiled and also stepped back inside.
Kakashi: "..."
At the entrance of the conference hall, Masahiko and Obito poked their heads out, one above the other, observing secretly.
Kakashi and the girl began to converse, their exchange mixed with various expressions.
"Master, what are they saying?"
Masahiko gave Obito a 'shush' gesture. His ears twitched slightly, and a moment later he replied, "That girl said she is a ninja from Jomae Village in the Land of Keys. Her name is Hanare. She got lost when she was little and was saved by Kakashi... That idiot Kakashi actually said he forgot."
Obito scratched his head. "Did this guy Kakashi even go to that place called Jomae Village?"
Masahiko shook his head and laughed. "Did you forget that Kakashi was a genius who graduated at five? When he went to Jomae Village, you probably hadn't even graduated yet!"
"But for that girl to still remember it after so long, it seems..."
Masahiko and Obito exchanged a glance, showing a tacitly understood expression.
Sure enough, as they continued listening, even Masahiko's old heart felt a bit overwhelmed by the excitement. That girl confessed directly...
"Obito, Master, stop peeking." Rin shook her head with a smile, dragged the two of them back, and closed the doors of the conference hall.
Masahiko didn't struggle. He had seen what he needed to see. Any more and he might get a stye...
A long while later, Kakashi pushed the door open and entered.
To his surprise, everyone in front of him simultaneously showed gossipy expressions, even Rin.
He pulled up his mask and spoke nonchalantly, "Senior, Rin, let's go."
"Hey hey, Kakashi, you..."
Masahiko interrupted with a smile, "Let's go. That girl needs to escort the Daimyo of the Land of Keys back first. She said she will go to Konoha to find Kakashi later."
Having good ears was just that great. Even through the door, Masahiko could hear it... Kakashi pulled his mask up again.
...
An interesting interlude passed. Masahiko wasn't in a hurry to 'educate' Obito. First, he took them back to the villa.
On the way, they met many people from various countries who had packed their bags and decided to set off on their journey back. Many Daimyos from small countries were also preparing to depart.
"Yo, little friend Yagura, why are you going back alone? Where's Mangetsu Hozuki?"
"Senior, I am not a child!" Yagura showed dissatisfaction and swatted away Masahiko's 'hair-messing hand'. Then he revealed a gloating smile. "Mangetsu has always been unconvinced by the Mizukage. The resident ninja this time will definitely be him. So there's no need for him to go back. Going back would just be a wasted trip..."
Masahiko smiled and shook his head. "Alright then. Goodbye, little friend!"
"I am not a child! Goodbye, Senior!"
Masahiko shrugged and looked at Karin. "Look at how polite this little friend is. Learn from him."
Karin rolled her eyes.
...
Inside the villa.
"Jiraiya, wake up and play ball!"
"Lord Jiraiya?" Rin looked at the dispirited Jiraiya on the bed and was slightly stunned. "What happened to you?"
Jiraiya sat up straight and scratched his messy hair. "Isn't this Rin? And Kakashi and Obito. Did the old man send you here? I'm fine, just haven't been sleeping well these past two days..."
It would be a wonder if he slept well. Masahiko basically didn't need sleep anymore. When he got bored at night, he would smack him twice with the ball. And this ball was dead heavy...
"Speaking of which, Master, what exactly is this black ball that can change into human faces?"
"It's a convenient good thing." Masahiko smiled. "Now, when your master beats you, I don't need to use the Iron Fist of Love. I can switch to the Iron Ball of Love..."
...
In a clearing in the Land of Rain.
Obito lay on the ground, panting heavily. Masahiko stepped forward and undid the sealing formula on his body.
"That activity was really refreshing."
"Master, you are still so strong."
"Naturally. How could I let a foolish apprentice like you catch up? Are you alright? Can you stand up?"
"Of course!"
Masahiko smiled. "Today, your master recognized you with his true appearance. I'll give you a greeting gift."
Hearing this, Obito's exhaustion vanished instantly, and he looked expectant.
"Hmm... I'll teach you your master's exclusive set of fist techniques. Kakashi! You can come over and learn together. Let's see who learns faster between you and this idiot!"
In the distance, Karin saw Masahiko start teaching that god-awful fist technique again and curled her lip.
"Little girl, is there a problem with Senior Masahiko's fist technique?" Jiraiya looked thoughtful from the side.
Karin glanced at him, showed a disgusted expression, and shrank closer to Kimimaro.
Kimimaro turned his head and spoke. "Being able to learn God's fist technique is their honor."
Haku revealed a sweet smile, dazzling Jiraiya for a moment. "There is no problem with the fist technique."
"Why do all three children Senior brought seem to have problems... No, maybe it's not the children's problem." When Jiraiya looked at Kimimaro's trio again, he already showed a look of pity.
"Idiot Obito, why did I take in an apprentice like you! Kakashi has already learned up to the twelfth stance. Why haven't you figured out the fifth stance yet?"
Obito cast a sidelong glance. "Kakashi, you bastard, how did you learn so fast..."
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