The sun was bright and the air was fresh.
Two and a half days had passed since the academic seminar that had somehow taken place inside Kaoru 's hospital room.
During that time, Kaoru had successfully mastered the shape transformation of Earth Release.
Of course, a large part of that was thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
When Hiruzen accidentally learned that his two disciples were helping Kaoru develop Paper Release, he immediately decided to join the project.
If Paper Release was successfully developed, the research materials would be stored in Konoha's archives.
And naturally—
Hiruzen Sarutobi's name would appear among the authors of the research.
No one objected.
After all, Hiruzen's title of "Professor of Ninjutsu" carried just as much prestige as his reputation as the God of Shinobi.
He was currently the only ninja in the world who had fully mastered all five elemental transformations and could apply them perfectly in battle.
His understanding of ninjutsu was unquestionable.
With Hiruzen joining the research, the development and expansion of Paper Release would progress far faster.
Training Ground No. 3
Kaoru sat cross-legged beneath a tree.
Her eyes were closed.
Her hands were clasped together.
Following Orochimaru's suggestion, she was attempting to develop Paper Release by combining Earth chakra and Water chakra in a 9:1 ratio.
But when she opened her hands—
All that remained was a small lump of stiff mud.
Clearly, the water chakra ratio was too low.
Orochimaru frowned as he observed the mud.
"A nine-to-one ratio leaves too little Water Release chakra."
"But if you add too much water, the Earth Release structure becomes unstable."
"Try increasing the water chakra by about 0.5."
Kaoru nodded seriously.
Failure didn't bother her.
As long as she eventually succeeded, every attempt would be worth it.
Nearby, Jiraiya, Kyūsei, Kushina, and Uchiha Sasuke watched quietly.
Hiruzen was busy with official duties and could only occasionally check on their progress.
But he believed that even without him, Paper Release would eventually succeed.
After all—
If even kekkei genkai could be artificially created…
A mere secret technique like Paper Release was hardly impossible.
And long ago, the Second Tsuchikage Mū had created the unprecedented Dust Release, a kekkei tōta combining Wind, Fire, and Earth.
Hiruzen believed this group was no less capable than Mū.
While the research continued enthusiastically—
Elsewhere, Kakashi sat alone by the river.
The setting sun reflected across the water.
He stared blankly at the glowing horizon.
Dad… hasn't come back in a long time…
"Hm?"
"Kakashi?"
"Why are you sitting here alone?"
A familiar voice called out.
A small brown-haired girl appeared behind him.
Rin Nohara.
"Didn't you go see Big Brother Dango today?"
The "Big Brother Dango" she referred to was Kyūsei, who had treated her to dango the first time they met.
"No."
"That guy is annoying."
Kakashi sighed, resting his chin on his hand as he stared at the rippling water.
Every time he asked Kyūsei where his father was, Kyūsei gave the same answer—
He's on a mission. I can't say more.
"Really?"
"I think Big Brother Dango is actually really nice."
"Sure, he's a bit lively—but still nice."
Rin sat beside Kakashi, tapping her chin thoughtfully while looking up at the sky.
"Oh, good for you then."
Kakashi looked at her with dead-fish eyes.
If she experienced Kyūsei tossing her over a hundred meters into the air, she might reconsider that opinion.
"Kakashi!"
A voice shouted from the riverbank.
"Come home! Dinner time!"
It was Kyūsei.
Using his Kagura Mind's Eye, he had tracked Kakashi down.
"See?"
"Big Brother Dango came to call you home."
"I should go too."
"See you tomorrow, Kakashi!"
Rin waved cheerfully.
"And you, little girl over there—"
"Come along too."
Kyūsei added.
"Huh?"
"Me?"
Rin looked around, confused, then pointed at herself.
"Yes, you."
"Stop looking around."
Kyūsei said.
Now that Sakumo Hatake was gone, Kyūsei didn't know how Kakashi's personality might change.
But having someone his age around him would help.
Hopefully, when Kakashi eventually learned the truth about his father's death—
Rin would fill the emptiness in his heart.
As for Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Yūgen, and their schemes involving Kakashi's future Team Seven…
Kyūsei planned to deal with them soon.
Once Kaoru finished mastering Paper Release and integrating Fire and Wind Release, he would personally lead a team to kill them.
Uchiha Hikari.
The hidden Uzumaki Nagato.
None of them would escape.
They would all die.
As for Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan?
To hell with the Eye of the Moon.
They could all just die.
Watching the two kids approach obediently, Kyūsei grabbed one hand each.
He looked like an older brother walking home with his younger siblings.
Kakashi looked reluctant, but Kyūsei ignored him and dragged him along anyway.
On the way home, Rin repeatedly called him "Big Brother Dango."
Kyūsei had already given up resisting the nickname.
"If I'd treated you to ramen instead…"
"Would you be calling me Big Brother Ramen?"
Rin nodded seriously.
"Of course."
"That way I'll always remember the first time we met."
"For example, Anko loves red beans, so I call her by that name."
"And Kurenai likes sneaking drinks, so I call her Little Drunk Kurenai."
Unknowingly exposing her friends' secrets, Rin continued enthusiastically.
"And Obito loves rice balls."
"So I call him Rice-Ball Obito."
Kyūsei suddenly asked:
"What about Kakashi?"
"Kakashi likes salt-grilled saury."
"So does that make him Salt-Grilled Kakashi?"
Rin's face turned slightly red.
"No…"
"Kakashi is just Kakashi."
"He's different from the others."
Kakashi glanced at Kyūsei with annoyance.
Salt-grilled Kakashi?
What kind of nickname is that?
Kyūsei gave Rin a meaningful look.
Ah…
A destined one-sided crush.
To Read 60+ ahead advanced Chapters, head over to P@treon
patreon.com/DarkVerse146