However, through this brief exchange, Kakashi also knew that as long as he wasn't offended, this big fellow was actually quite easy to talk to.
He also understood how he should get along with this guy in the future, and which direction Konoha's future attitude should take.
—
The next morning.
In front of Tazuna's house.
Sunlight spilled down, dispersing the thick fog that had lingered for days.
Naruto woke up. Wrapped tightly like a mummy, he grimaced in pain, but his deep blue eyes were startlingly bright. He slowly walked out the front door and stared straight at the silver-gold giant wolf standing not far away.
Sakura stood beside him, her legs trembling.
Sasuke leaned against the doorframe, seemingly expressionless, but his fingers were twitching slightly.
They would never forget yesterday's battle for the rest of their lives, so even now, they didn't quite dare to face Yang Jiu.
But Naruto clearly didn't think that way.
"You—!"
He shouted at the top of his lungs at Yang Jiu:
"You bastard, I'll remember what happened yesterday!"
Sakura's face turned pale instantly.
"Naruto! Are you crazy?!"
She grabbed Naruto's shoulder, her voice changing pitch as her whole body shook like a sieve.
"Stop it! Stop talking!"
Sasuke moved as well.
He rushed over in a few steps and covered Naruto's mouth, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Shut up."
His voice was very low, almost inaudible, but his hand held on tight.
"If you want to die, don't drag us down with you."
Naruto made muffled noises as he was held, but he still struggled desperately, his eyes full of defiance.
Yang Jiu lowered his head, watching this scene.
In his golden eyes, there was no anger, only a hint of amusement.
He took a step forward.
Boom.
Boom.
With every step he took, the ground trembled slightly.
Sakura's legs gave way, and she sat directly on the ground.
Sasuke froze in place, forgetting to let go of Naruto's mouth.
Yang Jiu walked up to the stretcher, lowered his head, and leaned close to Naruto.
Those eyes burning with golden flames were less than a meter away from those deep blue eyes.
"Kid."
His voice was low like thunder.
"What did you just say?"
Naruto's breath hitched under the pressure, but he gritted his teeth and glared back stubbornly.
"I said—in the future, I will definitely defeat you!"
Naruto's voice was hoarse but loud, a stubborn fire burning in his deep blue eyes.
Yang Jiu looked down at him.
Silence for two seconds.
Then, he laughed.
"Defeat me?"
His voice was low like thunder, carrying a hint of playfulness.
"That's impossible in this lifetime."
He paused.
"In the next lifetime—there might be a slight chance."
Naruto's eyes widened, just about to retort—
Yang Jiu continued:
"However, I'll give you this chance."
"Five years."
"I'll give you five years to grow."
"If you still can't defeat me after five years—"
The corner of his mouth curled into a meaningful arc.
"Then you'll become my subordinate, how about it?"
"It's a deal!!!"
Naruto roared out without thinking.
"I will definitely defeat you in five years!!!"
Sasuke and Sakura covered their faces at the same time.
They didn't want to look at this idiot anymore.
Seeing him like this, Yang Jiu's smile deepened.
"I'll be waiting."
As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of golden lightning appeared.
The ten-meter-tall silver-gold body vanished from the spot.
Leaving behind only a charred shallow pit and a few wisps of rising smoke.
—
Sakura collapsed on the ground, panting heavily, her eyes turning red.
Sasuke let go of Naruto's mouth, only to realize his fingers were still trembling slightly.
Only Naruto stared blankly at the vanishing lightning, and after a long while, he squeezed out a sentence:
"He... he laughed?"
His response was a heavy punch from Sakura on his head.
"You idiot!!!"
"What gave you the confidence to think you could defeat him within five years?!"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch—!"
Naruto clutched his head and cried out in pain, his bandage-wrapped face scrunched up.
"Sakura, why did you hit me!"
"Hit you? I want to beat you to death!"
Sakura's face was flushed with anger as she pointed at Naruto's nose and scolded:
"Do you know how terrifying that wolf was?,You didn't even have a chance to fight back yesterday.!"
"And now you're making a bet to defeat him in five years—is there water in your brain?!"
Naruto shrank his neck from the scolding, but quickly looked up stubbornly again.
"So what! I'll definitely be stronger in five years!"
"By then... I'll definitely be able to defeat him!"
Sasuke leaned against the doorframe and spoke coldly:
"Idiot."
Naruto snapped: "What did you say!"
Sasuke ignored him, just looking in the direction where the lightning had disappeared, his gaze complex.
Five years...
Never mind five years, even if given ten years, he wouldn't dare say he could possess that kind of strength.
Unless...
He could also possess eyes like that man's!
Thinking of that man—the man who personally destroyed the Uchiha Clan, the man who made him what he was today—
Sasuke's eyes were instantly filled with killing intent, his fists clenching until they cracked.
Just then.
Kakashi walked over.
He was still holding a half-eaten rice ball. His single eye swept over the three of them, lingering on Sasuke for an extra moment.
Then, he said softly:
"If you want to become stronger in a short time... it's not impossible."
Hearing this, the eyes of all three lit up at the same time.
Naruto was the first to jump up, grimacing as he pulled his wounds but not caring: "Kakashi-sensei! Do you have a way? Tell us, tell us!"
Sakura also looked at him nervously.
Sasuke loosened his fists, the killing intent in his eyes receding slightly, but his gaze remained sharp.
Kakashi was silent for two seconds, then slowly spoke:
"That giant wolf just now is the King of a Ninja Beast race—the Wolf Clan, and also the founder of a ninja Village—the Wolf Ninja Village."
"Wolf Ninja Village?" Sakura was stunned.
"Yes. A ninja Village within the Land of Fire that has established diplomatic relations with Konoha." Kakashi paused. "If you can sign a summoning contract with the Wolf Clan, you can have a summoning beast, which is equivalent to indirectly increasing your strength."
Naruto blinked: "summoning contract? Like the kind where you can call them out to help in a fight?"
"Pretty much." Kakashi nodded. "But it's more than just summoning."
"They also have an ability called 'Human-Wolf Resonance'—after signing a contract, humans and wolves can share perceptions and fight together, stacking their strength."
He looked at the three of them.
"If you can sign a contract with the Wolf Clan, your strength will improve very quickly."
Sakura's eyes lit up.
Naruto jumped up even more excitedly: "Then what are we waiting for! Let's go sign it now!"
Sasuke, however, frowned.
He was silent for a few seconds, then spoke in a low voice:
"Kakashi-sensei."
"Hmm?"
"That wolf... will it agree?"
He looked at Kakashi, his eyes filled with doubt.
"Why would a being of that level sign a contract with Genin like us?"
Kakashi looked at him: "It will. Some people in the Village have already signed contracts with the Wolf Clan, and their combat power has increased significantly."
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