Kakashi, being a sensible child, immediately grasped Hagoromo's intent. "Minato-sensei, we should take our leave as well."
"What? Leaving already? I wanted to have a fated duel with Hagoromo! And my training plan for today isn't finished yet, I wanted to ask Minato-sensei to—"
Obito was clearly dissatisfied with the requests to disband.
Fated duel? When did Obito get infected by that spandex-wearing, bowl-cut kid?
Hagoromo face-palmed. Read the room, Obito-niisan. Read the room.
"Obito, we really should head out," Rin said firmly.
"Oh... alright then, since Rin said so." Obito scratched his head sheepishly and finally agreed to call it a day.
Obito's "rampages" didn't require Kakashi's intervention or Hagoromo's fists—a single look or word from Nohara Rin was enough to KO him.
The teachers, of course, graciously accepted their students' thoughtfulness.
Minato smiled. "Very well. Everyone, get some rest. You can finally relax now that you're back in the village—especially you, Obito and Rin."
Minato and Kakashi were already seasoned veterans of the war's rhythm. As for Rin and Obito, who had only been on the front for three months, they were clearly feeling the strain. This seven-day rotation was a much-needed chance to breathe.
After Minato gave his final instructions, the group split up. Hagoromo had finished his observation of the Yellow Flash, and the others had seen the Habanero; it was time to head home.
The only downside? Hagoromo lived in the same direction as Obito, meaning he had to endure the latter's constant chatter all the way back.
The next day, Minato treated the students to Korean BBQ, including Kamishiraishi Hagoromo.
Under Hagoromo's previous circumstances—relying entirely on Konoha's relief funds—eating out at a BBQ place was a luxury beyond his reach. Now that he was a formal Genin, the relief funds had stopped. Since neither he nor Kushina were keen on low-level missions, his income was still pathetic. Unless he clung to Kushina's leg and begged, BBQ remained a dream.
He was currently pinning his hopes on Kushina finishing the Reverse Four Symbols Seal soon. As her assistant, he stood to make several hundred thousand Ryō from the mission fee, which would drastically improve his quality of life.
So, when the future Fourth Hokage offered a free meal, did he go?
The answer was: Why on earth wouldn't I?
"It's been a long time since I was back. I've really missed the taste of Konoha's BBQ," Minato said after placing the order.
Given Minato's rank and the high-level missions he completed, he was undoubtedly among the top earners in Konoha. Even if they ate the restaurant dry, it wouldn't make a dent in his wallet. Everyone knew this, so they felt zero guilt about not "saving" him money.
Rin and Obito were dressed casually today. Though they still carried a few weapons, they weren't in their full mission gear. After a night's rest, their spirits were much improved.
Resting on the front and resting in Konoha were two completely different concepts. On the front, you could never let your guard down; in Konoha, the fear for your life vanished.
Rin had mentioned that there were "casualties" among their peers. That was a polite understatement. The reality was that nearly half of the new graduates had been killed or wounded in those short three months.
Even a Kage-level powerhouse like Minato couldn't guarantee that every battle would go smoothly, let alone the fresh graduates. The battlefield is always accompanied by death, and death is impartial—it takes Kage-level masters, nameless Genin, sons of Hokages, and orphans alike.
But back in Konoha, they could temporarily forget that heavy topic.
"Are you two really developing a forbidden technique?"
As they ate, the conversation flowed casually. Mostly, it was Kushina and Minato talking while the kids listened. Hagoromo, feeling quite un-prestigious, was busy stuffing his face and had no time to speak.
Kushina began showing off her "genius student" to Minato, only to get a surprised reaction from him.
She said indignantly, "What's the problem? I taught you plenty of forbidden arts when you were little! In my opinion, Hagoromo's talent even surpasses yours."
Minato laughed awkwardly. It seemed Kushina had developed a taste for bruising his ego in front of the younger generation. That wasn't a great sign.
"Well..." Before Minato could finish his thought, Kushina turned to Hagoromo.
"Hagoromo, show Minato your ninjutsu."
"In here? Isn't that a bit...?" Hagoromo swallowed his food hurriedly and hesitated. Performing ninjutsu inside a crowded BBQ restaurant generally wasn't a great idea.
When Kushina said "your ninjutsu," Hagoromo knew exactly what she meant.
From this moment on, the "Copy Ninja" was truly destined to become the Copy Ninja, because his only "original" jutsu was about to be pirated—pirated by a transmigrator with no sense of shame.
"If I told you to show it, show it. Stop talking so much."
"Fine."
After receiving another light smack on the head, Hagoromo helplessly extended one hand.
The others looked on, confused. What's this? Is he showing off the aesthetic beauty of his hand?
Kakashi looked at Hagoromo. Two years older than him, a bit taller, same hair color, but with paler skin and a body that didn't look particularly strong. To be honest, Hagoromo was a stranger to him. Even after six months in the Academy together, Hagoromo had left almost zero impression. By contrast, Kakashi remembered Might Guy vividly—you tend to remember the guy who challenges you dozens of times every day.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I will now demonstrate a new ninjutsu. Please watch closely. This move is called Chidori."
As Hagoromo spoke, he held his forearm up, fingers curled loosely. In the next heartbeat, a piercing sound and a brilliant burst of lightning appeared in the center of his palm!
The blue lightning danced in his hand as if it were alive. His fingers seemed barely able to suppress the mass of chakra. Danger and destruction flickered within his grasp.