Chapter 5: A New Reward
"You... learned it just like that?"
Kakashi stared in disbelief at the earth wall in front of him, then slowly turned toward Kitagawa Gen. For a brief mont, even the seasoned jōnin felt his brain go offline.
He had deliberately slowed down the hand seals. No matter how talented a person was, ninjutsu wasn’t sothing you could copy after seeing it once. It required chakra control, finesse, and countless repetitions to master.
But this kid? He hadn’t just copied the Earth Wall Technique—he had modified it?
Not only that, by the ti Kakashi looked up from his book, the technique was already completed?
You’ve got to be kidding .
"Ah... I’ve encountered this jutsu before, so..." Gen rubbed the back of his head and gave a modest smile.
In truth, he didn’t even rember the full sequence of hand seals.
But he didn’t need to.
With the Ōtsutsuki bloodline flowing through him, his chakra sensitivity and control had long surpassed the realm of ordinary shinobi. The mont Kakashi used the technique, Gen could feel the chakra pathways and nature transformation—and from there, recreating the jutsu was almost instinctual.
Hand seals? Those were originally created to help ordinary shinobi guide chakra. For soone with his level of affinity, it was like asking a fish to learn how to swim.
Of course, I’m no Hashirama... not yet. But getting the shape of the jutsu down? That much I can do.
As for the added bonus...
Gen glanced at the earthen wall behind him—where, instead of the standard dog-head statue Kakashi’s version conjured, he had casually carved the faces of the Hokage.
Why not? Kakashi-sensei didn’t add any style, so I figured I’d show so love for the village. No one loves Konoha more than .
"I see..." Kakashi nodded stiffly, feeling vaguely disturbed.
Weird. Guy hadn’t ntioned any of this.
"Your potential’s even higher than I expected."
"Thanks for the complint," Gen responded with a sincere smile. "Guy-sensei said sothing similar. He actually wanted to ntor personally, but... his application didn’t go through this year."
"..."
Kakashi’s dead-fish eyes returned.
Great. So I’m the substitute teacher now, huh?
Still, if this kid had gone to Guy... it would’ve been a waste.
Yes, Guy was powerful. But his specialty was taijutsu. With Gen’s ridiculous chakra talent and rapid ninjutsu learning speed, he needed soone who could provide more balance.
He even understood Obito’s words...
The more Kakashi thought about it, the more his annoyance faded. Replaced, instead, with intrigue.
This kid... maybe he’s exactly where he needs to be.
"In that case," Kakashi said, face turning serious, "let’s see what you’re really capable of."
"Eh? But didn’t we already spar yesterday—?"
Before the sentence even finished, Kakashi moved.
A flicker.
In an instant, he was behind Gen, hand forming a knife-chop as it aid straight for the boy’s neck.
"Yesterday was a team test," Kakashi spoke mid-motion. "But your team is no longer valid. With only you left, I need to reassess your role. Show your limit."
Whoosh—
The strike cut through air.
Gen vanished.
"Tch... That Shunshin of his is seriously fast." Even knowing what to expect, Kakashi couldn’t help but feel impressed. "At least this much guarantees he can escape real danger."
A breeze stirred the training field.
High above, Gen crouched on the earth wall, kunai already in hand. With a swift motion, he hurled them toward Kakashi.
"Terrible aim," Kakashi muttered, sidestepping effortlessly.
But just as he landed—four more kunai whistled through the air, sharp and precise, aid at his blind spots.
Now that’s more like it.
Kakashi’s eyes narrowed—right as he saw Gen finishing a rapid set of hand signs.
A breath. Then flas.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
Six small fireballs erupted from Gen’s mouth, weaving between the airborne kunai like a synchronized attack.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
Uchiha-style projectile coordination...?
When had this kid learned that?
The fireballs and kunai ca from all directions, leaving only one narrow escape path—conveniently near the first kunai’s landing point.
Kakashi dashed for it.
But the second his foot touched the ground—clink.
Wire traps?
So the first set was bait?
Kakashi’s eyes glead.
This wasn’t a random attack. It was planned.
"Not bad, kid..."
But rather than dodge again, Kakashi made a decision.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Flas surged forward, scorching the incoming projectiles and unraveling the wires. A brilliant explosion of chakra and heat tore through the field.
Gen didn’t flinch.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
His response ca instantly. He barely needed hand seals—his chakra flow alone did most of the work.
BOOM!
The two fireballs collided midair. An explosion erupted, blowing back grass, dirt, and smoke in all directions.
Gen didn’t wait.
He shifted positions again, eyes scanning for movent. But—
Shhh—
Kakashi reappeared behind him like a ghost, kunai at the ready.
"Never let your guard down," he said calmly.
But Gen had already drawn his own kunai, twisting to parry.
Clang!
tal clashed. Gen’s left hand shot out with a second blade, forcing Kakashi to disengage.
Gen pushed forward, initiating close-quarters combat.
Kakashi’s movents were refined, polished by years of experience.
Gen was raw—but he adapted with every exchange.
His chakra control enhanced his physical reactions. His body, now strengthened by system rewards, moved with precision he hadn’t known just days ago.
He saw it clearly:
Kakashi-sensei’s attacks... they follow the sa rhythm as the swordsmanship technique I got yesterday.
If that’s the case—
He leaned in harder.
Their blades clashed again and again, sparks flying with each strike. Kakashi began to frown.
This kid... is copying ?
At first, Gen’s strikes were a little too wide, too slow.
But now?
His timing, angles, and even footwork had started to mirror Kakashi’s.
Each parry, each counterattack grew sharper—smarter.
There was a brief mont where Kakashi thought...
I’m fighting a reflection.
This... learning speed...
Unreal.
Finally, Kakashi stepped back, raising a hand.
"That’s enough."
Gen imdiately halted and took two steps back, breathing heavily but eyes still sharp.
"I’ve seen enough," Kakashi said after a pause. "You’re far better than I expected. You still lack actual combat experience, but..."
He glanced toward the edge of the forest, then back at Gen.
"Pack your bags. We’re leaving the village tomorrow."
"Really?!"
Gen lit up like a kid in a candy store.
And just then, a prompt flashed in his mind:
[Side Quest Completed: Who Is the Real Copy Ninja]
[Reward: Lightning Release – Kakashi’s Technique Unlocked]
"Of course it’s real," Kakashi replied with a sigh, noticing Gen’s reaction. "Be ready early. I’ll handle the paperwork."
"Understood!"
Gen bowed deeply and sprinted off, barely containing his excitent.
Kakashi remained in the scorched training field, staring at the crumbling Earth Wall Technique.
The faint outlines of the Hokage faces still lingered on its surface, half-burnt but sohow dignified.
And for the first ti in a while, Kakashi felt sothing stir in his chest.
A student... worth teaching.
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