On the training ground, two figures leapt and spun in motion, each collision between them producing sharp, ringing sounds.
With a powerful kick aimed at the approaching Shin, Kimimaro countered by slashing downward with the bone blade in his hand. But Shin had already predicted Kimimaro's move from his stance—he gripped his kunai tightly and blocked the strike with both hands.
Seizing the moment while Kimimaro hadn't yet repositioned, Shin shifted his weight, spun low, and swept his leg horizontally at Kimimaro's lower body.
Sensing Shin's intent, Kimimaro arched his body—bone spikes sprouted from his joints, and in an instant, his whole form resembled a porcupine.
Seeing that, Shin quickly retracted his force, rolled across the ground, and deliberately widened the distance between them.
"This kid's taijutsu isn't bad. He's actually fighting Kimimaro to a draw."
Yamato stood at the edge of the training field, reluctantly performing a shoulder massage for his older brother, who had forced him into the role.
"Focus, and press harder! Honestly, you talk too much even while massaging shoulders."
Takeshi didn't seem particularly surprised—anyone their father had taken an interest in couldn't be an ordinary person.
Still, he wondered—wasn't Shin supposed to be a sickly weakling in the original timeline? Why did he look so lively now?
"How's your brother's health these days?"
Curious, Takeshi turned to Sai, who had been silently observing.
"It used to be poor," Sai replied. "Later, Danzō-sama brought in a jonin from the Medical Corps to treat him. He hasn't had any relapses for years."
Sai hadn't expected the Hokage to be so observant—to deduce his brother's past illness just from watching them fight.
"Oh? Didn't expect that old man of mine could actually get one of Tsunade's subordinates to help. Back in the day, she despised him more than almost anyone."
"Ahem— be careful what you say," Yamato blurted out, startled by Takeshi's casual remark.
"Don't say things like that in public!"
"Speaking of which," Takeshi continued, "back when that old man used to beat me, you always stood by and watched the show, didn't you? Let's train together later."
The Fifth Hokage was never one to hold grudges—he always repaid them the moment they came to mind.
"Don't even try to whine your way out of it. You're too old for that to work on me anymore," Takeshi said firmly.
"Not that it worked much when I was a kid either..." Yamato muttered under his breath.
Over the years under Takeshi's command, he'd certainly experienced enough trials—if not luxury, then plenty of hardship.
Ah... all tears and pain.
While the two talked, the match on the training field was nearing its end.
Shin discarded his kunai, switching to a ninjatō, thrusting at an extremely sharp angle—abandoning defense altogether.
Kimimaro didn't dodge or evade. Instead, as the blade closed in, he forced his skeletal structure outward. Sharp bone spikes jutted from his body, stopping the sword's tip just short of his throat.
"I lost," Shin admitted, releasing the handle and surrendering.
"Your skill isn't bad." Kimimaro caught the falling sword before it hit the ground and handed it back to Shin with a sharp motion.
Though his tone was cold, Shin knew Danzō-sama's son had accepted him.
"My name is Shimura Kimimaro. Protect him—otherwise, I'll kill you."
With that, Kimimaro turned and walked toward Takeshi.
The icy mask on his face suddenly melted into a cheerful smile. He jogged over, smoothly shoved Yamato aside, and took over the massage job.
Yamato: "I..."
"Spar with Sai next. You can use ninjutsu. You too," Takeshi ordered.
Shin's strength was already clear. Now it was time to gauge Sai's.
"Not bad, Shin. Your strength is above the chūnin level... hmm, though you're still a bit away from jonin. Of course, not everyone can be as talented as me," Takeshi added, praising Shin while inflating his own ego.
Yamato's face was full of doubt.
He hadn't been like this as a kid—timid and quiet back then. When did he turn into such a braggart?
As one of the people who'd spent the most time with Takeshi, Yamato had watched the change firsthand.
Maybe it was too many years under the Third's tutelage that rubbed off some bad habits?
After all, the Third Hokage had a history of bragging—before the Fifth took office, rumors around the village said he was "the strongest Hokage."
"Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!"
"Super Beast Imitating Drawing!"
While Yamato pondered Takeshi's transformation, Haku and Sai had already begun their match on the field.
Neither held back—they both unleashed their signature techniques from the start.
The ink tiger Sai painted roared as it charged at the ice mirrors, while within those mirrors, Haku moved swiftly, deflecting the beast with sharp senbon.
Though Sai's Super Beast Imitating Drawing looked impressive, its creations were undeniably fragile.
Still, Takeshi noted one great advantage—the technique could draw flying creatures, granting aerial mobility.
In the shinobi world where flight tools weren't yet widespread, those who could control the skies were rare indeed.
Sure enough, Sai soon spotted a weakness in the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals. He quickly drew two more beasts to divert Haku's attention, then sketched a massive bird on his scroll.
But he underestimated Haku's speed.
Before the bird could even take flight, its wings were sliced apart—narrow senbon already pressed against Sai's waist.
"I see... as expected of the Ice Release user whose skill is second only to Takeshi-sama..."
Sai smiled faintly—clearly, without Root's emotion-suppression conditioning, he was far livelier than the version from the original story.
Just as Haku prepared to push the senbon forward, he suddenly realized his arm was being restrained. Looking down, he saw black lines coiling around his body.
Ink poured from Sai's scroll, forming cords that wrapped tightly around Haku.
"Looks like I'm the winner," Sai said as he unsheathed his sword without hesitation, bringing it down toward Haku.
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