Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 135: As Impressive as You Are, Can You Make Sasuke Call You "Master"?

[Ding!]

[Main Quest: Bell Competition (Completed)]

[Due to the host's outstanding performance in the bell competition, which greatly exceeded Jonin Instructor Kakashi Hatake's expectations, although the host did not manage to secure a bell, they have successfully caught Kakashi's eye. The host also excelled in the "teamwork" assessment. Congratulations, host, for successfully joining Team 7. The path to becoming Hokage is now closer than ever.]

[Quest Rewards: Elite Chunin-level Chakra; Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall (Dog Head Version); Konoha Secret Taijutsu Technique: Thousand Years of Death]

After leaving Mt. Katsuragi, Hagoromo Gengetsu used medical ninjutsu to heal Sasuke's injuries. While Sasuke was resting, the system's notification about the completion of the main quest arrived late as usual.

True to its previous style.

"You didn't lie about the bells."

Hagoromo Gengetsu certainly couldn't have pulled out a string of bells to hang on Kakashi's waist during the battle.

That would have been too out of place.

If he had really done that, Kakashi might never have understood his reasoning even if he died.

Regardless, the quest was completed.

As for the rewards, Gengetsu couldn't be bothered to comment on the "Thousand Years of Death" and the dog head.

But the elite Chunin-level chakra boost was noticeable. Although still insignificant compared to the standard Chunin-level, it increased by about a third.

It should correspond to the elite level within Chunin.

For example, it could be comparable to those in Root.

With these rewards combined with previous ones, I should now be at the level of a Special Jonin in Konoha.

At that time, I would likely be very grateful to the system.

After all, I am the man who surpassed the reincarnations of Ashura and Indra at the same age.

But as impressive as you are, can you make Sasuke call you "Master"?

"Master Hagoromo."

At this moment, Sasuke, who had finished resting, opened his eyes. Noticing Hagoromo Gengetsu looking at him, he immediately stood up and addressed him.

Gengetsu nodded and praised, "Being able to hold your own against two Konoha Jonin, Kakashi and Kurenai, for so long was impressive."

Hearing this, Sasuke rarely showed a look of joy.

Hagoromo Gengetsu had taught him many things, but never once praised him.

Perhaps his progress seemed ordinary to Gengetsu.

Although he didn't say it, Sasuke secretly longed for a word of praise from the admired Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Just like when he had performed the Great Fireball Technique by the lake and sought his father's approval.

He thought it would be a long time before he would hear such praise from Gengetsu due to his high standards.

Unexpectedly, those words came to him now, much to his surprise.

Seeing Sasuke's unusually excited expression, Gengetsu smiled faintly.

He was indeed surprised by Sasuke's performance in the previous battle.

At first, being able to fight evenly with Kakashi and others, and later holding on until his arrival, was commendable even by his strict standards.

After all, Sasuke was not fully grown yet.

Naturally, praise was due.

"This time served as your practical training. Continue refining your combat style when you return, and you will gain a lot," Gengetsu explained.

Sasuke nodded solemnly.

Then he asked, "Master Hagoromo, are we heading back to the village now?"

After such a long journey and several fights, Sasuke had some guesses about the purpose of this trip but still didn't know the full picture.

Not being overly curious, he didn't ask Gengetsu much.

After all, training could be done anywhere.

Moreover, with Gengetsu as his teacher, he could always ask about training.

However, unlike their previous visit to the Fire Temple, it seemed they had gained a lot from Mt. Katsuragi, and it was time to head back.

Indeed, Gengetsu had gained much from Hotaru, and in a good mood, he had even given her a training scroll upon leaving.

If he remembered correctly, the girl had extraordinary talent in Water Release.

Contrary to Sasuke's guess, Gengetsu did not return to the village immediately. Instead, he continued towards a location in the Land of Fire, explaining to Sasuke, "Before returning to the village, we need to obtain something crucial for securing our village's future."

"Securing our village's future? Something crucial?" Sasuke didn't understand.

Gengetsu gazed at the sky, "You will know soon."

After the battle at Mt. Katsuragi.

Unlike before, Gengetsu and Sasuke traveled secretly through the Land of Fire.

Although Team Kakashi had no casualties, with Guy not in condition and Neji unconscious from injuries, other members exhausted, they had to return to Konoha after leaving the Tsuchigumo Clan.

On the way, Lee carried the injured Neji, and Kakashi carried the exhausted Guy. The group hurried towards the village without stopping.

Just as Guy, who had thought he could continue, was comfortably about to fall asleep on Kakashi's back, he suddenly remembered something and spoke seriously into Kakashi's ear, "I almost forgot. Kakashi, that Uchiha Uzumaki's Sharingan is incredibly powerful. Its insight and genjutsu seem to surpass your Sharingan."

"Uchiha Vortex?"

Like Gengetsu, Kakashi was initially puzzled upon hearing the name.

But knowing Guy well, he understood immediately.

After hearing Guy's account, Kakashi's eyes narrowed.

As his old rival, Guy was very familiar with his Sharingan.

If he said that the masked man's Sharingan surpassed his own, then it must be as he suspected.

The masked man's Sharingan was at the Mangekyō level.

This was undoubtedly the worst outcome.

Another Uchiha with Mangekyō Sharingan appearing from nowhere.

Not only was he powerful, but he also hadn't used the exclusive Mangekyō Sharingan abilities in the previous battle.

Such a person, staying close to Sasuke, clearly had no goodwill towards Konoha and attacked the Fire Temple and the Tsuchigumo Clan without restraint. Who knows what he would do next?

Thinking of this, Kakashi sighed.

Konoha was indeed going through turbulent times.

Moreover, when today's news spread, the already restless ninja world would become even more unstable.

"Now we can only find solace in small joys."

Seeing Guy staring at him for a response, Kakashi shrugged and said, "We can look forward to the day when that masked man with Mangekyō Sharingan meets Uchiha Itachi."

The scene then would surely be spectacular.