"It's simple, really," Takeshi said, shrinking back to his usual size. "The village wants me to take over Guy's team. It started as a temporary gig, but now... well, it looks like they want me leading them long-term. Get it, meow?"
Kakashi set the Lightning Blades Kiba down in front of him. "We've been teammates long enough, Takeshi. I know what kind of cat you are, that's not what I'm asking about. What's this ninjutsu you mentioned? I've been trying to figure out how to fuse techniques lately, but I'm drawing a blank."
'Well, well...' Takeshi thought, glancing at the sword. 'Hasn't even started the job and already looking for a payout. You really are something, Kakashi.'
Still, Takeshi mused, Kakashi's reputation was solid. He wouldn't take something and then go back on his word, the White Fang's pride wouldn't allow it.
That kind of behaviour was more suited to types like Jiraiya... or Takeshi himself, which was precisely why he'd chased Jiraiya all the way to the border to collect on a debt. Although, who knew that payment would end up lining Tsunade's pockets instead...
'A sad story,' Takeshi sighed inwardly, 'best not dwell on it.' He refocused on Kakashi. After a moment's thought, he began, "Meow~ This jutsu I mentioned has two steps. First, you need perfect Chakra Nature Transformation. Condense Lightning Release until it looks something like this..."
Takeshi held out a paw. He couldn't use Lightning Release, naturally, but simulating its state with Ice Release was easy enough. After a few seconds, crackling shards of ice, mimicking lightning, gathered around his paw.
"Hmm, I think I get the picture," Kakashi murmured, visualizing it.
"The next step, meow," Takeshi continued, demonstrating a rough Chidori blade shape with ice, "is to integrate that condensed chakra into your sword, turning it into this..." The ice blade, shaped into a rough, curved arc, looked a bit abstract, but Kakashi got the general idea.
Kakashi narrowed his visible eye, finally nodding with understanding. He already had the Lightning Blades, capable of channeling Lightning Release even without this technique. But adding a Chidori-like edge? That would easily double their power. He could even potentially wield both swords with different effects.
Takeshi was thinking along the same lines. 'With this, Kakashi could manage techniques like the Raikiri: Twin Drilling Lights using the Kiba Blades, once he masters the Chidori blade concept. Even the Chidori Sharp Spear...' The potential was significant.
Kakashi's eye grew brighter, inspiration clearly sparking. Even if the initial idea came from Takeshi, once it was in Kakashi's head, it was his to develop.
"Meow?" Takeshi prompted gently.
"Don't worry," Kakashi said, getting to his feet. "I won't go back on our deal. Let's go." He looked at the black cat, ready to find Guy and his team.
Takeshi hadn't really wanted to tag along, but he figured it was best to make the introductions on the first day. Besides, it seemed like a decent chance to earn some points. He hopped up and padded out of the small courtyard, following the scent trail of Guy and the others.
Finding them wasn't hard. Without Takeshi constantly devising new training methods, they'd defaulted to relentlessly taking on water-carrying missions. Lately, it seemed like Team Guy was handling almost every single water-carrying task in the village.
"What exactly are they doing out here?" Kakashi wondered aloud as they followed the trail. They were nearing the most desolate outskirts of Konoha, practically devoid of houses. "Why come all this way?"
"Meow~ Just hide for a moment," the black cat instructed with a flick of his tail.
Kakashi didn't fully understand, but he recognized the mischievous glint that meant his teammate was up to something. With a sigh, he formed an Earth Release hand seal and sank into the ground. 'Well, I might get to enjoy this too,' Kakashi thought smirking slightly under his mask.
A moment later, three figures appeared in the distance, each struggling with large water buckets. Guy's was the largest, Ebisu's the smallest, but relative to their strength, each was pushing their limits.
"Takeshi Sensei," the three called out, stopping when they saw him, assuming he had new instructions.
"Considering my current situation, and yours," Takeshi began, glancing between them, "the village has sent someone else to help with your training. You are to treat him with the same respect you show me, meow?"
"A new sensei? I'm looking forward to it!" Genma Shiranui muttered, though his tone lacked conviction.
"I have a bad feeling about this..." Ebisu murmured, adjusting his glasses.
"My Youth!, my PASSION!" Guy roared, drowning out the others. "Don't worry, Takeshi Sensei! I will respect this new Sensei just as much as I respect you!"
Genma started to voice his unease again, but Guy's passionate bellow cut him off. He met Takeshi's gaze, sighed inwardly, and clamped his mouth shut. 'Best not to push it,' he thought. 'Whatever happens, it can't be worse than when Takeshi first showed up.' His eyes scanned the surroundings. He sensed someone nearby, expertly concealed, but couldn't pinpoint the location. Looking at his two oblivious teammates... 'Teaming up with these guys is seriously stressful,' Genma grumbled silently.
"Meow~ Glad to hear you'll respect him," Takeshi purred. "In that case, I'll have him come out."
Even without a signal, Kakashi underground released the Earth Release jutsu, slowly rising from the dirt.
As the shock of silver hair emerged, Genma's stomach dropped.
When Kakashi stood there fully revealed...
"Ahhh! Kakashi!" Guy yelled, instantly recognizing him. "My eternal rival! Let us have a passionate duel!"
Ebisu pushed his glasses up his nose again. He hadn't expected Takeshi's 'helper' to be Kakashi, but on reflection, it made a certain kind of sense.
If the village had other suitable Jonin available, they wouldn't have assigned Takeshi in the first place. With only Chunin seemingly free, Kakashi was one of Takeshi's few close acquaintances among them. 'So why did I even get my hopes up?' Ebisu wondered bleakly.
"Hi everyone," Kakashi said, his visible eye curving into a lazy crescent. "I'm Kakashi, your... part-time team leader, I suppose. Let's skip the introductions. Guy, if you've got that much energy, why don't you run ahead and dump that water?"
"Uh, lead the team? You?" Guy sputtered, nearly dropping his bucket. He stared at Takeshi, mouth agape, seeking confirmation.
The black cat gave a firm, ruthless nod.
"Woooah... it shouldn't be like this!" Guy wailed, actual tears welling up. "Kakashi is my eternal rival! How can he be my supervising Sensei...?" How could they ever have a proper duel now?
"Guy," Kakashi repeated calmly. "Run. Pour out the water, come back, carry more."
"Yes, sir!" Guy choked out between sobs, then dashed off. His life was ruined! 'No more glorious duels with Kakashi! What was the point of living?'
Genma sighed softly. His intuition had been spot on. 'Of course the black cat wouldn't bring them a straightforward, reliable sensei. If Konoha had one to spare,' Takeshi wouldn't have been assigned in the first place.
"Alright, you two," Kakashi said, gesturing vaguely with his blades still in his hand. "Get running." 'Hurry up and go,' he thought. 'Bunch of annoying people, don't distract me from working on this new ninjutsu.'
Genma and Ebisu had no choice but to jog after Guy. Watching them go, Kakashi felt a surprising flicker of satisfaction. Usually, running into Guy meant bracing himself for another over-the-top challenge. Now? If Guy came looking for a duel, Kakashi could just assign him a new training regimen.
'Wonderful!'
"How's it feel, meow?" Takeshi asked slyly. "Pretty satisfying, isn't it?"
"Hm? Oh... no, no, I'm just thinking about their training," Kakashi quickly corrected himself, clearing his throat. "Ahem. Need to focus on researching that ninjutsu."
Takeshi didn't press it. The main goal, of roping Kakashi into helping, was achieved. Kakashi might act reluctant, but he was already falling into the role, directing Guy and the others.
'Perfect,' Takeshi thought with satisfaction. 'Things are settled. I just need to help Kakashi refine his techniques, and he'll handle Guy's team...'
He could finally be the perfect hands-off supervisor.
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