Heading to the Land of Grass
Kakashi's jaw nearly dropped when he witnessed Chi Yu perform Thunderclap and Flash.
The sheer power and speed of the technique were leagues beyond his own attempts.
More importantly, there was no sign of hesitation or strain in Chi Yu's movements—it was seamless, fluid, and terrifyingly precise.
Kakashi couldn't help but question himself.
> Am I really practicing the same technique? Could this version be fake—or have I simply misunderstood the method altogether?
Chi Yu returned with a grin. "Well? Not bad, right?"
Kakashi pursed his lips, conflicted.
> Not bad? It's incredible!
Chi Yu continued, tone casual, "You probably already know the limitations of Thunderclap and Flash. I've refined it by integrating environmental awareness—using terrain to redirect momentum multiple times. I've also developed a faster variant: Thunderclap and Flash – Godspeed."
He paused meaningfully.
"It's still incomplete, but even now, it's already several times faster than the standard form."
Kakashi blinked. "Several times faster? Can the human eye even follow that?"
Chi Yu activated his Sharingan, its tomoe spinning lazily. "Mine can."
Kakashi stiffened.
He hadn't realized Chi Yu possessed the Sharingan, much less that he might be Uchiha.
Though Kakashi considered Obito Uchiha a friend, his overall impression of the clan was... complicated. Arrogance, emotional detachment, and a cold superiority were traits many in the village associated with them.
Obito had been different.
Kindhearted and optimistic, always late because he stopped to help others. He was often ridiculed, labeled the "dead last" of the Uchiha. Even his own clan underestimated him.
Despite that, he had once been Kakashi's self-proclaimed rival, challenging him constantly—even if he always lost.
Chi Yu seemed to notice Kakashi's discomfort.
"Having the Sharingan doesn't necessarily mean I'm an Uchiha. You've heard people call me by name, haven't you? No clan title. Just Chi Yu."
He gave a light shrug.
"If you become my disciple, I'll teach you the Breath of Thunder—and create a personalized training regimen. True, the technique is fast enough to outpace most eyes, but dynamic vision can be strengthened with practice."
Chi Yu's expression turned a shade more serious.
"Besides Wind Release, I'm also skilled in other elemental techniques. If you learn under me, you'll have access to a broad arsenal."
Then came the final question.
"So—what's your decision?"
Kakashi was silent for a moment, brows furrowed.
"Why me?"
He couldn't make sense of why Chi Yu would single him out so suddenly.
Chi Yu folded his arms. "Because you have talent. I don't waste my time on mediocrity. Honestly, if I weren't required to take on a disciple, I wouldn't have."
"If you're not interested, that's fine. You can return to the Academy—another Jonin will be assigned to you."
Kakashi looked up at him, then nodded with conviction. "Teacher... I want to become your disciple!"
Chi Yu smiled. "Good. Then I'll take full responsibility as your master."
"Go back to the Academy, inform them of your choice, and have them remove your name from the assignment roster."
"After that, pack your gear. Meet me at the village gate tomorrow morning. We depart for the Land of Grass. I prefer practical training to theoretical lectures."
Kakashi's eyes widened. "We're going to the Land of Grass?"
Chi Yu nodded. "I returned to Konoha to receive a transfer order to that region. Your father, Sakumo Hatake, is stationed there as field commander, isn't he?"
Kakashi's heart surged. He hadn't expected to see his father again so soon—fate had seemingly brought him full circle.
"Alright! I'll go now!"
He bowed respectfully, then dashed off toward the Academy.
---
By the time Kakashi arrived, the Jonin assignment period had long ended. Remaining Genin were being placed under Chunin instructors.
Only Minato Namikaze, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara still lingered—they were one member short.
Kakashi hadn't yet announced his decision, so they waited on him.
Obito brightened the moment he spotted him. "Kakashi! Are you coming with us—or going with that guy?"
Kakashi looked at him and replied, "I've already become Chi Yu-sensei's disciple. I'm sorry."
The apology wasn't for Obito—it was for Minato Namikaze.
Minato, ever calm and gracious, simply nodded. "That's fine. Chi Yu's a powerful shinobi. You'll grow well under him."
Obito scowled. "Tch. Fine! Better for us—you'd just slow us down anyway!"
Rin Nohara said nothing, but her disappointment was obvious.
Kakashi didn't respond to Obito's jab. "I'm heading to the Land of Grass with Chi Yu-sensei tomorrow. Goodbye."
He turned and walked out.
The vice principal, who had been monitoring assignments, approached Minato. "Looks like you'll need a new team member. I'll select a replacement."
Minato nodded. "Thank you. I'll leave it in your hands."
Eventually, a skilled civilian-born Genin—one of the better ones—was assigned to fill Kakashi's spot.
---
Meanwhile, Chi Yu returned home.
Kushina Uzumaki had taken a two-day mission outside the village, and with Chi Yu departing tomorrow, the two wouldn't meet.
He wrote her a brief note and left it on the table.
---
The next morning
Chi Yu awoke early, cleaned up, and packed his gear. By the time he reached the main gate of Konoha, the sun had just begun to rise.
Kakashi was already there, waiting silently with his pack slung across his back.
He ran up to Chi Yu. "Teacher Chi Yu!"
Chi Yu eyed him. "All ready?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yes!"
"Good. Let's move."
And so, the two left Konoha, heading westward toward the border of the Land of Grass.
---
On the road, Kakashi couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer.
"Teacher, how exactly does the perfected Breath of Thunder work?"
Chi Yu glanced at him and said, "To fully unlock its power, your breathing must be synchronized with your movement."
Kakashi looked confused. He had considered dozens of possibilities: chakra control, footwork precision, reaction speed…
But breathing?
He frowned. "Breathing rhythm? Isn't that just for basic Taijutsu flow?"
Chi Yu shook his head. "No. Breathing techniques are central. They're what fuel the body, regulate oxygen and energy flow, and allow you to push past your normal limits without damaging your body."
"It's not just muscle or chakra—it's how you channel it. Once you grasp this, Thunderclap and Flash will become something far greater than you've seen before."
Kakashi was stunned.
> Coordinating breathing… to unleash a technique like that?
It sounded unbelievable—but coming from Chi Yu, it suddenly felt real.
And thus began his journey—not just to the Land of Grass, but toward mastering a new, unfamiliar power.
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