The more Tobirama watched Hashirama, the stranger it felt.
Seeing Kazuku's performance, his jaw practically hit the ground.
The shock in his eyes was raw, unfiltered.
If this was acting, Hashirama's skills were too perfect.
Most crucially, Tobirama couldn't figure out…
Why Hashirama would act so hard.
Even if he wanted to groom Kazuku as a future Hokage, this was excessive.
And…
Hashirama was never an actor.
A new, unprecedented thought stirred in Tobirama.
Could it be, from the start, Hashirama never trained Kazuku?
Was Kazuku telling the truth?
Did he really discover monstrous strength on his own and master it?
Then…
After seeing Batsu demonstrate the Eight Gates, he easily learned it.
And deduced further, opening the Gate of Healing, Gate of Life…
Then, in just over a week of training, he explored deeper.
Mastering the Gate of View!
But was that possible?
Tobirama's eyes widened, locked on Kazuku.
He racked his brain, recalling Kazuku's actions.
He still couldn't convince himself to believe it.
"Big Brother."
After a pause, Tobirama confronted Hashirama. "Did you really not teach Kazuku monstrous strength and the Eight Gates?"
"Hm?" Hashirama turned, their eyes meeting, his face puzzled.
Why would Tobirama think that?
Wait.
He'd asked before.
If he'd snuck out to train Kazuku.
Though Hashirama denied it, Tobirama didn't believe him.
"How could I do that?" Hashirama grumbled. "I thought you taught him the Eight Gates."
"You developed the technique, Tobirama."
"I was gonna say, even if Kazuku inherited my Seal-less Healing, teaching him that's too reckless. He should…"
As Hashirama spilled his thoughts, he realized something.
A serious, staggering issue!
"Wait…"
Hashirama clutched his forehead, disbelief on his face.
If Tobirama thought he taught Kazuku the Eight Gates…
That meant Tobirama hadn't taught him either!
Though Tobirama was stern and cunning, he was genuine with Hashirama.
If he'd taught Kazuku, he wouldn't act.
"If it wasn't you or me, how did Kazuku learn the Eight Gates?"
Hashirama's eyes bulged, shifting from Tobirama to Batsu.
Only three in the village knew the Eight Gates.
Tobirama, himself, and Batsu.
If it wasn't them, it had to be Batsu.
But to his shock, Batsu shook his head without hesitation.
He hadn't taught Kazuku the Eight Gates.
His training was only physical and combat-based.
"Kazuku, come here." Hashirama beckoned, knowing Batsu well.
The man was a simpleton, incapable of lying, let alone acting.
If he said so, it was true.
Tobirama and Hashirama's discussion wasn't secretive.
It was open.
Kazuku heard every word.
So did Hiruzen and the others.
And they all wore bizarre expressions.
If Kazuku's monstrous strength and Eight Gates came from Hashirama or Tobirama's teaching…
They could accept it.
But now…
You're saying no one taught him? He figured it out himself?
What a joke!
Even novels wouldn't dare write this!
Among them, only Kazuku remained calm.
He scanned the crowd, feeling helpless.
I never lied.
I told the truth.
Why didn't you believe me?
"Kazuku, what's going on?" Hashirama crouched, desperate for the truth.
Otherwise, he'd toss and turn all night.
Though…
He'd been doing that lately anyway.
Sigh. Kazuku sighed, a bitter smile forming.
"I never hid anything, but Grandpa Tobirama and Teacher Batsu didn't believe me."
"I really just watched Teacher Batsu's demonstration and learned the Eight Gates."
Of course, he omitted details like the check-in gift pack.
"But back then, I only learned the first five gates."
"With my speed advantage, I beat Danzo."
When Kazuku mentioned beating Danzo, everyone's eyes flicked to him.
Danzo's face darkened.
A bitter, wordless expression.
Was his loss to Kazuku never going away?
"But I noticed a flaw. The Gate of Limit's muscle damage was severe."
"Even with Seal-less Healing, it took about two seconds to heal."
"To reduce damage, I trained physically with Teacher Batsu."
"As my physical strength grew, I learned the Gate of View!"
Kazuku recounted his journey seriously.
As expected, Hashirama and Tobirama's jaws dropped again!
Their eyes met, pupils dilated, seeing shock and daze in each other.
Their minds went blank.
So…
Kazuku really encountered taijutsu for the first time?
"He never lied. He really learned the first five gates from one demonstration!"
"I kept assuming Big Brother Hashirama secretly trained him for two years?"
"In reality, Kazuku became a taijutsu master in less than half a month!"
What a joke.
Tobirama finally understood the truth.
And…
He was even more baffled.
Kazuku was cheating!
In half a month, he forced Batsu to go all out!
Fake.
This had to be fake.
Kazuku was hiding some secret.
Tobirama couldn't believe it, his thoughts spiraling.
(End of Chapter)