“What’s so great about Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave?”
“Uh… this…” Neji didn’t know how to answer, Kuroto’s question.
In Neji’s understanding, Kuroto should know the meaning of Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave better than him, therefore, he couldn’t figure out why Kuroto asked such a question.
And before Neji could answer him, Kuroto asked another question, “Garaga… And Gamabunta… do you think they are strong?”
“Sensei…” this time, Neji was taken aback, and quickly replied, “Sensei… maybe you haven’t seen Naruto’s summon Garaga… and Sasuke’s summon Gamabunta… both of them are strong Summons!”
At the time of Combat Assessment at the Forest of Death, Kuroto arrived only after Garaga left the scene, therefore, Neji thought that Kuroto had never seen Garaga, nor has he even seen Gamabunta, so he doesn’t really know how strong the two of them are?
Hearing Neji’s question, Kuroto chuckled, “Is that what you think?” and turned his eyes towards the horizon.
It was already evening, only the afterglow of the setting sun was visible on the horizon, and the bright moon loomed in the sky. Staring at the looming moon, Kuroto said lightly, “Whether Mount Myōboku or Ryūchi Cave or Shikkotsu Forest, these places are nothing compared to–…”
Before Kuroto could complete it, suddenly a lot of noise came from the other side of the corridor. Kuroto paused and looked in that direction only to find the trainees of Neji’s class coming towards him.
The ones leading the trainees were none other than Sasuke and Naruto, while the other trainees like Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Kiba, and the others followed the two. They seemed to be arguing something and looked extremely excited.
Kuroto and Neji were confused.
Soon, they came closer to Kuroto, and greeted him with a respectful bow, “Good Evening, Sensei!”
Kuroto nodded lightly, “Good evening.” Then asked curiously, “What are you kids doing?”
Sasuke quickly replied, “Sensei, I am going to challenge Naruto!”
Hearing Sasuke’s answer, Kuroto couldn’t help but think, ‘It has only been a few hours since he signed the contract at Mount Myōboku, and now he has rushed to challenge Naruto. It seems Sasuke is really in a hurry to restore his reputation.’ And turned towards Naruto.
Naruto held his hands at the back of his head and seemed carefree about the entire situation, it was as if he didn’t take Sasuke’s challenge to heart. Naruto seemed to have confidence.
Seeing Naruto’s indifferent and carefree expression, Sasuke snorted, “Humph… I am going to beat the crap out of you today!”
Naruto smirked, “Just try… I am not afraid of you!”
For a moment, sparks appeared before Sasuke and Naruto’s eyes, fighting intentions were clearly visible.
The students behind the two were either supporting Naruto or Sasuke.
Seeing the heated atmosphere, Kuroto said, “Well that’s good to know that you want to challenge Naruto, however, you don’t have to come to me for that. The Ninja Academy doesn’t prohibit challenging others… so how come all of you are here?”
Sasuke hurriedly replied, “The academy’s training field would be too small, and we won’t be able to use everything… so we want to go outside the village or to the forest of death, Sensei… please give your permission!”
“Oh… so that’s the case.” Muttered Kuroto in realization.
It requires the principal’s permission for the trainees to step outside the village or to go to the Forest of Death, so it makes sense that these children are here.
Sasuke and the others nodded, “Yes.”
Kuroto waved his hand, “Go… but don’t run too far.”
He had no reason to stop them, as for the matter of their safety? Kakashi, and Shisui were following these children from the shadows, even Itachi seemed to be keeping an eye on them with his crows, so there was nothing to worry about, therefore, Kuroto immediately agreed to Sasuke’s request.
Seeing that they got the permission, Sasuke’s face brightened, and he thanked Kuroto “Thank you Sensei.” After that, he turned towards Neji who was quiet for the entire time, and said, “Neji… you also come with us!”
“Me?! Uh… let’s forget this time… maybe next time.” Knowing that Sasuke and the others were going outside the village, Neji understood that they would definitely use their powerful Summons, so he refused without thinking about it too much.
Neji is very clear that his current self can’t fight Sasuke and Naruto, both of them seem to have surpassed him, so there is no point in fighting and embarrassing himself.
Naruto–who couldn’t read Neji’s thoughts–was confused, and asked, “Why?”
Sasuke also stared at Neji with a doubtful expression.
“I…!” As Neji was about to give an excuse, he saw Sasuke and Naruto’s expressions and realized that the two of them weren’t inviting him to spar, rather, they were inviting him to watch them spar, just like the rest of the children behind them.
Knowing that he had mistaken their intention, Neji was embarrassed, at the same time, he felt bitter in his heart. Before the Combat assessment of the Forest of Death, Neji was considered one of the top two, even Sasuke had to be extremely cautious against him, and now… Sasuke doesn’t seem to think the same anymore.
Kuroto guessed Neji’s embarrassment, and said to Sasuke and Naruto, “You kids go first, Neji will catch up later, I have something to discuss with him.”
Knowing the Sensei-Shishō relationship between Kuroto and Neji, Naruto and Sasuke nodded, “All right Sensei.” and then excitedly went towards Konoha’s gate.
After everyone had walked away, Neji sighed quietly, and said to Kuroto, “Sensei… thank you… if not for your help, I would have made a fool of myself.”
Kuroto shook his head, “I didn’t do that just to save you from embarrassment, I really have something to tell you… so come with me.” Then without giving Neji any opportunity to think, he picked up Neji and disappeared from the Ninja Academy.
Whoosh!
…
In just a few flashes, Kuroto crossed the outer wall of Konoha and brought Neji to an open grassland.
Looking at his surroundings, which changed in less than a second, Neji was taken aback, and exclaimed, “So… so fast!”
Neji knew that Kuroto was fast, however, to what extent, he realized only now. In the blink of an eye, they were outside Konoha, and this is not a joke! ‘Can shinobi really be so fast?’
Before Neji could ask his doubt, Kuroto looked at him, and asked, “Do you… really want a Summon?”
Recalling the scene from a while ago, Neji nodded, “Although, I don’t want to be left behind by Sasuke and Naruto… I… I don’t want to put you through that embarrassment again Sensei… I am sorry.”
Kuroto nodded, “If that’s the case… then.” Then he bit his thumb, and while forming the hand signs, he said, “There is no need to ask anyone’s help.”
Neji was confused by Kuroto’s words, and recognizing the order of hand signs, he was surprised, “Sensei… do you… do you have a Summon too?”
“I guess you can say that.” Said Kuroto, and shouted, ‘Summoning Jutsu!’
Poof!
Instantly, white smoke surged, covering the surroundings.
The sky was already dim, and as the white smoke billowed up, the surroundings immediately darkened.
What is strange is that, even after the smoke disappeared, the surroundings still remained dark. Neji was confused for a moment, and as he felt a behemoth-like presence behind him, he was taken aback, “Se… Sensei…!”
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