Naruto: The Teaching System - 211

Chapter 211: Young People Are Always Impulsive

"Captain Kakashi's really a gentle person," Sawada teased. He didn't dare use the word "nostalgic," so this was all he could manage.

A trace of reminiscence flashed in Kakashi's dead fish eyes before he looked at Sawada with obvious exasperation.

"You weren't like this before. You know better than anyone whether I'm gentle or not."

Kakashi kinda missed the old Sawada. At least he'd been a decent junior back then. Just like Yamato, who'd only become unreliable after getting promoted to jonin.

"Before was before. Now is now." Sawada waved dismissively.

He hadn't been very strong before, so naturally he hadn't been in the mood to joke around. When executing missions, he'd had to listen to the more experienced Kakashi. Otherwise there would've been life-threatening danger.

Who could he seek justice from then?

But since his strength had increased, he'd become somewhat mischievous too. After all, how could a person stay the same their entire life? Sawada couldn't, at least.

Being able to persist for seventeen years, he already admired himself. Living every day in fear that he'd lose his life tomorrow.

Hearing this, Kakashi didn't respond. He just pulled out his "Icha Icha Paradise" and started reading.

Jiraiya had returned and given Kakashi a brand new limited edition this time.

Before long, Sawada felt pink bubbles practically emanating from Kakashi beside him.

Couldn't this guy find a wife?

Sawada was somewhat speechless. It wasn't like he hadn't read "Icha Icha Paradise" himself. He'd thought it was alright, which made Jiraiya very unhappy. The sage had said Sawada was just a repressed pervert.

Otherwise, how could he be so uninterested in his masterpiece?

To this, Sawada only wanted to express a hearty "Hah..."

He'd seen bigger scenes. Everything was just passing clouds now.

On the mountaintop, clouds and mist swirled around them like living things.

Sawada stood beside Hiruzen and took a deep breath. He had to admit it felt pretty good up here. The climate was less warm than Konoha's, though, and the terrain was way too rugged.

He looked up at that massive metal gate. The highest point was already hidden by clouds, making it impossible to see the full picture from their position.

Only the large characters "Kumogakure" on the gate stood out clearly.

They'd arrived at Hidden Cloud Village's location and were waiting for someone to come open the gate.

Before long, the gate slowly creaked open just wide enough for a team to walk out.

At the front, a tall, dark-skinned man with a stern expression approached them. His whole demeanor screamed hostility.

Kakashi caught Hiruzen's signal and stepped forward slowly.

"Travel documents," the dark-skinned man said coldly.

Kakashi didn't seem bothered. He pulled out the Chunin Exam travel documents and handed them over without complaint.

The man examined them carefully before returning them to Kakashi. "We need to inspect your team."

Kakashi's frown was immediate. This wasn't according to regulations. The Third Hokage himself was in their group, and this guy actually wanted to inspect even the Hokage?

The Konoha ninja behind Kakashi shot angry glares at the Hidden Cloud Village elite team. Sensing those hostile gazes, the people behind the dark-skinned man became restless too, hands drifting toward weapons.

The atmosphere turned tense in seconds.

Sawada's mouth curved into something cold. His eyes hardened.

Hidden Cloud Village... they're trying to show force to Konoha right at the entrance.

The thunder around them grew increasingly deafening, like it was providing background music for this standoff.

"Stop!"

Just as the atmosphere reached its breaking point, a loud shout came from behind Kumogakure's elite team.

A middle-aged man wearing a military beret and a "lightning" eyepatch over his left eye stepped forward quickly.

The originally stern-faced, dark-skinned man saw who'd arrived and immediately lowered his head. "Dodai-sama."

"All of you, step back." Dodai waved his hand, signaling for the man to retreat. He had no intention of apologizing for what had just happened, though.

Then he stepped forward and nodded to Hiruzen. "Third Hokage, welcome. I'm the Raikage's assistant, Dodai."

Sawada looked at this guy with interest. He wasn't just some random extra from the original story. His words seemed decent enough, but he'd completely avoided mentioning what his elite squad had just pulled.

"Your welcoming party's a bit small," Sawada said with a smile.

His sensei couldn't say anything directly. The Hokage's dignity couldn't be casually offended. In the village, sure, Hiruzen was the kind and approachable grandfather next door. But outside? He shouldn't receive this kind of treatment.

Dodai hadn't expected the young man beside Hiruzen to speak up. "This is...?"

"Konoha Jonin, Sawada."

Hearing that name, Dodai went rigid for a moment before staring at Sawada in shock.

Samui and C had already described Sawada's situation after returning to the village, but seeing him in person was different. After all, the guy was way too young.

Dodai could still keep his composure, but the elite team from earlier didn't have that kind of self-control.

Clang.

The dark-skinned man drew his long sword, face twisted with anger, and stepped forward.

"Hey... please don't ignore my existence," came Kakashi's cold voice from behind the man.

A kunai was already at the guy's throat.

Kakashi's move immediately made the already restless elite team explode into action.

"Acting without authorization! Retreat immediately!" Dodai's expression turned icy as he whirled to face the dark-skinned man with a harsh scolding.

Then he spun back around, switched expressions, and smiled apologetically at Hiruzen. "Third Hokage, I'm truly sorry. This captain once learned swordsmanship from Killer Bee, so he could be considered a disciple."

"He lost control for a moment. Please forgive him."

Sawada's gaze shifted, taking in the dark-skinned man Kakashi was restraining, then Dodai with his apologetic smile.

Hiruzen chuckled lightly and waved his hand. Kakashi instantly disappeared from behind the man and reappeared behind the Third Hokage.

"It's fine. Young people are just a bit impulsive."

Hiruzen's tone was mild, almost grandfatherly. "After all, when one's master gets beaten up like that, it's only natural to feel somewhat unconvinced."

Sawada struggled to keep his expression neutral. He had to admit his sensei's words were pure poison. Couldn't he see that the dark-skinned man's face had turned red with fury?

Say one more word, and the guy would probably lose control completely and start fighting right here.

"Hehe, I'll escort the Third Hokage into the village right away. Lodging's already been arranged." Dodai gestured to his team, then smiled broadly while extending the invitation to Hiruzen and the others.

His smile didn't reach his eyes, though.