Kakashi was visibly moved. He knew exactly what level Luke’s chakra refinement speed was at – practically snail-paced.
He never expected that despite such poor ninja aptitude, Luke could still push his chakra reserves to nearly their estimated maximum through sheer persistence.
Especially considering he had to spend considerable time and energy completing household chores.
Such perseverance, among people he knew, could probably only be matched by Might Guy.
Kakashi’s tone softened considerably, “What do you want to learn the Shadow Clone Technique for?”
“I want to create a shadow clone to help with blacksmithing.”
Kakashi: “…”
He had never heard such an outrageous reason.
Seeing Kakashi’s “are you kidding me” expression, Luke’s expression dimmed.
“My younger brother will soon reach the age for Ninja School. The enrollment fee alone is a huge expense, and the subsequent various costs are no small amount either… So I was thinking having an extra person to help with work.”
“Didn’t you earn a large sum before? Isn’t that enough?”
Kakashi asked puzzled. Logically, Chikawa Blacksmith Shop should have made quite a profit. While it might not make Luke’s family wealthy, it shouldn’t be unable to afford one child’s Ninja School education.
Luke’s voice became slightly hoarse, “My father is getting older. You don’t understand – blacksmithing is hardest on the body. Yesterday was Ninja School opening day, the order volume was too large, and he… he injured his back.”
When Kakashi heard the word “father,” his eyes lowered, subtly turning sideways. He couldn’t bear hearing those two words.
Seeing Kakashi was affected, Luke pressed his advantage, speaking earnestly.
“Although he says he’s fine, I can tell he’s actually putting on a brave face. Men of his age will always choose to bear any suffering themselves, never passing the pressure onto their family.”
“Not just him – my mother is getting older too. When people reach middle age, all kinds of illnesses and pains start appearing. For their sake, I need to save some money for emergencies. When is money ever truly enough?”
These words made Kakashi recall the scene when his own father passed away.
That day, leaning against his father’s body, he felt even the strength to cry had left him. Other villagers avoided coming due to the sensitive situation, only Luke came to visit.
He neither comforted nor advised, just quietly stayed with him.
The suddenly changed Kakashi had many unanswered questions in his heart at that time.
He didn’t understand why his father would commit suicide over mere rumors and gossip. He didn’t understand why villagers called his father a coward. Yes, his father failed that mission and caused losses, but what about his achievements?
The title Konoha White Fang was earned through battle after battle. His father had achieved countless military merits on the battlefield, saved numerous comrades, won numerous battles – should all these be simply ignored?
Only when it grew dark and Luke was about to leave did he speak his only sentence:
“In the ninja world, those who break the rules and regulations are scum. But those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum.”
This sentence perfectly articulated Kakashi’s complex feelings of confusion and resentment at the time, and it was this very moment that served as the catalyst for their relationship to evolve from ordinary friends to close companions.
Kakashi’s voice was slightly hoarse as he said, “When the Shadow Clone Technique is dispelled, the pain and exhaustion experienced by the clones are transferred back to the original body.”
To be precise, what returns after the shadow clones disperse are the experiences and sensations, making this a method to rapidly learn or train in Ninjutsu. When utilized properly, it could even be considered an advantage.
Luke sighed, “I just want to earn more while I’m young and can handle the pressure. I’m an adult now—it’s time I shouldered the burdens of my family. Once my younger brother graduates from school and becomes a ninja, life will naturally get better.”
As he spoke, Luke himself was moved by the sincerity in his own words.
Kakashi slowly shook his head, “There’s no need for that. If you’re short on money, I have some with me.”
The Hatake clan was also a renowned family in Konoha. The White Fang’s reputation in his prime even surpassed that of the Three Sannin. If not for the Hatake clan’s small numbers, they would undoubtedly have been a core pillar of Konoha’s strength.
As the sole heir of the Hatake clan, Kakashi certainly wasn’t lacking in funds.
Damn, I overacted.
These words suddenly surfaced in Luke’s mind, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words. This was truly an unforeseen development.
His good friend suddenly pulling this domineering CEO move, intending to solve the problem directly at its root.
He forced a smile and shook his head with determined expression, “How could I take your money? We’re friends. I don’t want money to ruin our relationship.”
What kind of cliché romance novel dialogue was this? The kind where the female lead proudly claims self-reliance but always ends up relying on men. Luke silently complained to himself.
He didn’t understand how things had developed this way, only feeling goosebumps rising all over his body.
This development was completely different from what he had imagined!
Could there be some mysterious consciousness in the Naruto world that gradually turns all bromance into something more… intimate?
“If we’re friends, then a little money won’t ruin our relationship,” Kakashi said seriously, adding by way of explanation, “Besides, the village doesn’t permit private teaching of Ninjutsu. To teach ninjutsu, both parties must have a teacher-student relationship, and it needs to be reported to higher authorities.”
Bullshit! In the anime, they taught techniques randomly all the time!
Considering possibilities like parallel worlds, quantum mechanics, and other chaotic factors, plus the fact that ordinary people wouldn’t likely know the Ninjutsu regulations, Luke didn’t refute. Instead, he asked with hopeful eyes, “Are there any exceptions?”
“When the ownership of that technique belongs to you or your family.”
The inventor of the Shadow Clone Technique was Tobirama Senju, who had been dead for decades. It now belonged to the village’s public Ninjutsu repertoire, typically given as a reward after ninjas completed a certain number of missions.
As they were speaking, Kakashi suddenly looked elsewhere. Luke also sensed someone approaching at the same moment, but deliberately reacted a beat later, pretending to follow Kakashi’s gaze.
Two masked figures appeared silently beside Kakashi.
One of them spoke, “Captain, we have a mission.”
Anbu—the special ninja corps directly commanded by the Third Hokage. The minimum requirement to join Anbu was being among the elite of the Chunin, while Anbu squad leaders were at minimum Jonin level.
“Let’s go.”
Kakashi didn’t waste words, giving a simple reply before leaving. Just before departing, he pulled something from his pocket and tossed it to Luke. Then the three of them formed hand seals and vanished without a trace in an instant.
Was that the Body Flicker Technique just now?
So convenient.
Luke stood dazed for a moment before looking at the object in his hand – a small brown pouch, likely Kakashi’s money bag.
Well… this works too. At least there’s some gain. Let’s see what Kakashi dropped.
Luke opened the wallet and counted the silver notes inside – five million ryo in total.
He took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he counted again.
It was indeed five million ryo.
Isn’t Kakashi’s drop rate a bit too high?
Struggling to suppress his rising smile, Luke solemnly declared that from now on, Kakashi would be his dear friend, his close companion, his brother in arms.
The genuine kind!