Chapter 14 (Patreon)

“Then just call me Minato.”

Yujiro replied casually.

“If you insisted on ‘Hokage-sama,’ I’d probably just leave.”

The atmosphere paused for a second.

Then Minato suddenly laughed softly.

Kakashi nearly broke into a cold sweat beside them.

Only Yujiro could say something like that directly to the Fourth Hokage’s face.

Still, Minato did not seem offended at all.

Instead, his expression became gentler.

“Thank you… for being Kakashi’s friend.”

“Friend, huh…”

Yujiro repeated the word before giving a small nod.

He had not known Kakashi for very long.

But at the very least, Kakashi was someone trustworthy.

Nearby, Itachi quietly watched the exchange.

For some reason, his expression became a little complicated.

He had spent all this time training beside Yujiro…

But he had never once asked whether Yujiro considered him a friend too.

Meanwhile, Kakashi secretly let out a breath of relief.

Yujiro had not denied it.

That alone already felt good enough.

After that, the training continued.

Minato remained nearby and silently watched Yujiro practice.

Now that Yujiro had begun integrating Wind chakra into his blade, every slash produced a black wind blade visible to the naked eye.

And its power was no weaker than the Great Fireball Technique.

“Kakashi…”

Minato watched quietly for a while before speaking in a low voice.

“If Yujiro keeps growing at this rate, he may surpass you sooner than you think.”

This kind of talent was terrifying.

At only five years old, Yujiro could already manipulate attribute chakra with such precision.

Even Kakashi had not reached that level at the same age.

Kakashi stared at Yujiro’s back and answered seriously,

“Honestly… at this rate, I feel like he’ll surpass me within a year.”

After all, Kakashi had personally witnessed Yujiro’s growth over the past few months.

It was absurd.

Minato slowly nodded.

“Kakashi, I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Originally, Minato still had several things he wanted to ask Yujiro.

But after seeing how seriously the boy trained, he suddenly did not want to interrupt.

The purpose of coming here today had already been fulfilled.

Minato had wanted to confirm whether Yujiro truly possessed the talent Kakashi described.

Now he had his answer.

Boom!

Itachi collapsed onto the grass, breathing heavily.

His chakra was completely exhausted.

Yujiro casually flicked the black blade before turning his gaze toward Kakashi in the distance.

“Kakashi. Your turn.”

“Right.”

Kakashi did not hesitate.

He pulled out the short blade strapped across his back and rushed forward immediately.

Ding.

Congratulations, Host. Physical limit broken.

Limiter progress increased by 0.2%.

Limiter: Level 1 — 33.2%.

…

Ding.

Congratulations, Host. Physical limit broken.

Limiter progress increased by 0.2%.

Limiter: Level 1 — 33.4%.

Time passed slowly.

The sun gradually sank below the horizon.

Even as dusk covered Konoha’s back mountain, the three figures continued sharpening themselves through endless training.

…

Autumn passed in the blink of an eye.

Three months slipped by quietly.

Early winter arrived, and the weather grew noticeably colder.

Inside the Yuhi residence.

In the courtyard covered with fallen leaves, a young boy dressed in black continuously swung the dark blade in his hand.

Each swing released a sharp black wind blade into the air.

The pressure carried by those slashes alone was enough to make the surrounding atmosphere feel heavy.

After finishing his morning training, Yujiro lowered the blade and opened his status panel.

[Host: Yujiro]

[Attributes: Lightning, Wind]

[Chakra: 1000 — Elite Chūnin Level]

[Limiter: Level 1 (Normal)]

[Progress toward Level 2: 90%]

[Current objectives:]

[Squeeze physical energy to the limit]

[Extreme attribute chakra training]

“Still ten percent short…”

Yujiro let out a slow breath.

Once the second stage of the Limiter opened, his body would undergo another major evolution.

His senses.

Reflexes.

Instincts.

Muscles.

Bones.

Even the flow of blood throughout his body would strengthen dramatically.

But the closer he came to breaking through, the harder it became.

That final ten percent would not be easy.

Yujiro returned the sword to its sheath and walked into the house.

“Nee-san, food ready yet?”

He dropped onto the sofa casually.

“I’m coming already, honestly…”

Kurenai’s voice came from the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Yuhi Kurenai walked out carrying three prepared lunch boxes.

“Yujiro, winter’s almost here. You don’t need to train this crazily every single day.”

Kurenai looked at him with concern.

Over the past few months, Yujiro had changed a lot.

First, he had grown noticeably taller.

He was already about the same height as children several years older than him.

At this rate, he would probably surpass her own height before long.

But more than that—

His presence itself had changed.

Around her, Yujiro still acted relaxed and calm.

But during training…

He felt completely different.

Like a lone wolf standing silently in a snowstorm.

His sharp eyes, composed expression, and overwhelming focus gave off a strange sense of pressure.

For a moment, Kurenai found herself staring absentmindedly.

Yujiro suddenly leaned closer slightly.

“Nee-san… do you like me or something?”

“Huh?!”

Kurenai snapped back to reality instantly.

Her face turned bright red almost immediately.

“Y-Yujiro! What are you even saying?!”

Yujiro casually took the lunch boxes from her hands.

“Don’t worry.”

His tone was calm.

“I won’t let you die.”

Kurenai froze slightly.

Before she could answer, Yujiro had already turned and started walking away.

“I’m heading out to train.”

“…Yeah.”

Kurenai lightly pressed her lips together while watching his back disappear.

For some reason…

That small figure gave her a sense of security she could not explain.

“Kurenai! You home?”

A familiar voice suddenly called out from outside.

Kurenai blinked in surprise.

“Asuma?”

She hurried toward the entrance.

At the doorway, Yujiro had already stopped walking.

He quietly looked at Sarutobi Asuma standing outside.

Asuma wore a green shinobi combat uniform.

Yujiro narrowed his eyes slightly.

That kind of combat outfit was generally reserved for Chūnin and above.

But Asuma had only graduated recently and was still technically a Genin.

Yujiro tilted his head slightly as he observed him.

He wanted to see exactly what kind of ability this guy possessed to eventually become one of Konoha’s future Jōnin.