The Celestial Copy - Chapter 28

Driving my shin into Daisuke’s midsection felt like kicking a metal wall, I could even hear a sound similar to a gong being struck. The impact went up my leg, but he didn’t budge an inch. His skin was already an earthen brown color from the Iron Skin technique.

“Bad move, Captain,” he grunted, clamping his massive hands around my leg to lock me in place.

A warning from A Shred of Self Preservation flared in my mind, alerting me to the danger from behind.

I activated my powers as a Legacy of Chronos, slowing the world down to a crawl. I turned my head just slightly. Akito was mid-breath, his cheeks puffed out as a sphere of fire began to leave his lips.

I brought my free leg up and snapped it into the side of Daisuke’s face. Even with Iron Skin, his grip loosened. The force behind my kick was amplified by my ability to move as usual while everyone else was slowed down, making it seem as if I had accelerated. I wrenched myself free and launched upward.

Time returned back to normal. Keeping that ability active for too long was taxing.

The stream of fire that would have engulfed me blasted into Daisuke’s skin instead. He’d be fine, his defensive jutsu was more than enough to protect him from any real injuries. Though it should still hurt him a bit.

Just as I was about to land, multiple snakes wrapped around my torso. I looked over to see them extending from Anko’s sleeves. She formed a one-handed Tiger seal, and the snakes’ scales began to smoke as fire traveled up their lengths toward me. 

Not bad. She’s mixing her Shadow Snake Hands with the Fire Style training I gave her.

I used Absolute Power, unleashing a wave of pure pressure.

The snakes stiffened, giving me an opening. I flexed outward, breaking their hold before grabbing the limp reptiles with both hands and yanked. Anko yelped as she was dragged forward. I blocked a flailing-kick with one hand, then grabbed her by the armor with the other, slamming her to the ground.

“Yield?” I asked pleasantly.

“Yield! Yield!” she wheezed.

“Great effort everyone, we nearly had him!” Akito shouted, clapping his hands together exaggeratedly as he walked over. “Let’s call it a match!”

I released Anko and stood up, turning to face him. “Oh? You’re already giving up?”

“Damn right I am! I’ve had enough of getting my ass kicked for one morning.”

Anko rolled over and sat up, rubbing the dirt off her uniform. “What the hell, Kakashi?! Are you even human? Four sets of three-versus-ones without taking any breaks when we switched, all while holding back, and you’re not even the slightest bit exhausted!”

That was only thanks to my newest perk. Granting me nearly limitless stamina was basically cheating.

Still, I was glad things went back to normal between us, or at least as best as they could. Me being gone for a month gave her time to process everything. I probably should have directly said something about it, but I had my flaws too.

No matter what, I’d make it up to her.

“You gave me quite the challenge,” I told them. It may have looked like I was holding back a lot because I decided to not use Sage Mode, my Sharingan, or open any of the Eight Gates. However, I was using my Celestial Grimoire perks. “You all must’ve been training hard while I was gone.”

“Wait a minute, aren’t you supposed to be getting rustier when you can’t train so hard?” Anko tilted her head. “It’s not like you could’ve trained for real while you were babysitting in the Hidden Cloud. Those traitors would definitely keep an eye on you, trying to steal any useful techniques you have.”

Yet another aspect where I was cheating. Skilled Development made it impossible for my skills to degrade, even if I spent a month doing nothing.

Akito shrugged. “There’s no point in questioning it when it’s the genius among geniuses, Mongoose.” 

“Speaking of that! Why am I called Mongoose? Everyone else has some weird codename!”

Daisuke walked over to us. “Our codenames come from an older language.”

“Kuma means bear, Tori means bird, and you can guess what everyone else’s codenames mean,” I added. “Mongooses aren’t native to the land the language originated in, so there isn’t an actual word for it.”

Akito waved a hand. “Cool history lesson, but it’s been two hours. Captain, are you leaving now?”

“Itachi Uchiha passed the Chunin Exams, so my time as a sensei is over. Which means…” I eye-smiled, though they couldn’t see it with my fox mask on. “I’m back on Team Ro full time”

Daisuke exhaled in relief. “Glad to have you back, Captain. Being the acting captain is always stressful.”

“You three take a break,” I said. “If you want help with anything, just ask.”

I left the exhausted trio to recover, heading to where the rest of the team was. Tenzo sat cross-legged in deep meditation, while Yugao and Tsura were in the middle of a spar further out.

Tenzo opened his eyes as I approached. “Captain.”

“How’s the conditioning going?”

“Slow,” he admitted. “My reserves are increasing, but only at a snail’s pace. If I want to learn Sage Mode like you, I have a long way to go.”

“Probably,” I agreed. “I was lucky to have just enough chakra to begin with. Once you reach that level, you’ll get it down just as quickly as I did.”

“Are you sure? Lord Jiraiya has been training for years and still hasn’t mastered it perfectly. Only you’re talented enough to learn it as fast as you did.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself, Tenzo,” I insisted. “Your Wood Style alone proves you have what it takes. Sure, having the ability to use it is a result of Orochimaru’s experiments, but mastering two elements and figuring out how to combine them is all you. You’re the second strongest member of the most elite ANBU squad at just fifteen years old. That’s a level of talent most Jonin can only dream of.”

“…Thanks Kakashi, I appreciate it.” He closed his eyes again. “I’ll continue training my mental strength.” 

I turned my attention to the spar between the other two. Yugao and Tsura stood apart, breathing heavily. It seemed to be a draw, proof of just how much Yugao had improved in order to keep up with her more experienced comrades.

They lowered their weapons at the same moment, after which Yugao’s shoulders relaxed. On the other hand, Tsura clenched her hand around her kunai.

She’s the only Inuzuka at her rank that fights without a ninken.

In a clan defined by that sacred bond, walking without a partner was a mark of shame. It isolated her, forcing her to be twice as vicious just to prove she belonged. She’d created a unique tracking technique that set her apart, but that lingering feeling of inferiority never truly vanished. Anko’s arrival in Team Ro had helped, their aggressive styles and personalities forming a dynamic duo, but I hadn’t forgotten that initial isolation. When I brought Gintoki back to Kyojitsu Plateau, the Grand Elder had declared that I could do whatever I wanted with the summoning contract. I’d asked if I could let others sign it, thinking specifically of Tsura.

“Good spar, you two,” I called out. “Tsura, walk with me for a moment.”

She fell into step beside me as I led her away from the others.

“Is there something wrong, Captain? Did I mess up during the spar?”

“No, your performance was excellent. I wanted to follow up on a conversation we had way back during our first mission together on Team Ro.”

She hummed, looking up at the sky. “The one about your summons and my clan?”

“That’s the one.”

“You said your mother’s summons hated you because you became a shinobi. Wait, are they making problems for you?” she growled. “Do we need to deal with them?”

I held back a snort. “Appreciate the offer, but it’s not necessary. They don’t hate me anymore after I did them a favor.”

“Oh, congratulations.”

“As part of their gratitude, they granted me the authority to allow others to sign the summoning contract. Even shinobi.” I turned to her fully. “Would you like to sign it? You told me the Inuzuka elders rejected you because you had the wrong ‘temperament.’”

Tsura stopped walking. “…I also told you I don’t need a dog to be a sensor or a fighter.”

“I know. You prove that every single time we’re on a mission,” I said softly. “I’m offering the contract to you because it has nothing to do with the Inuzuka clan. Your clan’s style is about raising a puppy from birth, creating a lifelong bond. This is different. I’m making an offer to Tsura, my comrade in Team Ro, not to a member of the Inuzuka clan’s branch family.”

She was quiet for a long moment. “A contract… so I could summon them whenever I need them? Experienced hounds?”

“Exactly. Fellow warriors who choose to answer.”

“That’s a lot to take in.”

“There’s no rush,” I assured her. “The scroll is safe with me. Take some time to think about it, and if you decide you want to sign, just let me know.”

“Okay.” Her voice softened. “Thank you for thinking of me, Captain.”

“Always.”

I left Tsura to her thoughts and went back to Yugao, who was now standing a good distance from a training log with punctures in it. She thrust her sword forward, and another thin hole pierced through the thick wood.

“Impressive,” I remarked.

She jumped slightly, her stance breaking as she spun to face me. “Captain. I didn’t realize you were still here.”

“I told you back then, didn’t I? Once my time as a sensei was over, I’d be able to train with you more.”

“I-I remember.”

“So, what exactly are you working on?” I asked, eyeing the log. “That wasn’t your usual slash.”

“I’m trying to create a different version of my technique. A long-range thrust that can pierce through any defense. Inspired by…” She looked away briefly. “Your Chidori Sharp Spear.”

I reached over my shoulder and drew the White Light Chakra Saber. “Then this shouldn’t take too long. The difference between lightning and wind chakra will be tough to work around, but you seem to have a good grasp of the principles.”

There was a smile on my face under my mask. Helping my comrades improve was the best. I knew I was strong enough to deal with everything on my own, but having them with me gave me a deeper source of strength.

I couldn’t train with my team at all in the past month. And in the one before that, I’d only given them the bare minimum required since I was busy with training Itachi and Shisui. With no major events in the foreseeable future, I’d be able to give them all the time in the world again.

------------------------------

[Naruto Uzumaki]

His knuckles hovered just inches away from the door to Kakashi’s house. That was the third time he’d knocked, and yet he still received no answers. 

Unconsciously, he leaned his forehead against the frame.

It’s this feeling again. I almost forgot what it was like…

Isolation was what Naruto was used to for most of his life. But for the past few months, ever since the two of them met, “Big Bro” Kakashi had been a constant presence. They ate ramen together, trained together, talked together. The glares he would receive when he walked through the village didn’t hurt as much when he knew someone actually cared whether he smiled or cried.

Sure, Kakashi had been away for long periods before. That came with being an elite shinobi. He had to go on long, dangerous missions to keep everyone else safe. Naruto knew that. He accepted it. The time Big Bro gave him when he was around was enough.

A week ago, the Old Man had visited him. On top of the regular monthly allowance, he’d left a second envelope and a checklist of supplies needed for the Academy. Naruto hadn’t bought a single thing yet. 

He could have. Maybe he should have. But he didn’t want to go alone. He wanted to point at things proudly, to hear Kakashi say, “Good choice.” He wanted it to be something they did together… so he could pretend that he had a family like everyone else.

He’d been on his way out earlier today, finally giving up and about to buy the supplies on his own. But he’d overheard two older ladies at the market gossiping. They said the Hokage and the Copy Ninja had returned to the village.

He knew who the Copy Ninja was. That was why he’d run straight here.

Lifting his head from the door, Naruto raised his hand to knock one final time, only to let it fall. If Big Bro hadn’t answered yet, obviously he wasn’t here right now.

He slapped his cheeks. “It’s fine!” he said to himself.

Not getting his supplies because he was waiting around like a lost puppy would only make Kakashi feel disappointed. Or worse, he’d feel guilty. Kakashi was always talking about responsibility and being ready. 

Yeah! I’ll show him I’m ready to be a ninja! I can totally handle a chore like this. Believe it!

Turning around, Naruto marched toward the market district, ignoring the looks. Those people didn’t matter anymore.

He passed a clothing store, seeing a mother adjusting a new bow on her daughter’s hair.

“You need to look your best,” the woman said. “First impressions are everything if you want to make new friends.”

Naruto looked down at his simple t-shirt. 

Maybe I should buy some new clothes too?

He had a couple others with the same Uzumaki spiral in different colors. That was basically all he wore. 

He pushed the thought away and continued walking to the weapon shop. 

Rather than worrying about something stupid like clothes, he had more important things to do. Like proving how responsible he was and making Kakashi proud! Besides, the clothes he wore now had the symbol of his clan, the only connection to a family he knew of.

The bells chimed as he entered. 

At the counter, a father was just finishing a purchase. A little boy stood beside him, beaming as he held up a brand-new kunai pouch.

“Your boy entering the Academy this year?” the shop owner asked.

“You bet!” the father boomed, ruffling his son’s hair. “He’s going to blow everyone away! I’ve never been more proud.”

Naruto looked away, feeling a phantom sensation on his own scalp where Kakashi would do the same.

“…training session was hell, man! And then half of them stayed for even more! It’s tough being the only sane ones on the team.”

“Hah! At least the next part of the day won’t be hard.”

Naruto glanced at the direction of the noise. Two men walked in. One was huge and broad-shouldered, the other lean with short black hair. They both looked back at him, though it felt different. No hatred or disgust, just a neutral glance before they looked away.

The larger man spoke. “I’m going next door to grab some snacks for everyone so we’re not bored standing around. Meet you back at HQ.”

“Sure,” the dark-haired man replied. “I need to restock on my supplies. Probably won’t need them for guard duty, but I’m already here, so I might as well.”

The fat man waved and walked out. The other man sighed, cracking his neck before wandering over to the utility aisle.

Naruto approached the counter and placed the checklist. “Hey, I need this stuff.”

The shop owner looked down at him, the friendly expression he had when speaking to the previous customers nowhere to be seen.

“We’re out of stock.”

“Huh?” Naruto pointed behind him. “But I see the kunai right there on the shelf!”

The man sneered. “Those are reserved for paying customers.”

“Yeah, well I have money!” Naruto pulled out the thick envelope, waving it in the air. “The Old Man gave it to me to buy stuff for when I enter the Academy!”

“I don’t care. Now get out of my shop, you little monster!”

“Hey kid.”

Naruto jumped, spinning around. The man from earlier was standing right behind him, holding a roll of ninja wire. 

“You said you’re buying supplies for the Academy, right?” he asked.

“Yeah! But he won’t sell it to me!”

The man turned to the owner. “C’mon, sell the boy his gear. You can’t go around sabotaging a future ninja of the village like that.”

“Now look here,” the shop owner spat out. “I have the right to refuse service to whomever I please! So don’t you dare tell me to serve the Nine Ta—”

SLAM.

The man slapped his hand on the counter as he vaulted over it, landing right next to the owner. He slung his arm around the older man’s shoulder like an old friend, leaning in close.

He whispered something.

The shop owner’s face went pale. “F-fine,” he forced out. “I’ll… get the kid’s supplies.”

He scrambled to gather the items on the list, shoving kunai and shuriken haphazardly into a pouch and thrusting it into Naruto’s hands.

Naruto fumbled for his envelope. “Here, take th—”

“Keep it!” the owner hissed, recoiling. “I don’t want your filthy ryo. Just go!”

Naruto blinked, looking down at the full pouch, then at the stranger who’d jumped back over the counter. “Hey, mister! Why’d you help me?”

“There’s a guy I know who’d kick my a—” the man paused, looking at Naruto again. “Who’d beat me up if he found out I saw something like this happen and didn’t lift a finger.”

“Oh, thanks, I guess.”

“No problem, kid.” Without looking, the man tossed his roll of ninja wire back onto a shelf. “I’m done here anyway. Not shopping in this dump again.”

The bell chimed as he left, and Naruto ran out as well.

He started going back to his apartment, keeping his head down. Considering its bad start, today went surprisingly well, and he didn’t want to ruin it with attention from the villagers. Once he arrived, he practically flew up the stairs, panting as he made it to the top.

He stopped dead.

Leaning causally over the railing next to his door was a figure with silver, gravity-defying hair and a green flak jacket.

“Big Bro!”

Kakashi looked over. “Yo, Naruto. You weren’t home, so I decided to wait.”

“You were gone for so long!” Naruto blurted out, running over. “Are you gonna have to go on another mission soon?”

“Yeah. But nothing that requires me to actually leave the village.”

Naruto opened his mouth, the question right on his tongue. He wanted to ask if Kakashi could walk him to the Academy. Everyone else would have their families with them on the first day. Everyone else would have someone holding their hand. Kakashi was the closest thing he had. 

But the words caught in his throat.

I shouldn’t bother him. He just got back from a long mission. He’s probably super tired. And I’m gonna be a ninja too. Real ninjas don’t need someone to hold their hand.

He snapped his mouth shut.

Kakashi eyed the pouch in his hands. “Are those your supplies for the Academy? That starts in three days, right?

“Oh, umm, yeah,” Naruto mumbled, clutching it tighter. “Got everything on the list.”

“That’s a big event for any aspiring ninja.” Kakashi’s tone softened. “Is it okay if I go with you to the entrance ceremony?”

Naruto stared up at him, wondering if he imagined it.

“You… Do you really wanna go with me?”

“Of course.”

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, a wide grin spreading across his face. “I guess it’s okay if you’re not busy.”

Kakashi reached out, his hand landing on top of Naruto’s hair. He ruffled it, his eye curving up into that comforting smile he did. “Great. I wouldn't want to miss it.”

------------------------------

The Shadow Clone Jutsu was truly the most convenient technique in existence, especially since the memory transfer had no discernible drawbacks for me after I got Divided Attention.

Daisuke had mentioned that he and Akito saw Naruto looking dejected while shopping by himself. Hearing that, my immediate instinct was to be there for him, but I also had my duties as the Captain of Team Ro. Fortunately, there was a jutsu that allowed me to be in two places at once.

The question then became a simple matter of logistics, which version of me should check up on him? That didn’t take long to answer. My team’s current mission was to guard the Hokage within the tower. It was a low-risk environment where my shadow clone had a very small chance of being popped by an enemy attack. As such, the clone was the logical choice for that duty. 

Currently, that copy of me was trapped behind a desk in the Hokage’s office, having been roped into helping Hiruzen with a literal mountain of paperwork. Though, I couldn’t complain too much. The practical experience was useful to have. Eventually, that administrative nightmare would become my problem to deal with.

“HA!”

Naruto stood fifteen feet from the target board, his arm still extended from the follow-through of his throw.

Thunk.

I watched as the last shuriken embedded itself into the wood. It landed just inches away from the hilt of a kunai he’d thrown seconds before. Not a single one of the weapons had touched the black dot in the center, but at least every single one was stuck firmly in the wood.

Naruto kicked the dirt, throwing his hands down. “Argh! I missed the middle again! Every single time! I’m so bad at this!”

No, it’s still very impressive.

Just two hours ago, he was missing the target board entirely. The weapons would either sail into the bushes or bounce harmlessly off the tree trunk because he wasn’t putting enough force behind the throw. Now, he was consistently sticking a full set onto the board. Whether it was the Uzumaki vitality allowing him to throw with such stamina, or Minato-sensei’s genius waking up, or even the effects of my Call Me Master perk accelerating his growth, it was quite an amazing rate of improvement for a five-year-old with no formal training at the Academy.

“Don’t worry,” I told him. “Your aim has been improving. This is the result of just one day’s worth of training. You’ll continue to get better the more you practice.”

Naruto puffed out his chest. “Heh. I guess I am pretty awesome, huh? I’m gonna hit the bullseye next time, believe it!”

“No need to rush it. Consistency is more important right now.”

Caw. Caw.

I glanced up, watching a pair of crows circle above me.

An update already?

I turned back to Naruto. “Now do another set on your own. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

He sprinted to the tree to retrieve his weapons, a fresh wave of determination on his face.

I’m glad it’s the real me here to see this. Even though the memories would’ve transferred if it was my clone, it just felt nicer to actually be here.

The crows cawed again, bringing my attention back to them. I followed as they led me to a dense thicket not far from where we were training. Two figures were waiting. Itachi and Shisui.

“I assume the crows aren’t just for show,” I said. “Do you have anything new to report?”

“Yup,” Shisui confirmed. “The clan held a meeting this morning.”

“This morning? I thought the meetings were scheduled for nights on the final day of the month.”

“That’s usually the case, but this time the clan head called for a special session,” Shisui explained. “Before he left for the Chunin Exams, he told everyone that the regular meeting was being pushed up to when he returned since he’d have the chance to speak to the Hokage. The situation could’ve changed depending on how the trip went.”

“I see. Go on with your report. What happened in this meeting?”

“Lord Fugaku announced that negotiations between him and the Third Hokage have gone well,” Shisui said.

“What was the reaction?” I asked. “Words alone rarely satisfy a disgruntled crowd.”

“Several of the more radical members were skeptical,” Itachi answered. “They questioned how trustworthy the Hokage’s words were when members of ANBU were secretly watching the compound day and night.”

I nodded. “That was the reaction we were expecting. How did your father handle it?”

“He told them that the surveillance was no longer a problem,” Itachi replied. “He also revealed I would be joining ANBU to keep an eye on the village from the shadows.”

“You just had to be there,” Shisui added with a grin. “For the past few years so many of our clansmen would have permanent scowls on their faces during these meetings, but they dropped it when they heard Lord Fugaku’s reassurances.”

“Is there anything else?”

Itachi hesitated for a moment before speaking. “When I was in private with my father before the meeting, he asked me to work hard for ANBU once I verified the Hokage’s honesty. He explicitly told me to serve the village well.”

Hm? What an interesting piece of information to have. It reveals a lot about his father’s goals.

If Fugaku intended to continue the coup, he would have asked Itachi to steal intel or sabotage operations. He would have treated Itachi as a spy. In this case, he was only looking for security. Asking his son to work hard once trust was established meant Fugaku truly wanted the Uchiha clan to reintegrate with the village.

“That’s a good sign. It seems things are already getting better.” I looked at the two of them. They didn’t look like child soldiers trapped in a terrible situation right now. “Let’s keep it this way. If anything changes, like the radical faction trying to push back even harder, let me know immediately.”

““Understood.””

A swirl of leaves, and they vanished.

I returned to where I’d left Naruto.

Thwack.

A kunai buried itself in the second ring, right next to the others. His accuracy hadn’t magically improved in the five minutes I was gone.

“Come on! Come on! Just one inch up!”

“That’s enough for today, Naruto.”

Naruto spun around, panting. “Aww, already? But I was just getting warmed up!”

“You’ve done enough. Too much training can be counterproductive.” I gave him an eye-smile. “Besides, I think you’ve earned a reward. How does Ichiraku sound?”

His face lit up. “Yeah! Yeah! Let’s go right now, Big Bro!”