Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 6 6 : I Hope You Are A Genius Who Can Surpass Me

Riku didn't mind at all and smiled calmly. "So, can you teach the ninjutsu you know?"

Kakashi nodded. "Yes, but the ninjutsu I teach you will be relatively advanced. You can't go around teaching it to others."

Riku rembered how skilled Kakashi was and looked forward to it. He smiled. "Sure."

But just as he agreed, he added, "But I hope you can keep this a secret. Don't tell anyone about . I don't want to cause any trouble."

Kakashi had initially thought about recomnding Riku to the Third Hokage, but after hearing that, he nodded in agreent.

"Alright."

"Starting today, as long as I have ti, I'll teach you one ninjutsu a day. Once you've mastered one, I'll teach you the next."

Riku was montarily stunned. "Didn't you say you were only going to teach a few? Wait, just how many ninjutsu do you actually know?"

Riku asked in surprise, and Kakashi smiled. "Plenty. You won't finish learning them all even if you study for years."

Riku chuckled. "Then I think you're underestimating ."

Seeing Riku so confidently challenge him, Kakashi smiled. "You'll understand in ti just how many I know. If you really can learn all the ninjutsu I've mastered, then you're definitely a prodigy."

Kakashi was known as the "Copy Ninja of the Leaf."

He had copied over a thousand ninjutsu techniques.

There was no way Riku could possibly learn them all—at least not any ti soon.

After chatting with Riku for about ten minutes, Kakashi stood to leave.

"Co find at the training grounds behind Konoha after school tomorrow."

Riku looked at him, hesitant. "But isn't the back forest of Konoha really dangerous?"

Kakashi looked at him and smiled. "What, are you scared? Ninjutsu isn't easy to learn. If you want to learn from , you'll have to face the dangers of the forest. If you're not up for it, then I won't bother teaching you."

Riku remained calm. "So if I kill a few wild beasts, is that okay?"

Kakashi paused. "Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

He was genuinely confused—why did Riku think he wasn't allowed to kill beasts?

Riku grinned at the answer. "Good. I was worried I'd have to pay for any damages if I killed one. I don't have any money."

Kakashi realized the misunderstanding and his face darkened. "You don't need to pay for anything. Why are you even thinking about money?"

He truly didn't get it.

Riku rolled his eyes. "What do you expect to eat if I don't have money? I'm only six, living off my parents' pension. Do you think I could afford to pay for anything?"

"Do you think I'm made of money?"

Kakashi froze. "What do you an?"

He had never heard that phrase before.

Riku waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind. I'm just saying don't act like it doesn't hurt unless you've been through it yourself."

That, Kakashi understood.

"Alright then. But if you perform well, I can reward you."

Kakashi tried to entice him.

Riku played along. "What kind of reward?"

Kakashi thought for a mont. "Let's say, for every D-rank ninjutsu you master, I'll reward you with a payout equivalent to a D-rank mission."

Riku looked at him suspiciously. "Are you really that generous?"

He knew Kakashi was secretly one of the richest people in Konoha.

He'd completed hundreds of S-rank missions, not to ntion countless A- and B-rank ones. But he was also known for being stingy.

Kakashi, sensing the disbelief, straightened. "Of course. I stand by what I say."

Though inwardly, he thought, Ninjutsu isn't that easy to learn. Even if you're a prodigy, you'll need at least three to four days for a single D-rank ninjutsu. And it takes even longer for C-rank. It's not like you have the Sharingan to copy them instantly.

He was already doing the math in his head.

And Riku could see it all on his face.

"I hope you don't regret this later."

Kakashi smiled. "Don't worry. I won't. If you're really capable of draining dry, I'd actually be thrilled."

Ninjutsu is critical to a shinobi's career.

Sotis, mastering a single technique could carry a ninja for life.

So if Riku actually managed to learn all of Kakashi's techniques, his strength would be at least on par with an elite jonin.

If Kakashi could nurture such a powerful shinobi for the village, it would be worth even a fraction of his fortune.

Why just a fraction?

Because Kakashi's wealth was imnse.

He'd completed hundreds of S-rank missions, mastered nurous A- and B-rank techniques, and earned plenty through other sources.

His assets could easily fund thousands of A-rank missions.

But in terms of ninjutsu, he only truly mastered a handful of A-rank techniques and maybe a dozen B-rank ones.

So he wasn't worried in the slightest about Riku learning everything.

After wrapping up their talk, Kakashi smiled. "By the way, you don't have a weapon, right? I'll give you one. This is an ANBU-standard short sword. The quality is excellent, so I'll let you have it."

"I'll wait for you tomorrow evening at the back mountain. You'll have to get through the forest on your own."

"I'm heading off."

He placed the ANBU short sword in Riku's hands, then vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.

Riku was stunned. "That generous?"

But then Kakashi's voice echoed from outside, "The cost of that sword will be deducted from your future rewards."

Riku's mouth twitched. "I was just praising your generosity."

Still, he unsheathed the short sword.

Clang—

The blade glead like a mirror, sharp enough to reflect his own face.

It was razor-sharp.

"And made of chakra-reactive tal. Expensive stuff."

Riku doubted this was just a "standard" ANBU weapon.

"Well… I owe him one now. The real problem is, I don't even know how to use a sword."

As he spoke, Riku swung the blade a few tis.

Suddenly, flashes of mory surged through his mind.

His body instinctively shifted.

"No way… just a few swings and I've already grasped the basics of swordsmanship?"

Riku couldn't believe it. This body was ridiculous.

"No, to be more accurate, it's not that I know a formal sword style—it's more like I've got incredible perception and physical instincts suited for it."

"But still, I need to train."

"It's a good blade. I'll keep it for now. It might co in handy later."

He sheathed the sword, washed up, and went to bed.

anwhile, Kakashi was lying on the rooftop of his ho, gazing at the stars.

"I just hope you don't make the sa mistakes I did. Riku… you're a genius who might surpass ."

When Kakashi had seen Riku perform the Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu, he was certain—the boy would one day surpass him.

His physical ability was better than Kakashi's had been at that age, and his comprehension skills were almost identical, maybe even sharper.

Thankfully, Riku's personality was different—more optimistic.

"A genius like you can't be allowed to repeat the mistakes of our generation."

"I really hope you grow strong enough to beco the future pillar of the village."

Truthfully, Kakashi had noticed that when Riku swore not to betray Konoha, he hadn't been entirely sincere.

But he didn't mind.

Because he was determined to personally guide Riku into becoming a true asset of the village.

What Konoha needed most right now wasn't just power.

It needed another Namikaze Minato—soone capable of bearing the entire weight of the village on their shoulders.

And Kakashi had chosen Riku for that role.