Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 8 8 : Becoming Kakashi's Student

Even though the water rippled slightly, Riku showed no signs of sinking.

Kakashi, standing on the shore, watched as Riku calmly walked onto land.

He sighed. "You learn too fast."

Riku wasn't surprised—his body had always been special.

"So, what are we doing next?"

Kakashi smiled. "Don't worry. Co with ."

Riku didn't say anything and followed Kakashi to the edge of the forest.

He had already guessed what Kakashi planned to teach him next.

Pointing to a tree, Kakashi chuckled. "The next skill I'm going to teach you is tree climbing—but not with your hands. You'll be using your feet. Like this."

As he spoke, Kakashi placed his foot against the trunk and began walking vertically up the tree, step by step.

"The most important part is controlling your chakra to stick to the surface."

"This might not be easy to learn~"

But before Kakashi could finish speaking, he saw Riku already walking up the tree beside him, reaching the sa height.

The two stood upright against the trunk, looking at each other. Riku nodded. "This is pretty useful, Mr. Kakashi. Can you teach so ninjutsu next?"

Kakashi's mouth twitched slightly.

"Are you even human? You learn way too fast."

Riku grinned and continued climbing.

Soon, he reached the top of the tree.

He laughed. "It's not hard. The key is chakra control."

He then walked steadily back down the trunk, without the slightest shake or misstep.

Kakashi was stunned. "Your talent is honestly terrifying. I've never t anyone like you."

Riku chuckled. "I just pick things up fast. It's not really talent."

But Kakashi knew the truth—Riku was the most gifted person he'd ever encountered, at least when it ca to learning.

Even back then, Kakashi himself had been far behind.

At Riku's age, Kakashi had already graduated from the Ninja Academy and achieved Chūnin rank. He'd even set a promotion record that no one had broken since.

Graduated at five. Chūnin at six. Jōnin at twelve.

Not just in Konoha, but across the entire ninja world, his record stood unbeaten.

And yet, even Kakashi admitted—Riku's talent surpassed his own.

That was how monstrous Riku's potential was, at least in Kakashi's eyes.

And yet, Riku treated it so lightly, as though it ant nothing.

He was completely different from normal kids.

"Alright, tell —what ninjutsu do you already know? I don't believe all you've got is Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu."

Kakashi couldn't shake the feeling that Riku wasn't like a child at all.

Then again, sotis he really was like a child.

It wasn't uncommon in the ninja world. Kakashi had been the sa—more mature than others his age.

Riku smiled. "Besides Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu, I also know Water Style: Water Colliding Wave and Earth Style: Earth Flow Divide. That's it—just those three."

Kakashi nodded. "So they're all D-rank ninjutsu. At most, Fireball Jutsu counts as C-rank."

Riku remained calm. "I think that's pretty good. Ninjutsu is the foundation of a ninja's strength. It shouldn't be shown off carelessly."

"I'm honestly satisfied just learning these."

He'd watched plenty of ninja train in the practice fields. Just being able to perform these three techniques made him feel accomplished.

With those alone, he could probably take on most Genin without issue.

Kakashi smiled. "Alright then. I'll teach you a C-rank Fire Style technique right now."

Riku didn't say anything, simply smiled at him.

"You're not curious why I'm not teaching you more advanced ninjutsu?"

Riku shook his head. "Not really. I know you have to eat one bite at a ti. Start with the easy stuff and work your way up. A C-rank jutsu is already good enough."

Plenty of Genin couldn't even manage C-rank ninjutsu. Most of those were Chūnin-level techniques.

Riku didn't see any reason to look down on them.

Kakashi paused. "You're more mature than I thought."

"Alright. The technique I'm going to teach you is Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu. I imagine you've heard of it."

This was a technique unique to the Uchiha clan.

It had far more practical use than Fireball Jutsu, and was widely adopted even by non-Uchiha ninja.

Kakashi knew it.

And so did Riku.

He nodded. "Yeah, I know it. Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu is an Uchiha technique. It's a lot more refined than the basic Fireball Jutsu. But outside of the Uchiha, it's pretty rare."

He looked slightly curious.

Kakashi nodded, pleased by Riku's knowledge.

"That's right. It's one of the Uchiha clan's signature ninjutsu, and not many outsiders know it. I just happen to be one of the few exceptions."

"So, what do you say? Want to learn it?"

Riku shot him a look. "Of course I want to learn it. Why wouldn't I? It's clearly a practical jutsu—not just for Chūnin, but even Jōnin-level shinobi."

The jutsu truly was useful and powerful.

Even in fights between Uchiha mbers—like Sasuke and Itachi—it was a go-to move.

It wasn't nearly as rare or overhyped as people made it out to be.

And if Riku ever used it, anyone foolish enough to try and steal it would probably be reduced to ashes on the spot. Riku might even pity them.

Kakashi laughed, impressed. "Smart. That's exactly why non-Uchiha learn it. It's highly versatile and effective."

"Even though it's technically a C-rank technique, in the hands of a skilled user, it can have the power of a B-rank jutsu."

Riku nodded. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Master Kakashi."

Kakashi blinked. "Alright, but can you not call 'Master Kakashi'?"

Riku smirked. "Then just 'Kakashi'?"

Kakashi chuckled. "Sure, but that's a little rude. 'Mr. Kakashi' works."

Riku shrugged. "Wow, didn't expect you to be into titles. Like being a teacher, huh?"

Kakashi was speechless.

"It's just a formality."

Riku waved it off with a smile. "Alright, then let's get started—Mr. Kakashi."

Hearing Riku call him "teacher," Kakashi felt strangely happy.

At this point, he really was Riku's teacher.

In the ninja world, teaching soone a jutsu made you their ntor—no matter the context.

After all, teaching ninjutsu was serious business. Even among shinobi squads, not every instructor passed down their own techniques.

But if you did… you were a real teacher.

And Riku, clearly, was ready to learn.