Chapter 482: World Line Convergence

When Muzuki arrived at the Training Ground, Yamato was already waiting there.

It was exactly half past six, and the sky was dyed a faint orange-red by the evening glow, the sun slowly sinking below the horizon, leaving a golden afterglow.

A gentle breeze rustled through the trees in the Training Ground, causing the layered leaves to sway softly in the wind, making a rustling sound, as if nature itself was whispering.

Yamato stood alone and still at the edge of the Training Ground, his figure stretched long and thin, projected onto the leaf-strewn dirt.

“When did you arrive?” Muzuki asked, walking forward with a gentle smile.

“Six ten,” Yamato answered honestly.

“Wasn’t the agreed time six forty? Why are you so early?”

“There was nothing to do in that room, and I thought I couldn’t make Lord Mu Yue wait for me, so I came early,” Yamato explained.

Although he had only met Muzuki once, Yamato indeed had a good impression of Muzuki.

On one hand, Muzuki was the perfect Ninja in Danzo Shimura’s words, a direction for him to strive towards, and on the other hand, Muzuki’s own demeanor made him feel very comfortable.

“Let’s formally introduce ourselves. I am Hayate Mugetsu. You don’t need to call me Lord Mu Yue. You can call me Teacher Muzuki, or simply Teacher,” Muzuki said with a warm smile.

“I am Kinoe,” Yamato looked at Muzuki quietly.

That warm, dazzling feeling gave Yamato the illusion that the scorching sun, which had sunk below the horizon, had risen again.

“Kinoe is just your code name in Root, not your actual name,” Muzuki said, shaking his head.

Yamato’s expression became blank. “But that’s the only code name Lord Danzo gave me.”

He was a person with no past; for him, what Danzo Shimura had given him was his everything.

“How about Yamato? As your own name, not a code name,” Muzuki said after pondering.

Muzuki wasn’t trying to curry favor; he simply thought it would be a bit strange for him to not have a name.

“If you want to choose your own name, or if you don’t like this name, that’s fine, because the name is yours, and your own thoughts are what matter most.”

Yamato quickly shook his head. “No, I think this name is very good.”

How could Yamato mind that Muzuki had kindly given him a name? Besides, he genuinely thought the name was good; there was a subtle feeling that it was meant to be.

“If Danzo asks you, just say that I gave you a name so you could operate normally in Konoha,” Muzuki reminded him after thinking for a moment.

It wasn’t that Muzuki was making a big deal out of nothing; it was just that Danzo Shimura was that sensitive.

At this time, Danzo Shimura was still dreaming that any Wood Release Ninja who matured normally could become a super strong individual, so he highly valued Yamato, treating Yamato as his secret weapon.

A secret weapon suddenly having a name—who knew what scenarios the sensitive Danzo Shimura would imagine? So, Muzuki helped Yamato come up with a very logical and realistic reason.

Yamato nodded, committing Muzuki’s words to memory.

“Next, you’ll start with tree climbing, then water walking. I want to test your Chakra control level,” Muzuki began to formally instruct Yamato in his training.

Muzuki’s Wood Release could not be exposed for now, so Muzuki’s short-term training plan was to first improve Yamato’s Chakra control level, and then teach Yamato Water Release and Earth Release.

Yamato followed Muzuki’s instructions, walking up a large tree as if on flat ground, then looked around before finally looking at Muzuki.

Because he found that there seemed to be no water nearby for him to walk on.

“Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!”

Muzuki quickly formed hand signs, gathering a large amount of Chakra to control a section of the ground in front of him, causing it to sink three meters.

“Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!”

Then, Muzuki spewed out a massive torrent of water, filling the sunken ground.

In just one minute, a huge swimming pool instantly appeared on the Training Ground.

Yamato’s mouth was slightly agape; it was his first time seeing a Ninja use a large-scale Ninjutsu to alter the terrain.

“As long as you train diligently, you’ll be able to do it soon too,” Muzuki said, patting Yamato’s shoulder with a smile.

Because of the Hashirama cells, Yamato had a unique advantage in Chakra; as long as his Nature Transformation Ninjutsu proficiency increased, his strength would not be lacking.

Yamato’s performance in water walking was also not bad; running quickly on the water surface was no problem for him.

Muzuki was not surprised by this; after all, he was the only Wood Release Ninja after Hashirama, so Danzo Shimura must have put effort into teaching him, and his fundamentals would certainly not be poor.

“Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!”

Muzuki formed hand signs and summoned a water dragon to rage over the huge pool. The originally calm water surface instantly became turbulent, and Yamato was no longer as composed as before.

Muzuki taught Yamato just as he had taught Obito and the others, training Yamato’s Chakra control ability and movement.

An hour later, Muzuki began to teach Water Release Ninjutsu. Yamato already knew a few Water Release techniques, so Muzuki directly taught Yamato the Great Waterfall Technique.

Although the Great Waterfall Technique could not directly amplify Ninjutsu power like Great Sunny Day, it could create a favorable field environment for Water Release Ninja, making it a very good auxiliary Water Release Ninjutsu.

When the total teaching time reached two and a half hours, Muzuki announced the end of the first day’s teaching.

Upon hearing Muzuki say that training was over and he could go home, Yamato felt a moment of daze.

He looked up at the sky and found that, without realizing it, the sky had been taken over by a deep, inky blue, dotted with faintly glowing stars, twinkling with weak but firm light.

It was now nine o’clock in the evening; from a time perspective, it was already a bit late.

This training was somewhat special for Yamato. Although he had never been averse to training in the past, and even looked forward to Danzo Shimura’s guidance, it was the first time he had lost track of time during training.

“Teacher Muzuki, thank you for your guidance. Goodbye,” Although a bit reluctant, Yamato bid farewell to Muzuki with a respectful expression.

A Ninja like Muzuki must have many things to do, and it was already difficult for him to spare time to teach him.

After Muzuki and Yamato each returned home, the Root Ninja who had been monitoring them also returned to Root to report to Danzo Shimura, detailing the entire process of Muzuki’s teaching.

“Very solid training exercises, but nothing particularly special. Is it a matter of ability?” Danzo Shimura fell into thought.

He wasn’t worried that Muzuki wouldn’t teach seriously; Danzo Shimura was just curious about how Muzuki would teach.

He had paid attention to how Muzuki trained Anbu Ninja, but not much attention to how Muzuki cultivated disciples.

Based on the Root Ninja’s report, Danzo Shimura could only say it was par for the course.

“Test Kinoe’s strength in a month. If it’s not enough, have Muzuki change the training plan,” Danzo Shimura thought, feeling that Muzuki’s training was a bit too gentle.

Given Muzuki’s past teaching achievements, Danzo Shimura chose to believe first, then question.

This was the privilege of the strong; if it were another Root Ninja, Danzo Shimura would question first, then question again.

After having the Root Ninja monitor for five days, Danzo Shimura withdrew Root’s surveillance on Yamato.

Many Root Ninja were currently undergoing training, and Root was already short-staffed. Danzo Shimura had no spare capacity to use Root’s resources on such insignificant matters.

…

It was another Sunday, and due to the holiday, Muzuki changed Yamato’s training time to daytime.

At the same time, Muzuki also notified his other disciples to go to the Training Ground where he usually taught Yamato.

“It’s daytime today, I wonder if Teacher Muzuki will teach for a bit longer,” Yamato, who had arrived at the Training Ground early, looked at the rising sun in the sky with some anticipation.

Yamato’s most anticipated thing every day now was training, or more precisely, training under Muzuki’s guidance.

This was his first time receiving Muzuki’s guidance during the day; the previous six days had all started at half past six and usually ended by half past nine at the latest.

“If only today could be the entire morning,” This was what Yamato hoped for most now.

Suddenly, Yamato noticed a figure slowly approaching the Training Ground.

Yamato’s expression didn’t change, because that definitely wouldn’t be Muzuki; the figure was only slightly taller than him, and only a few years older.

As the figure got closer, Yamato became even more certain, because the figure’s hair was white.

When the white-haired Ninja nearly reached Yamato, he didn’t pay attention, thinking it might be a passing Konoha Ninja.

Yamato didn’t care about Kakashi, but Kakashi was somewhat interested in Yamato.

He didn’t know why, but he felt that the Ninja in front of him, with long hair and a face-covering headband, looked somewhat familiar.

But no matter how Kakashi tried to recall familiar Ninja faces in his mind, he couldn’t find any information related to the unfamiliar Ninja in front of him.

Suddenly, a Flash of inspiration struck Kakashi’s mind; a figure that didn’t belong to this time overlapped with the stranger in front of him.

Kakashi Hatake rubbed his head, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze turned a little dangerous.

A certain despicable guy had taken the opportunity to hit him on the head three times, and each time with considerable force.

To avoid wrongly accusing a good person, Kakashi Hatake first carefully sized up the long-haired Ninja, confirming that the long-haired Ninja in front of him had many similarities with Yamato, whom he had seen in the Land of Loulan.

“Hello, may I ask your name?” Kakashi Hatake asked politely and kindly.

Because Kakashi Hatake’s attitude was very good, and coupled with Yamato’s inherent kindness, he directly answered Kakashi Hatake’s question.

“I am Yamato,” Yamato replied with a slight smile.

He always remembered Lord Mu Yue’s words: “Kinoe” was just his code name in Root, and Yamato was his true name, a name Lord Mu Yue had given him.

“I finally found you,” Kakashi Hatake’s benevolent smile grew even wider.

If Uchiha Obito saw this scene, he would instinctively take a few steps back; Kakashi Hatake generally didn’t smile, and when he did, it was never a good sign.

Yamato was a little confused; he didn’t know Kakashi Hatake. Could he be a Ninja Lord Mu Yue knew?

“What is your relationship with Lord Mu Yue now?” Kakashi Hatake didn’t immediately retaliate but first asked about Yamato’s relationship with Lord Mu Yue.

He felt that Yamato’s appearance at this Training Ground was certainly not accidental; it was very likely that Lord Mu Yue had called him too.

“Lord Mu Yue is responsible for guiding my cultivation,” Yamato first answered Kakashi Hatake’s question, then asked,

“Are you also a Ninja training with Lord Mu Yue?”

He noticed that Kakashi Hatake also referred to Lord Mu Yue as Lord Mu Yue.

“I am Lord Mu Yue’s disciple,” Kakashi Hatake didn’t hide it and told Yamato about his relationship with Lord Mu Yue.

“You must have only recently started training with Lord Mu Yue. I’ve been training with Lord Mu Yue for over two years now, so I guess I’m your senior.”

Yamato looked at Kakashi Hatake with envy. He didn’t know if his relationship with Lord Mu Yue counted as master-disciple, nor did he know how long more he could train with Lord Mu Yue.

“Senior Kakashi,” Yamato called out politely.

Kakashi Hatake was older than him and had started receiving Lord Mu Yue’s guidance earlier, so he was indeed his senior.

Kakashi Hatake’s smile deepened a bit. “Yamato, do you know that Lord Mu Yue likes diligent students the most? Let’s start training now; Lord Mu Yue will surely be very happy when he sees us.”

“Oh, I see,” Yamato showed an eager expression.

Lord Mu Yue was so good to him; Yamato wanted to make Lord Mu Yue happy.

Yamato looked at Kakashi Hatake with gratitude. There were still many good people in the world.

“As your senior, I’ll guide your training,” Kakashi Hatake continued.

“Will that be too much trouble for you, Senior?” Yamato was a little flattered.

“No trouble at all, no trouble. It’s a scene Lord Mu Yue is very happy to see, disciples getting along and helping each other,” Kakashi Hatake waved his hand.

“Then what do we do next?” Yamato agreed immediately when he heard it would make Lord Mu Yue happy.

Kakashi Hatake’s smile gradually evolved from benevolent to ‘nuclear-benevolent’. “It’s simple. Next, you attack me with all your strength, and leave the rest to me.”

A practice battle could both exact revenge and allow him to gauge Yamato’s current strength. It was a win-win situation; he would win twice.

Hearing Kakashi Hatake’s words, Yamato couldn’t help but exclaim in his heart, “As expected of Lord Mu Yue’s disciple, how wonderful.”

Although Kakashi Hatake told him to use his full strength, Yamato didn’t know Kakashi Hatake’s strength. He was worried about hurting Kakashi Hatake, so Yamato first launched a tentative attack.

After a few exchanges, Yamato realized that Kakashi Hatake was very strong; he couldn’t even touch Kakashi Hatake’s clothes.

Bang!

After dodging Yamato’s swing punch, Kakashi Hatake struck Yamato’s head with a hand chop.

“Your punches are too slow. How can you hit anyone like that?” Kakashi Hatake instructed earnestly.

Yamato silently kept Kakashi Hatake’s words in mind, then feigned with his left fist and quickly swung out his right leg.

But how could Yamato’s still-immature Taijutsu deceive Kakashi Hatake’s Transparent World? All of Yamato’s movements were seen through by him.

Kakashi Hatake easily dodged, and with a backhand, he punched Yamato’s head again.

Feeling the touch from his fist, Kakashi Hatake felt incredibly refreshed, like chugging a mouthful of icy soda on a hot summer day, feeling completely clear and uplifted.

Kakashi Hatake somewhat understood the future Yamato. So, hitting someone you dislike on the head felt this good. No wonder the future Yamato hit him three times.

“Loose footwork, weak lower body!” Kakashi Hatake continued to comment.

Yamato rubbed his head with one hand. He felt that Senior Kakashi’s concern was a bit too heavy, making him uncomfortable.

At this moment, Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Shisui, who had rarely woken up early, arrived at the Training Ground together.

Looking at Yamato and Kakashi Hatake fighting—oh no, rather, looking at Yamato being beaten by Kakashi Hatake—Uchiha Obito felt a sense of familiarity.

“Isn’t that Captain Yamato? How did he get so small after not seeing him for several months?” Uchiha Obito recognized him as Captain Yamato of Anbu, who had traveled through time with Uzumaki Naruto.

“That should be the Yamato of our current time, not the future Yamato,” Uchiha Shisui said after thinking for a moment.

Uchiha Shisui hadn’t gone on the Ryūmyaku mission and hadn’t seen Yamato’s appearance. He deduced based on normal logic that this Yamato, who was being beaten by Kakashi Hatake, couldn’t be Captain Yamato of Anbu.

“Hehe, it definitely isn’t. If time travel were that simple, Lord Mu Yue would have surely taken us to the future to play during the Land of Loulan incident,” Uchiha Obito chuckled, having just made a casual remark.

Seeing the other disciples arrive, Kakashi Hatake stopped fighting. Lord Mu Yue was the last to arrive, so he should be here by now. It would be impolite to keep beating him.

Just as Kakashi Hatake expected, Lord Mu Yue appeared before them at just the right moment.

“Lord Mu Yue,” everyone called out to Lord Mu Yue with respect.

“Good morning,” Lord Mu Yue smiled and nodded in response.

Might Guy had temporarily returned to Teacher Chen’s squad, and Rin Nohara was training with Tsunade. All the disciples who could come had arrived.

Then, Lord Mu Yue called Yamato aside, facing the other three disciples.

“This is Yamato; he will be training with you all today,” Lord Mu Yue briefly introduced Yamato, then gave the three of them a meaningful look.

Kakashi Hatake nodded. The matter of future Ninjas certainly couldn’t be spoken of carelessly. Even if Lord Mu Yue didn’t remind him, Kakashi Hatake would remind Uchiha Obito not to tell Yamato about the future.

“I am Uchiha Shisui, pleased to meet you,” Uchiha Shisui introduced himself proactively.

“I am Uchiha Obito. Follow me, and I guarantee Kakashi Hatake won’t be able to bully you anymore,” Uchiha Obito patted his chest and said.

Yamato looked at Uchiha Obito with some surprise. So, he had just been bullied by Senior Kakashi?

Kakashi Hatake didn’t speak, but silently pulled out a photo of Uchiha Obito during their internal conflict from his Ninja tool pouch and waved it at Uchiha Obito.

Uchiha Obito glared at Kakashi Hatake with anger but could only shut his mouth and say no more. Kakashi Hatake’s meaning was clear: if he continued, he would make copies of his photo and plaster them all over the Leaf Village Main District.

“I am Kakashi Hatake. Don’t listen to that guy Uchiha Obito’s nonsense. Everyone who knows me knows I’m the most reliable.”

Kakashi Hatake gently rubbed Yamato’s head with a friendly expression, then sincerely apologized, “Sorry, does it hurt? I might have accidentally used a bit too much force just now.”

“It’s fine, it’s almost not hurting anymore. Senior Kakashi, you were just guiding me,” Yamato thought he might have misunderstood Senior Kakashi.

After all, Senior Kakashi also seemed very gentle, though not as much as Lord Mu Yue.

Kakashi Hatake smiled at Yamato. The time ahead was still long, and he would slowly get those three punches back, with interest.

“Ahem, since you’ve all met, let’s begin training,” Lord Mu Yue cleared his throat twice.

PS: Recently, I’ve been thinking about whether to write some of the alternate world Naruto Uzumaki storyline as a side story in advance.

The Ryūmyaku storyline isn’t completely over yet; Naruto Uzumaki will come again later, but by then, Naruto Uzumaki’s side will be close to the Fourth Great Ninja War from the original work, with many popular plot developments.

However, that Naruto Uzumaki has also been changed by the protagonist. I’m thinking that if I briefly write out the changes in the storyline where Naruto Uzumaki has Yang Release Breathing, the plot will flow more smoothly and won’t be as abrupt.

Also, please vote with your monthly tickets!

Recommending a friend’s Naruto fanfiction:

Title: “Konoha: Gu Master Builds Hokage”

A lighthearted and fun read, combining the Gu of a Gu Master with the insects of the Aburame clan.