Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Kakashi didn't appear before Qingwu until the next day.

"Does that kid you brought really know Wood Release?"

When Kakashi asked, Qingwu was taken aback. "It's not done yet?"

“No,” Kakashi shook his head. “He rejected any goodwill and… asked to return to Root.”

"Is it that difficult?" Qingwu frowned slightly.

He remembered that during their conversation that day, "A" seemed quite willing to talk.

“That brat said, ‘I am a Root ninja, and my home is Root.’”

Kakashi looked at Qingwu, "Is it because we both have the Wood Release bloodline that he's willing to communicate with you?"

"It's hard to say," Qingwu said evasively. "It's probably Danzo's brainwashing and sealing. What did the Hokage say?"

Having finally managed to send it away, Qingwu was too lazy to cause any more trouble.

He is not yet a suitable target for Danzo.

"The Hokage didn't agree," Kakashi said. "He said that 'Armor' was too badly injured and needed to continue treatment at Konoha Hospital for at least three more months."

“Three months later, we’ll talk to ‘A’ again about his future,” Kakashi added.

Qingwu raised an eyebrow.

This is a delaying tactic by the third generation.

Three months is enough time for a lot to happen.

After a pause, Kakashi said, "Qingwu, it was very clever of you to hand over 'Armor' to the Hokage this time."

"You flatter me, you flatter me!" Qingwu said with a grin. This was not a conspiracy at all; anyone with a bit of sense could see that.

"However... you have also completely placed yourself on the opposite side of Lord Danzo."

Kakashi cautioned, "You should still be careful from now on. That person... might very well retaliate against you."

"Thank you for the reminder, senior. I will pay attention." Qingwu nodded.

It's certain that Danzo will dislike him, but as long as Danzo doesn't come to his door in person, Qingwu believes he's not in any immediate danger.

"Are you practicing taijutsu?" Kakashi asked, turning around suddenly as he looked like he was about to leave.

"That's right, senior saw it?"

Kakashi nodded.

He waited for Iruka to leave before appearing.

In fact, apart from Qingwu, who is highly regarded by the Hokage, he currently does not want to have any communication with others.

“I have a friend…” Kakashi’s voice rarely showed a hint of sentimentality.

After a moment of silence, Kakashi said, "Perhaps he can help you."

The Third Hokage made him keep an eye on Qingwu's growth, and this deep-seated sense of responsibility made him take it to heart.

Qingwu knew, of course, who Kakashi was talking about.

Might Guy, huh?

but……

He doesn't need to cultivate the Eight Gates, which is not only arduous but also requires a lot of time.

“Senior,” Qingwu called out to Kakashi with a smile, “perhaps I don’t need any friends. Just give me some guidance when you have time.”

Kakashi stopped and looked over, as if he was thinking.

"I don't intend to master taijutsu," Qingwu said. "I just need to be able to withstand close combat without any resistance. After all, I still need to study wood taijutsu."

Kakashi nodded, agreeing with this statement.

He himself had also practiced the Eight Gates with Matt Kai, but only the first gate.

Compared to his friend Might Guy, who was single-minded, he did have a lot to learn, including...

Kakashi subconsciously touched the eyes that "did not belong" to him.

“Okay, I’ll spar with you every night.”

After saying that, Kakashi disappeared from sight.

A smile appeared on Qingwu's face. This is good.

Kakashi probably did this to avoid clashing with Iruka's schedule.

But for him, if he spends the morning honing his fundamentals and the evening sparring with Kakashi, his taijutsu will definitely improve rapidly.

With the system in place, Qingwu doesn't need to painstakingly cultivate his physical abilities.

What he lacks is the basics and the skills.

"Spiritual communication!"

Qingwu slapped the ground in a pretentious manner.

Ten wood elves stood in a row.

The presence of approximately 10 units with exceptional Jonin-level strength, all of which were ranged units, greatly boosted Qingwu's confidence.

"volley!"

Qingwu gave the order to select a large tree a hundred meters away.

"Crossfire!"

He then tried other ways to output firepower.

As the number of troop types increases, he inevitably needs to become more familiar with the characteristics of each troop type while also cultivating himself.

The barracks were refreshed and recruited at midnight last night.

Besides the 10 wood elves in front of you.

He also sent out a full 20 centaurs and 18 dwarves to gather resources.

If we can stay in the Forest of Death indefinitely without any unexpected events.

In the future... he will probably only need to make money to build the unlocked buildings and barracks.

Qingwu is not in a hurry to build a level 4 barracks.

The Chunin Exams are less than two months away.

At that time, through the Chunin Exams, a small army that can fight together will be initially formed.

He should be more confident in asking to go to the battlefield again...

Chapter 37 Kakashi's "Test"

Time flies.

He spent his peaceful days training with Iruka in the mornings and sparring with Kakashi in the evenings.

end of June.

Registration for the Chunin Exams has ended and will begin soon.

This year's Chunin Exams were delayed by one month due to the war with Kumogakure.

However, Konoha Village in the Land of Fire remains the largest ninja village in the ninja world.

The Chunin Exams held in Konoha.

Each time, ninjas from small countries and neutral countries would come to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams, seeking protection or to demonstrate their strength.

...The Forest of Death.

Two figures were practicing martial arts.

Their speed increased as they fought.

If they were ordinary genin, they wouldn't even be able to catch their movements.

"boom!"

Kakashi's whip kick swept across Qingwu's blocking arm.

The force was so heavy that Qingwu groaned, and his feet plowed out two shallow furrows.

Before he could adjust, Kakashi's second strike arrived—not a leg strike, but a hand chop, aimed straight at his throat.

Qingwu leaned back, his hand slicing past Kakashi's Adam's apple, while simultaneously raising his knee and striking Kakashi's lower abdomen.

Kakashi casually pressed his palm against his knee, using the momentum to flip backward.

Instead of retreating, Qingwu advanced, grabbing Kakashi's wrist with his left hand and delivering a straight punch to his ribs with his right.

Kakashi flicked his wrist, the kunai slashing towards Qingwu's fingers, while simultaneously raising his leg and striking Qingwu's face with his knee.

"You cheated!"

Qingwu laughed loudly and drew the short sword from his waist.

The two men went from hand-to-hand combat to a fight with weapons.

however……

In a melee, Qingwu was sweating profusely in less than a minute.

Kakashi's attacks were like mercury flowing across the ground, without any flaws, or rather, every flaw was a trap.

Kakashi did not neglect the swordsmanship passed down from Konoha's White Fang.

Not yet, at least not at the moment.

If they were unarmed, Qingwu could still hold his own against Kakashi thanks to his physical abilities.

However, once Kakashi uses a weapon, Qingwu, who is in close combat, can only parry and has no power to retaliate.

They persisted for several more rounds...

"ended."