Naruto: Can't Use Ninjutsu? I'll Create the Strongest Fighting Style

"So, your surname is Zenin?"

"Yeah."

Garou nodded. "But I'm just a civilian."

"Some civilian families were once noble clans during the Warring States era," Kakashi mused. "They just declined after the rise of the ninja system. I remember reading the Zenin name in a scroll once, probably a former samurai clan."

"Maybe." Garou wasn't sure. There were no sword manuals left in his house. If there had been, he wouldn't have needed to ask Tenten for help with sword training.

"Well, those old traditions don't matter much anymore," Kakashi said with a shrug. "Even the Land of Iron practices chakra now. Whether or not you're from a samurai bloodline doesn't mean much."

Despite his words, Kakashi's right hand twitched slightly.

The conversation was getting dull, and he was feeling the itch to open a book. But considering its adult content, he resisted the temptation, for now.

Still…he could control his mind, but not always his hand.

Garou wasn't a ninja yet, but his senses were sharp and well-trained. He noticed Kakashi's subtle fidgeting.

'Looks like this version of Kakashi still cares about appearances.'

In the original series, he'd read Icha Icha Paradise openly, even in front of his students, without a trace of shame, like he had nothing left in the village to be embarrassed about.

Maybe Kakashi was cautious around him because he seemed too perceptive.

Maybe he thought Garou would figure out the book wasn't child-friendly.

Garou gently shook his head and said, "If you want to read your book, I won't mind."

"Uh…" Kakashi froze for a second, clearly caught off guard.

"It's alright. I haven't read Master Jiraiya's work, but I've heard the rumors."

He had, in fact, snuck a peek at one of Jiraiya's books. To be honest, the content wasn't all that shocking, more like Jiraiya's personal fantasies with some eccentric fluff thrown in. Garou had a dozen ideas more creative in his own head.

Kakashi went silent for a few seconds.

He'd been in this situation before, but somehow with Garou, it felt different.

Usually, he wouldn't care. But this kid walked while reading medical textbooks and ninjutsu theory scrolls.

Meanwhile, he was flipping through adult novels.

The contrast was a little… painful.

Kakashi cleared his throat awkwardly. "No worries. Books are just for personal growth, not necessities. Let's keep chatting. Lord Third mentioned you to me. I've been a bit curious."

"Lord Hokage mentioned me?"

Garou was genuinely surprised.

It looked like the old man had tried to pass him off to Kakashi. But from the look of things, Kakashi must've refused. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone straight to offering an Anbu invitation earlier.

"Haha. The Third cares a lot about the village's talent."

'Yeah, right,' Garou thought.

Hiruzen's record with nurturing talent was not nonexistent, but mostly lip service. He was still coasting on Tobirama's legacy, the academy system and structural foundations he'd inherited.

That said, Garou respected his skill.

As someone without any unique bloodline or special body constitution, Hiruzen had still reached the peak.