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

Chapter 20: Future Teammates

Usually, he'd just take a glance here and there, to make sure nothing went wrong.

So this was new.

"That's actually a good idea," he murmured, then chuckled, lightly slapping his own forehead. "I really am getting old. You're right. It's better to give him raw theory and fundamentals rather than a fully polished style. Let him innovate."

Kakashi nodded. "Exactly."

Someone like Garou, who had practically reverse-engineered the Rasengan on his own, didn't need ready-made techniques. Give him the tools, and he'd craft something far more efficient and unique.

"Perfect timing. The team placements are coming up soon. Take the manuals to him when it's time.

"And maybe you should brush up on them too. Don't let your sword skills get rusty."

The Hokage handed over the Second Hokage's sword manuals, and Kakashi accepted with a small nod.

"Oh, and take those two bath herb packs as well. They're not doing much for an old man like me. But they could be useful for you. If you don't need them, pass them to your students."

"Understood, Lord Hokage. But just to be clear, if they don't pass my test, I'm still sending them back to the Academy."

Kakashi's tone sharpened.

That was non-negotiable.

Hiruzen didn't object.

It was, after all, why he wanted Kakashi to lead the team. Smart, principled, and with high standards, Garou needed a teacher like that.

Two days passed.

The medicinal bath's effects had started becoming widely known.

Garou's small home turned into a magnet for curious shinobi and civilians alike, dozens trying to either buy the formula or barter for information.

Garou had no choice but to vanish.

Fortunately, as a future ninja, stealth was part of the curriculum.

And he wasn't bad at it either. He slipped out through the window undetected. As his feet touched the ground, a voice came from the side.

"Garou-kun, I—mmph!"

"Shhh. Come on."

Garou immediately clamped a hand over the mouth of Kasumi, who had somehow staked out a spot beneath his window.

She frantically gestured that she wouldn't shout again, and he slowly released her. She giggled quietly.

Garou sighed in exasperation and motioned for her to follow.

She had seemed timid the other day. Now she was camping outside his house.

That was a fast confidence boost.

He glanced sideways at her, suspicious.

"I just heard you were surrounded earlier, and I was… worried," she said hesitantly.

"It's fine. But that day, you said, 'please take care of me'? What was that about?" Garou asked, raising a brow.

"Well, I forgot to explain," she said, nervously fidgeting with her sleeves. "I had other plans, but my father said there's a chance I'll be assigned to your team… so he told me to try and get to know you in advance."

A clumsy attempt at getting acquainted.

He almost smirked.

No point calling it out. Let her have it.

Garou looked at her again. "Wait, the teams haven't been announced yet. How do you already know?"

"I mean… I don't know for sure," she said quickly. "But my dad heard from someone close to the Hokage. They said you're a special case, so important that they don't want your team to be complete strangers."

She bowed deeply. "I'm sorry if I overstepped!"

"It's fine. Nice to officially meet you," he said, waving off the tension. "Let's talk somewhere else."

Now that it was out in the open, it didn't bother him. In fact, it was a little amusing.

"Anyway, I'm heading out to train. Want to come?"

He dropped down from the tree, landing on a dirt path that led to his usual training grounds.

"Y-yes!"

She followed close behind.

After a few minutes of jogging, they passed by Tenten.

At first, she hadn't planned on joining them, but seeing Kasumi trailing along beside Garou, she raised an eyebrow… then quietly fell into pace.

Another one joined the group.

Even Rock Lee considered tagging along, but after a moment of watching the group, he caught the awkward energy between the two girls and noped out of there, silently veering onto a different route.