Besides, this was just a minor inconvenience - being woken up early.
What truly mattered was securing some special privileges.
Like mission priority or a personal assistant.
If it hadn't been for Tsukigake Naoki, Raj would still be stuck in that mountain ravine with Kakashi and the others.
It was precisely by dragging Tsukigake Naoki into the situation that Raj had created a scapegoat and secured his own escape.
Of course, meeting Tsunade later was a completely unexpected twist of fate.
It pondered for a moment, then said, "Meow! I need an assistant.
I can't teach them all by myself, so you'll have to send another person."
'If I had another person, why would I need to ask you?'
The Third Hokage rubbed his temples, sensing this was going to be a major headache.
After a long pause, he tapped the table and said, "Tell me who you want first. If it's anyone above Jonin level, forget it.
The village is short on manpower right now."
"I'm very reasonable, meow! I wouldn't ask you to do something impossible. Just transfer Kakashi over and have him co-lead the team with me."
As Raj spoke, his cat paw twitched, causing the crystal ball to roll slightly in his grip.
The Third Hokage considered this, picked up his pipe, and said with a pained expression, "Kakashi? I can agree to that.
It's too dangerous for him to be wandering around with the Lightning Blade anyway. Bringing him back would be safer."
"Also, you need to figure out what to do about Genma Shiranui and Ebisu, meow!"
"Alright, alright. Put it down. Put down the crystal ball."
Raj complied.
With all his demands met, there was no need to actually smash the Third Hokage's precious artifact.
If I had actually smashed it, the Third Hokage would have gone berserk.
Even though there were likely replacements, this one was the most convenient to use.
Raj placed the crystal ball on the table, and the Third Hokage cleared his throat, carefully picking it up and tucking it away beneath the table.
A true master never makes the same mistake twice...
"Meow! Then it's settled. Call Kakashi back early to help me."
With that, Raj turned and bolted.
'Time to grab the reward and run before I get whacked with that pipe!'
"Genma, why didn't you stop me? Oh no, Teacher Raj must have gone to see the Third Hokage!"
Ebisu clutched his head and wept bitterly, his spirits utterly crushed.
Genma Shiranui found this baffling.
We're all classmates - we know each other well.
Why is this repressed guy suddenly so obsessed with calling him "Teacher"?
After a moment's hesitation, he decided to ask, "Do you really want Raj to be your teacher?"
"Of course! I want to become stronger too," Ebisu replied, adjusting his sunglasses.
The desire to grow stronger had always been there, but he had lacked guidance.
Furukawa Makoto hadn't taught him any techniques suited to his path, only the Shadow Clone Technique.
He had grown quite despondent.
But Raj's arrival had brought a glimmer of hope.
He saw a path for a commoner to rise above his station.
Though Raj had a nasty personality, Ebisu didn't believe he was truly evil.
After all, why else would he teach Asuma ninjutsu?
If Raj was willing to teach Asuma Ninjutsu, perhaps they still had a chance.
"Three hundred thirty-one, three hundred thirty-two... I think we should train harder. Physical strength is the ultimate truth, just like Raj said. Look how strong his body is!"
Guy kept pace with them while walking on his hands.
The mention of Raj's physique immediately brought back memories of the brutal beating they had endured that morning.
Guy still had bruises on his face, though Ebisu's injuries were hidden beneath his clothes.
Just as their spirits began to flag, "Meow, don't worry. I'm not leaving just yet.
But try not to wake me up so early in the future."
Raj appeared on the wall.
Having finalized the terms with the Third Hokage, he had returned to comfort the trio.
From now on, they could take on missions more freely, no longer restricted to D-rank tasks.
Once Kakashi arrived, they could start accepting C-rank or even B-rank missions.
As for the next few days...
'Heh heh heh...'
'Time to train.'
Their physical training remained the same: they went to Konoha's mission hall to accept water-carrying tasks, then carried two buckets of water from one end of the village to the designated destination.
Tsunade's camp.
Kakashi and his team remained in camp as usual, having not ventured out for a long time.
Since Raj's departure, Minato had taken over many of Tsunade's duties, leaving him no time to lead them on patrols.
During this period, Obito received guidance from Minato, significantly improving his taijutsu and kunai skills.
Minato's primary focus was teaching them how to attack enemies most effectively while moving at high speeds.
Rin had become Tsunade's apprentice.
Only he remained.
Only he was stuck in place, unable to create his own unique technique.
Kakashi sighed deeply.
Although he could now perform many Lightning Release sword techniques thanks to his dual blades, these weren't the kind of ninjutsu he truly desired.
He needed to achieve Lightning Release Chakra Mode Transformation through his own efforts and then integrate it with his swordsmanship.
'I wonder what Raj's up to? Has he improved again...'
'No. Why am I thinking about that cat? Stop it. Nothing good ever comes from thinking about him.'
Kakashi shook his head, gave himself a pep talk, and picked up his blades, ready to resume training.
Since he couldn't leave the camp, this was the only thing he could do for now.
Train, and train again!
But just then...
Minato suddenly emerged from his tent, glanced around, and quickly spotted Kakashi training beneath a large tree.
He
Minato called out from a distance, "Kakashi, pack your things."
Kakashi's eyes lit up, and he sprang to his feet.
"Do we have a new mission?"
"No, it's just you."
Kakashi froze, his expression blank.
'Just me? Am I being promoted to Special Jonin? No, that can't be right. I don't qualify.'
'Special Jonin require a particularly outstanding skill. The old Kakashi might have confidently believed his assassination techniques and swordsmanship met the standard, but now...'
His confidence had been shattered by Raj.
The silver-haired boy knew he still had a long way to go.
"Ahem, you can get the details from Raj when you return to Konoha. The village's message simply ordered you back. I don't know the specifics either," Minato said with a light cough.
'Liar!'
Kakashi's mind was clear as a mirror, but he didn't press the issue.
Instead, he focused on another key point.
"Raj?"
"Yes, it's related to him.