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The dim light of the cave flickered across Rong Lin's face as he sat in silence, his mind racing with thoughts. The evolution of his Sharingan had brought both awe and uncertainty. While the power coursing through him was undeniable, it also carried a weight that left him uneasy.
A Stern Rebuke
Pointing at the two who had failed miserably, Sakumo spoke gravely:
"Their performance was utterly inadequate—and you bear significant responsibility for this. Your strength surpasses theirs, placing you in a dominant position within Team Tsunade. That in itself is commendable—it's something you've earned. But remember, you are now part of a team."
"Your exceptional abilities have overshadowed their potential contributions."
"Even worse, your reckless actions relegated them to mere spectators. Thus, I must regretfully inform you that your performance, too, is unsatisfactory. Despite your brilliance—perhaps even outshining Kakashi—you remain like a star hidden behind thick clouds. Though obscured now, when those clouds part, your true radiance will shine forth."
Rong Lin's prodigious talent left Sakumo stunned. Kakashi was hailed as a genius, yet compared to Rong Lin, he paled significantly. Even as Kakashi's father, Sakumo couldn't deny it. Few in the village knew of Rong Lin's true capabilities; for now, he remained concealed beneath layers of obscurity, awaiting the moment his brilliance would be unveiled.
"Despite your excellence, I can only deem your performance... unsatisfactory."
The word "unsatisfactory," spoken by Sakumo, sent Shimura Oto and Haru Ame Yoru's spirits plummeting. If Rong Lin himself was deemed inadequate, what hope did they have? Yet, comparing themselves to him, they could only exchange bitter smiles and remain silent.
Raising an elegant eyebrow, Rong Lin's youthful face betrayed a hint of indifference. Others might emphasize teamwork, but knowing the truth as he did, he believed raw strength was all that mattered.
Teamwork was essential—for ordinary shinobi. To him, however, it held little significance. Even camaraderie wasn't something easily forged with just anyone.
The gap between him and the other two would only widen. A lion and two rabbits might coexist peacefully as friends, but could they ever become inseparable comrades?
Rong Lin's reaction caused Sakumo's lips to twitch involuntarily. Inwardly, he sighed:
Geniuses always come with quirks. Rong Lin simply hides his better than Kakashi does.
The atmosphere in the cave grew increasingly awkward. Rong Lin remained silent, while Sakumo sat motionless near the entrance like a statue. As for the underperforming duo, Shimura Oto and Haru Ame Yoru, their embarrassment kept them from speaking.
On the Road Back
"Is your body holding up?"
Once the mission was complete, Sakumo led Team Tsunade out of the cave, heading back toward the village. Along the way, he worried about Rong Lin's condition, given the severity of his injuries.
Rong Lin's complexion was pale as he trailed behind the group. Shaking his head slightly, he replied, "As long as we're not moving too fast, I'll manage."
His wounds had been crudely bandaged, and proper treatment awaited him once they returned to the village. As for Haru Ame Yoru, the team's designated medical ninja-in-training, she was still far too inexperienced to provide meaningful assistance.
"But..."
Haru Ame Yoru hesitated, wanting desperately to voice her concerns about Rong Lin's condition making travel ill-advised. However, seeing the stoic expressions of both Rong Lin and Sakumo, she swallowed her words.
"Huff..."
"Huff..."
Though running aggravated his wounds, sending waves of pain through his body, Rong Lin neither requested rest nor accepted help from Sakumo. Instead, he chose to endure the journey on his own. It was grueling, but worth it—he needed to temper his willpower. Despite his injuries slowing recovery and causing constant discomfort, Rong Lin persisted.
Sweat drenched his handsome young face, his breathing grew heavier, and the white bandages gradually turned crimson with fresh blood. Watching this, Haru Ame Yoru and Shimura Oto felt their hearts twist with worry, while Sakumo, leading the group, could only sigh silently.
An Unexpected Awakening
Suddenly, amid the pain and exertion, Rong Lin noticed something peculiar. He felt as though the footsteps of the three ahead were erratic—one moment sluggish, like slow-motion footage on a screen, and the next speeding up unnaturally.
Fast... Slow...
These alternating states triggered something deep within Rong Lin's mind. Gradually piecing together the sensation, realization dawned upon him, and he burst into uncontrollable laughter. His unique, long-dormant Kekkei Genkai—the one tied to space and time—had finally awakened!
Space and time were among the most elusive concepts to master, yet also the most formidable. Even the mighty Sage of Six Paths hadn't escaped the ravages of time, succumbing to age and death. Though Rong Lin's newfound ability wasn't quite as abstract as manipulating time itself, mastering space alone placed him in rarefied territory.
From Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique to Obito Uchiha's Kamui, spatial manipulation proved devastatingly effective. And now, Rong Lin's latent ability—a mysterious Kekkei Genkai combining elements of speed and distortion—had emerged without warning.
Overwhelmed with joy, Rong Lin struggled to contain his emotions, laughing heartily.
"What...?"
The trio ahead turned back, startled by Rong Lin's sudden outburst. His cheerful laughter juxtaposed against his battered appearance made no sense to them. Was he delirious?
"Has this kid lost his mind?" Shimura Oto muttered under his breath, while Haru Ame Yoru dared not speculate aloud. Sakumo, however, furrowed his brow deeply.
"Cough, cough!!"
True to the saying "extreme joy invites sorrow," Rong Lin's euphoria soon took a toll. Overexcited, he inadvertently aggravated his already bleeding wound. Exhaustion compounded by the strain of traveling injured caused the pain to intensify sharply, and Rong Lin collapsed to the ground.
"Hatake Sakumo!!!"
Through his haze of pain, Rong Lin heard an angry shout—Tsunade's voice, or so it seemed. Was it merely a hallucination? Normally respectful of Sakumo, her tone suggested otherwise. Or was it truly just his imagination?