Naruto: Can't Use Ninjutsu? I'll Create the Strongest Fighting Style-Chapter 18: Kasumi Gekko

"By the way, are you getting assigned to a team like the rest of us?" Tenten asked as they walked along the training field path, her sandals crunching on the gravel.

Garou tilted his head, a little puzzled. "Am I supposed to be treated differently?"

"You seriously don't see it?" Tenten stared at him like he'd just claimed the sky was green.

After all, what kind of normal ninja keeps inventing new jutsu before even graduating?

Lately, if Garou went more than a couple of weeks without some new technique, she'd get uneasy, like something was missing in her life.

Garou shrugged. "I mean, maybe just a little. But unless something weird happens, I should be assigned like everyone else. No idea who the sensei is, though."

He wasn't being completely honest.

He had a hunch.

If memory served him right, this was around the time Kakashi stepped down from the Anbu. He had a reputation for occasionally taking on genin teams, but his standards were brutal.

As in, zero percent success rate brutal. Judging by how often Kakashi had been popping up around him lately, his future jonin leader was none other than Kakashi.

Tenten might get assigned to Might Guy or, who knows, maybe end up on the same team as him.

Aside from Tenten and Neji, this year's grads didn't exactly stand out. The Hokage's office would probably mix and match just to fill the rosters.

Garou mused silently.

Noticing his distant look, Tenten stayed quiet.

She figured he was cooking up another one of his ideas and didn't want to interrupt.

Eventually, Garou glanced over and raised a brow.

"What's with that face?"

"Uh, I just didn't want to disturb your genius train of thought." Tenten tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, looking sheepish.

"There's no genius here," Garou chuckled. "But you should ramp up your training. Try to get that chakra thread technique to combat-ready levels. Word is, there's one more test even after team assignments."

Tenten's face was drained of color.

"Another test?! That is outrageous! They are already forming teams. What more do they want?"

But...seeing how serious Garou looked, she believed him instantly. She gave a solemn nod.

Garou turned to leave.

He wasn't especially close with most of the class. Aside from Tenten and maybe Lee, he didn't really have people to chat with. His visit had been more about observation than conversation.

But just as he was walking off, something caught his eye.

In the throwing range of the training ground, a bright blonde hair stood out against the crowd.

Naruto.

'Right... If Kakashi really is taking my team, does that mean Naruto's team lineup changes next year?'

He let out a breath of laughter.

Naruto, Sasuke, their futures didn't really intersect with his. Not anymore.

"What's funny?" Tenten asked, confused.

"Nothing. Just remembered something. Oh, there's a batch of strengthening herbal soaks being released at the hospital in a few days. You should pick some up."

"Wait! You made those?" Tenten's eyes lit up. Suddenly it made sense why Garou had been so scarce lately.

He gave a small nod, then pressed a finger to his lips. "Tell Lee, but not anyone else."

"Got it!"

---

Three days later.

News arrived.

The formula had passed inspection, approved for sale.

Word had already spread through the grapevine. The Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans had gotten early notice.

The Academy's graduation exam period had just wrapped up, and the bulletin board announcement about the herbal soak spread like wildfire through Konoha.

Two main distribution points.

Konoha Hospital and The Nara Clan's herbal shop

---

Fourth morning. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Garou arrived at work to find the hospital packed.

Lines stretched from the front desk out the door and down the street. Dozens of villagers and shinobi alike waited, creating a swarm of bodies and voices.

Among the sea of heads, one spot stood out, upside-down feet in the air.

Garou walked over.

"Guy-sensei... what are you doing?"

"Off-duty today!" Might Guy said with a grin, still holding his flawless handstand pose.

"Thought I'd see if I could get a bottle. If not, no problem, lining up is a form of youthful endurance training!"

Garou lowered his voice. "Guy-sensei, actually..."

"Garou-kun!"

A cheerful voice rang out from the front of the line.

Tenten, waving, stood not far from the entrance. Behind her, a timid-looking girl shrank back the moment Garou made eye contact.

The uniform... posture... he vaguely remembered she was in his class. But he didn't know her name.

He squinted slightly. She always sat near the window, kept quiet, and avoided group work.

Then it clicked.

"Oh! You're the girl who ended up next to me that one time I slipped in late."

"I'm... terribly sorry. You probably don't remember me. I'm Kasumi Gekko. Pleased to meet you."

Her voice barely carried over the crowd, shy to the point of vanishing.

Garou smiled politely. "Right, Kasumi. I remember now."

"It's okay. I always sit in the corner. Most people don't notice I'm there."

Tenten glanced behind her. "This crowd's getting out of hand. They're spilling into the street. Can you come up with a better system?"

'Ah. That explained the call for help.'

He surveyed the mess. People elbowing for space, conversations overlapping, tension high.

"Yeah, this isn't ideal," he agreed. "Let me talk to the staff. We'll switch to a number system, tickets, maybe staggered windows."

"Thanks a ton!" Tenten pressed her palms together in gratitude.

Garou waved it off. "It's fine. It really is chaos out here."

"Wait, wait...! are you the genius who made this formula?" someone blurted from nearby.

Others picked up the thread.

"That's amazing! Is the effect real?"

"How'd you think of it at your age?"

"Is it expensive?"

"...Are you single?"

At first, it was reasonable.

Curiosity about ingredients, dosages, effects.

Then things spiraled.

Garou's expression shifted from awkward to panic.

He bolted.

Tenten stifled a laugh behind her hand. But part of her felt guilty. If she hadn't called him over, maybe he wouldn't have gotten mobbed.

Kasumi peeked around her shoulder, quietly watching Garou's retreating form.

He finally ducked into the hospital's medical wing, a place few dared enter without cause, and exhaled in relief.

'Too intense...'

_______________________

[Kasumi Gekko's Illustration]

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