Having obtained the talent Clone last year, Shinichi calculated the path his original self should take, focusing on the deep integration of Taijutsu and Fire Style Ninjutsu, and fully exploring the new and infinitely potential path of Nintaijutsu, showcasing his talents in this area to the greatest extent.
He wants to surpass the iconic Wood Style of the first Hokage, Hashirama Senju, which is almost synonymous with the God of Shinobi, and make Fire Style Nintaijutsu his most striking, unique, and representative fighting style in the future!
When people mention him, the first thing that comes to mind should not be just a genius ninja or a swordsmanship genius, but rather his incomparably fierce and powerful crimson fist that burns everything, and his groundbreaking, unique flame combat system that belongs only to him, Shinichi Higashino!
The strategy involves focusing on key breakthroughs and achieving peak performance. This involves concentrating all resources and character development to reach the pinnacle in a specific field and achieve a level of accomplishment recognized throughout the Shinobi World.
This will allow him to then aim for higher-level talents. Meanwhile, other areas will be managed through multiple channels using clones to maintain balance.
The two approaches combined would ultimately produce excellence in every aspect.
Top-tier in all directions and outstanding in every field.
The upcoming Third Shinobi World War may not only be a crisis, but also his grandest stage!
....
Two weeks later, in a town on the southeastern coast of the Land of Fire.
The mission to escort the caravan has been successfully completed, and Team 7 is taking a break here.
Obito Uchiha, full of energy, drags Rin Nohara to stroll through the market.
As always, Kakashi chose to act alone, seeking a secluded place to continue his endless training.
With his hands in his pockets and head down, he walked briskly along the edge of the slightly noisy street, repeatedly going over the difficulties of the new Ninjutsu, Chidori, in his mind and the key points of the training techniques for reaction and control that Minato had taught him.
Just as he was about to turn into a small alley, his peripheral vision caught a huge promotional poster hanging in front of a bookstore on the roadside.
The poster was extremely eye-catching, even somewhat flamboyant, with an exaggerated mix of flames and food in the background, and a large line of text in the center that strongly impacted the visual experience: "The genius ninja of Konoha! The recipient of the title of Master Chef of the Land of Fire! A passionate culinary legend unfolds, the serialization of Cooking Master Boy is now live!!"
Below is a slightly smaller subtitle: "See how a ninja wields his brush to interpret the ultimate way of taste! The first issue includes a bonus: a Master Chef's secret recipe for Mabo Dofu with a detailed explanation!"
Kakashi abruptly stopped in his tracks.
He raised his head, his eyes slightly narrowed as he stared intently at the poster, especially the name, Shinichi Higashino, which was deliberately bolded and enlarged below the title.
A mixture of absurdity, anger, and a deeper sense of resentment, like an overturned spice jar, suddenly exploded in his chest.
This guy!
A few days ago, he went to participate in some kind of culinary tournament, which caused a huge stir throughout the village and even led to a street-wide celebration, which was already outrageous enough.
Now, he's even started drawing manga?! And promoting them so aggressively?!
Shinichi Higashino, what exactly do you consider becoming stronger to be?
What do you think of the path of the ninja?
Is this a game where you can get distracted at will and show off all sorts of irrelevant talents?!
Kakashi clenched his fist silently in his pocket.
He recalled the crushing defeat on the training field more than a month ago, the broken White Light Chakra Sabre, and Shinichi's harsh yet incisive rebukes.
For the past month or so, he had been training like a masochist, savoring every second of that humiliation, squeezing out every bit of physical strength and chakra, all in order to catch up with or even surpass that figure.
And what about the other side?
He actually went to participate in some kind of culinary tournament, and after winning the championship, he even leisurely started drawing manga!
A surge of anger, a feeling of being belittled or even mocked, welled up inside him.
Kakashi instinctively turned to leave, but stopped after taking only two steps.
He wanted to see just what kind of nonsense the guy who defeated him had produced while neglecting his duties.
Kakashi turned around with a sullen face and walked straight into the bookstore.
The store is brightly lit, lined with bookshelves, and quite popular. At the most eye-catching spot on the new book display stand, a stack of brand-new magazines is neatly arranged, with the covers featuring color illustrations from the first issue of Cooking Master Boy.
A bright-eyed, smiling black-haired boy holds a knife and spatula, with flames rising and exquisite dishes behind him, creating a dynamic and vibrant scene.
The cover clearly states, in one corner, author: Shinichi Higashino.
Kakashi picked up the book; it felt brand new. He quickly paid for it, and without even waiting for his change, he took the book to a relatively quiet corner outside the store, leaned against the wall, and opened the first page.
At first, he frowned, his eyes quickly scanning the settings about the Kikkaro Restaurant and cooking showdown with a critical and questioning look.
But as the story unfolds, the protagonist Shinichi and his senior Shouan engage in a final showdown over tofu. Especially when faced with the extravagant and elaborate nine treasures qilin crystal dofu, Shinichi resolutely chooses to return to the basics and cook the seemingly simple Mabo Dofu…
Kakashi's page-turning speed unconsciously slowed down.
His gaze lingered on the manga panels, on the protagonist Shinichi's focused gaze as he handled the ingredients, his incredibly precise and steady control of the flames, and the powerful, almost palpable, depiction of the Mabo Dofu as it emerged from the oven.
The artwork is solid, the panel layout is smooth, and the narrative pace is crisp and efficient.
In particular, the descriptions of the cooking process, the meticulous attention to detail, the precise descriptions of heat control, and the profound understanding of the characteristics of the ingredients all demonstrate the author's tremendous dedication and an astonishing level of professionalism.
What truly resonated with Kakashi was the core of the story: facing powerful, cunning, and even unscrupulous opponents, the protagonist remained true to his original intention that cooking is a way of being human, aimed at conveying happiness and warmth and with the purest and most fundamental skills and intentions, he directly defeated the enemy who had strayed onto the wrong path of power.
"Cooking is an extension of the heart."
For some reason, the protagonist's words in the manga, like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, created ripples in Kakashi's chaotic mind at that moment.
He slammed the book shut with a soft thud.
Absurd!
Ridiculous!
It's just a made-up story!
He tried to dispel the strange feeling in his heart, but the image of those clear yet all-knowing eyes that had defeated him kept appearing in his mind.
And that figure who used to run around the Ninja Academy's training ground day after day, carrying stones and wielding a sword.
Shinichi Higashino!
I don't care how much free time you have to do these irrelevant things!
But I will never stop!
I will catch up with you and defeat you decisively!
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