Kakashi's reproach made Sasuke and Naruto lower their heads in shame.
Originally, both of them wanted to show off to Kakashi and Yoruha.
But things had backfired.
They even ended up embarrassing themselves in front of Yoruha.
However, Naruto quickly stood up, pointing at Yoruha. "Kakashi-sensei, did you teach Yoruha some amazing jutsu just now? The technique he used to save me—I've never seen it before!"
Sasuke also stood up, though he simply dusted himself off, keeping his attention fixed on Yoruha.
He wanted to understand what had happened.
More importantly, he wanted to know if Kakashi indeed had some powerful jutsu—and whether he could learn it in the future.
Naruto, however, was on a different wavelength. He simply felt that Kakashi was being unfair.
I'm his student! How could he teach Yoruha and not me?
Seeing Naruto's frustrated expression, Kakashi said, "You two haven't even mastered chakra control yet. How can I teach you any jutsu?"
"Once you've laid a solid foundation, I'll naturally teach you techniques."
Hearing this, Sasuke nodded silently to himself. So, it seems the technique Yoruha used was taught by Kakashi.
Naruto, not thinking too deeply, boasted instead, "I've already mastered chakra control, Kakashi-sensei! You can start teaching me jutsu tomorrow!"
Kakashi shook his head. "You still have a lot to learn. You're far from ready."
"Then why does Yoruha get to learn? We're supposed to be your students!"
Naruto's dissatisfaction was clear.
Kakashi frowned slightly. "I've already told you—your fundamentals are still lacking. There's much more you need to grasp."
"And for the record, Yoruha is also my student."
In fact, Kakashi almost wanted to add that Yoruha was his most important student.
If it weren't for Sasuke and Naruto's special significance to the Hidden Leaf Village, Kakashi likely wouldn't have taken them on at all.
Sensing the seriousness in Kakashi's tone, even Naruto chose to hold his tongue.
Still, his face was filled with envy and resentment as he looked at Yoruha.
Although Naruto wouldn't blame Yoruha because of Kakashi's words, he was undeniably jealous.
After all, Yoruha wasn't originally part of their team—it was Kakashi who insisted on bringing him along for missions.
In Naruto's eyes, Kakashi's actions undeniably favored Yoruha.
Naruto, being emotionally sensitive, was even more attuned to this kind of thing.
He couldn't help but feel that Kakashi treated him differently because he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
What Naruto overlooked was that both Sasuke and Sakura were treated the same way.
The difference was that neither of them felt Kakashi was playing favorites.
Both of them understood just how strong Yoruha was.
From the battle against Zabuza alone, it was clear.
Yoruha's strength far surpassed theirs.
Both Sasuke and Sakura knew that for someone their age to be so much stronger, it could only mean one of two things:
Either Yoruha worked far harder than they did, or his natural talent was far superior.
Sasuke believed that Yoruha must be more diligent than him. He would never admit that Yoruha's talent exceeded his own.
Sakura, on the other hand, felt that Yoruha was both exceptionally talented and hardworking.
Naruto simply believed that Kakashi was playing favorites.
After all, Kakashi was one of the few high-ranking shinobi who didn't reject him outright.
Naruto still considered Kakashi his teacher, which made him hold high expectations for him.
What Naruto cared about most was Kakashi's feelings toward him, not so much his strength.
When Yoruha heard Kakashi sternly say what he did, he felt a headache coming on.
He knew Kakashi was just trying to protect him.
But such words would only make Naruto feel that Kakashi was even more biased, possibly even resent Yoruha for it.
Though helpless, Yoruha didn't want to say anything.
At times , silence was the best course of action.
The more he spoke, the more agitated Naruto would become.
After all, Naruto was already emotionally sensitive.
When no one else spoke, Kakashi finally said, "Alright, you've all trained hard enough today. Go back and rest."
With that, Kakashi disappeared without a trace.
Looking at the now-empty spot where Kakashi had stood, Yoruha's lips twitched slightly.
He thought to himself, "Handle the kill but leave the mess? You're really leaving this for me to deal with?"
Yoruha was speechless.
It was obvious that Kakashi had noticed the awkward atmosphere among the group.
He left Yoruha behind, likely wanting him to spend time alone with Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura to build rapport.
But in the current situation, Yoruha had no desire to stay here at all.
"Truly irresponsible," Yoruha muttered inwardly as he grumbled about Kakashi.
He finally turned to the three and said, "Let's head back too."
Though he wanted to use the Body Flicker Technique to leave, doing so would likely make Sasuke and Naruto feel even more unbalanced.
Sakura, sensing the tense mood, quickly chimed in, "Yes, let's go. It's been a tiring day."
Among the team, Sakura had no issues with Yoruha.
At this moment, both Sasuke and Naruto saw Yoruha as a target to surpass.
Naruto, in particular, was determined to become stronger, defeat Yoruha, and prove to Kakashi that he was his most outstanding student, deserving of Kakashi's recognition.
Due to his age, Naruto believed Kakashi favored Yoruha simply because Yoruha was stronger than him.
Naruto thought that once he surpassed Yoruha, Kakashi would acknowledge him.
It was a simple and earnest mindset—one that was quite typical for boys of his age.
As the group walked through the forest, no one spoke. The atmosphere was calm, with only the occasional sounds of birds and beasts breaking the silence.
After some time, Sakura, feeling the tension, decided to break the ice. "Sasuke and Naruto were very focused this afternoon. They managed to master chakra control in just one afternoon. Yoruha, what jutsu did you and Kakashi-sensei practice this afternoon?"
"It must've been some incredible technique, right?"
Though Sasuke and Naruto didn't say anything, they perked up their ears at Sakura's words.
Yoruha casually replied, "Just a few Water Release techniques."
"Powerful ones?" Sakura asked curiously.
Yoruha glanced at the two who were pretending not to care but were clearly listening intently.
With a calm tone, he said, "How strong can Water Release techniques really be?"
Hearing this, Sakura's lips twitched slightly. "Water Release techniques aren't strong?"
"The one you used that day against Zabuza was really powerful!"
"If Zabuza hadn't dodged it, he would've been done for."
"It didn't even hit him. Zabuza is an elite jonin, just like Kakashi-sensei. Do you think someone like that would be easy to defeat?"
"You only saw that he almost got hit. In reality, defeating him was still a long way off."
"If elite jonin were that easy to beat, villages wouldn't only have a handful of them."
"Some villages don't even have more than ten."
Yoruha's words were honest.
Elite jonin were strategic assets for a village, capable of competing for the position of village leader.
The shadow of a village was always chosen from among the elite jonin.
However, it was clear Sakura and the others didn't fully understand his point.
"But you almost won that day! Zabuza ran away because he was afraid of you!" Sakura insisted.
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