https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-72-The-Will-of-Fire-and-My-Excessive-Love/12808904/
Chapter 73: 99% Progress Bar Download Failed
Chapter 73: 99% Progress Bar Download Failed
Kakashi carefully arranged the dishes on the table in the Hatake residence. He presented three dishes: salt-cured grilled fish, stir-fried vegetables, and tofu with rice balls on the side. As a ninja, particularly one serving directly under the Third Hokage's Anbu, Kakashi needed to be prepared for any sudden missions. He typically opted for simplicity, often relying on soldier pills for sustenance. Today's meal was a rare treat, a more elaborate spread than his usual fare.
However, the biggest problem wasn't the food but the loneliness. The noisy teenager who used to kick open his door and the girl who would follow with a smile, trying to calm the situation, were no longer around. Neither were the occasional visitors, his teacher and the fiery red-haired lover.
"Itadakimasu."
After the customary phrase, Kakashi prepared to eat in silence, but he suddenly stopped, his body tensing. The door was kicked open, and the blinding sunlight made him squint. Subtly, he adjusted his posture to a ready stance, and with a quick flick of his wrist, a kunai was in his right hand. It was a habit for a ninja.
"Hey, buddy, I heard you're back from a mission. Is it okay to visit now?"
Luk casually placed a bag on the table. "Can you add a pair of chopsticks? I brought some sake and snacks."
Kakashi relaxed, discreetly putting away the kunai. He handed over the chopsticks and grunted in response.
"Sure."
"..."
If Kakashi were a girl, Luk would have teased that tsunderes were no longer in vogue. But right now, he was more concerned with something else.
Feeling the slow progress of the analysis in his mind, Luk's expression was peculiar.
Why is there a progress bar for this?
And it's so slow.
Does it need a premium membership? But there's no option to pay.
The idea of a progress bar for the transformation analysis puzzled Luk. After all, when he turned into Ditto, there were no issues, and the process was so fast he didn't even notice.
He pondered the difference between the two.
The most likely reason was the difference in information volume.
One was a regular kid, and the other was an elite jonin with a vast knowledge of ninja techniques. Therefore, the transformation skill's analysis phase was significantly longer.
Understanding this, Luk ate extremely slowly, almost grain by grain, to ensure the analysis would complete.
After nearly an hour, Kakashi's mood shifted from initial surprise and slight happiness to a mix of resignation and annoyance, and he finally began to subtly hint at leaving.
"How are you doing?"
"Fine, can I have a bit more to eat?"
Luk glanced at the progress bar, which was at 96%, and asked sincerely.
"..."
"I have to report to the Anbu."
The Uchiha clan meetings were becoming more frequent, and the atmosphere was tense. Shisui was being summoned to the Hokage's office more often, and Kakashi's tasks were piling up.
With such a legitimate reason, Luk couldn't find a suitable excuse to delay, and he could only watch as Kakashi politely escorted him out.
"Wait a minute."
Kakashi: "..."
A minute later, Luk looked at the 98% progress bar and asked again.
"Just one more minute..."
Kakashi vanished with a "swoosh."
The progress bar stopped at 99% and then disappeared.
Luk: ...
Damn, his patience was shattered.
Memories from his previous life flooded back, and Luk angrily confronted the mysterious space to question Ditto Luk. After a moment of thought, Ditto Luk offered a feasible solution.
"Defeating them should speed up the analysis."
"Is there any theoretical basis for that?" Hokage Luk was a bit hesitant.
"Are you sure you want a theoretical basis for a skill obtained from a children's world?" Ditto Luk couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Alright, but why does defeating them speed up the process?"
"There's nothing Pokemon-related that can't be solved by a battle. If it can't, then just have more battles!"
Ditto Luk appeared extremely confident.
"Trust me, I'm the Ditto Luk, the source of the Transform technique."
Naruto Luk closed his mouth and left the mysterious space.
He was almost convinced by the "Ditto" part, but the "Luk" suffix brought his trust level right back down.
"Defeating opponents... does it mean defeating them in any way, or does it have to be through battles?"
The latter seemed more likely.
Luk thought about it for a moment, and his eyes gradually brightened.
If he was going to do this, he might as well go big and unlock the Pokedex for all the village's ninja in one go!
Of course, he needed to plan carefully to avoid any mishaps.
Since accelerating the analysis process wasn't an option, he decided to find a ninja with a relatively stable mission schedule.
Fortunately, Luk knew a powerful ninja who fit the criteria.
The Blue Beast of Konoha—Maito Gai!
Being a taijutsu specialist, Gai was more suited for straightforward combat, unlike Kakashi, who was proficient in all areas and got called for every kind of mission.
Luk had trained with Gai for a while to learn the Eight Gates. He was almost there, and Gai was moved to tears by Luk's dedication and companionship.
Just as they were about to become sworn brothers, Gai handed him an incredibly ugly green bodysuit, saying it was a symbol of their youth and friendship.
Luk looked at the hideous garment and tried to resist, but he couldn't help it; he felt like he would lose something if he put it on.
So their relationship remained at the friend level, just short of being best friends.
This time, Luk found Gai running and joined his morning exercise routine. In return, Gai gave him a thumbs-up, a bright smile, and two tears as wide as noodles.
"Luk, I knew you wouldn't betray our youth!"
Under such praising eyes, even Luk felt a twinge of guilt. He wasn't really here to be a good friend but to learn the Eight Gates for free.
"Of course, we are partners on the path of youth!"
"Luk!"
"Gai!"
"This is youth!"
Gai ran with tears streaming down his face.
Luk followed, watching the progress bar slowly fill up.
After more than an hour, the progress bar was full, and Luk remembered he had something to do at home and needed to leave.
Gai kindly said it was no problem and offered to help with anything.
Luk felt a mix of emotions.
He really, really wanted to cry.
Why were Kakashi and Gai so good? Did all the evil in Konoha concentrate on Danzo?
With these thoughts, Luk headed home and saw a little girl staring proudly at his shop sign, while his stupid brother was angrily confronting her.
The girl had two buns on her head, wore a qipao, and looked out of place in the surroundings. Upon seeing Luk, she turned her head, huffed, and ran away.
She looked familiar.
Luk thought for a moment and realized she was Tenten from the Twelve Guardian Ninja. She was the only one with such flowery elements, and he remembered her for her extravagant use of ninja tools, second only to the woman who used explosive tags like they were confetti.
"Bro, that girl said everything we make is trash!"
Sengoku Hikaru reported angrily.
Luk: (ω)？
If she said that in the real world, he would sue her until she went bankrupt, but this was Naruto.
"She's not wrong; we do sell cheap, shoddily made products."
"But that doesn't mean she can say it! Humph, I'll remember her and get my revenge in the future!"
Luk nodded in relief, pleased that his stupid brother was finally growing up, even if his temper was still too straightforward. Such petty remarks should be kept to himself.
Just a bit of sabotage behind the scenes would be enough!
(End of Chapter)
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