Chapter 35 - 33: Monks Were Not Prepared for This Kind of Feedback
"We've arrived. This is the Fire Temple."
Kakashi's tone was casual as he announced it, subtly shifting the conversation away from their earlier discussion with Garou. He wasn't the type to argue about trivialities.
That would've been childish.
If he were that kind of man, Might Guy's constant challenges over the years would've broken his sanity long ago.
Garou looked up.
Ahead stood the temple gates, massive, flanked by two towering stone statues integrated into the structure itself. The architecture exuded solemnity and power.
"So this is the Fire Temple? Incredible..."
Tenten's eyes widened, breath caught in her throat. Just the entrance alone radiated such commanding presence that it made her instinctively straighten her posture in reverence.
Kasumi clutched her sword to her chest, staring in awe at the ornate gateway.
Garou, in contrast, didn't waste time marveling.
While the others looked like first-time tourists at a sacred landmark, he focused on the structural details of the stonework and gates.
A sealed iron wall.
The temple's barrier hadn't been fully activated, it allowed entry without resistance, but traces of seals and complex formation patterns were still visible, etched faintly into the stone.
Definitely not Konoha-style sealing techniques.
Still, the fundamentals remained the same.
No matter how exotic the script or system, it was still sealing jutsu at its core. Breaking the barrier wouldn't require full destruction of the statues like Kakuzu had done. Just identify and dismantle a few key inscriptions, and it would collapse on its own.
"What are you staring at?"
Tenten nudged him from the side. "They've already gone in."
"Nothing," Garou replied smoothly. "Just appreciating the craftsmanship on these statues."
"These are sacred icons of our temple," a nearby monk said with dignity.
Garou bowed apologetically. "I understand. I had no intention of touching them, just admiring from a distance."
They continued into the temple.
It looked nearly identical to its depiction in the anime, rigid symmetry, clean lines, and a solemn atmosphere. Monks lined the walkways, and a woman in ornate garments strode gracefully toward the central hall.
Garou squinted toward the shadows of the main hall. 'That silhouette... Chiriku?'
Yes, the features were faint, but he could make out the face. It matched the anime well enough.
And now he finally caught a glimpse of Sakuraba's face.
Heavy makeup, garishly so. Yet even under layers of powder and pigment, her striking bone structure and graceful profile were unmistakable.
She was beautiful. Undeniably so.
Tenten and Kasumi stood guard at the temple entrance. Kakashi, having stashed away his book, wandered over to Garou, who was craning his neck to observe the architecture.
"What are you studying so hard?"
"The jutsu inscriptions. The Fire Temple's seal techniques," Garou murmured. "Hmm... how do I explain this?"
Kakashi raised a brow, glanced around, then leaned in and whispered, "What's wrong? Their sealing technique looks solid to me. But you're making that face like it's made of duct tape and prayers."
"The layout's too obvious. And the vulnerabilities? They're all outside the barrier. No protective layering on the statues themselves either. All it takes is destroying a few key nodes and the whole thing falls apart."
Garou kept his voice low.
Kakashi paused.
The Fire Temple's barrier was already considered highly advanced. Even he couldn't identify the seal nodes without actively searching. Yet here was Garou, rattling off its structural flaws at a glance.
Maybe it wasn't the seal that was bad.
Maybe Garou was just... too good.
Kakashi, of course, wouldn't say that out loud. It would be too embarrassing. He simply gave Garou a gentle pat on the shoulder and a shush gesture.
Garou nodded.
A few moments later, a figure emerged from the temple hall.
"Well now... imagine my surprise. A C-rank escort mission, and it's being handled by the famous Copy Ninja himself."
The voice belonged to a towering monk. His belt bore a crimson sash emblazoned with the kanji for "Fire."
Garou recognized him immediately, Chiriku. One of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
"Leading a team," Kakashi said with a shrug. "C-rank missions are about as good as it gets."
The edge of Kakashi's mask curled slightly, his way of smiling.
"Incredible. How's Asuma doing?"
"Still alive," Kakashi said dryly. "Busy though. The guy's barely gotten a decent night's sleep."
Chiriku chuckled and exchanged a few pleasantries. Then his gaze shifted to Garou, scanning him head to toe.
"Who's this prodigy?" he asked. "The one lucky enough to be mentored by you, Kakashi."
Garou bowed respectfully. "Garou Zenin. An honor to meet you, Master Chiriku."
"Zenin..."
Chiriku searched his memory. He couldn't place any Zenin clan among Konoha's major clans. He did recall a samurai family of the same name from the Land of Iron, but this boy clearly had no connection.
'Is he... a civilian? To be a civilian and still warrant Kakashi's mentorship? Then this boy should be a rare kind of genius.'
"In any case, please come in. Once I've finished with Lady Sakuraba, I'll personally receive your team."
Chiriku pressed his palms together in respect and signaled for the monks to escort the Konoha group to a side hall for rest.
Inside the temple, Sakuraba was likely offering incense. With her occupied, Chiriku had taken the opportunity to greet Kakashi.
After all, even for the Fire Temple, a world-famous shinobi like Kakashi deserved courtesy.
In the side hall, the group sat quietly. Soon, monks brought them a vegetarian meal.
Kakashi didn't hesitate. He tucked in with ease.
Garou and the others followed suit.
Free food? Of course they'd eat.
After the meal, Chiriku returned. "Did the meal suit your tastes?"
"It was excellent," Kakashi said with a slight nod. "Our thanks."
Chiriku smiled and sat across from them. "While I was in the hall, I overheard that this young man here had some... feedback on our temple's barrier? Care to elaborate?"
"It's not a serious flaw," Garou began. "Just... vulnerable. The core of the seal is exposed. If someone knows what to look for, they wouldn't even need to destroy the whole thing. Crippling the statues would be enough to collapse the barrier."
Exactly what Kakuzu and Hidan had done in the anime.
Garou continued, "And if the intruder knows sealing techniques, it's even easier."
"Just tamper with the internal formulas, no physical destruction needed at all."
Chiriku furrowed his brow.
He had considered that possibility before... but the temple's strength had always seemed enough of a deterrent. If an enemy came, he was confident in their ability to deal with them.
But now... another thought occurred to him.
"Are you trained in sealing techniques?" he asked, surprised.
"I've read books on the subject for about two weeks. So... I know a little."
Garou's voice was calm, almost bored.
"..."
Chiriku glanced toward the girls and Kakashi, half-expecting disbelief. But neither Kakashi nor the girls reacted.
There was no surprise and amazement on their faces.
'So either he is telling the truth... or they are used to hearing him spout nonsense.
'But why lie? Konoha and the Fire Temple weren't enemies. This boy has no motive to bluff.'
And this kind of analysis... even Chiriku himself couldn't pinpoint external seal nodes without serious time and effort.
There was only one logical explanation.
Garou really understood sealing.
And probably better than most monks in the temple.
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