Chapter 3: Confrontation
For the past few days, Kakashi had remained confined to his room, immersing himself in the vast knowledge of Remnant.
Stacks of books lay on the desk, detailing everything from the history of the world to the inner workings of Huntsmen academies.
He read about Grimm—the terrifying creatures that plagued humanity-and the advanced weapons Huntsmen used, a blend of ranged and melee capabilities.
The concept of Aura, an energy source that shielded and enhanced individuals, particularly caught his interest.
Yet, despite all his reading, Kakashi felt something was missing.
'This body... it hasn't unlocked Aura,' he realized. It was strange. Even though he was inhabiting Rinko's body, he knew there was more potential within it. He just had to find a way to tap into it.
Kakashi decided it was time to meditate, focusing on the energy within.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor of his pristine room, he closed his eyes and controlled his breathing.
He had done this countless times as a shinobi, reaching deep within himself to access his chakra. He hoped that the principles would be similar here.
In the silence, he concentrated on the flow of energy, trying to feel something beneath the surface, something more than just the physical.
Minutes passed, then hours.
The world faded as his senses tuned inward, searching for the elusive power that the people of Remnant called Aura.
Suddenly, a subtle warmth spread through his body, starting from his chest and radiating outward.
It wasn't chakra, but it was something akin to it-life energy, his soul's essence. His Aura. He could feel it now, pulsating within him like a quiet flame.
He could feel a bit of Chakra within his veins.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. 'So, this is Aura.'
He stood up, feeling lighter, as if the world itself had shifted slightly. His senses were heightened, and there was a new layer of awareness about his surroundings. It was invigorating.
Kakashi decided to step out and take in some fresh air.
As he walked through the hallways of the Schnee mansion, a familiar face caught his eye—Whitley.
He was at the far end of the hallway, seemingly preoccupied, but Kakashi noticed the venomous glance the young man shot in his direction before quickly looking away.
Kakashi sighed. He knew the kind of tension that existed between Rinko and Whitley.
It was something he had inherited along with this new life. But Kakashi wasn't Rinko. He didn't need or want to carry that baggage any further.
'Maybe it's time to deal with this,' Kakashi thought. Apologies weren't foreign to him; he had made them in the past, not out of guilt, but to move forward. This could be similar.
He casually made his way toward Whitley, not rushing or making any grand gestures. His hands are in his pockets. As he approached, Whitley noticed him, his posture stiffening.
"Whitley," Kakashi started, his voice calm and even, "can we talk?"
Whitley crossed his arms, his expression a mixture of irritation and curiosity. "What do you want, Rinko?"
Kakashi held his gaze, pausing for a moment. "I want to apologize. For everything I've said and done to you in the past." He let the words hang in the air, watching for any reaction. "I've been selfish, and I realize now that I've hurt you in ways I shouldn't have."
Whitley blinked, clearly not expecting an apology. "Since when do you care?"
Kakashi shrugged lightly, leaning against the wall beside him. "People can change. And maybe it's time I started acting like a proper sibling instead of just another rival."
Whitley frowned, still skeptical. "What's your angle here? You don't just say sorry without a reason."
Kakashi smiled beneath the mask of Rinko's face. "No angle. I just think it's about time we stop treating each other like enemies. We're family, after all. That should count for something."
Whitley studied him, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing, though not completely disappearing. "You're not acting like yourself, Rinko."
Kakashi gave a small chuckle. "Maybe I'm not. But that doesn't make the apology any less real."
For a moment, there was silence between them, a strange, unspoken understanding passing between the two.
Whitley looked away, the irritation fading slightly from his expression. He didn't say anything in response, but he didn't reject the apology either.
Kakashi straightened, giving Whitley a nod. "Maa.. That's all I wanted to say. Take care of yourself."
With that, Kakashi turned and walked away, feeling the weight of the encounter lift slightly from his shoulders. It wasn't a complete resolution, but it was a start.
Afternoon
Kakashi made his way to the gym room of the Schnee Manor, a luxury he was still adjusting to.
The sprawling mansion offered him all the space he needed to train, but it was a far cry from the traditional dojos of Konoha.
As he entered, the sleek design and modern equipment felt foreign, but practical.
Kakashi began with a light cardio warm-up, stretching his muscles, though the stiffness of Rinko's body still frustrated him.
He put on the headphones he found earlier, blasting music to help him focus. The sudden surge of sound startled him, and he yanked the headphones off.
"Headphones... definitely not something we had in Konoha," he muttered to himself.
Curiosity took over as he inspected the strange device Rinko had called a "scroll."
He swiped through it, fumbling with the interface until he found the "music playlist" option. Kakashi couldn't help but wonder what kind of music Rinko, someone so different from him, preferred.
He tapped on it, his mind swirling with questions as a mix of songs and artists popped up on the screen.
Each title seemed like a glimpse into the personality of the former occupant of this body.
Kakashi's eyes scanned the list, trying to figure out what resonated with Rinko before he came into the picture.
Soon after, Kakashi decided to give Rinko's playlist another chance.
He slipped the headphones back on, letting the unfamiliar music fill his ears as he approached the treadmill.
The machine looked simple enough, but nothing in his past life had prepared him for this kind of equipment.
With a sigh, he scanned the buttons, trying to figure out the controls. "How hard could this be?" he muttered.
After pressing a few random buttons, the treadmill whirred to life, jolting him forward. The sudden movement caught him off guard, and for a brief moment, he stumbled before catching his balance.
"Okay, not as simple as I thought."
As he adjusted the speed, the treadmill picked up a steady pace.
Kakashi focused on his steps, his mind racing as he synced his movements to the beat of the music in his ears.
The unfamiliar tunes, combined with the sensation of running on this strange machine, made the experience both surreal and grounding.
Kakashi jogged on the treadmill, humming along with the music, finding a rhythm that made the workout enjoyable.
The steady thump of his feet against the machine's belt paired with his soft voice created a unique harmony that filled the gym.
The maids passing by paused, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief as they caught sight of Rinko actually working out.
This was a side of him they had never witnessed before, and they exchanged bewildered glances, wondering if they were seeing things.
Even Klein stood at the door, his mouth agape.
After all, Rinko had been the one insisting to both him and Weiss that working out was a waste of time. Seeing him on the treadmill was nothing short of astonishing.
"Is that really Rinko?" Klein muttered under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief. "What on Remnant is going on here?"
After finishing his cardio, Kakashi moved to a clean workout mat and began stretching, twisting his body to relieve any lingering stiffness.
A series of satisfying cracks echoed through the gym, and he sighed in relief, feeling the tension gradually fade away.
"The stiffness is finally gone," he muttered aloud, appreciating the newfound flexibility.
Transitioning into a boxing stance, Kakashi faced the mirror and began to shadowbox, his movements fluid and purposeful.
He focused on improving both his arm strength and endurance, mixing in kicks he had learned from his past.
Each punch landed with precision, and his kicks flowed seamlessly, creating a rhythm that felt both familiar and invigorating.
As he practiced, a sense of empowerment washed over him. This body, Rinko's body, had untapped potential, and he was resolute in his quest to unlock it.
Kakashi immersed himself in a rigorous workout, fueled by the pulsating music in his ears.
He pushed through a variety of exercises: push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups, each repetition building his strength and stamina.
He continued to shadowbox, his movements becoming increasingly fluid and powerful. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, he playfully jabbed at it, throwing punches that were both a demonstration of skill and a way to push himself further.
After a few hours of intense training, Kakashi exited the gym room, his muscles pleasantly fatigued.
He was greeted by Klein, who stood ready with a towel draped over one arm and a glass of freshly prepared mango juice in the other.
"Master Rinko, these are for you," Klein said, a hint of warmth in his otherwise formal tone.
Kakashi accepted the towel, wiping the sweat from his brow before taking the juice. The sweet, refreshing flavor burst in his mouth, invigorating him after the rigorous workout.
"Thanks, Klein. This is just what I needed. Also, please just call me Rinko from now on." Kakashi said, appreciating the gesture as he waved his hand dismissively.
Klein paused for a moment, then nodded. "Understood, Master Rinko," he replied, bowing his head slightly.
A bead of sweat trickled down Kakashi's forehead as he took a refreshing sip of the juice, savoring its sweetness. He used the towel to dry himself off, relishing the cooling sensation against his skin.
[End]