Leaving the Hyūga Clan

Through the steady flow of income from Ramen Ichiraku, Akira had accumulated a large amount of savings, none of which he had spent during these passing months. Currently, he had enough to Ryo to last until he graduated from the ninja academy.

Despite having to sacrifice a portion of his training time to work, he did not slack off. Previously he had only started his training in wall-climbing, however, now, it could be sufficiently deemed perfected. He could stand on the wall with both feet, a singular foot, two hands, or one-handed.

The training had evolved into trying to limit chakra use and have such finite control that he could stick to the wall with only his finger tips. Inspired by the comic book hero in his original world, Spider-Man. However, these ideas were still far-fetched from his current abilities.

In terms of chakra sensing, he had improved dramatically. Since he got the job at Ramen Ichiraku, he had started wearing his blindfold inside his own house and try to spread his senses far, to sense out his neighbors. He, also, would never wear the blindfold inside the Hyūga compound so that his two identities were never connected.

While walking around Konoha, Akari could even sense the fast moving shinobi and Anbu as they sped past him, even if it was as faint as a feather brushing past his skin. Training this skill could save his life in the future, and seeing how he would be living with the blindfold for the rest of his life, or at least until he was strong enough to remove both the curse mark and protect his own Byakugan, sensing was a must have weapon.

As impressive his own chakra sensing was and with the help of the Byakugan, Akari managed to memorize the flow of chakra each hand sign created. He would practice each hand sign and its proportional chakra flow everyday to improve both chakra control and finger dexterity.

Even his Byakugan was evolving nicely. By changing the amount of chakra focused into his eyes, Akari could change his vision from x-ray, ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared. A nice skill he developed when he tried to remove the issue of eye strain from the Byakugan.

Additionally, when he had the least amount of chakra held in his eyes, he discovered he could keep his Byakugan activated for up to 5 hours, if no extra chakra was expelled. This time limit would increase as well with improved chakra control and improved chakra reserves. It was a finicky trick that involved using the residue chakra from initial activation, stored in his eyes, and immediately cutting of its source. Although this ability he would have limited vision similar to the Sharingan. No ability to see through objects, but could see others chakra pathways and tenketsu points.

With all the necessary skills developed, some unintentional, Akari left the Hyūga clan.

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Akari just walked out of a Shinobi Weapon Store.

He had convinced the Chūnin behind the counter that his purchase of 2 storage scrolls, a set of training body weights, and beginner set of kunai and shuriken would be for his nonexistent Genin older brother.

Putting on the weights and storing the weapons in the storage scrolls in his pockets, he marched towards Ramen Ichiraku.

It would only be a few more months until the academy started. It was perfect time to train his stealth skills so he no longer needed to work.

His connection with Teuchi and his daughter Ayame had improved well, to the point he no longer hid his intelligent speech behind an act. He was eternally grateful for the owner's attitude towards the village and himself. As the only parental figure in this new life, Akari saw him as a true Uncle and Ayame, a cousin. In the future, he planned to still come and help out and talk with the family.

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In some alleyway.

Akari slower exhaled as he closed every tenketsu on his body. Effectively, erasing his entire chakra presence from others. He could still be seen by others from a visual standpoint, however his presence was so minuscule that it would only result in a glance over.

Looking himself over, with the already activated Byakugan he noticed an increase in his chakra reserves.

'Ah this can actually increase how long I can continually use the Byakugan' he though.

Even while going through daily motions, he would find methods to improve himself.

He excitedly walked into Ramen Ichiraku.

"Teuchi-san, I have news!" He exclaimed as he walked to the counter.

"Alright, I'm cooking for a customer. Busy yourself, and I'll be right out." Teuchi replied.

Although today would be his last day working here, he grabbed the broom he had used to sweep when he first meet Teuchi, and decided to one last time clean Ramen Ichiraku's dinning room.

As he sweeped, Akari thought of all the precious memories he gained over the months.

Overtime, as Akari become more comfortable around Teuchi and his daughter he would to-no-end ask to learn their heavenly ramen recipe, so in the future he could prepare some himself, free of charge. However, he was denied each time.

One day, his curiosity got the best of him and he spied on them through Byakugan, as Teuchi asked Ayame to recite the recipe to him, and cook each meal for the customers that day, as a part of her training. Although some of the meals came out subpar to Teuchi normal cooking, the meals were still superior to their competition. And Akari eventually learned of their family secret. Even he gasped in surprise at how simple a recipe, could create something so divine as Ramen Ichiraku's ramen.

He smiled contently as he finished sweeping, just as Teuchi returned.

"Here's the meal, Hatake-san. Please enjoy."

"Teuchi-san, sadly I'm-" Akari paused as he ran to the counter, thrown off by the name that Teuchi announced.

"Huh? Ah! Where are my manners?" Seeing Akari's pause, he introduced, "Akari-kun, this is a long time customer of mine, since he was around your age, even before when his father would bring him around." Teuchi smiled.

Akari eyes almost popped out his blindfold, and even tripped over his own feet, hitting a barstool with his head.

He stood up rubbing his head in pain.

"Aye, Akari-kun has never been THIS clumsy before." Teuchi spoke softly.

Akari swallowed hard, as his palms even began to sweat.

"Akari, this is Kakashi Hatake, a shinobi of our village. Kakashi, Akari, he has been my help around the restaurant as of late."

The two just introduced, silently started at each other.

Since his entrance, Kakashi took notice of the small, blind child. He could not sense an ounce of chakra from him. His interest was sparked for a millisecond before he thought of this boy similar to Guy.

Someone incapable of using chakra.

He had noticed the striking similarity he had with the boy. Well, the lack thereof, as both had a large portion of their face obscured. He ignored him as he sweeped, but decidedly looked over when introduced by Teuchi.

Sensing his gaze, Akari's face caught heat and looked away at the speed of light, as Teuchi continued.

"Haha, Kakashi this young boy is even as smart as you when you were young. Maybe smarter. Such a bright young mind he is, I have the remind myself that I'm talking to a child when he speaks. Haha, I'm in the presence of two genius, the future of our village sure is bright." Kakashi's eyebrow slowly quirked up as he listened. His gaze never leaving the now red-faced child.

Stammering, "T-Teuchi-san I'm not that impressive. Y-you flatter me." He waved him off.

'OLD MAN! You never told me you had Kakashi as a customer!' He berated in his mind. Fighting down the blush he looked back over.

Kakashi's eye widen a little more as he thought before asking, "Eh? This…is he blind?" He lazily asked, almost as if unbothered whether his question would be answered.

Sudden silence permeated throughout the small restaurant. Teuchi frowned slightly at Kakashi, as Akari coughed slightly.

PAP!

"No manners, such rudeness at my store." He scolded Kakashi with a hit to the head, "Buy him a meal, or I'll ban you from my store." The tense atmosphere was suddenly destroyed as Teuchi continually scolded.

"Mah, mah," Kakashi spoke with a drawl, "It was just a question. Take a seat kid."

Readjusting himself from his initial reaction, Akari took the seat to the left of Kakashi, still red in face, or what was visible.

'AHHHHH, I'm sitting next to THE Kakashi Hatake…AHHH HAHAH' his sudden flabbergasted response was long gone as excitement overtook his mind.

He was actively fighting back his fanboy behavior before asking for Miso Ramen.

Teuchi returned to the kitchen to prepare Akari's meal, as an uncomfortable atmosphere overtook the dining room again.

Coughing once more to hide his excitement, Akari broke the tension, "So Hatake-san, is a strong shinobi?"

He inwardly slapped his head at the dumb question.

'Of course he's strong, he's a fucking Jōnin! Idiot, IDIOT! Such a bad first impression.' He admitted shaking his dropping head.

Kakashi observed all of this and did not mention it.

"Mah, you haven't answered my question, first" he placed his elbow on the counter, slothfully leaning his head into his hand.

Typically, Akari would not disclose his abilities and information so easily to others, however, seeing as he planned to become a genin under Kakashi, Akari did not hesitate in informing.

"Ah! I can see. You have stronger chakra than Teuchi-san. Stronger than most people I meet. So although I can't see like others I can still see their internal chakra." He smiled proudly as he finished boasting towards his favorite character, "That's why I know you are really strong."

"My, you may be as smart as Teuchi claims, such a young chakra sensor." He muttered the last part quietly.

Akari had the mental age of 31-year old, counting the years he spent in this Universe. However, he still could not resist the big smile he showed to Kakashi from the small compliment.

"Of course! How can I live comfortably if I can't even see!" Like a child, he puffed out his chest in confidence.

While talking, Akari took the time to become familiar with Kakashi's chakra. It might have stemmed from his feelings, but his chakra felt like the warmest waterfall, crashing over him.

Controlled power.

Teuchi reappeared, bowl in hand, and placed it in front of Akari.

"What did you want to talk about Akari-kun?" Seeing his oldest customer and favorite worker getting along, Teuchi smiled.

"Yes! Teuchi-san, I'm very grateful for your care and opportunity to work under you. But the academy will be opening soon, so I wish to consolidate myself further until then. S-so…" Akari could not finish his words as the realization hit him.

"So you are quitting?" Teuchi finished his sentence.

With his head downcast, Akari nodded.

"Haha, silly child! No issue, come back whenever you want!" Teuchi smiled softly. "I don't want to impede on your future Shinobi life. In fact, I'll feel more secure with you protecting this village." He admitted to comfort Akari.

"Don't think I'll be so dependent on you? I still have Ayame to work to the bone." He grinned.

Kakashi watched the interaction out of the corner of his eye, as he slowly ate his ramen. Unbeknownst to Akari that if he simply looked over at him, he would have seen through the genjutsu Kakashi had cast with his Byakugan directly seeing his face.

Seeing the end of Akari's mouth lift slightly upwards, Teuchi knew he succeeded in comforting him. After all this time he spent with him, it was easy for Teuchi to understand the emotions by the faint twitching of Akari's facial muscles, that of which he could see.

"Anyway, I already see you as a young nephew, so be safe when you become a Shinobi."

Akari looked up at Teuchi and nodded determinedly.

After gulping down his meal, newfound energy coursed through Akari as he jumped out of his seat.

"Of course!"

Afterwards he directly left Ramen Ichiraku. The image of Kakashi's close face still imprinted in his mind.