Kakashi's eyes lowered slightly as he looked at Sasuke Uchiha, who spoke of the desolation in his heart with the calmest of words.
It seemed Itachi Uchiha possessed a talent for combat, but was not particularly skilled at guiding a child toward the right path. Kakashi didn't intend to blame him for this, however. After all, Itachi himself was only nineteen years old.
"Is that so?" Kakashi mused. "Then that truly is a shame. Having a dream provides a person with the motivation to move forward."
Under the watchful gaze of the three youngsters, Kakashi slowly stood up. "I'll apologize in advance. I'm usually quite busy with work, so I might not always be able to look after the three of you personally."
Naruto and Sakura both expressed their understanding. After all, he was the Lord Hokage; it was only natural for him to be busy.
At that moment, a figure appeared beside Kakashi.
"This is your second teacher, Hayama Shirakumo. He is also my bodyguard. However, do not look down on him because of that. It's quite possible that even Sakura's master or Sasuke's older brother would be no match for him~"
The calm-faced Hayama Shirakumo gave a slight nod to Naruto and the others as a greeting.
Hearing Kakashi's words, Sakura was instantly stunned. As Tsunade's disciple, she understood her master's power very well. One punch from her could likely turn a bull into a meat patty.
That strong?! And this bodyguard of the Hokage might actually be stronger than Master Tsunade?
Sasuke also instinctively focused his gaze on Hayama Shirakumo. Only he truly knew just how powerful his brother, Itachi Uchiha, really was.
"While I still have some time, let me see your strength," Kakashi said, looking up at the sky. His voice carried its usual warm, gentle tone.
"Are... are we going to fight Ho—Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura raised her hand.
"If you would rather fight Hayama, I can let him warm up a bit," Kakashi said, gesturing to the man beside him.
"Then I choose Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto was the first to speak.
"Me too!" Sakura followed immediately.
"I don't care," Sasuke said, maintaining his usual aloof attitude.
"Then come. Let me see how strong you are. I give you permission to use your full power. If you don't come at me with the intent to kill, you won't even be able to touch the hem of my clothes."
Kakashi walked step by step toward the center of the training ground. Though his words remained gentle, they betrayed a certain sense of confidence. It was, however, the truth—given the current level of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, they wouldn't be able to touch him even if they gave it their all.
The wind swept past Kakashi's clothes, his pure white hair swaying before his eyes. Standing there as if he were nothing but openings, Kakashi calmly watched the three of them.
"Naruto, use your Shadow Clones as a feint. I'll look for an opening—"
Sakura was still trying to coordinate a strategy, but a figure had already charged out!
It was...
"Sasuke!" Naruto couldn't help but shout. In his eyes, there was no one in the entire Hidden Leaf who could take on Kakashi-niisan alone.
But Sasuke ignored him and rushed toward Kakashi. Although he had previously claimed to have no dreams and to be someone who possessed nothing, that didn't stop him from wanting to witness Kakashi's strength.
The Hokage-level power that had suppressed the Uchiha coup!
Shuriken flew from the black-haired youth's hands, all of them curving at strange, tricky angles to strike at Kakashi from all directions!
Uchiha Style: Manipulated Windmill Three Blades!
While Kakashi was playing with the three youngsters, Rasa, far away in the Land of Wind, was meeting with Orochimaru once again.
"Latest news. The Hidden Cloud Village has confirmed their participation in the Leaf's Chunin Exams."
In a desert surrounded by shifting sands, several figures met.
"Isn't that even better? I'm sure if the Raikage is there, he will choose to take the initiative to contact you. After all, life hasn't been easy for the Hidden Cloud these past few years..."
Standing before Rasa, who wore his Kazekage robes, was a man with flowing black hair. He radiated an indescribable aura. While one might normally describe his stature as tall, there was a slight sense of dissonance, as if the word "slender"—typically used for women—suited him better. Yet, the person standing there was indeed a man.
"Well said. With the Hidden Cloud joining, we can be more certain of our success in this operation." Rasa nodded slightly, acknowledging the other's words. "But... are you truly certain you can withstand Kakashi Hatake?"
Despite Orochimaru's previous assurances that Kakashi could be left to him—that while he might not defeat or kill him, stalling him would be no difficult task—Rasa still felt uneasy.
Only those who clearly understood that Kage, who was even younger than himself, knew exactly how terrifying he was. When Rasa was still thrilled to become the disciple of the Third Kazekage, Kakashi had only just been born. When Minato Namikaze clashed with the "A-B" duo led by the Fourth Raikage, Kakashi was only twelve. And a mere three years after Minato's death, Kakashi already possessed the strength to trade blows with the Fourth Raikage.
How old was he then? A mere seventeen. That same year, he became the Acting Hokage, and three years later, he became the youngest Kage in the history of the shinobi world.
All of this was the stuff of legends. Even if Kakashi hadn't been as dazzlingly active in recent years, the external discourse surrounding him had never faded. Handsome, young, powerful, and influential—he was almost the definition of perfection.
"Please put your mind at ease regarding that, Lord Kazekage." A strange smile played across Orochimaru's face. Seeing Rasa frown, he continued, "No matter who it is, when faced with their nearest and dearest, even the sharpest blade will hesitate. Even Kakashi is no exception."
"Furthermore, a mere Kakashi is nothing more than a junior to me. The destruction of the Hidden Leaf is imminent. Just wait; wait for a grand performance. The spectacle of the Hidden Leaf falling from its pedestal at the hands of this 'perfect' Hokage."
Orochimaru's overly confident words caused Rasa to find himself believing the man. After all, this was Orochimaru, who shared the same fame as Jiraiya—a man whose existence on the battlefields of the Second Shinobi World War was second to none.
"In that case, I wish us success in our plan." Rasa nodded, clearly accepting Orochimaru's words.
"Hehe, naturally." Orochimaru spoke with a light chuckle, his gaze drifting toward the distance.
It was the direction of the Hidden Leaf Village in the Land of Fire.
Old man... Are you well? Your most beloved disciple is coming to see you off.
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