Meian kept his composure. "Will you teach me ninjutsu?"
Kakashi nodded. "I can. But what I know is fairly advanced. You can't go spreading it around."
Meian, recalling the breadth of Kakashi's arsenal, grinned. "Of course not." He paused, then added carefully, "Also, I'd appreciate it if you kept my situation quiet. I don't need unnecessary attention."
Kakashi, who'd been considering a recommendation to the Third Hokage, instead nodded. "Understood."
"Then starting today, whenever you have time, teach me one jutsu a day. Once I've mastered it completely, move on to the next."
Meian's eyes widened. "Wait—you said you'd only teach me a few. Just how many ninjutsu do you know?"
Kakashi's smile was thin and knowing. "More than you could learn in a few years."
Meian chuckled. "Then you might be underestimating me."
Kakashi watched the boy's confidence with interest. "You'll find out soon enough. If you actually manage to learn every technique I know, then you truly are a super-genius." The Copy Ninja had mastered thousands of jutsu across his career. He wasn't worried about Meian exhausting his repertoire.
After another ten minutes of conversation, Kakashi rose. "Meet me at the back of Konoha Mountain after school tomorrow."
Meian frowned. "Isn't Konoha Mountain dangerous?"
Kakashi glanced back, amusement flickering across his visible face. "Getting cold feet already? Ninjutsu isn't easy to master. If you want my instruction, you'll have to navigate the risks yourself. If you're not willing, I won't waste my time."
Meian didn't hesitate. "What if I happen to encounter wildlife along the way? Am I responsible for damages?"
Kakashi paused, genuinely confused. "Of course not. Why would you be? Defending yourself is hardly a crime."
Meian's expression relaxed into a smile. "Good. I was worried I'd end up in debt if I accidentally killed something. I can't afford that right now."
Understanding dawned on Kakashi. His expression hardened slightly. "Don't worry about it. Why are you so fixated on money?"
Meian shrugged. "What am I supposed to eat without it? I'm six years old and living off my parents' pension. How exactly would I pay for damages I can't control?"
"You're struggling that much?" Kakashi asked, and there was genuine concern in his voice.
"Forget it," Meian said, waving it away. "You wouldn't understand."
"Actually, I would," Kakashi replied quietly. "But listen—if you study hard, I might reward you."
Meian perked up. "What kind of reward?"
Kakashi considered this. "When you master a D-rank jutsu, I'll assign you a D-rank mission. How's that?"
Meian's eyebrow rose skeptically. "You'd really be that generous?" He knew Kakashi was wealthy—one of Konoha's highest earners. He also knew the man was legendarily stingy.
"Of course," Kakashi said flatly. "I keep my word."
Besides, he thought, ninjutsu is inherently difficult. Even for a prodigy, mastering a D-rank takes three or four days minimum. Longer for C-rank. And he doesn't have a Sharingan to copy techniques.
Meian grinned knowingly. "I hope you don't regret this."
Kakashi's smile was genuine. "I won't. If you actually manage to exhaust my funds, I'll be thrilled." He wasn't being sarcastic. A jutsu was priceless to a ninja—one unique technique could define an entire career. If Meian truly learned every technique Kakashi possessed, the boy would reach Elite Jōnin caliber, at minimum. Cultivating such a shinobi for the village would be worth far more than money.
Not that Kakashi didn't have plenty of it. Hundreds of S-rank, A-rank, and B-rank missions had filled his accounts. He had enough to finance thousands of missions for Meian. But his collection was limited—only a handful of A-rank jutsu, perhaps a dozen B-rank. He wasn't concerned.
After a moment's pause, Kakashi reached into his pouch. "You don't have a weapon, do you? Take this." He pressed a pristine tanto into Meian's hand. The blade was obviously high-quality, the steel polished to a mirror finish. "Standard-issue ANBU equipment. Comes as a gift."
"Tomorrow evening at the back of Konoha Mountain. Whether you make it through the forest in between is your problem." Kakashi's form blurred.
"Wait—" Meian started.
Kakashi's voice echoed from the rooftop. "The blade's cost will be deducted from your future earnings, of course!"
Meian's lips twitched. "I take that back."
Still, he unsheathed the tanto carefully.
The metal sang as it cleared the scabbard—clang—and Meian found his own face staring back at him from the polished surface. The edge was lethally sharp, and the steel hummed faintly with chakra infusion. Definitely not standard-issue, Meian thought wryly. This is expensive.
"Well, I guess I owe him now. The problem is I have no idea how to use this properly."
Meian swung the blade experimentally, testing its weight and balance.
Something shifted.
Muscle memory flickered to life—not his own, but belonging to this body. Instinct took over. His grip adjusted. His stance settled. The blade moved with sudden, lethal grace.
"Did I just...?" Meian stared at his own hands in disbelief. "I've barely practiced and I'm already competent?"
He swung again, faster. The blade sang through the air.
No—it wasn't formal swordsmanship training. Rather, his extraordinary perception and physical gifts had somehow translated instinctively into blade work. Still, he needed genuine practice to refine it further.
Meian sheathed the tanto carefully. It's a good blade. I'll keep it.
He cleaned up, changed into sleep clothes, and lay down.
---
That same night, Kakashi lay on his roof, gazing at the stars scattered across the sky. I hope you won't walk the same path we did, Meian. I hope you're truly the genius this village needs.
When he'd watched the boy unleash the Great Fireball Technique earlier, something had crystallized in Kakashi's mind. Meian had the potential—the rare, exceptional potential to become something extraordinary. His physical abilities exceeded Kakashi's own at that age. His comprehension was nearly equal, perhaps superior. And his spirit was different—more hopeful, more human.
A talent like that can't be allowed to follow our mistakes.
Kakashi's single eye narrowed thoughtfully. I need to guide him. Shape him into something this village desperately needs.
The village needed another Minato Namikaze—someone with the strength and will to carry Konoha on their shoulders. Someone to be its true protector.
Kakashi saw that potential blazing within the boy named Meian.
---