4WD? He really didn't know the first thing about them.
Kakashi had no idea what to do after being suddenly assigned such a strange mission.
But since the Hokage himself had ordered him to escort Naruto to participate in the Shinobi World 4WD Grand Prix, all he could do was accept the mission.
Mission Rank: S-class
Mission Reward: 0
This was a mandatory assignment that would be recorded in his official ninja profile—but with no pay.
Not that he cared.
He understood the situation around the son of his late teacher, and the treatment Naruto received in the village. Still, there was a strict directive from the higher-ups: No jōnin, no former subordinates of the Fourth Hokage, and no Sharingan users were to get close to Naruto. The aim was to prevent any potential leaks regarding his identity.
And unfortunately…
He matched all three.
Hatake Kakashi—Konoha jōnin, former student of Namikaze Minato, and possessor of the Sharingan.
So truthfully, the higher-ups didn't fully trust him either.
That's why this sudden assignment left him rather shocked.
"Lord Third must have taken a lot of heat just to get me on this mission…"
He figured Hiruzen was probably dealing with all kinds of complaints from the council at this very moment.
Looking at the little blonde kid in front of him, arms crossed, brow furrowed, tugging at his nose and squinting at him with a dead-serious expression...
"That hair… looks just like Sensei's…"
Kakashi tugged his scarf up over his chin, one eye lifeless as ever.
"Just as you suspected… I'm the one the Hokage sent to help you train."
"Mm~" Naruto tugged at his nose again, arms still crossed, brows furrowed.
"Where's your 4WD car?"
"…"
Crap—I haven't even bought one yet!
Kakashi glanced at the small racer Naruto was carefully holding beside him—Dash Charger. Its front and rear were reinforced with metal bumpers, the tire rubber had been replaced, and the car body had been painted in bright custom colors.
"As Lord Third said… he really is taking this seriously."
Not wanting to look incompetent in front of a kid—and definitely not wanting Naruto to think Hatake Kakashi didn't know how to play with 4WD cars—he had crammed a ton of information on the topic the night before.
He just… hadn't had time to buy one yet.
Scratching his head, he tilted his neck and gave a dry laugh.
"Ah… where did I put my car again?"
"Old man… don't tell me you don't have one?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed.
"Why would Ji-chan send a rookie to train me? And a rookie who doesn't even own a car! How am I supposed to win like this?!"
Old man?
Kakashi's eyebrow twitched.
What an unpleasant title.
He sighed casually and looked down at the little kid brazenly staring at him with disdain. Then, feigning a cough, he said,
"As a professional racer, it's a tactical mistake to openly display your car. It's like being a shinobi—once your enemy knows your name, they can figure out your favorite jutsu and even your secret techniques. That puts you at a huge disadvantage."
"Ooh~"
Naruto blinked, mouth agape.
"That's really how it is?"
"You've got a long way to go before becoming a proper racer."
Yep… kids are easy to fool.
Kakashi crossed his arms, sat down with legs folded, and said with a straight face:
"So, I'll teach you how to become a proper 4WD racer. But my training is strict—if you don't meet my standards, you'll fail. Even if the Hokage himself begs me, I won't pass you."
"I won't give up!"
Naruto clenched his fists.
He looked seriously at the weird man in front of him, fired up by his tone.
"I, Uzumaki Naruto, am going to become a champion 4WD racer!"
"Very good."
Kakashi nodded, arms folded, one eye staring blankly at Naruto blinking back at him.
But where Naruto couldn't see, a subtle smile tugged at the corner of Kakashi's mouth.
"Sensei… Naruto's doing well. Don't worry—he'll become a great shinobi one day."
Meanwhile…
Uchiha Shisui knelt formally, holding out a promotional flyer for the Shinobi World 4WD Grand Prix to the Uchiha clan head.
"Clan Head!"
"Mm."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded, arms folded, eyes resting on Shisui with faint approval.
As a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, Shisui had always been someone Fugaku held high hopes for. He believed Shisui's unique status and strength could help mend the rift between the Uchiha and the village leadership.
And so far, Shisui had not disappointed. Still young, he had already shown remarkable talent and power, even earning the trust of the Third Hokage. Fugaku had heard about his recent actions intimidating Kirigakure—clearly impressive.
As long as things continued this way… the Uchiha would surely regain their former glory—and perhaps surpass it.
Then there was his son—Itachi—another genius no less remarkable than Shisui.
With the two of them, the future of the Uchiha was all but secured.
Fugaku frowned slightly, glanced at the flyer in Shisui's hands, and asked expressionlessly,
"What's this?"
"An event organized by Sunagakure—the Shinobi World 4WD Grand Prix,"
Shisui said seriously.
"I picked it up from the commercial district."
"Four-wheel-drive cars?"
Fugaku's brow remained furrowed, seemingly pondering something.
"A toy for the younger children of the clan?"
"Yes." Shisui nodded.
He looked up seriously at his clan head.
"But this event... the Fourth—cough—that kid will be participating. Kakashi, and even the Akimichi child. Other ninja clans and ordinary villagers are also joining in. From what I've observed, a large portion of the village is preparing for this race."
"???"
So many ninja and clans participating?
Fugaku was slightly stunned.
He took the flyer and studied it carefully.
Then…
"One hundred million in prize money?!"
Looks like Sunagakure wasn't as poor as he thought.
Of course, the money was a side note.
What surprised him was that Sunagakure was hosting an event inviting shinobi from all over the ninja world—not just shinobi, but ordinary civilians as well.
And it wasn't even time for the Chūnin Exams.
After a moment of silence, he looked back at Shisui.
"Are you suggesting the Uchiha should participate as well?"
"Yes, Clan head."
Shisui nodded solemnly.
"This isn't just some toy competition. I did some digging on the way back. It looks like a huge number of children from across the ninja world will be entering. And if kids are involved... then adults will surely participate as well, for their protection."
"And if the Hokage himself approved that kid's participation, that means ninja are officially involved. This won't be just a simple game."
In fact, rumor had it the ninja bracket of the competition would be incredibly intense.
And if shinobi from the Five Great Nations all showed up…
"We might as well treat it as a different kind of Chūnin Exams."