"Sister Tsunade, please keep the fact that I learned the Sage Art a secret."
Kakashi had just returned to the dean's office. He closed the door quietly and spoke with surprising seriousness.
"Oh? You little brat—still planning to hide your strength?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair. "You don't want too many of the higher-ups poking around, huh?"
"Hehe," Kakashi scratched his head as his true thoughts were casually exposed. "You always see through me, Sister Tsunade."
"Hmph, of course. You think you can hide anything from me? Don't worry. I'll keep your secret. It's not exactly a blessing to be on the radar of certain high-ranking fossils."
Tsunade's face briefly soured as if recalling a particular relic from the council.
"But listen, Kakashi," she added, her tone firming. "Sage Mode may be impressive, but its power comes from balancing natural energy with your own physical and spiritual energy."
"If your foundation is weak, then no matter how flashy your techniques, they'll collapse like a house of cards."
"Don't worry, Sister Tsunade. I get it."
Kakashi's voice was calm but sincere. "Your own foundation is the cornerstone of everything. Without it, ninjutsu, senjutsu, taijutsu… it's all just chakra cosplay."
"Well," Tsunade said, nodding in satisfaction, "at least your head's not filled with hot air."
Then, as if remembering something, she added, "Oh right. The Academy notified me. You and Rin still need to attend tomorrow. No skipping the graduation ceremony—even if you were exempt from the actual exam."
She waved her hand to dismiss him.
"Yes, Sister Tsunade!"
Kakashi left the office and shut the door behind him.
Tsunade watched him go, a faint smile on her lips.
Maybe... just maybe… this kid will reach Grandpa Hashirama's level one day.
Outside Konoha Hospital, Kakashi looked up at the sky. A few lazy clouds drifted across the endless blue canvas, and warm sunlight settled on his silver hair like a quiet blessing.
His lips curved slightly. It was a good day.
He walked slowly through the village streets, soaking in the noise and bustle.
As for the laboratory? From now on, he planned to let a Shadow Clone handle that.
After all, clones shared memories and didn't cost much chakra for research work. As long as he wasn't running laps around Konoha, one could last a good while.
Worried about being caught?
Please. In this world, even an Ōtsutsuki wouldn't see through a solid clone.
And if Orochimaru did somehow notice? The guy practically encouraged independent projects. As long as Kakashi didn't blow anything up, he doubted the Snake Sage would care.
Medical courses though?
Yeah, no.
He didn't dare slack off there. Just the idea of Tsunade's glare made his back itch.
The Next Day – Ninja Academy Playground
The wind was soft, carrying petals of blooming sakura through the air like gentle snowflakes.
The graduation ceremony had just ended. The playground was empty now, save for two figures walking side by side.
"I heard… it's five centimeters per second."
Rin suddenly spoke, her tone light and a little whimsical.
"…Huh?"
"The speed at which sakura petals fall."
"Oh," Kakashi blinked, caught off guard. "You know some oddly specific things, Rin."
She didn't answer.
The two continued walking in silence, as if that little moment had floated away like the petals.
Rin seemed especially cheerful today. She turned suddenly and caught a small, heart-shaped petal in her palm, smiling brightly.
"Kakashi, don't you think this looks like a snowflake?"
Kakashi thought for a second.
"It does," he said. "If snowflakes were pink and had seasonal allergies."
The aura from Rin made him feel warm—like sipping hot rice wine during winter. Subtle, but deep.
Then, from outside the playground fence—
"Oh no, oh no, oh no!"
A breathless voice called out.
They turned to see Obito sprinting toward the school gate, his usual clumsiness keeping pace with him.
Rin and Kakashi exchanged a familiar look and walked toward the gate together.
"Over here, Obito!" Rin waved with both hands.
Obito saw them, accelerated—and tripped magnificently, landing face-first in front of Rin.
"Incredible," Kakashi muttered, dryly. "He's consistent if nothing else."
"I can't believe it! I missed orientation and graduation! The whole thing's over!"
Obito looked crushed.
"You're unbelievable," Rin scolded with her arms crossed. "You really missed everything?"
"But I ran into an old lady on the way—"
Obito got up, brushing himself off like a kicked puppy.
"…Again?" Rin sighed. "Why do you run into so many old ladies?"
"I don't know!" Obito grumbled. "It's like they're spawning in front of me."
"Ugh. You're hopeless. Come on."
Rin led the way back toward the building.
Kakashi stuffed his hands into his pockets and followed with a sigh. So much for a quiet afternoon.
Inside the Auditorium
Obito and Rin stood across from each other on the stage.
Rin pulled out a diploma and held it out like a treasure.
"Diploma for Uchiha Obito—certifying that this student has graduated from the Konoha Ninja Academy. Rain or shine, you trained with perseverance and spirit. Congratulations!"
"Rin…"
Obito took the diploma with trembling hands. His voice cracked.
"There's no one else here, but honestly… this feels way better than getting it from the Hokage."
Rin smiled warmly.
Just then—
"Wow. You forget I'm standing right here?"
Kakashi had crept up behind them, looking vaguely offended.
"Ah—uh…" Obito froze.
"Pfft~" Rin laughed. "Okay! From today on, we're all Genin now. You better pull yourself together, Obito!"
"Oh right!" Obito perked up. "To be Genin, we form teams of three, right? Did they post the team list? Rin and I…"
"Us…"
Rin trailed off, her expression falling slightly.
"…Don't tell me we're not grouped together—"
"I'm sorry," she said, looking serious.
"…We're in the same team."
She smiled again, brighter than the petals outside.
"No way!"
Obito's jaw dropped.
"Looks like I still have to babysit you," Rin said, hands on her hips.
"Awesome! Yes!" Obito jumped, pumping his fists. Then he stopped. "Wait—who's the third person?"
"You guess."
Kakashi spoke up, smirking.
"Tch. It's you, isn't it…"
Obito scowled.
"I'm hurt," Kakashi said flatly. "Here I thought you'd be thrilled."
"I could say the same, you cocky—"
"Oh? You dissatisfied with me as a teammate?"
"Not really…"
Kakashi cracked his knuckles. "Been a while since we sparred. Maybe you forgot how that ended."
"Heh. I'm not the same chump I was before! Bring it on, you smug—!"
"Alright, alright." Rin grabbed both their arms, dragging them toward the exit. "Today is a day worth celebrating! Let's go have some barbecue—my treat!"
"...Wait, did she say barbecue?" Obito blinked.
"Yes," Kakashi deadpanned. "Congratulations, you're finally listening."