At Konoha's village gates, two unknown ninjas stood steadfast at their posts.
Not far away, Sakumo carried his pack, looking at the two children who had come to see him off. He smiled and crouched down: "Feng Bai, while I'm away, I'm entrusting Kakashi to your care."
"Don't worry, Uncle Sakumo! I'll do my best to make this brooding guy more cheerful." Feng Bai patted his chest, making a promise to Sakumo.
"Who are you calling brooding?!" Kakashi's forehead bulged with veins. If it weren't for the fact that Feng Bai had helped his father this time, he would have kicked him long ago.
"Besides, I'm the one taking care of this brat, okay?" Kakashi corrected his father.
Watching the two getting along so "harmoniously," Sakumo's last trace of worry disappeared.
He wasn't afraid of going to the border—in fact, heading to the front lines was a good thing for him.
Sakumo had already decided to prove to the villagers what the Will of Fire truly meant through his actions, and the border would be an excellent stage.
There, he could better protect his comrades according to his own beliefs without facing criticism.
After all, in the chaotic border regions, ninjas valued their comrades' safety above all else.
"Alright, it's almost time for school. You two should hurry back." As the sun gradually rose, Sakumo shielded his eyes from the sunlight and urged the two to leave.
"Don't worry, Uncle Sakumo! Even if we're really late, we still have Obito to cover for us." Feng Bai wasn't in a hurry—after all, Obito was always the last one to arrive at school. Even if they got detention, it would be all three of them together.
As everyone knows, one guy standing punishment alone might be a bit awkward, two guys means brothers united in strength, three guys is like the sworn brotherhood of the Peach Garden, and if it's a whole group standing punishment...
That's an all-star Liangshan gathering.
"Okay, Dad, we're leaving now." Unlike Feng Bai, Kakashi strongly disliked detention, especially with these two idiots.
Therefore, although he was reluctant about his father's departure, Kakashi still said goodbye to Sakumo, then forcibly grabbed Feng Bai's collar and headed toward school.
"Hey, Kakashi, don't grab me there—you're going to strangle me!" Feng Bai, caught by the scruff of fate, tried to break free but failed, and could only be forcibly dragged away by Kakashi.
Sakumo waved with a smile, watching the two figures grow distant until they disappeared over the horizon.
"You've come, Lord Third." Turning around, Sakumo looked toward the nearby woods and bowed respectfully: "I've caused you trouble."
"Don't worry, I'll keep a good eye on that child too." Hiruzen emerged from behind the trees with a smile, coming to Sakumo's side: "Don't feel too much pressure. Do well on the front lines, and it won't be long before you can return to visit Kakashi."
Looking at this important subordinate, Hiruzen's eyes were full of warmth.
"Yes, please rest assured. I will never disgrace Konoha's reputation and will do my utmost to uphold the Will of Fire!" Sakumo also earnestly pledged his loyalty.
"Hahaha, good! Let's skip the sentimental farewells. Seeing that you're still full of fighting spirit makes me very happy." Patting Sakumo's shoulder, Hiruzen raised his voice slightly, indicating that he could leave.
"Yes!"
...
Time passed like this for a year.
According to the original timeline, Kakashi should have already chosen to graduate early and officially become a ninja.
But due to Feng Bai's intervention, Sakumo didn't commit suicide, and Kakashi also lost his desire to leave school, lazily following Feng Bai to classes every day.
"Feng Bai, let's go eat dango together after school!" During break time, Anko came to Feng Bai's seat as usual, extending her invitation.
"How should I put this, Anko? I think you should eat less of these high-sugar foods—you'll get fat." Looking at Anko, who had become somewhat plumper compared to when they first met, Feng Bai kindly reminded her.
"What's the big deal? My daily training always meets the requirements. Or are you saying I've gotten fat recently?" Draping her arm over Feng Bai's shoulder, Anko persisted, determined to drag Feng Bai to the dango shop.
"Okay, okay, let's go! Kakashi, Obito, are you two coming?" Feeling the weight on his shoulder, Feng Bai, who was being pestered too closely by Anko, quickly surrendered and dragged his two troublesome friends into it as well.
"I'm not going." Kakashi rolled his eyes and refused.
"I wa—ah! Who kicked me!" Just as Obito was about to agree to eating dango, Kakashi kicked him in the shin, making him clutch his leg and wail.
"Idiot, can't you read the atmosphere?" Glancing at Obito rolling around clutching his leg, Kakashi quietly complained.
Obviously Anko came here for Feng Bai—what are you, you fool, doing tagging along?
"What atmosphere?!" Obito, who didn't understand Kakashi's implication, was about to ask more when Might Guy, who happened to be passing by, stepped on him, causing an even louder wail.
"Sorry, sorry! I was focused on sweating and burning my youth, and didn't notice you! Uh, Dai Two?" Might Guy, with weights on his legs, had no idea how much damage his actions had caused Obito, looking apologetically at him.
But who is Dai Two? We've been classmates for over a year—did you really not remember everyone's faces?!
"Oh, Feng Bai, next class is combat practice—let's have a passionate duel!" Seeing Feng Bai nearby, Might Guy issued a challenge in his bold manner.
"I refuse." Feng Bai didn't even think before rejecting Might Guy's invitation.
What a joke! Others might not know, but I do—those leg weights of yours are so heavy that one kick from you could send me straight to respawn.
"What?! How can this be?! Aren't we good friends and rivals advancing together?!" Hearing Feng Bai's rejection, Might Guy became flustered.
"You and Kakashi can be rivals—count me out." Feng Bai smoothly sold out Kakashi.
"Why is it always me?" Kakashi, who had been constantly used as a shield by Feng Bai, sighed helplessly.
I really want to beat him up. If I get the chance.
Kakashi had already decided that if his sparring opponent was Feng Bai, he would definitely go all out.
"Everyone, the teacher wants everyone to gather at the training ground to draw lots for opponents." Just then, Rin ran into the classroom, calling for classmates to head to the training ground for class.
"Hmph, just wait, Feng Bai." Kakashi snorted coldly, glanced at Feng Bai, and chose to leave in the coolest way possible—using the Body Flicker Technique.
You show-off!
Watching Kakashi disappear from his spot, Feng Bai wasn't about to be outdone. He pushed away Anko's arm, opened the classroom window, and jumped out.
Ah, being on the first floor is convenient—jump whenever you want.
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