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The Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage rested his hand on the crystal ball, watching Kakashi, Leo, and Kurenai's movements.
Then—
A loud bang echoed through the room.
Sarutobi Hiruzen pressed down on the crystal ball and looked toward the window.
A moment later, he caught himself.
Wait… what am I even startled for?
He cleared his throat and glared at the window. "Jiraiya, would it kill you to use the front door?"
"Heh, this way's faster."
Jiraiya swayed his way inside, his usual unserious grin in place. He shot a look at the crystal ball, then straightened his expression. "So? What are you seeing?"
The Third Hokage held his pipe with one hand.
"Leo is impressive."
"It's his instincts and awareness that matter most. He's too mature for his age. But wartime kids… the more mature they act, the more dangerous they become. Just like Kakashi—he needs guidance."
Jiraiya leaned in beside him to watch the crystal ball together.
Inside the vision, Leo and Kakashi were sprinting while trading blows, testing each other's taijutsu.
At first, Leo was constantly on the losing side. Only his speed kept him from getting hit.
But as the spar dragged on, even through the crystal ball it was obvious—
Leo's taijutsu technique was getting better. Constantly and rapidly.
Impossible.
Was such a prodigy even real?
Jiraiya nudged the Hokage.
Sarutobi's pipe slipped.
"Ah! My precious pipe!"
He managed to catch it, but the tobacco spilled everywhere.
Not that it mattered right now.
His face grew serious as he stared tightly at the crystal ball.
That rate of improvement…
If he didn't know for certain the boy was from the Senju line, he would've suspected Leo had awakened a Sharingan and was copying Kakashi's taijutsu on the spot.
"Jiraiya, you've met him before?"
"Old man, I've crossed paths with him plenty this past year. I can guarantee you this kid works his butt off. Everything he has, he earned. He probably just never fought anyone before, so all that training is exploding at once."
"I see."
The Third Hokage nodded. He believed it—his earlier shock had just overshadowed his reasoning.
A child no one had heard much about, with talent and discipline like this…
Remarkable.
…
"Huff… huff…"
Kakashi was gasping for breath.
He could hardly believe anyone could improve this fast.
Genius?
But what did that make his own years of hard work?
He refused to accept that talent alone could produce such rapid growth. More likely, the boy was a shut-in training maniac who had never fought outsiders until today—and now he was finally showing what he could really do.
And even worse…
Leo's speed was still rising.
He was still getting stronger.
Kakashi wasn't overwhelmed, but shock gnawed at him. As Leo grew sharper, their fight grew more and more dangerous.
But Leo understood the truth.
Without the "wool" he plucked from Kai earlier, there was no way he'd be improving his close-combat technique this fast.
Besides—
Actual combat was the quickest way to merge knowledge into instinct.
"You two need to stop. If you keep going, it'll end badly for both of you."
Kurenai called out anxiously from behind them.
Neither listened.
She gritted her teeth, formed hand signs, and cast her genjutsu.
Falling Cherry Blossom Illusion.
Petals drifted down from the sky.
Leo and Kakashi instantly recognized the danger. They stopped fighting mid-air, landed, and started breaking the illusion.
It took a while before both opened their eyes again.
Of course, it wasn't because they'd dispelled her genjutsu—Kurenai had released it on her own.
She immediately bowed.
"I'm sorry! But your fight was getting too intense, and I don't know medical ninjutsu. If anything happened in the Forest of Death, it would be dangerous."
"Kurenai, you did the right thing," Leo said.
Kakashi stayed silent.
Even so… someone their age already using genjutsu of this level?
Kurenai really was something.
No wonder Jiraiya had chosen her.
Thankfully, his mask hid his expressions, so at least his cool persona stayed intact.
Leo didn't expose him.
"We're a team. Fighting helps us understand each other's strength, so we can plan better for tomorrow's exam."
Team… partners…
Kakashi replied coldly, "As long as you don't drag me down."
Kurenai felt her blood pressure skyrocket.
She'd always been gentle, but the Kakashi she'd only known through rumors kept shattering her expectations.
How could he be this rude?
She took a few deep breaths, then glanced at Leo—who looked completely calm.
Had he expected this?
Well… they had been in the same class.
Unlike her, who was a year younger.
But then—
Kurenai froze.
Leo said quietly, "Maybe you weren't serious earlier since you still have your blade. But no matter how strong you are, do you think you could take down Jiraiya by yourself?"
Kakashi stopped walking, staring at him.
"Working together is about trusting teammates. If you ignore your comrades' safety, then even if you pass the exam, we're nothing but disposable tools to you…"
"If you prefer working alone, ANBU is always hiring."
"You came back two years after graduating. That doesn't happen without a reason. The way you look at others—others will look at you the same. With an attitude like yours, no one will want you as a teammate."
Leo finished, then turned to Kurenai. "Come on. Let's check the terrain. We might need it tomorrow."
So…
He hadn't prepared himself mentally—he'd been holding back until now.
And when he finally snapped, his words were razor sharp.
Wasn't he worried they'd start fighting again?
Kurenai stared blankly at Leo, then at Kakashi.
Kakashi's eyes were full of fury, fists clenched tight.
But Leo didn't regret it, nor did he plan to apologize.
Someone like Kakashi wouldn't change just because people accommodated him. Even if he did someday, someone might have to die first…
Leo had no intention of being Obito.
And unlike Obito, he didn't have a Madara waiting to save him.
Besides…
"Slow emotional healing" was too inefficient. Leo needed to "clear the Kakashi boss fight" as soon as possible and collect rewards. Who had time to play long-term friendship games?
He didn't expect to clear it in one go.
If once wasn't enough…
He'd try again. And again. It'd beat emotional persuasion any day.
Step one was making Kakashi understand that respect went both ways.
His individual strength wasn't superior enough to justify spouting nonsense at everyone.
Step two…
Well, that depended on whether Jiraiya played along.
Leo thought silently.
Kurenai hesitated, then hurried after him.
"Leo, wait for me."
"Your trap detection isn't bad, but I'll handle the observation. Let's not touch anything."
"Okay."
The two headed deeper into Training Ground 7.
Kakashi was seething.
Behind them, Jiraiya's shadow clone sighed quietly.
This silver-haired brat really didn't respect anyone. No wonder so many people complained about him.
But that boy's outburst had been brutal. He hit every one of Kakashi's sore spots and shut him down completely.
Kids will be kids.
No matter how mature they act, they still get angry.
Jiraiya couldn't help smiling.
At least he was acting his age.
Still…
What were these three going to do during tomorrow's exam?
…
Evening. They split up and went home.
After that argument, a clear distance formed between them. The walk afterward was practically silent.
"Was that really okay…?" Kurenai whispered.
Leo's earlier words had completely overturned the quiet impression she'd formed of him over the past few hours.
He wasn't "calm"—he'd just been holding everything in.
"Kakashi is like this for a reason. I understand. I used to be in a similar place. But you can't fix it by always giving in. That would just be wrong."
"I see…" Kurenai murmured.
Leo stopped walking.
"We're near your house. I'll leave you here."
"Huh?"
Kurenai snapped out of her thoughts and looked around. Sure enough, this was her street.
She hadn't even noticed they'd already arrived. She'd been too lost thinking about everything that happened—and about him.
"See you tomorrow. Let's both do our best."
"Yes! Thanks, Leo. I really learned a lot today."
"....."