"Hokage-sama!"
Sakumo Hatake stood respectfully in the Hokage Office.
This place, symbolizing infinite power, made him feel very constrained and awkward.
"Oh, Sakumo, you're here?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi had a gentle smile on his face, unconsciously picking up his pipe and taking a few puffs.
"How have you been lately? I heard Kakashi is already three years old, right?"
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi mention Kakashi, a smile couldn't help but appear on Sakumo Hatake's wooden-like face.
"Kakashi is a very hardworking child."
"He practices swordsmanship and taijutsu every day. He's a true genius, and he will definitely surpass me in the future to become the Village's sharpest blade!"
Mentioning his child.
Sakumo Hatake's words became more numerous, and a hint of imperceptible pride appeared in his eyes.
However, these words sounded very awkward to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Sakumo Hatake was good in every aspect.
He was powerful, ruthless to enemies, gentle to allies, and extremely loyal to the Village.
He was just too rigid and pedantic.
This was also related to the Hatake clan, which used to be a samurai family.
They had their own beliefs, and after merging with the Will of Fire, they could become the sharpest blade in the Village, but that was the extent of it.
"Sakumo, don't put so much pressure on the child."
"Kakashi is still young. What he needs more is your companionship and guidance, not an improvement in strength."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were full of warmth, and his face held a spring-like smile.
"I heard that Kakashi doesn't even have any friends and always goes alone?"
"That won't do. Children still need to find some companions.
My good-for-nothing son, on the other hand, is very lively and often plays with the children in the Village."
"How about letting that brat Asuma take Kakashi to play together?"
"Thank you, Third Hokage!"
Sakumo Hatake nodded, still very calm.
"I often tell Kakashi about this, but the child is exceptionally precocious..."
Mentioning this, Sakumo Hatake was also very depressed.
Although his child was excellent and an undisputed genius, his personality was particularly solitary.
"Hahaha, is that so?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled a few times:
"Then let nature take its course. If Kakashi doesn't want to, then so be it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangement, besides genuinely wanting the best for Kakashi, was also a political choice.
Not only could it show sufficient goodwill to Sakumo Hatake, Konohas White Fang, but it could also allow Kakashi and Asuma to build a deep friendship from a young age.
This way, even if he left later, Asuma would have many helpers.
"Alright, Sakumo!"
"Yes, Third Hokage!"
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone become serious, Sakumo Hatake immediately nodded in agreement... In Konoha's Seventh Training Ground.
Sakumo Hatake's expression was somewhat gloomy, and his brows were slightly furrowed.
"Sakumo, I've discovered a true genius, whose future achievements might even rival mine!"
"So I want you to be this child's swordsmanship teacher..."
Sakumo Hatake rubbed his forehead, very troubled.
"Is it Danzo-sama's child?"
Regarding this leader of Root, the Hokage's advisor.
Although Sakumo Hatake didn't have much contact with him, he knew Danzo's personality.
Originally, Sakumo Hatake didn't want to have too much contact with Danzo or get involved in too much politics.
He even explicitly refused when Danzo invited him to be the vice-leader of Root before, but now he was to become Shimura Kaede's teacher.
"I hope it's just ordinary teaching..."
Sakumo Hatake decided to observe Shimura Kaede first.
After learning Shimura Kaede's location from the Third Hokage, he immediately rushed over.
"Isn't this where Kakashi usually trains?"
Sakumo Hatake looked at the small forest in front of him, concealed his presence, and went to a large tree nearby.
"Kakashi? Is he here too?"
"Did he get into a conflict with someone?"
In an open space not far away.
Obito rushed quickly towards Kakashi. Seeing Obito's disorderly steps, a hint of disdain flashed in Kakashi's dead-fish eyes.
"Ouch!"
He didn't even draw his sword.
Kakashi merely leaned slightly, dodging Obito's headlong rush, and then extended his leg to trip the missing Obito, who fell heavily to the ground.
"You can't hit anyone with that kind of attack."
Kakashi stood with his arms crossed, calmly looking at Obito rubbing his forehead on the ground.
His tone wasn't mocking, but it angered Obito even more.
"You hateful guy, you played dirty!"
Obito stood up indignantly, yelling and stomping his feet at Kakashi.
"That doesn't count! I wasn't paying attention, I was careless!"
"This time, I'll show you!"
Obito wasn't stupid; this time, he was much more cautious, moving his feet and raising his fist to punch Kakashi.
"Hmph!"
"Wearing a mask, are you too ugly to show your face?"
"Today, Lord Obito will tear off your mask!"
Ideals are beautiful, but reality is harsh.
Kakashi knocked Obito to the ground with a single punch, not even continuing the attack.
"What the heck?!"
Not far away.
Seeing this scene, Shimura Kaede's eyes widened.
"These two, they started fighting the first time they met?"
"As expected of good buddies who love and kill each other!
Indeed.
Rin was just an excuse; Kakashi and Obito are true love!"
Shimura Kaede, standing under the tree, shivered, stunned by Konoha's great bond.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
"Again!"
In just one minute, Obito had been knocked down three or four times, but he was like an unkillable cockroach, constantly attacking Kakashi.
"Boring!"
Kakashi frowned, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes.
He drew the wooden sword from his back, ready to teach this ignorant Uchiha brat a harsh lesson.
"Kakashi, that guy!"
Sakumo Hatake, hiding behind the tree, saw Kakashi draw his sword and a look of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
"I can't let you, little guy, draw your sword on a child from the Village!"
Just as Sakumo Hatake was about to make a move, his steps suddenly stopped.
"Hey!
You, what bad things are you trying to do to my foolish son?"
Kakashi was stunned.
His wooden sword was about to strike Obito, but it was blocked by an invisible current of air, unable to swing down any further.
Then a figure appeared in front of him, firmly grasping the wooden sword in his hand.
The immense strength startled Kakashi.
Whoosh!
Without hesitation, seeing Shimura Kaede release the wooden sword, Kakashi immediately back-jumped to distance himself from Shimura Kaede.
"This guy, he's so strong!"
"What was that obstruction just now?"
Shimura Kaede looked at Kakashi with interest, not stopping his retreat, but instead crossed his arms and smiled at Kakashi's wary face.
"Kaede is so handsome!"
"So amazing!"
"That hateful white-haired brat actually drew a sword on Obito!"
Under a tree not far away.
Looking at Shimura Kaede's back, Rin and Kurenai, the three girls, all had expressions of adoration.
Asuma also clenched his fists, looking at Kakashi with great displeasure.
Although Obito was a bit stupid, he was his friend, and he couldn't believe this white-haired brat actually drew a sword on Obito.
What angered Asuma even more was that Kaede, that arrogant guy, had stolen all the thunder.
"Damn it, why aren't my legs faster!"
Asuma pinched his thigh, regretting his incompetence, which made Kurenai's gaze fixated on Kaede.