People always grow up in the most unexpected moments, and Nawaki's current situation was far better than in the original storyline.
Given his personality and status, he should make a quite decent teacher.
Just as Hayato Ren was thinking this, a gentle voice suddenly spoke up.
"May I ask who you are?"
Hayato Ren turned toward the voice and saw a female teacher with delicate features and a modest, gentle appearance looking at him curiously.
The moment this female teacher appeared, Nawaki's expression instantly became flustered.
"Good morning, Kanako-sensei! This is my lifelong best friend, Hayato Ren. He's here to enroll a child from his family."
Seeing Nawaki's reaction, Hayato Ren suddenly understood.
Beyond those lofty ideals, a bigger reason Nawaki became a teacher here was probably Kanako-sensei herself.
That's just fine—at least this way, the Senju clan wouldn't end up nearly extinct aside from Tsunade like in the original story.
After exchanging meaningful looks with Nawaki, Hayato Ren tactfully jogged off to catch up with Kushina and Konan.
Normally, students had to take an entrance exam after enrollment, but given Hayato Ren's current status, he could easily get Konan exempted from the test.
After smoothly completing the enrollment procedures, the three of them decided to head to a barbecue restaurant for lunch.
Just as they stepped out of the Ninja Academy's entrance, they saw two people in green spandex suits walking past on their hands while shouting something about "youth."
This rather abstract scene prompted Hayato Ren to mutter, "Since when did the Leaf's atmosphere become like this?"
Upon hearing his remark, the two immediately sprang up, executed neat backflips, landed on their feet, and flashed him thumbs-up with gleaming white smiles.
"Thanks for the support!"
Witnessing this, Hayato Ren finally recalled the identities of this father-son duo.
The father was Might Dai, the man who famously kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist into the "Three Lucky Treasures."
The son was even more legendary—Might Guy, who nearly kicked his way to the series finale with one blow.
A friendly smile spread across Hayato Ren's face. "Keep it up! I believe your youth will never fade."
Might Guy and his father clearly hadn't expected such a response from Hayato Ren. Until now, they'd only ever faced scorn or ridicule from passersby.
Might Guy threw his arms around Might Dai's waist, tears instantly welling up. "Dad! Someone actually acknowledges our youth!"
Might Dai wiped the corner of his eye and patted Guy's head. "Guy, I always said the village would recognize us one day. To thank this sharp-eyed young man, how about we add 500 extra laps to today's training?"
"I feel my youth burning! 500 laps aren't enough—let's make it a thousand!"
Then, Might Guy and his father continued on their way, walking on their hands.
"Ren, you're not the type who deliberately encourages others and then laughs at them behind their backs, are you?"
Kushina looked up at Hayato Ren's face, unaware when he had developed such mischievous tendencies.
Hearing this, Hayato Ren couldn't help but show a helpless expression on his face as he reached out and ruffled Kushina's hair.
"Am I that kind of villain in your eyes? Don't underestimate that father and son pair. When it comes to pure taijutsu, the father might be the strongest in the Leaf."
Kushina swatted away Hayato Ren's mischievous hand and asked curiously:
"But isn't that man a Genin? How could his taijutsu be that strong? Shouldn't Tsunade-sensei be the strongest in taijutsu in the village?"
"Those two practice the Eight Gates Formation. Would you say they're the strongest in pure taijutsu?"
Hayato Ren's answer immediately cleared the confusion from Kushina's face, while simultaneously filling her heart with respect for Might Guy and his father.
Besides being quite accomplished in Sealing Techniques, Kushina also had some understanding of other forbidden techniques.
She was naturally familiar with the Eight Gates Formation, as it was the only forbidden technique that could dramatically enhance the user's power.
Hayato Ren had once wanted to learn the Eight Gates Formation too, but gave up because the requirements were too demanding.
Rather than spending energy practicing the Eight Gates Formation, it was better to focus on researching the Flying Thunder God.
The Flying Thunder God was much cooler anyway, unlike the Eight Gates Formation which required sacrificing one's life force.
Precisely because the learning conditions for the Eight Gates Formation were so stringent, up until now, Might Dai was the only one in the entire Leaf who had mastered this forbidden technique.
As for Might Guy, he hadn't yet earned his father's approval.
Just then, a somewhat surprised voice sounded beside Hayato Ren.
"Well, if it isn't our Leaf hero? You... how do you have such a big daughter?"
Hayato Ren turned toward the voice and saw White Fang walking toward them, holding the hand of a little kid wearing a mask.
Truly worthy of being Kakashi, wearing a mask at such a young age. Quite the idol image to maintain, huh?
"White Fang-senpai, use your brain - how could I possibly have such a big daughter? This is my sister Konan. I'm here today to help her with the Ninja Academy enrollment procedures. Is that your son beside you?"
White Fang's face immediately broke into a proud smile.
"Haha, that's what I thought. You're still too young to have kids that fast. This is my son Kakashi. Isn't he particularly handsome? Takes after his old man, right?"
Kakashi's face immediately showed an embarrassed expression.
At this time, Kakashi was still a youthful boy, and he would feel shy when his father praised him in front of others.
He hadn't yet developed the thick skin that would allow him to read adult novels in public when he grew up.
"Dad! Don't say such strange things in front of others."
White Fang burst out laughing.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore."
Then White Fang looked at Hayato Ren.
"I need to take Kakashi to complete the enrollment procedures too, so let's catch up another time. Remember to come by my house for tea when you have time."
After that, White Fang led Kakashi into the Ninja Academy.
At that moment, Kushina suddenly reached out and pinched Konan's smooth cheek.
"Konan, it seems your school life will be quite exciting. Remember to listen to your teachers, and don't skip classes like someone else does at the drop of a hat."
As she spoke, Kushina kept glancing repeatedly at Hayato Ren.
Clearly, her words were aimed at a specific person.