Konoha Village, Third Training Ground.
A young man with long white hair, a black mask, and his left eye concealed by his headband stood with his hands in his pockets, gazing at the three fresh-faced students who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy.
They looked every bit the part of background characters.
"I am your supervising Jonin, Hatake—" he began.
"You're Teacher Kakashi, right?" Background Character A interrupted impatiently. "Enough with the pleasantries. Let's get started!"
'Hmph, these little brats.'
Kakashi's expression remained unchanged as he continued, "I'm putting you through a test with a 66% failure rate."
A moment later, Kakashi watched coldly as the Background Trio argued incessantly, their internal discord already simmering. A dark memory seemed to flicker in his eyes.
"You all fail!" Kakashi declared, his gaze icy as he looked down at the incredulous trio.
"Go back to the Academy and study again!"
"But—" Background Character B tried to protest, but under Kakashi's frigid stare, the words died in his throat.
Though Kakashi hadn't deliberately exerted any pressure, the sheer disparity in their status and skill left the young ninja too intimidated to argue further.
The Background Trio slunk away, their bickering and recriminations still audible to Kakashi as they retreated.
Kakashi sighed inwardly, tilting his head slightly toward a dense thicket. "You've been watching long enough," he said mildly. "You can come out now."
As soon as the words left his lips, Sasuke emerged from the concealed thicket.
'Uchiha Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke?'
Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the newcomer's appearance, but he remained silent.
"My apologies," Sasuke said, his expression calm and composed. "I was training here earlier. According to the rules, I should have left well before the test began."
"But when I realized the test proctor was a senior shinobi like you, Senior Kakashi, I couldn't resist staying to observe for a while, out of curiosity."
"You know me?" Kakashi asked, mildly surprised. He was certain he and Sasuke had never met before.
"Yes," Sasuke replied, his tone utterly devoid of emotion. "Hatake Kakashi, the Copy Ninja—Father often mentioned your name. He said you use the Sharingan more skillfully than many Uchiha clan members. Truly befitting the most renowned genius ninja of your era."
After a moment of silence, Kakashi spoke: "Clan Leader Fugaku must have said more than just that, wouldn't you agree?"
"Of course! Father also told me some other things about Senior Kakashi."
'Just as I thought!' Kakashi thought to himself.
He wasn't a member of the Uchiha clan, yet he possessed the Sharingan. Every ninja clan fiercely guarded their kekkei genkai and secret techniques, strictly prohibiting their dissemination to outsiders.
The Uchiha Clan Leader must have mentioned him to Sasuke, and it couldn't have been anything complimentary.
'Is Sasuke here to express his dissatisfaction because I transplanted Obito's Sharingan?'
Though this suspicion lingered in his mind, Kakashi had no intention of relinquishing the Sharingan due to Sasuke's displeasure.
This was Obito's final legacy, bearing the weight of their promise to each other.
'Even though I broke that promise...'
To Kakashi's surprise, Sasuke didn't voice any resentment about his possession of the Sharingan.
Instead, he said something else entirely:
"Father said that while Senior Kakashi isn't an Uchiha, he possesses the Sharingan. According to clan rules, it should be reclaimed. However, after hearing about the Uchiha's extraordinary valor in his final battle and how Senior Kakashi was his dearest friend, Father ultimately chose to honor his comrade's last wishes and suppress the dissenting voices within the clan."
Sasuke spoke calmly, inadvertently revealing a personal favor in his words.
"Is that so?" Kakashi murmured, his hand drifting to touch the forehead protector covering his left eye, a nostalgic expression crossing his face.
The revelation of his possession of Obito's Sharingan had once stirred a considerable uproar in Konoha.
Yet, for reasons still unknown, the controversy had abruptly subsided. Kakashi had always attributed it to his teacher's influence.
But now, hearing Sasuke's words, he realized the late Uchiha Clan Leader had also played a crucial role in resolving the crisis.
"Thank you," Kakashi managed, the words feeling inadequate yet heartfelt.
Sasuke didn't linger on the topic. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the receding figures of the Background Trio and asked, "Actually, their skills and abilities are already at the level of a ninja. Senior Kakashi, why did you eliminate them?"
"Because they lack the spirit of teamwork and fail to understand the true meaning of comradeship."
Perhaps Sasuke's earlier words had softened Kakashi's resolve, for his explanation was unusually detailed.
"Those who fail to cherish their comrades are unfit to be ninjas. Even if they were to become ninjas by some accident, individuals focused solely on completing missions while disregarding teamwork and their companions will inevitably cause irreversible disaster someday."
'Just like I once was.'
A flicker of melancholy crossed Kakashi's eyes as he silently added to his thoughts: 'Just like I used to be.'
"Indeed, teamwork is crucial for ninja," Kakashi said aloud.
Seemingly oblivious to Kakashi's change in demeanor, Sasuke nodded earnestly. "Since Senior Kakashi values teamwork so highly, you must have always been someone who cherishes your comrades, right?"
At this, a wry smile tugged at the corners of Kakashi's mouth beneath his mask. He replied softly, "Quite the opposite, actually. I wasn't."
"Hmm!" Sasuke nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "In that case, it seems the rumors about Senior Kakashi's teacher, the Fourth Hokage, were true after all—that he was a gentle, approachable, and understanding teacher."
"Teacher was indeed an exceptional person. He taught me the true meaning of comrades," Kakashi acknowledged with a nod.
But Sasuke suddenly changed the subject, continuing, "Because your students lacked teamwork, Senior Kakashi eliminated them right at the starting line."
"In contrast, the Fourth Hokage didn't eliminate Senior Kakashi just because he lacked teamwork. Instead, he led by example, showing him through practical action the true meaning of comradeship."
Kakashi froze, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
"A teacher's role is to impart knowledge, cultivate skills, and resolve doubts. That's why I say the Fourth Hokage was a truly admirable and worthy teacher."
"Of course, I'm not criticizing you, Senior Kakashi." Seeing Kakashi's stunned expression, Sasuke added, "After all, there's that saying, isn't there? 'Rotten wood cannot be carved!'"
Sasuke knew when to quit. Seeing Kakashi still deep in thought, he took his leave.
His purpose today had been to leave a lasting impression on Kakashi. Judging by Kakashi's expression, he had succeeded. Any further words would only risk overdoing it.
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