First Meeting with Hatake Sakumo, Kakashi Challenges Seisui

Konoha Training Ground One.

Sharp flashes of blade light flickered across the training ground as Kakashi, holding a short sword, trained with his father, Hatake Sakumo.

Hatake Sakumo nodded slightly, deftly using the White Fang in his hand to deflect Kakashi's blade, and said with a smile, "Your mind is a little unsettled. You need to focus..."

Kakashi was startled.

The moment the words fell, the White Fang's edge was already at his throat, carrying a bone-chilling cold.

"Kakashi, don't dwell on the title of genius. Even though you're my son, you've already done exceptionally well." Hatake Sakumo sheathed the White Fang lightly, ruffled Kakashi's hair, and said softly, "In the ninja world, there are always those with extraordinary brilliance who can't simply be described as geniuses—like the First Hokage, Madara Uchiha, and the Second Hokage as well."

Kakashi lifted his head stubbornly and said in a low voice, "Father, do you think Seisui Uchiha has talent comparable to the Second Hokage? Some in the village have said his Water Release seems very similar to the Second Hokage's."

After Might Duy became the guard of Seisui's household, Might Guy, who used to pester Kakashi for duels, disappeared.

And Obito, who had awakened his Sharingan, no longer sought him out, instead immersing himself in Setsuna Uchiha's private lessons.

The aloof genius, suddenly losing the harassment of two dead-lasts, felt an inexplicable unease in his heart.

After Seisui displayed some of his strength, the village started buzzing again with boring but trending topics like "the number one genius."

In the dead of night, Kakashi would wonder: who was stronger, him or Seisui?

Sometimes he considered Seisui's age, but Kakashi's pride as the strongest among his peers still made him believe that, as Hatake Sakumo's son, he was still the strongest of his generation.

So, Kakashi extended an invitation to Seisui for a spar, and even asked his father to observe today.

Kakashi knew his father had eyes far sharper than ordinary people, capable of seeing a ninja's inner potential...

Hatake Sakumo stared at his son's gaze and slowly shook his head.

"Kakashi, whether Seisui Uchiha's talent surpasses yours or not isn't important. What matters is that you learn to recognize your own heart, not be disturbed by external things, and focus on your own training."

"Practicing ninjutsu and swordsmanship requires a state of single-mindedness. When you're burdened by reputation and others' words, your blade dulls, and your mind can't find peace. If that continues, problems will arise later."

Seeing Kakashi's confused expression, Hatake Sakumo laughed heartily.

"These are truths passed down from our Hatake ancestors when they were samurai. Even I can't fully live up to them..."

"Let's work hard together, Kakashi!"

Just as Seisui arrived at Training Ground One, carrying Muramasa, he happened to overhear this conversation, his expression turning subtle.

Wasn't Hatake Sakumo pretty clear when teaching his son?

Don't be disturbed by external things, focus on yourself—well said...

So why couldn't he see it when it came to himself?

Still, it was only human nature... When it's not your own problem, how can you know the pain?

"Kakashi-kun, Sakumo-san, good morning."

Seisui walked slowly over to the father and son, first nodding a greeting to Kakashi, then casually addressing Hatake Sakumo with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Hatake Sakumo was a man with a touch of mystery.

He had a great reputation, but Seisui didn't know his fighting style well—after all, in his original timeline, the man lived on through others' tales without ever making a move himself...

But in just one glance, Seisui could be sure Hatake Sakumo was incredibly strong.

The man was like a blade sheathed within its own edge, seeming ordinary, but only because he hadn't yet been drawn.

"Is that him? That little one has grown to this point already?"

Tobirama Senju studied Hatake Sakumo's appearance and laughed from the heart.

"When I saw him at the Ninja Academy back then, I had a feeling this child had potential and talent..."

"Now he's a remarkable ninja. Good, you could call him a leader of the common people."

Sensing Seisui's doubtful mood, Tobirama explained on his own, "The Hatake clan stood in the ninja world on the path of the samurai during the Warring States Period, but later suffered revenge from enemies. By the time Konoha was founded, only Sakumo, an orphan, remained."

"Calling them a ninja clan is just a formality."

Seisui nodded in understanding. As expected of Tobirama Senju, the founder of the Anbu, who knew ancient ninja world intel like the back of his hand. But what came out of his mouth was, "Tobirama, who asked you? My take is, since you didn't assign him a teacher from the Hokage lineage back then, your judgment doesn't hold much weight. Hatake Sakumo's growth was pure wild talent..."

"Heh, the geniuses that emerged during my administration had nothing to do with me? How naive!"

Seisui shrugged. Taking credit, huh?

"Seisui-kun, for ninja like us, sparring with most peers is meaningless, and fighting older, famous ninja isn't convenient either."

Kakashi nodded to Seisui, his gaze pausing on Muramasa before he continued, "So, I'd like to test the fruits of our training with each other. Sorry for the intrusion, and please forgive me."

"For this spar, if possible, please go all out. My father will be overseeing us the whole time to prevent accidents."

Seisui nodded slightly. Kakashi's considerations were thorough, and his words made sense.

At his age, mastering a C-rank jutsu made someone a remarkable genius. Kakashi had mastered C-rank Earth Release before even entering the Academy and was promoted to Jonin at twelve.

But as he said, those veteran Special Jonin and Jonin wouldn't want to fight a young genius either.

After all, winning wouldn't earn them much praise, but losing would only serve to boost the other's reputation. Who would willingly do that?

As for his father, his strength was far too overwhelming, making any actual combat meaningless.

Yet Kakashi didn't understand that for Seisui, fighting him held little significance either.

At this age, Kakashi hadn't even developed Chidori yet—how could he possibly fight Seisui?

Seisui chuckled inwardly, looking at Kakashi's slightly defiant little face. "Since Kakashi-kun has thought it through so thoroughly, I'll accept."

In truth, the person Seisui really wanted to test himself against was the gentle-faced Hatake Sakumo standing behind Kakashi.

That man was a bona fide Kage-level ninja, perfect for Seisui to gauge his own strength and know his own level.

After all, Madara Uchiha was watching Seisui.

If he didn't figure out his own capabilities, he might run into serious trouble one day.

Even Seisui couldn't predict what that old man might pull.

"First defeat Kakashi, and if there's a chance, try my hand against Hatake Sakumo..."

Second update slightly later—

Writing during lunch break, bear with me a moment, dear readers.

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