Young Master, Please Become Hokage

Chapter 46: The Iron Fist Hammers the Brash Kid Kakashi

Being able to adapt your speech to suit the situation, saying one thing to a human and another to a ghost, is a slippery way of handling social interactions and is not inherently wrong.

However, if one acts this way even with acquaintances and close friends, it comes across as insincere.

If Akira Sarutobi had no connection to Kakashi, he might not have brought this up intentionally.

But since Kagami Uchiha was his own family teacher, teaching him swordsmanship, Body Flicker Technique, and other skills without holding anything back, there were some things that needed to be said.

Because excessive praise would only harm Kakashi.

Especially now, as the time when Kagami Uchiha might be framed and killed by Konoha High Command was fast approaching.

"The turtle runs slow, the rabbit runs fast. The turtle keeps crawling forward, but the rabbit rests and naps midway, and in the end, the turtle wins..."

Kakashi smugly recited the fable of the tortoise and the hare.

"Even a three-year-old knows that story."

Kagami Uchiha's personality was too gentle, and Kakashi's early life had been too smooth.

This meant that once Kakashi suffered a setback, his psychological issues would become quite severe.

Conversely, Might Guy, a child who grew up in hardship, possessed an unyielding spirit.

Of course, Akira Sarutobi wasn't glorifying suffering.

It was just that... a jade cannot be shaped into a useful object without being worked on.

"But, Young Master Ryo, not all rabbits nap. Many rabbits work even harder than turtles..."

Kakashi put his hands on his hips, clearly unconvinced.

"Young Master Ryo." Minato Namikaze nodded at Akira Sarutobi, his expression as sunny as ever.

It was evident that Kakashi's missions as a genin had gone very smoothly.

Otherwise, in the original story, he wouldn't have been promoted to Chunin in less than a year.

He was a veritable child prodigy.

However... this was only the surface.

"Of course, rabbits can work harder, but some people aren't rabbits..." Akira Sarutobi shook his head.

Kakashi couldn't help but frown. "What do you mean?"

"I'll be blunt. You seem to be progressing rapidly now, bathed in glory, and appear very dazzling. This doesn't mean you'll continue to improve at the same pace in the future..."

Might Guy's progress was slow in the early stages, but he took off in the mid to late stages, with his rate of improvement becoming increasingly exaggerated, reaching an astonishing ceiling.

In contrast, Kakashi.

He might seem like a child prodigy in the early stages, but once he reached a certain threshold...

"You, at around 12 years old at the latest, will start to expose the weaknesses in your talent, and your strength will stagnate..."

Akira Sarutobi delivered his verdict to Kakashi.

"By then, you'll run slower and slower, no matter how hard you try..."

"Huh? Empty words." Kakashi waved his hand, indicating disbelief.

What right did you have to predict that I would stop being able to run at 12 years old and gradually be left behind by others?

"Guess why some people are directly promoted to 'Special Jonin' by Konoha High Command, while others skip the Special Jonin rank and leap directly to the 'Jonin' level."

Akira Sarutobi's gaze was sharp, and his words carried deep meaning.

Minato Namikaze's eyes flickered; he naturally understood Akira Sarutobi's point.

Some people's talent could be seen through at a glance, predicting their entire future.

They could only stay in a certain position their entire lives because that was the extent of their abilities.

Konoha High Command had discerning eyes; no one was foolish. They knew which ninja could become Jonin.

Those who couldn't advance or retreat, stuck in the middle, would ultimately end up serving as Special Jonin.

Therefore... this wasn't some mystical prediction, but a scientific estimation method.

"Huh? With my talent, becoming a Jonin is no problem..."

Kakashi was unconvinced.

He still wanted to say...

"You'll be able to develop your nature transformation to A-rank, S-rank in the future, right?" Akira Sarutobi preempted Kakashi's prediction.

"Uh..."

Kakashi was instantly startled.

How did you know my life plan?

"Hmph... So what? I'll be direct. Even if you can develop S-rank nature transformation jutsu, your weaknesses will be as conspicuous as the sun in the sky."

Akira Sarutobi didn't play games and directly pointed out Kakashi's shortcomings.

"You have two biggest problems. First... your life has been too smooth. You were spoiled by Mr. Sakumo when you were a child, leading to you being pampered and having extremely poor psychological fortitude. You're a useless second-generation, a complete waste..."

"Second... your dynamic vision is the absolute worst. Any Jonin could defeat you instantly. Even if you hold an A-rank, or even an S-rank jutsu, if you can't see others, or even your own attacks, the outcome will be death... You'll understand when you reach the Jonin level..."

Perhaps Kakashi's weakness in "dynamic vision" wasn't obvious at the levels of Ninja Academy student, Genin, Chunin, or Special Jonin.

But once he reached the Jonin level, looking around.

Everyone's reflexes and dynamic vision would be off the charts.

Attacks that Kakashi couldn't see, others could.

In close-quarters combat, Kakashi would be the first to die.

How could he possibly play this game?

"..."

Kakashi's eyes widened, and his breathing quickened.

He looked breathlessly at the Jonin instructor beside him, seemingly asking Minato Namikaze for help.

Minato Namikaze scratched his head, his gaze drifting left and right, before finally nodding, "Kakashi... Young Master Ryo is... right. Probably..."

Kakashi Hatake, as the son of Konoha's White Fang.

His chakra nature was even more abundant than Konoha's White Fang's.

It was clear that his talent was a combination of his father and mother.

However... Kakashi's deceased mother was just a civilian. This mixing of bloodlines... also held Kakashi back.

Making his dynamic vision his biggest weakness.

If Kakashi had the Sharingan, the Byakugan... perhaps he could compensate...

Minato Namikaze's thoughts churned, and he shook his head, dispelling the idle thoughts.

The Sharingan belonged to the Uchiha clan; how could Kakashi possibly possess it?

Hearing his instructor's words, Kakashi was greatly disheartened.

He never imagined that he truly had a huge talent flaw, just as Young Master Ryo had said.

"This isn't true..."

Kakashi shook his head subconsciously.

This was what happened when a brat got punched by the iron fist of society.

"Heh... why don't you ask your teacher, Minato, if he'll teach you the 'Golden Flash Style ~ Body Flicker Technique' to find out..."

Ino Yamanaka, standing nearby, couldn't help but add fuel to the fire.

The Golden Flash Style Body Flicker Technique, of course, referred to the Flying Thunder God Technique.

After Senju Tobirama's death, very few people knew about the Flying Thunder God Technique, a space-time ninjutsu.

The public spread rumors, and most ninja assumed Minato Namikaze's spatial movement was just a variation of normal body flicker.

"Kakashi..."

Minato Namikaze quickly wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead.

"With your dynamic vision... you probably can't use the [Flying Thunder God Technique]..."

"Wuuu..."

Kakashi let out a mournful cry.

He was both ashamed and angry, furious, and sad.

Feeling like he had nowhere to hide, he ran away on the spot.

"Kakashi..." Minato Namikaze waved his hand.

But Kakashi, consumed by grief and anger, didn't stop running and disappeared in a flash.

"Young Master Ryo..."

Minato Namikaze turned his head, organizing his words.

Did... did we go too far?

"No."

Akira Sarutobi's eyes flashed with a light that Minato Namikaze didn't understand.

"Next, even more terrifying things await Kakashi. Not tempering him beforehand would truly be harming him."

And soon, Minato Namikaze would know what those things were.

Chapter Forty-Seven: Promotion to Anbu Captain

Hokage Building.

Akira Sarutobi hadn't even reached the entrance when he saw a familiar scene again.

"Red-Hot Chili Pepper... picking a fight again..." Akira Sarutobi said indifferently.

"Do you have a problem with that?!"

Kushina, who had someone subdued at her feet, glared at Akira Sarutobi indignantly.

Her red hair danced behind her head, a veritable tyrant maiden.

She seemed to dislike Akira Sarutobi.

The beautiful red-haired girl then taunted, "Hmph~, Akira Sarutobi... aren't you just lucky to have a good dad~?!"

Kushina, who could beat up elementary schoolers and kick Jonin, was quite imposing.

Minato Namikaze: "Uh... Kushina..."

"Heh heh..."

Akira Sarutobi forced a smile.

"I like it when people say that about me."

"..."

Kushina's breath hitched slightly, and she was utterly dumbfounded.

I, Kushina, have never met such a shameless scoundrel!

Akira Sarutobi, Ino Yamanaka, Ruri Hyuga, Minato Namikaze, Kushina... these few were all classmates back in the day.

However, Akira Sarutobi and Kushina didn't interact much.

This was because, at the time, Akira Sarutobi was a bit too laid-back about his future path and wasn't interested in his surroundings. It was only later, after witnessing certain events, that he confirmed the path he wanted to take.