Kakashi's Therapy Session

Seeing Uchiha Sōgetsu insist so strongly, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not try to dissuade him any further.

"Fine. Since you insist, there's nothing more I can say."

He relit his pipe, took two slow puffs, and only then said leisurely, "The second matter is this: for this year's Chunin Exam, I intend to have you serve as an examiner."

"Ah?"

Uchiha Sōgetsu froze, somewhat unable to follow the other man's train of thought.

Generally, the examiners for the Chunin Exam were appointed from the Hokage's direct line.

Just like the examiners for Naruto's generation's Chunin Exam in the original story—Gekko Hayate, Izumo Kamizuki, Kotetsu Hagane, and the others—who were all connected to the Hokage's faction in one way or another.

The advantage of this approach was that it promoted the Hokage's prestige on one hand, while making it easier to cultivate members of the Hokage's direct line on the other.

Even if they were not from the Hokage's direct line, opportunities like this to build prestige generally did not fall to the Uchiha.

What was Hiruzen Sarutobi planning now? Keeping his expression neutral, Uchiha Sōgetsu said, "Lord Hokage, I'm Anbu. Doesn't this go against procedure?"

"It's nothing to worry about. Don't overthink it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi saw through his concerns at once and waved with a smile. "Having you oversee the Chunin Exam is both a sign of trust and a test for you."

"A test?"

Uchiha Sōgetsu blinked.

"Hehe. In any case, this will benefit you as well."

Hiruzen Sarutobi wore an inscrutable smile and waved to indicate that he should not ask further. "It's settled, then. You'll be one of the Chief Examiners. Shikaku Nara will tell you the rest."

"Alright, I understand, Lord Hokage."

Uchiha Sōgetsu nodded, accepting the arrangement.

Serving as a Chief Examiner for this Chunin Exam was not a bad thing for him. Perhaps he might gain something unexpected through it.

Clutching the Mutual Multiplication Explosive Tag Technique he had just received, Uchiha Sōgetsu put it away and decided to stop by the Hatake Family residence on the way.

The Hatake Family estate, once bustling with visitors, had now become desolate and empty.

Ever since White Fang had failed a mission and committed suicide, his only surviving son, Kakashi, had shut himself in his room. He saw no one and refused to speak with anyone, almost as though he had become withdrawn.

Looking at the bleak courtyard, Uchiha Sōgetsu knew knocking would not work. He would have to use a special method.

With a light leap, he jumped over the high wall beside him.

The moment he landed, he saw a short, thin figure standing in the courtyard corridor. The face half-covered by a black mask still revealed faintly handsome features, while silver hair reflected a soft gleam beneath the sunlight. Yet the boy who ought to have been full of vitality now carried a trace of loneliness and weariness.

"Uchiha Sōgetsu, what are you doing here?"

Kakashi recognized him immediately. His hoarse voice sounded as if it were full of grit, making it hard to imagine that it belonged to a six- or seven-year-old child.

"Someone asked me to come check on you."

Uchiha Sōgetsu answered truthfully. "Judging by how you look, it seems you haven't eaten in quite some time."

"That has nothing to do with you." Kakashi clearly did not appreciate the concern, his attitude cold and hard. "You're not welcome here. Leave now."

"Are you still grieving over your father's death?"

Uchiha Sōgetsu looked directly into the boy's eyes, quietly observing his spiritual body.

Mm. It was shrouded in emotional colors filled with sorrow. The pain of losing a loved one had trapped him in grief, leaving him unable to pull himself free.

Yet deeper within his heart, there was also a faint, barely perceptible thread of anger.

Naturally, that anger was directed at the true culprits behind all this, as well as the villagers who spread rumors and clamored that White Fang deserved to die.

Not enough. Far from enough—your anger.

If it was only to this extent, it would not be enough to change someone. He needed to make Kakashi even angrier so he could manipulate those emotions and guide him toward the abyss of losing control.

"I'll say this one more time: leave!"

Still a hot-blooded boy in the end, Kakashi's voice carried a hint of fury after being provoked.

"Are you angry? Or are you just putting on a brave front?"

However, Uchiha Sōgetsu was not about to leave over a few threats. He continued, "Forgive my bluntness, but this behavior only makes you look even more cowardly."

"You—what did you say?!"

Cowardly? The word was like a needle piercing his heart. Kakashi instantly lost control of his emotions and glared at him viciously like an enraged lion.

"Good. That look has a little of White Fang's shadow in it."

Uchiha Sōgetsu pushed up his glasses. A faint gleam flickered in his deep eyes as he said calmly, "But that still doesn't change the fact that you are a coward, Kakashi."

"You!!!"

Kakashi immediately drew his short sword halfway. His gaze was fierce and filled with killing intent. "Apologize to me! Otherwise, I'll make you pay!"

"If you chose to slash at me directly, perhaps I would apologize." Uchiha Sōgetsu curled the corners of his lips into a teasing, mocking smile. "But unfortunately, you don't dare. I'm even more disappointed in you now. I feel sorry for White Fang—he actually had such a cowardly son."

"Bastard, I'll kill you!!!"

Kakashi could no longer contain himself. Fury instantly swelled through his mind.

Clang!

The short sword came fully out of its sheath, flashing with a dazzling glint.

Fallen leaves whirled through the corridor before the courtyard as the short figure vanished in an instant, silently closing in like a ghost.

The sharp short sword shifted a few centimeters downward, avoiding any vital spots. Kakashi gripped it tightly and swung it horizontally. He was completely confident that he could send this foul-mouthed bastard to the hospital for at least a few days.

But what happened next did not unfold as he had expected.

Just as the short sword was about to strike Uchiha Sōgetsu, he moved with lightning speed and directly seized Kakashi's right hand holding the blade.

His five fingers were like iron pincers. With only a slight exertion of force, Kakashi's right wrist let out a crack.

"Ah!!!"

His right wrist felt as though it had been fractured. Agonizing pain assailed his brain, covering Kakashi in cold sweat.

"I have to praise you. Such obvious attack intent and such a move truly disgrace White Fang's swordsmanship." He shook his head and sighed in feigned regret. The scarlet Sharingan in his pupils made Kakashi's heart tremble inexplicably. "And let me teach you something: don't make wild threats so easily, because they only reveal your weakness."

"Uchiha!"

Before Kakashi could finish his threat, his entire body was flung into a ninety-degree midair flip.

Uchiha Sōgetsu held him by the wrist and tossed him away like trash. Kakashi smashed through a corridor pillar and crashed heavily into the room.

Kakashi tried to struggle to his feet, but the fractured muscles and bones in his right wrist, coupled with the impact injuries to his internal organs, left him unable to rise despite several attempts. He could only glare furiously at the other man, trying to convey his hatred through his eyes.

"Let me tell you something, Kakashi."

Uchiha Sōgetsu smiled in the courtyard, the tomoe in his eyes spinning. "When a creature called a ninja has the words 'kill him' arise in their heart—"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly used the Body Flicker Technique to appear inside the room.

Under Kakashi's shocked and stunned gaze, Uchiha Sōgetsu drove a brutal kick directly into his abdomen.

"—our actions have already been completed!"

Bang!

The devastating blow to his abdomen made Kakashi vomit up a pool of bile as his body rolled through the air and flew backward.

The fragile wooden door could not withstand the impact at all. He flew more than ten meters before finally stopping after crashing into a solid cement wall.

It felt as if his organs had been displaced. The violent twisting pain in his abdomen bloodshot Kakashi's eyes, and he kept vomiting blood.

"Urgh—"

Kakashi's mind was in complete chaos, unable to make sense of the situation.

What... was this guy here for?

Could it be that Obito had been fed up with him for a long time and decided to use this chance to hire someone to take him out?!

My throat's about to cough itself raw... It's a new week. Dear readers, please toss in some recommendation votes, make some investments, and add this to your collection. Jian Dan offers his thanks!