Mr. Kakashi! She's Pointing at You

Morning.

A faint mist still rose from the stone slabs, but the mission hall of the Hokage Building was already crowded with students who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy. These newly minted Genin surrounded the bulletin board, chattering excitedly, their hearts full of anticipation as they prepared to receive their first mission.

The first team to arrive had already received their mission and were preparing to leave.

"Itachi!"

Her heart leaping with joy, Xinzi caught up to Itachi, who was walking at the front. "Was that really your brother yesterday?"

Itachi nodded calmly. "His name is Uchiha Qing Xuan. He's the child of my uncle's family."

He had heard about what happened yesterday, but he didn't know how to comment on Qing Xuan's actions. Seeing Xinzi's reaction now, it seemed to be going well.

"But you two look so alike! I didn't even notice yesterday!"

"Hmph!"

Tenzawa's expression turned fierce. While he was angry, that sentence replayed in his mind.

So, if one day I die in front of you on a mission, you won't be sad, will you?

His eyes fixed fiercely on Itachi. If it wasn't you yesterday, then what was all this?

He had finally put aside his hatred, but the other person had treated him like a fool and played him.

"I heard Qing Xuan said some strange things to you guys yesterday?"

Itachi was silent for a moment before proactively speaking. "Although I don't know what he said, since he represented me, you can consider it as if I said it."

"No!" Tenzawa finally couldn't take it anymore. "You can't represent him!"

He continued fiercely, "There are people in the Uchiha clan I don't hate, but that person is definitely not you!"

"But I just saw him being taken away by the Anbu again! Is he okay?" Xinzi asked worriedly.

"That's Kakashi Hatake," Yūki, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke. "He wasn't wearing a mask, so he probably wasn't on a mission."

Then, the gentle old man scratched his head and muttered softly, "Just walking around in an Anbu uniform like this, isn't it supposed to be confidential?"

"Anbu?!" Yūki the Jonin's answer completely shocked Xinzi and Tenzawa.

The boy, who had always disliked Itachi, instantly had his attention diverted. "I knew those two girls standing next to him looked familiar. So they're geniuses from the Hyuga branch family! Hyuga Kikyo!"

"Hyuga Kikyo?" Xinzi asked, confused. "Is she famous?"

Tenzawa snorted again, his gaze drifting back to Itachi. "She's at least more famous than the Uchiha next to you. Graduated at 10, passed the Chunin exam at 11, and has now completed 3 B-rank missions and 10 C-rank missions!"

"So amazing!"

"It must be the selection for new Anbu recruits," Yūki the Jonin revealed more of the village's secrets at a crucial moment. He looked up at the rising sun, his stubble brushing against the blue sky and white clouds, and sighed, "It's that time of year again!"

"New Anbu recruits?" This time it was Tenzawa's turn to exclaim in surprise. He looked at Yūki incredulously. "But Itachi's brother looks quite young?"

"Although Qing Xuan is only six years old, he already possesses Chunin-level strength," Itachi said calmly. Then he heard the exclamations from his two teammates.

For some reason, hearing others' admiration made him feel a little proud.

On the Hokage Rock, in a forest training ground.

"Uh—how should I put it? Your first impression on me... is just so-so."

Leaning against a large tree, Kakashi stood lazily in the shade, looking listlessly at the three people standing or sitting around a large rock, his expression as lifeless as a salted fish.

"Since that's the case, let's go through the motions first. Let's introduce ourselves. Feel free to say anything."

This familiar opening for Team 7 made Qing Xuan exclaim, "My youth is back!"

However, his gaze lingered on a black-haired girl beside him, who was about the same age as Kakashi. The familiarity of her face had been bothering him.

"I, my name is Kato Shizune, I'm 16 years old, graduated from the Ninja Academy at 9, became a Chunin at 13. My dream is to become a great Medical Ninja like Lady Tsunade! Also, also... I hate eating pork!"

Good heavens! Qing Xuan thought to himself, As expected! Kato Shizune—Danzō Kato's niece, she likes to wear high-heeled sandals, is good at dodging debts, and greatly enjoys the life of hardship with Tsunade. But shouldn't she have already left the village with Tsunade? Why is she still here? And even in the Anbu?

"Before that, may I ask a question first?"

After Shizune finished her introduction, another clear female voice came from the side.

"Isn't this a meeting for new Anbu recruits? Then why is there an Uchiha mixed in who isn't even a ninja?"

It was a beautiful, cold-looking black-haired girl with clear Byakugan eyes.

The Byakugan indicated her identity, and her cold, questioning tone indicated her displeasure towards him. Looking at the gaze sweeping over him, Qing Xuan, sitting on the large rock, glared back unceremoniously.

Kakashi seemed to have anticipated this. He raised his hand, his expression still the same deadpan, devoid of any youthful vitality. "I believe you all understand how rigorous the Anbu member selection is, so I won't say much more. But there's one thing you need to know..."

He leaned lazily against the tree, the warm breeze blowing, almost making him fall asleep. "That is, even Chunin who are trained in advance as reserves must be newcomers with extremely strong potential!"

His listless but irrefutable words, though not explicitly stated, proved something. This made the Hyuga's gaze towards Qing Xuan become even more questioning.

"Continue," Kakashi urged again.

The girl bit her lip and reluctantly said, "My name is Hyuga Kikyo. I'm 12 years old, graduated from the Ninja Academy at 10, became a Chunin last year. My dream is... to protect the rights and interests of the main family from infringement. I really dislike those who don't abide by rules, act recklessly, have no ambition, and only know how to slack off!"

Qing Xuan immediately raised his hand. "Mr. Kakashi! She's talking about you!"

Kakashi's face instantly darkened, and he seemed to become much more energetic.

Being suddenly disliked by a girl, and then being called out in front of everyone, even he felt a bit embarrassed.

"Uchiha Qing Xuan, I don't need you to remind me. Also, please call me Class Leader!"

What the heck is this study group atmosphere?

"Class Leader!"

"What is it?"

"Are you really going to find a girlfriend looking like that?"