Kakashi's Proposal

After hearing Naruto's words, Kakashi didn't respond immediately.

He slowly stood up from the ground, brushed the dust off his clothes, and sighed inwardly again.

"This style, which is like both Teacher Minato and Kushina's wife, is really irresistible."

Then, Kakashi scanned Naruto, who was calm, Sasuke, who looked confused, and Sakura. Although he couldn't see the expression under his mask, the three could tell from Kakashi's slightly curved eyes that he was clearly amused.

Kakashi first turned to Naruto, his tone unusually candid. "You're absolutely right. I have to admit, whether it's your strength, observation skills, or even... your information-gathering abilities, you're top-notch."

At least, in Kakashi's current understanding, the reason Naruto could see through everything he did was definitely due to extensive information gathering in private.

Not due to any other absurd circumstances.

Finally, Kakashi gave Naruto a thumbs-up and announced, "Congratulations to all members of Team 7 on graduating. And Naruto, you did it. You cleanly snatched the bells from me and graduated with Sakura and Sasuke."

"Hooray!"

These words made Sakura, who had been tense, jump up. Her face showed an expression of "I didn't do anything, but I still feel so tired, and I'm so happy because we graduated."

Never mind, as long as they graduated smoothly, she could still go on missions with Sasuke...

Why wouldn't she cheer for such good news?

"Naruto..."

Sasuke's gaze sharpened as he looked at Naruto.

His feelings were too complex to describe.

There was no jealousy, no resentment.

Because Sasuke knew better than anyone that the gap in strength between him and Naruto was not small.

But strangely, he didn't feel defeated by this. Instead, he felt a sense of... reassurance?

Naruto was willing to train him and help him become stronger, and that was more important than anything.

His path of revenge seemed to have gained a bit more light because of this.

Thinking of this, Sasuke let out a soft breath, and his clenched fists unconsciously loosened.

"Well, since we've all graduated successfully, you can stop looking so serious." Kakashi said with a smile, glancing particularly at Sasuke and Naruto. "Starting tomorrow, Team 7 will officially be on missions."

"Since we have a mission tomorrow, I'm going back to train."

Sasuke snorted coldly and turned to leave.

He would never admit that he was a little grumpy because he had no chance to show off today.

The knowledge Naruto had taught him the past two days was almost at the point of mastery, and he needed to practice more.

"Sasuke-kun, wait for me."

Sakura immediately chased after him, her face slightly flushed as she considered whether to take the opportunity to ask Sasuke on a date.

Although she would most likely be mercilessly rejected again.

"Naruto."

After Sakura and Sasuke walked away, Kakashi suddenly spoke, his tone more serious than before. "You're truly amazing."

"It's nothing, Teacher Kakashi. If you experience enough, you'll naturally understand many things."

Naruto just smiled and replied in a casual tone.

After speaking, Naruto put his hands behind his head and walked away with a dashing stride.

Kakashi was left standing alone, unable to help but shake his head and chuckle, "At your age, how much can you really experience..."

Hokage Building.

After a busy morning, the Third Hokage, who had been working for two and a half hours, wanted to use the crystal ball to check on the progress of Kakashi's exercise.

Unexpectedly, Iruka suddenly knocked and entered.

He had come to inquire about Naruto's Jonin Instructor.

Kakashi and Iruka were old acquaintances, but they hadn't seen each other in years. Moreover, Kakashi's missions were mostly classified, so it was normal for Iruka, a Chunin instructor, not to know.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi felt Iruka was a bit bothersome and overly worried, he still smiled outwardly.

After all, during the Mizuki incident, Naruto had gone to Iruka first, not him, the Hokage.

The Third Hokage was well aware of this subtle difference.

After finally seeing Iruka off, Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to use the Scrying Jutsu when Kakashi suddenly appeared in the office.

"Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was also slightly taken aback. So much time had passed.

"Oh? It's Kakashi..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "How is it? Do you think that child Naruto... can become a ninja who inherits the Will of Fire?"

Kakashi was silent for a moment before replying, "Mhm, I think he can. I even feel that Naruto's future achievements might surpass those of Teacher Minato."

"You think so highly of him?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in surprise.

"His performance today far exceeded my expectations. However, I actually came today with another matter I wanted to propose to you."

The Third Hokage regained his composure and nodded, "Go ahead. Knowing your personality, you wouldn't come to me specifically for something unimportant."

"In the past, I couldn't move past the shadows of Obito, Rin, and my teachers. Now that I have, I want to propose a plan."

"What kind of plan?"

"In Konoha's history, simply graduating from the Ninja Academy was enough to prove someone could become a Genin."

"And the bell-stealing test conducted by the Jonin Instructor was more about understanding the students and confirming their fundamentals. But I went ahead and added a hidden test, forcing them to comprehend teamwork under extreme circumstances..."

Kakashi looked at the Third Hokage with determination and continued, "This was my personal mistake, but it was also to prevent more tragedies from happening."

"So, I feel that perhaps at an earlier stage, such as during daily teaching at the Ninja Academy, the graduation exam, or even the Jonin Instructor test, the importance of teamwork and cooperation could be explicitly emphasized to the students? This way, more casualties could be prevented in advance."

Undeniably, there was a lot of knowledge about teamwork in the academy's teaching, but it was mostly just explained, not how to execute it.

For example, when protecting a client or an important figure, formations like the 'swastika' or other patterns could be used.

Or how to maintain formation while traveling.

But students were never truly told about the importance of teamwork and comrades.

These were all lessons Obito taught Kakashi with his life.

That's why Kakashi felt Naruto was right; they shouldn't let newly graduated Genin guess.

Instead, it should be directly promoted, changing the current system so that all students and ninja would know.

That way, if someone faced a situation similar to his father's, they wouldn't commit suicide.

If he had known these truths in the past, he wouldn't have been so stubborn, missing the best opportunity to save Rin and causing Obito's sacrifice...

"This matter..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi listened quietly, his face still wearing a gentle smile, but a flicker of uncatchable disappointment flashed in the depths of his eyes.

He had thought Kakashi was finally going to propose some constructive tactical suggestions or mission reforms.

So that's all it was...

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression hadn't changed much.

Kakashi repeated, "Hokage-sama, this matter is truly important, just like when Lady Tsunade proposed adding a medical ninja to each team."

"I understand. I will consider it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put on a show of "I will definitely do this."

But inwardly, he impatiently urged Kakashi to leave quickly.

Kakashi bowed solemnly, "I implore you, Hokage-sama."

"Mhm, you should go back and rest now."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and watched Kakashi leave.

After the door closed, Hiruzen Sarutobi left his chair and slowly walked to the window, looking down at the bustling Konoha streets under the sunlight, his gaze gradually calming.

In his heart, ninja should prioritize missions and take pride in the village.

The lives of ninja?

Teamwork?

These were important, of course, but ultimately insignificant.

The Will of Fire burned for Konoha, in the end.

Kakashi, you are still too naive...

Just like your father back then.