Slapping Kakashi

"This is... perfect physical ability, perfect ninjutsu talent, perfect Illusion Technique talent, and intelligence as well..."

Taking out Kazashiro's assessment sheet, Hiruzen swung it idly in his hand, trying to draw Danzo's attention.

"Hmph. Those results were only given because of the Shimura surname. They have no reference value whatsoever." Seeing Hiruzen pull out Kazashiro's assessment sheet, Danzo began searching through the stack as well.

He quickly found the assessment sheet he had been looking for. "Asuma Sarutobi. Perfect scores in every category, plus three full lines of personal evaluations—all of them praise."

Danzo did not think highly of that boy Asuma. "But the reality is that the child only inherited your Fire and Wind natures. He cannot use the Five Release Ninjutsu as you can."

Having said that, Danzo did not linger. He stood, walked to the door, and pulled it open.

"You're leaving already? You're not going to help me weigh my options?" The thought of cutting some children from among so many outstanding candidates made Hiruzen's heart ache.

Right now, he desperately needed Danzo to share that pain.

But clearly, Danzo had no intention of taking the blame over such a trivial matter. He ignored Hiruzen and walked straight out of the room.

"My, my." Seeing Danzo truly leave, Hiruzen shook his head regretfully, set his pipe aside, and began selecting students.

"That was seriously dangerous. I almost didn't make it in time." At the school gate, Obito looked like he was still shaken.

"Well, it's not like you've ever arrived on time even once. We're used to it by now." Kakashi pulled a book out from somewhere and mocked Obito while reading.

"By the way, who's that guy next to Kazashiro? I've never seen him before." Seeing that Kazashiro had not joined their conversation, Obito looked over curiously.

"You're Kazashiro, right? Nice to meet you."

Before leaving with his father, Might Guy specifically came over to say goodbye to Kazashiro.

"Yeah, nice to meet you too. See you at school." Kazashiro smiled as he bade Might Guy farewell.

This guy actually remembered my name. That's pretty rare.

"Good! Then when we get to school, let's burn with the flames of youth together!" Might Guy grabbed Kazashiro's hand, flames visibly shooting from his eyes.

That won't be necessary.

Imagining himself with a bowl cut and a green jumpsuit, Kazashiro shuddered and broke free from Might Guy's hand with an awkward laugh.

"Dad! I've been acknowledged! My youth is burning with passion!" Seeing Might Duy approach, Guy eagerly showed off his achievement to his father.

"Very good, Guy! Then to celebrate this moment, let's add another five hundred push-ups to today's routine!" Hearing this, Might Duy smiled proudly and gave his son a thumbs-up.

"Osu!"

Their voices instantly drew the attention of every student and parent present. People nearby began whispering among themselves, only for the murmurs to abruptly stop at the same time.

"What a racket." A cold voice sounded. Kazashiro turned his head and saw a familiar figure.

After recognizing who it was, Kazashiro froze for a moment before obediently walking over to his side. "Dad."

"D-Dad?" Sensing the silence around him, Might Duy looked over as well. Only then did he realize that the cute boy who had just cheered for his son was calling a one-eyed man his father.

And he had seen that one-eyed man during a mission before. Back then, while carrying supplies for the jonin, he had heard some people mention the man's identity...

Hokage Assistant, Danzo.

"Father sir—oh, no, Lord Danzo." In his nervousness, Might Duy nearly addressed Danzo by the wrong name.

"Mm." Seeing that the man was not even wearing the vest that represented a Chunin, Danzo assumed he was merely an ordinary Genin and had no desire to respond.

But considering that his son might very well become classmates with that little green-skinned freak in the future, he ultimately gave him a simple nod.

Then Danzo did not linger. He led Kazashiro over to where Kakashi and the others had gathered.

"Seriously? That child called Lord Danzo his father?"

"I heard it too. I never expected Lord Danzo to have such a cute son."

"Who's Danzo?"

"You don't even know Lord Danzo? He's the Hokage Assistant. He served as a guard under the Second Hokage alongside the Third Hokage."

"Wow, doesn't that make him amazing?"

"Of course. They say his strength is second only to the Third Hokage's, and that he's stronger than both advisors."

Listening to the quiet discussions around him, Kazashiro realized that Danzo's reputation was not yet as terrible as it would be in Naruto: Shippuden. At the very least, the residents of Konoha still spoke of him with a degree of respect.

Or perhaps the terrible things Danzo had done simply had not been discovered yet.

"Hey, Kakashi, I told you to remember to wake me up this morning." On the other side, Sakumo, who had rushed to the school, complained helplessly to Kakashi.

Unwilling to miss his son's entrance examination, Sakumo had finished the ordinary mission the Third Hokage assigned him and hurried back to the village overnight without resting, finally arriving home before midnight.

Seeing that there was still time, Sakumo had specifically left Kakashi a note asking him to wake him before leaving. He had fallen asleep without even taking off his clothes, but Kakashi had still failed to wake him and had come to the school alone.

"For an exam like this, it doesn't matter whether you come or not." Kakashi closed his book, glanced at his father, and spoke with a touch of haughtiness.

In truth, he felt sorry for his father and wanted him to rest longer, which was why he had not woken him.

"This has great significance—ah, Lord Danzo." Sakumo, who had been about to say more, noticed Danzo's arrival and hurriedly greeted him.

"Uncle Sakumo." Kazashiro stood obediently at the side.

"Kazashiro, is it? It's been a long time." Smiling, Sakumo crouched down and rubbed Kazashiro's head.

Holy crap, Konoha's White Fang is patting my head!

Having gone so long without Sakumo patting his head, Kazashiro found himself strangely nostalgic.

"It seems our sons will be in the same class." Danzo spoke naturally with Sakumo.

In his eyes, this was an excellent opportunity to establish a connection with Konoha's White Fang through their children.

"Yes. Kazashiro, I'll have to ask you to look after Kakashi from now on." Nodding in agreement with Danzo, Sakumo looked at Kazashiro again.

"I'm the one who should be looking after him—ow!" Kakashi was about to object when Kazashiro smacked him on the head.

"Hey! You actually dared to hit me!"

"So what, idiot?" Pulling a face, Kazashiro took off running after slapping Kakashi.

Hilarious. If I don't hit him now, I might not be able to beat him later.