Sakumo Departs

At the entrance to Konohagakure, two unknown ninjas stood guard.

Not far away, Sakumo, with a pack on his back, watched the two children who had come to see him off. He smiled and crouched down. "Kazashiro, I'm leaving Kakashi in your care while I'm gone."

"Don't worry, Uncle Sakumo, I'll work hard to make this brooding guy cheer up," Kazashiro promised, patting his chest.

"Who are you calling brooding?!" Kakashi's forehead veins bulged. If it weren't for Kazashiro helping his father this time, he would have kicked him long ago.

"Besides, I'm the one taking care of this kid, aren't I?" Kakashi corrected his father.

Seeing the two interacting "harmoniously," Sakumo's last trace of worry disappeared.

He wasn't afraid of going to the border; in fact, going to the front lines was a good thing for him.

Sakumo had decided to prove to the villagers what the Will of Fire meant through his actions, and the border was an excellent stage.

There, he could better protect his comrades according to his own ideas without being criticized.

After all, in chaotic border regions, ninjas valued the safety of their comrades more.

"Alright, it's almost time for school. Hurry back," Sakumo urged as the sun gradually rose, shielding his eyes from the light.

"Don't worry, Uncle Sakumo, even if we're late, Obito will cover for us," Kazashiro said, not in a hurry. After all, Obito was always the last to arrive at school, so even if they were punished, it would be all three of them.

As everyone knew, a boy being punished alone might be a bit awkward. Two boys would be like brothers united, their strength unbreakable. Three boys would be like the Oath of the Peach Garden. As for a group being punished...

That would be an all-star gathering at Mount Liang.

"Okay, Dad, we're going now." Unlike Kazashiro, Kakashi was very resistant to being punished, especially with these two idiots.

Therefore, despite his reluctance to see his father leave, Kakashi said goodbye to Sakumo, then forcibly grabbed Kazashiro by the collar and rushed towards the school.

"Hey, Kakashi, don't pull there! You're going to strangle me!" Kazashiro, whose neck was being held, tried to break free but failed, and could only be dragged away by Kakashi.

Sakumo waved with a smile, watching their figures disappear into the distance until they vanished at the horizon.

"You've arrived, Third Hokage-sama." Turning around, Sakumo looked towards the nearby woods and bowed respectfully. "I've caused you trouble."

"Rest assured, I will also keep a close eye on that child," Hiruzen said, emerging from behind the trees with a smile, and walked up to Sakumo. "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Do your best on the front lines, and you'll be able to visit Kakashi again before you know it."

Looking at this important subordinate before him, Hiruzen's eyes were full of gentleness.

"Yes, please rest assured, I will not disgrace Konoha's name and will do my utmost to uphold the Will of Fire!" Sakumo also expressed his loyalty to the other party with all his might.

"Hahaha, good. Let's skip the mushy goodbyes. I'm very happy to see you're still full of spirit," Hiruzen said, patting Sakumo's shoulder and raising his voice slightly to signal that he could leave.

"Yes!"

A year passed just like that.

According to the original timeline, Kakashi should have already chosen to graduate early and officially become a ninja.

But due to Kazashiro's interference, Sakumo did not commit suicide, and Kakashi lost his desire to leave school. He followed Kazashiro to school every day with a lazy attitude.

"Kazashiro, let's go eat dango after school!" During the break, Anko came to Kazashiro's seat as usual and invited him.

"How should I put it, Anko? I think it's better to eat less of this high-sugar food. You'll get fat." Looking at Anko, who had become a bit plump compared to when they first met, Kazashiro kindly reminded her.

"What does it matter? My daily training volume is always met. Or do you think I've gotten fat recently?" Anko draped her arm over Kazashiro's shoulder, pestering him, determined to drag him to the dango shop.

"Okay, okay, let's go, let's go. Kakashi, Obito, are you two coming?" Feeling the weight on his shoulder, Kazashiro, who was being pestered too tightly by Anko, quickly surrendered and dragged his two other troublemaking friends along.

"I'm not going," Kakashi rolled his eyes, refusing.

"I'm g... Ah! Who kicked me!" Hearing that they could eat dango, Obito was about to agree when Kakashi kicked him in the shin. He cried out in pain, clutching his leg.

"Idiot, can't you read the room?" Kakashi muttered, glancing at Obito, who was rolling on the ground clutching his leg.

It was obvious Anko came to find Kazashiro. What were you doing tagging along, you dummy?

"What room?!" Obito, who didn't understand the implied meaning of Kakashi's words, was about to ask again when Might Guy, who happened to pass by, stepped on him, letting out an even louder wail.

"Sorry, sorry! I was just too focused on sweating and burning my youth, I didn't notice you! Uh, Obito-kun?" With the weight on his leg, Might Guy had no idea how much pain he had caused Obito and looked at him apologetically.

But who was Obito? They had been classmates for over a year. You still didn't remember everyone's face?!

"Oh, Kazashiro, our next class is combat practice. Let's have a passionate duel!" Seeing Kazashiro beside him, Might Guy invited him to a duel in a booming voice.

"I refuse." Kazashiro refused Might Guy's invitation without even thinking.

What a joke. Others might not know, but he certainly did. Those leg weights of yours are so heavy, one kick from you and I'd be dead.

"Eh, why is that?! Aren't we good friends and rivals who advance together?!" Hearing Kazashiro's refusal, Might Guy became flustered.

"You can be rivals with Kakashi. I'll pass," Kazashiro said, neatly selling out Kakashi.

"Why me again?" Kakashi, who had been used as a shield by Kazashiro, sighed helplessly.

I really want to beat him up. If only I had the chance.

Kakashi had already decided that if his opponent in the sparring practice was Kazashiro, he would definitely go all out to beat him up.

"Everyone, the teacher has informed us to gather on the playground to draw lots for opponents." Just then, Rin ran into the classroom, calling out to her classmates to head to the playground for class.

"Hmph, just you wait, Kazashiro." Kakashi snorted, glanced at Kazashiro, and chose to leave in the coolest way possible using the Body Flicker Technique.

You show-off!

Watching Kakashi disappear from his spot, Kazashiro wouldn't be outdone. He pushed Anko's arm away, opened the classroom window, and jumped out.

Well, it was convenient being on the first floor. You could just jump whenever you wanted.