Dragon Crouching, Phoenix Hatchling, Double Happiness Arrives!

Hokage Building.

Kazuhiko arrived at the office of the Third Hokage to collect his mission scroll.

"The Anbu ninja assigned to escort you has already arrived."

The Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke:

"He will lead the way and provide protection until your treatment is complete."

Kazuhiko nodded, though he was busy speculating in his mind.

He wondered if the Anbu ninja sent by the Third Hokage would be Uchiha Shisui.

According to intelligence from the Uchiha clan, among the Anbu ninjas currently idle in Konoha, the strongest was undoubtedly Body Flicker Shisui.

If Shisui were to accompany him, there would be no need to worry about Danzo pulling any tricks during this mission.

Kazuhiko was well aware.

As long as Danzo had not yet obtained all the secrets regarding how he awakened his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, it was highly unlikely he would strike directly.

However, one could not rule out the possibility of Danzo suddenly losing his mind and attempting a lethal strike.

Therefore, for this trip out of the village, Black Charcoal would also be accompanying him on the mission.

If Kazuhiko were truly to fall into danger, the Ninja Cat clan would perform the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to help him return to Konoha and escape the predicament.

The office door was pushed open at that moment, and a highly recognizable ninja walked in.

The newcomer wore a black bodysuit covered by the standard-issue Anbu tactical vest, with his forehead protector tilted at an angle, obscuring most of his face.

His silver-white hair stood up in wild tufts, resembling a patch of grass blown into disarray by the wind.

A black mask covered the lower half of his face, leaving only one eye visible.

With his hands tucked into his pockets and his shoulders slightly slumped, he exuded an icy, unapproachable aura.

Hatake Kakashi!

Kazuhiko recognized him immediately.

At fifteen years old, Kakashi was already a veteran of the Third Great Ninja War.

His strength was clearly not inferior to Shisui's.

The Uchiha's intelligence was truly lackluster; they hadn't even realized that someone as distinct as Kakashi had returned to the village.

Just as Kazuhiko finished this internal complaint, the Third Hokage began the introduction:

"He is the Anbu ninja who will be escorting you. His name is..."

"I know. Hatake Kakashi, Elite Jonin."

Kakashi tilted his head slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his exposed eye.

But he quickly returned to his listless demeanor.

"You know him?"

"Who in Konoha doesn't know the name of the Copy Ninja?"

Kazuhiko smiled, though his gaze lingered on the eye Kakashi kept hidden beneath his forehead protector.

Hidden there was a Mangekyo Sharingan.

Things were looking up.

He finally had the opportunity to unlock Kakashi's entry card pool and draw the prestigious space-time Mangekyo.

If he could draw Kamui, there would seem to be no need to choose a sensory-type skill for his promotion mission.

"Lord Hokage, we are departing."

Kakashi then looked toward Kazuhiko, his voice flat:

"Let's go. The mission time is limited."

He turned and walked away, his footsteps so light they made no sound, his retreating figure radiating a coldness that kept everyone at a distance.

Just as Kazuhiko was about to follow, the Third Hokage suddenly spoke up:

"Kazuhiko, stay a moment."

Kazuhiko turned back, and the Third Hokage stood up from behind his desk, walked over to him, and lowered his voice:

"Beyond treating Tsunade, there is one more thing."

"Please, speak."

The Third Hokage looked toward the door, his gaze complex:

"Kakashi... is a good kid. But his father, his teammates, his teacher, and his teacher's wife—everyone he cherished has died."

"He is cold and reclusive now; other than Guy, he has no other friends."

The Third Hokage placed a hand on Kazuhiko's shoulder, his grip heavy:

"I hope you can use your expertise in psychological medicine to counsel him. Help him move past this cold, isolated state, step out of the shadows, and leave the darkness behind."

Kazuhiko looked at the Third Hokage's aged face, feeling a sense of irony in his heart.

Paying for one job while making him work two.

No wonder he's the one who became Hokage.

"I accept your request."

Kazuhiko nodded, speaking with solemnity:

"I will do my best."

When the Hokage gives an order, how could the Uchiha stand idly by!

Konoha, loyalty!

In Konoha, the morning mist had already dissipated.

Kazuhiko and Kakashi walked along the stone path, one behind the other.

Kakashi kept his hands buried in his pockets, his pace steady and unhurried, his gaze fixed three meters ahead, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

Kazuhiko was busy pondering what topic to bring up to build rapport and unlock Kakashi's character pool.

Suddenly, a green figure darted out from a side street, kicking up a gust of wind.

"There you are! My fated rival!"

The newcomer wore a green spandex suit, his thick eyebrows resembling two caterpillars, his teeth shining with a blinding white light as he gave a thumbs-up to Kakashi.

"Kakashi, let's have a passionate, youthful duel!"

It was none other than Might Guy, the Blue Beast of Konoha.

The man who nearly kicked his way to the series finale.

Kazuhiko's eyes lit up.

Double the joy!

Sure enough, wherever there is Kakashi, there is Might Guy.

The Crouching Dragon and the Fledgling Phoenix always appear in pairs.

However, Might Guy's appearance was truly difficult to look at directly.

Guy's attire could only be described as bizarre.

The green spandex outlined exaggerated muscle lines, and his black bowl cut was so slick it shone, leaving nothing to the imagination.

Most eye-catching of all was his posture:

Legs slightly bent, arms spread wide like a frog preparing to pounce, the man radiated an aura of passion that was impossible to ignore.

Perhaps, possibly, maybe...

This was what Guy called youth.

Kakashi finally stopped walking.

He sighed, his single visible eye half-closed, his voice laced with deep helplessness:

"I don't have time today."

"Have you forgotten our agreement?!"

Guy lunged forward to stand before Kakashi, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him vigorously:

"A challenge from the victor cannot be refused!"

"Tell me, what are we competing in today?"

"The stakes are today's breakfast, and I will not lose!"

Kakashi's hair flew wildly as he was shaken, yet his expression remained indifferent.

He was silent for three seconds, thinking of a way to get rid of Guy immediately:

"Rock, paper, scissors."

Guy froze, his thick eyebrows knitting together:

"Competing in that?"

"That is a true test of a ninja's insight and reflexes."

Kakashi's voice remained devoid of emotion, as if he were stating a simple fact.

Guy tilted his head, thought seriously for five seconds, then clapped his hands in sudden realization:

"I see! Kakashi, as expected of you, even a simple duel contains such profound meaning!"

Watching a scene so familiar from his memories, Kazuhiko really wanted to say:

Kakashi is just trying to brush you off because he finds you troublesome.

Besides, is there even a sliver of a chance for you to win a game of rock-paper-scissors against a ninja who possesses the Sharingan?

If you truly wanted to win, wouldn't you at least need to open the Eight Inner Gates to the sixth gate or beyond?

"I accept!"

Guy struck a one-legged stance once more, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"I will absolutely not lose! If I lose, I'll run 500 laps around Konoha!"

Kakashi rubbed his ruffled hair and pulled his mask up slightly, remaining silent.

With Kazuhiko present, he only wanted to get rid of Guy as quickly as possible—the sooner, the better.

As cold as he was, even he felt that covering only half his face was too conservative when being watched by a crowd while with Guy.

"It's a deal!"

Guy looked solemn as he put his hands behind his back, preparing to play.

Kazuhiko certainly didn't want their competition to end so quickly; he wanted to use this opportunity to break the deadlock with Kakashi.

"Then what if you win?"

Guy turned his head to look at Kazuhiko, flashing that signature brilliant smile, his white teeth gleaming in the sunlight:

"If I win, after finishing the breakfast Kakashi is treating me to, I'll reward myself by running 500 laps around Konoha!"

Kazuhiko: ...

Is there any difference between that and losing?

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