In Konoha's forty-second year, a spring snowfall marked the passing of old times. Pure white blanketed the smoke of war and the blood that had dried on the ground. When the snow melted into ice-cold water, it would wash away the pain of the past.
The war, which had raged for years and engulfed the entire Shinobi World, had finally come to an end.
The other villages were short on supplies, and Konoha knew it. Under the "wise and mighty" policies of Third Sarutobi Hiruzen, Konoha gave up the war reparations owed by the defeated side.
The noble-sounding excuse was: Everyone yearned for peace. If their supplies were taken away, the war would start all over again.
Most of the ninja clans said little. In the past, they wouldn't have thought there was anything wrong with that, and they would have considered the Third's actions correct. But everything looked different when you had something to compare it with.
The resources taken from the Cloud Ninjas had been distributed as poverty relief to the people who needed it most. This year's transition into spring might have been the most comfortable holiday they had ever enjoyed.
The Uchiha delivering the supplies were a little expressionless, and their tone was a little strange, but no one cared about such a small thing.
As news of the war's end spread, the joy of the new year grew ever more intense.
"The village feels much more prosperous than before."
Hatake Sakumo walked down the bustling street, occasionally stepping aside to let people pass. Even before the war, Konoha had never been this prosperous.
Nor had he ever seen so many smiles.
Unlike Hatake Sakumo, who had spent so much time fighting the Sand Ninjas, Hatake Kakashi had always been in the village. Even though he was still a young child, he knew Konoha's changes well.
"It started changing when the Uchiha began handing out loans."
"Huh?" Hatake Sakumo didn't quite understand.
"Low-interest loans gave many people living below the poverty line some breathing room. The Cloud Ninjas' supplies also gave them more time to recover."
Kakashi spoke softly. For some reason, two figures dressed in tight-fitting suits suddenly came to mind.
His father's pay for Genin missions wasn't enough to support his growth. High-protein foods like beef and the cost of medicine to help his body recover were never cheap. But after the Uchiha Clan came to their aid—
That guy had worked harder than ever, and his growth had become all the faster.
Remembering that powerful Strong Fist from their last encounter, Kakashi's heart tightened.
"Let's go, Dad. We're almost out of time."
"Oh, right." Hatake Sakumo let Hatake Kakashi pull him along, remarking with some emotion, "There seem to be a lot of unfamiliar faces in the village."
The crowds were packed together, but after they passed the shopping district, the crush eased. They soon arrived at their destination.
Konoha's Ninja Academy.
The people from the Ninja Academy had already gathered along the edge of the training field.
"We've been waiting for you, Kakashi. You're today's star, so it's a good thing you're not late." A random teacher from the Ninja Academy sidled up to the two Hatakes with an ingratiating smile.
Hatake Sakumo gave a slight nod and asked quietly, "Who's conducting today's test?"
At Hatake Sakumo's question, the random teacher's expression turned awkward.
"Is something wrong?"
"The teacher conducting today's test is a little unusual." He hesitated, stumbling over his words.
"I'm the one conducting Kakashi's early graduation test." The voice came out of nowhere.
Hatake Sakumo flashed aside, leaning back as a murderous glint gleamed in his eyes. His elbow cut through the air and slammed against a large hand. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, making Hatake Kakashi's white hair whip wildly.
Hatake Sakumo's body had reacted faster than his thoughts. Only after the attack ended did he realize what he'd done. He hurriedly apologized. "Sorry! I reacted too strongly."
If not for the voice, Hatake Sakumo wouldn't have sensed anyone behind him at all!
"No problem. I was too abrupt."
"I forgot you'd only just come back from the battlefield. You really are strong."
"That sharp, knife-point elbow strike must have been pitiful for the enemies who saw the White Fang."
Only after lifting his head again did Hatake Sakumo get a clear look at the newcomer.
He was a young man, not very old, with a face that still looked rather boyish. But his instincts kept warning him of the strength and danger in this young man before him.
The red-and-white fan stitched onto the front of his clothes told Hatake Sakumo which clan he belonged to.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Uchiha Yuji, and I'll be conducting Kakashi's graduation test."
"Huh?"
Hatake Sakumo tilted his head.
Were his ears playing tricks on him, or was there something wrong with the teacher who'd arranged the test?
This ninja, who could fight on equal terms with me, was supposed to test Kakashi for early graduation from the Ninja Academy?
I've only been away from Konoha for a few years. Has the village's strongest fighter really got so much free time now?
"Is there some mistake? If I'm not mistaken, this Uchiha is strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with me. But this is only an early graduation test for the Ninja Academy—"
"Dad!" Hatake Kakashi cut off his father's endless chatter.
His eyes, visible above his mask, were practically burning.
If he could defeat him—no, if he could earn his approval, then he'd surely earn his father's approval too.
Looking into Hatake Kakashi's eyes, Hatake Sakumo understood what he was thinking and smiled.
"If that's what you want, then go ahead, Kakashi."
Hatake Sakumo turned and bowed slightly to Uchiha Yuji. "Please look after Kakashi, Yuji."
"There's no need for that. I'm a teacher at the Ninja Academy, so of course I'll look after my student."
Before his last sentence had even ended, Uchiha Yuji appeared in the center of the training field. He crooked a finger at Hatake Kakashi.
Hatake Kakashi wasn't afraid in the slightest. Instead, the blood in his small body began to boil like water coming to a rolling boil.
He slowly drew a small short sword.
No one called for the match to begin. In an instant, Hatake Kakashi launched his attack.
The short blade sliced through the air. His speed was so extreme that the blade left behind a crescent of white as it swung.
He was fast—almost beyond what a Genin could manage.
But—
Uchiha Yuji was even faster.
"Do you know, Kakashi?" The gleam of the White Fang's blade skimmed past him.
"Everyone has different talents. Even a genius won't reach their true peak until after they turn twelve."
Uchiha Yuji merely swayed casually, barely moving his body, yet every time he avoided Kakashi's razor-sharp blade.
"Even if you're a genius among geniuses, that still holds true."
A reader brought up the Cloud Ninjas and the Lightning Ninjas today. Honestly, I feel like "Cloud Ninjas" doesn't suit that bunch of brawlers. The wild and unrestrained power of lightning fits them much better. Since it's been brought up, I'll change it. Damn, "Lightning Ninjas" sounds so much better and gives a stronger impression.
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