Recommendation of the Third Generation

"Fine. Let's call it a draw!"

Upon hearing Uchiha Yue's words, Hatake Kakashi opened his mouth several times to deny it, but ultimately, he conceded to the other's assessment.

Seeing Hatake Kakashi like this, Uchiha Yue smiled again, then shrugged at him with a look of helplessness before heading off to find Uchiha Obito and Rin for lunch.

Perhaps it was Uchiha Yue's final gesture that left Hatake Kakashi feeling somewhat dissatisfied. Watching Uchiha Yue walk away, Hatake Kakashi suddenly called out, "Uchiha Yue, any interest in accepting another challenge from me?"

"Gladly!"

Seeing the usually cold Hatake Kakashi take the initiative, Uchiha Yue turned his head to answer casually before continuing toward Uchiha Obito and Rin.

However, Uchiha Yue's heart was not as calm as he appeared. In truth, he very much hoped to cross blades with Hatake Kakashi again.

Without a doubt, the draw between Uchiha Yue and Hatake Kakashi just now was only because Uchiha Yue had played a bit dirty.

In a real battle, Hatake Kakashi would never have hesitated for even a moment while thrusting the White Fang Blade. Uchiha Yue had simply seized upon that split second of hesitation, using chakra threads to control the kunai that had fallen to the ground, ultimately forcing the fight into a draw.

As for how Uchiha Yue was able to use chakra threads, that was naturally the result of his three months of grueling training.

Every time he accumulated chakra, Uchiha Yue would dedicate time to chakra control exercises. Naturally, he couldn't abandon such vital training just because his spiritual energy was superior to others, making it easier for him to control chakra than the average person. Thus, Uchiha Yue persisted for three months, completing water-walking training and even learning to manipulate chakra to manifest the chakra threads typically only possessed by Sunagakure puppeteers.

Furthermore, once Uchiha Yue was able to manifest these threads, he applied them to his hidden weapons. As long as he had enough chakra, he could control every kunai he threw. Even if a kunai were knocked to the ground by an opponent, Uchiha Yue could unexpectedly make it dance through the air again, launching an attack just as he had done moments ago.

However, because Uchiha Yue's internal chakra reserves were insufficient, he had never before consumed such a large amount of energy to manifest the threads.

In summary, even though Uchiha Yue possessed a chakra volume comparable to an average genin, he still could not sustain its use in battle. Just like in the fight earlier, if Uchiha Yue had possessed more chakra, Hatake Kakashi would surely have been defeated by his hand.

Yet, Uchiha Yue was never one to make excuses for failure; he simply felt that his own strength was lacking, which was why he couldn't overcome Hatake Kakashi.

Must train even harder!

I thought I could easily defeat Hatake Kakashi, but who would have thought I'd have to risk my life in the end!

Sigh, I really underestimated the geniuses of the Naruto world!

Thinking this to himself, Uchiha Yue joined Uchiha Obito and Rin, ready to head to the cafeteria for lunch.

On the way to the cafeteria, Uchiha Obito and Rin were naturally discussing the previous battle, and their bias was, of course, toward Uchiha Yue. For Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Yue's failure to defeat Hatake Kakashi was a great pity. Thus, the whole way there, Uchiha Obito kept complaining about why Uchiha Yue hadn't secured the final victory.

But in Rin's eyes, Uchiha Yue was already formidable enough; after all, Hatake Kakashi was a long-renowned genius at the Ninja Academy!

Being able to fight Hatake Kakashi to a draw had made Uchiha Yue's image in Rin's heart shine brilliantly.

Therefore, every time Uchiha Obito complained, Rin would speak up on Uchiha Yue's behalf.

Seeing Uchiha Obito get shut down in front of Rin, Uchiha Yue's mood suddenly brightened.

However, just as Uchiha Yue and his group were about to reach the cafeteria, Uchiha Yue suddenly spotted a familiar figure—was that not the Third Hokage of Konoha?

Ever since the duel between Uchiha Yue and Hatake Kakashi had concluded, he had found it strange that he hadn't seen the Third Hokage.

As it turned out, the Third Hokage hadn't been ignoring the duel; he had been waiting on the path for Uchiha Yue to arrive.

As if sensing that Uchiha Yue had spotted him, the Third Hokage smiled and waved at him, signaling him to come over.

Seeing the Third Hokage's summons, Uchiha Yue could no longer eat lunch with Uchiha Obito and Rin, so he greeted them and hurried over to the Third Hokage.

"Lord Third Hokage, hello."

Staring at the Third Hokage before him, Uchiha Yue no longer felt the excitement of their first meeting; he was only somewhat nervous about what the Third Hokage might say.

Perhaps sensing Uchiha Yue's tension, the Third Hokage wore a kind smile, placed a hand on Uchiha Yue's shoulder, and said, "I saw your battle with Kakashi just now. I must say, your courage is truly great to have taken such a risk at the final moment. However, the one who should have won in the end was actually Kakashi, wasn't it? If you hadn't played dirty, Kakashi would have secured the final victory long ago."

"That's true, but I don't feel I played dirty."

Even when facing the Third Hokage, Uchiha Yue firmly retorted, "In a real battle, would Kakashi have had time to hesitate? Therefore, I don't feel that I fought to a draw because I played dirty. On the contrary, I feel that the one who should have won this time was me, because I was able to seize the opportunity to defeat the enemy before me!"

"But that wasn't a real battle, was it?"

Hearing Uchiha Yue's retort, the Third Hokage's eyes were full of amusement as he said, "Haha, Yue, even if you didn't truly defeat Kakashi, your performance in the battle was excellent. To be able to fight Kakashi like this so soon after entering the Ninja Academy—you are truly worthy of being called a genius of our Konoha. Therefore, I have decided to fulfill my promise and introduce you to a good teacher."

As he spoke, the Third Hokage beckoned to Uchiha Yue and continued, "Follow me!"

"Yes!"

Standing before Uchiha Yue was the Third Hokage, who held the highest authority in Konoha; in his presence, Uchiha Yue naturally had no room to refuse.

Moreover, even though Uchiha Yue knew the Third Hokage's purpose in introducing a teacher to him, he couldn't help but feel moved.

At this stage, although Uchiha Yue could clearly formulate his own training plans, he still lacked a teacher to guide him. His father, Uchiha Nara, was often away on missions and had no time to mentor him. Thus, Uchiha Yue was quite expectant of the teacher the Third Hokage was about to introduce.

The dignified Third Hokage wouldn't just find anyone to be his teacher, would he?

And so, as Uchiha Yue followed the Third Hokage, he spent the entire walk guessing who his future teacher might be.

In Uchiha Yue's mind, the most likely candidates the Third Hokage would introduce were one of the Sannin.

But...

When Uchiha Yue followed the Third Hokage into a tavern and saw the teacher being introduced to him, even the usually calm Uchiha Yue couldn't help but show a look of astonishment.

The teacher the Third Hokage introduced to me...

...is actually him!