A Match with Hatake Sakumo

When they returned to the classroom, all their classmates noticed that something seemed off about Kakashi's expression.

There was shock mixed with confusion, and beneath that confusion, a trace of relief.

"What happened to him? Don't tell me you defeated Kakashi?" Uchiha Obito was the first to refuse to believe it. "Impossible! I'm the one who's supposed to defeat Kakashi!"

"But there aren't any signs of a fight on them!" someone seemed to say.

"Obviously, I'm Kakashi's Lifelong Rival!" said the thick-browed boy in a bodysuit.

"The bugs didn't detect the scent of sweat either," someone seemed to say.

"Kamiya Keiyun, you..." Inuzuka Hana took back the completely unharmed Gumaru, unable to make sense of it.

Both she and her mother agreed that Kamiya Keiyun was undoubtedly a genius. But even geniuses needed time to turn talent into strength. How long had Kamiya Keiyun trained? How long had Kakashi trained? How could this be possible?

"We didn't fight. Didn't I say so? We just had a chat!" Kamiya Keiyun said with a smile.

As a great man had once said, war was an extension of politics. For individuals, fighting was also an extension of communication.

Kamiya Keiyun only wanted to become stronger so he could protect himself in this chaotic era. He had no interest in fighting for the sake of proving his courage. If a problem could be solved with words, then words were naturally the better choice.

Of course, there really was no way to talk things out with Shimura Ken. They were a powerful, prestigious family with authority in their hands. Kamiya Keiyun did not even have the qualifications to speak to them as an equal.

What if communication was impossible?

Either resist, or, if resistance was impossible, just give up and rot.

"O-Okay!" Inuzuka Hana confirmed through Gumaru in her arms that the two really had not fought.

The two returned to their seats. Kamiya Keiyun continued molding little figures, while Kakashi stared blankly at the book on the Will of Fire.

After hearing Kamiya Keiyun's words, he suddenly noticed new things when he looked at the book again. He had also gained a new understanding of the Will of Fire.

And some of the practices described in the book now began to make him feel uncomfortable.

If the sacrifices demanded by the Will of Fire referred to self-sacrifice, then many of the actions taken by the predecessors in the book were not very appropriate.

For example, deliberately treating teammates as expendable pawns in order to complete a difficult mission, then afterward claiming that they had put the Will of Fire into practice...

Was that really right?

It did not seem very right!

But that was how the Will of Fire was presented in the book. As long as it was for Konoha, every sacrifice was worthwhile.

Yet Kakashi also felt that Kamiya Keiyun made sense. Sacrifice was acceptable, but it had to be voluntary. You could not force someone to sacrifice themselves when they did not want to.

Scratching his head, Kakashi suddenly felt that maybe it was a little too early for a five-year-old like him to be exposed to such things.

I can't make sense of this!

When he turned to look at his deskmate again, Kamiya Keiyun was still sleeping, but Kakashi no longer dared to underestimate him.

At the very least, Kamiya Keiyun understood the Will of Fire more deeply than he did!

After school, Kamiya Keiyun naturally followed Kakashi.

"You're really going?" Kakashi asked curiously.

"Do you think I was joking?" Kamiya Keiyun said. "I really do want to meet Senior Hatake Sakumo!"

"Even though you helped me sort things out, if you want to become his disciple, I won't put in a good word for you. My father has never had a disciple before. He probably has his own method for choosing one," Kakashi said.

"Huh?" Kamiya Keiyun froze. Right, that was an option too?

If he became the disciple of someone powerful and influential, someone even more formidable than the Shimura Clan, could he use his teacher's influence to cancel the marriage agreement?

The first person he thought of was Snake Uncle, one of the Three Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru.

He did not know about the others, but Orochimaru was definitely a major character in Naruto, the kind with a rather high appearance rate.

He should also be fairly approachable, otherwise people would not call him Snake Uncle.

After all, "uncle" was not a common form of address for anime characters.

Powerful characters were generally called "sir," like Accelerator, Mikasa Ackerman, Ayanokouji Jitsudou, and Dio.

Those called uncle were generally overflowing with friendliness, like... like Dragon Uncle?

But he did not even know where the Three Legendary Sannin lived, so how was he supposed to become a disciple?

Besides, he had not figured out Konoha's rules yet. He also did not know what Orochimaru specialized in or what kind of disciples he preferred. If the traits he displayed did not match what Orochimaru wanted, he would waste the opportunity!

"Forget it. Unplanned factors like the Three Legendary Sannin can serve as backups, but they can't be my main reliance. A person has to rely on himself!" Kamiya Keiyun dismissed his expectations for Snake Uncle. He would first see just how strong a Jonin was in battle!

"We're here!" The two arrived at a grand estate, and then Kakashi pushed open the gate.

Kamiya Keiyun was a little stunned. Was Kakashi's family really this rich? This wall had to be over a hundred meters long!

Then he looked at the layout of the estate. There were even guards standing watch at the entrance!

So this was a great clan?

"I'm home!" Kakashi said as he took off his shoes and changed into slippers.

Kamiya Keiyun hurriedly changed as well. The old servant did not ask a single question, simply bringing out a brand-new pair of slippers that fit Kamiya Keiyun's feet perfectly.

So this was a great clan. Truly extravagant. He wondered what it would look like hanging from a streetlamp.

"Where's Father?" Kakashi asked.

"In the inner courtyard," the old servant replied.

"Mm." Kakashi nodded and walked straight ahead, with Kamiya Keiyun hurrying after him.

This estate did not just have a courtyard upon entering. After passing through several halls, there was another courtyard inside.

Though calling it a courtyard was not quite right. It was more like a Training Ground, roughly the size of two basketball courts, with Wooden Stakes and other training equipment set up across it.

There was also a small pond at the edge of the courtyard, perhaps for relaxing after training. At that moment, a tall middle-aged man sat before it, watching the fish swim in the water.

"Huh, it's him?" Kamiya Keiyun recognized him. This was the man who had passed over his roof a few days ago. He had worn a mask then, but he had not changed his hairstyle!

"Kakashi, did you bring a classmate home today?" Hatake Sakumo's tone was gentle, not at all like someone suffering from the village-wide backlash.

He turned around and looked Kamiya Keiyun up and down.

Kamiya Keiyun knew that novels often described masters whose gazes were like swords, leaving people chilled to the bone. He had always thought that was nonsense.

But now, when he felt Hatake Sakumo's gaze, Kamiya Keiyun suddenly realized that perhaps it was not nonsense after all.

He truly felt a wave of coldness sweep over his body!

"Mm." Kakashi nodded, then said to Kamiya Keiyun, "I brought you here. Whatever you want to say, say it yourself!"

"Hm?" Hatake Sakumo felt that this seemed different from what he had imagined. This was not how someone brought a friend home!

"Hello, Uncle Hatake Sakumo. I'm Kakashi's deskmate, Kamiya Keiyun!" Kamiya Keiyun gave a polite bow. "It's like this. I've trained for a while too, and I feel that I have some ability. I heard that the strongest ninja in the village are Jonin, and you happen to be a Jonin as well, Uncle Sakumo. So I'd like to ask you to spar with me. I want to see just how strong a Jonin really is!"

"Hm?" Hatake Sakumo froze, and Kakashi beside him was dumbfounded as well.

Wait, what did you say you came here for? To spar with my father?

Was there something wrong with your head? Did you know who my father was? Konoha's White Fang! Go ask around outside the village—whoever saw my father would keep far away from him.

"Kamiya Keiyun, you've gone too far!" Kakashi quickly turned around. "Father, I didn't know he came here for this. If I'd known earlier, I wouldn't have brought him!"

Although he was currently at odds with his father, he was also afraid his father would misunderstand. After all, you brought a classmate home, and the first thing he did was challenge Konoha's White Fang. Were you trying to insult him?

"Kakashi, I'm serious!" Kamiya Keiyun looked at the middle-aged man before him. He knew this man was very strong. He had already felt it that night on the rooftop!

But if he wanted to kill Shimura Ken, he had to try!

"You!" Kakashi was about to say something when he saw Hatake Sakumo rise to his feet.

"Father..." Kakashi hurriedly opened his mouth, wanting to explain further.

"Go watch from the edge," Hatake Sakumo said, looking at the boy before him with a hint of admiration.

He recognized this boy too. He was the one who had basked in the moonlight on the rooftop that night. At the time, he had just returned from delivering a mission report and had not paid much attention.

But looking at him now, the boy's aura and bearing were both quite impressive!

More importantly, there was something indescribable about him. It was the scent of perseverance!

There were not many people with that quality, but as long as people like that did not die young, without exception, they would usually make a name for themselves.

As for whether they could go even farther, that would depend on their talent.

When he had taken Kakashi to school before, he had seen the same quality in another boy. That was why he had declared that boy would become Kakashi's greatest rival.

He had always been accurate in judging people!

"You don't know who I am?" Hatake Sakumo asked.

"Uh, we've only met that one time at night," Kamiya Keiyun answered honestly. Facing someone this strong, lying was truly pointless.

"I see." Hatake Sakumo nodded. What he meant was, did you not know of his reputation?

Apparently, this child really did not know. No wonder he dared to challenge him. The ignorant knew no fear!

But ninja needed exactly that kind of spirit if they were to press forward courageously!

The Hatake Clan's bloodline talent was not among the best, yet at this moment, the strongest person in Konoha was Hatake Sakumo. What did he rely on? This very spirit!

"How much of my strength do you want me to use in this spar?" Hatake Sakumo asked again.

"My full strength!" Kamiya Keiyun bowed. "Please. This is very important to me!"

"Alright!" Hatake Sakumo nodded. "I only hope that after this battle, you can continue to maintain that spirit!"

"I will!"

"Then!" Hatake Sakumo rose and walked to the center of the field. Kakashi stepped aside and acted as the referee, shouting, "Form the Opposing Seals!"

The two formed Hand Seals at the same time!

The next second, lightning burst forth!