Mentor and Student

Hatake Sakumo wasn't surprised by Genma's actions. He didn't refuse, but seriously asked, "Why do you want me to take you as my student?"

Genma straightened up and answered just as seriously, "I respect the kind of person you are, Uncle, and admire your strength. I want to become a powerful ninja just like you someday."

Hatake Sakumo didn't comment on his answer. Instead, he said, "Genma, you're a very clever child, and more mature than Kakashi."

Kakashi, standing not far away, twitched at the corner of his eye.

It was true, but Dad, you didn't have to say it right in front of me. I'm worried Genma will get cocky!

Hatake Sakumo continued, "Even without my guidance, I'm sure you'll become an outstanding ninja one day, and accomplish far more than I have."

Genma shook his head. "Among three people walking together, one can always be my teacher. I may become an outstanding ninja someday, but I'm not one yet."

"If Kakashi can be my teacher, then all the more so you, Uncle."

Hatake Sakumo smiled. "I remember you're better at Medical Ninjutsu and genjutsu, right? And you have your family's Sensory Ninjutsu... Lady Tsunade would actually be a better fit for you. If you'd like, I can introduce you."

"Uncle Sakumo, Lady Tsunade and I are already friends."

Genma showed off a little.

Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi couldn't help but stare at him in surprise.

Genma went on, "I want to train under you not only to learn ninjutsu, but more importantly, because of the person you are."

This kind of master-disciple relationship was different from being assigned a Jonin instructor after graduating from the Ninja Academy.

An assigned Jonin could be called a teacher, but there was another layer to the relationship: they were also superior and subordinate.

The Jonin instructor guided newly graduated Genin, but wasn't necessarily expected to teach them ninjutsu.

A proper apprenticeship involved more than passing down ninjutsu; it was more about passing down one's beliefs.

Sometimes, the bond between master and student was even closer than that between father and son.

After hearing Genma's earnest explanation, Hatake Sakumo gave a small nod.

If it had been someone else, he might have thought someone had prepared those lines for Genma in advance.

But he knew the boy.

Genma had probably never even discussed becoming his student with his parents beforehand.

Hatake Sakumo smiled, then accepted Genma as his student.

A talented boy who was no less gifted than his son Kakashi was certainly a fine choice.

Genma was overjoyed and quickly bowed again, solemnly. "Sensei!"

Starting today, he was Kakashi's senior disciple!

Two days later, Genma's parents invited Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi over for a meal to celebrate the apprenticeship.

Yufeng Lan was astonished that her son had become Hatake Sakumo's student.

This was the White Fang of Konoha, a powerful ninja who could outshine the Konoha Sannin. He was considered the strongest among Konoha's Jonin, and his name was renowned throughout the Ninja World.

In the original timeline, when Kakashi was proposed as the Sixth Hokage, the daimyo's first response was, "So he's the son of the White Fang of Konoha."

That said it all.

Although Yufeng Lan was a Special Jonin herself, and seemed to be only one rank below the Jonin Hatake Sakumo, she knew perfectly well how wide the gap between them was.

In strength, authority, influence—in every respect, the difference was enormous.

My son really does have what it takes to become Hokage!

Our ancestors must be celebrating in their graves!

On the day of the apprenticeship banquet, Yufeng Lan took Genma to pay respects to her father and grandfather.

Genma was the fourth generation of ninja in the Yu Feng Clan, and Yufeng Lan was the third. The family had always been small.

On the way home, Yufeng Lan patted her son's shoulder. "Genma, you'll definitely surpass me someday. The future of the Yu Feng Clan will depend on you!"

Is she expecting me to be a stud?

Genma was a little speechless. "Isn't it a bit early to talk about that?"

"Shouldn't you and Mom have a few more kids?"

He did want to have a few more confidantes someday.

But wasn't it too early to be raising children? He was still a child himself.

The Naruto World really was nuts!

Yufeng Lan scratched her head and laughed awkwardly at his teasing.

The two walked beneath the setting sun, their shadows stretching long behind them.

Becoming Hatake Sakumo's student didn't give Genma any new Setting Values.

But he felt that his future had suddenly become ten times brighter.

He went to the Hatake household more and more often. Even when Hatake Sakumo was away on a mission, Genma often stayed overnight at Kakashi's place.

Kakashi's cooking was pretty good, anyway. He'd never go hungry.

Kakashi: o(╯□╰)o

Of course, Genma hadn't forgotten about Tsunade.

He still needed to keep learning Medical Ninjutsu, and he could gradually start studying Sealing Techniques as well.

Besides, if he wanted to make the most of his strengths, Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred was a good technique to learn.

After all, despite training for years, Genma had yet to master any powerful offensive techniques beyond basic Taijutsu and swordsmanship.

The Chakra Scalpel didn't count.

The Wood Release Chakra Mode didn't count either, because it wasn't a single technique.

Besides, the Wood Release Chakra Mode had too many limitations, so for now it clearly couldn't serve as his primary means of fighting.

Fortunately, there was still plenty of time before graduation. Genma was focused on building a solid foundation and wasn't in a hurry.

Summer vacation passed quickly, and before long it was Kakashi's birthday.

Hatake Sakumo was away on a mission, so only Genma celebrated with Kakashi.

Of course, Kakashi was still the one who cooked.

Kakashi: ╮(╯▽╰)╭!

But Genma wasn't freeloading. He'd bought the ingredients, and he cleaned up after the meal.

Afterward, the two studied a Ninjutsu Scroll in the study and didn't go to bed until late.

Hatake Sakumo didn't make it back in time!

The next day was the weekend.

Genma went out to train with Kakashi as usual. When they reached their training spot, they split up, and Genma went into a dense grove to practice the Wood Release Chakra Mode.

When he finished training and came out, he saw Kakashi exchanging blows with a boy wearing a green jumpsuit.

Might Guy!

One of the oddballs in their class. The other was Uchiha Obito, who was always late.

Among their classmates, Genma was naturally closest to Kakashi and Shizune.

One was a good friend he often sparred with—and now his fellow student.

The other was his deskmate and childhood friend.

He was friends with Might Guy too, just not as close.

Of course, as the two most intensely driven students in their class, they had plenty in common.

As long as Guy didn't try to sell him a green jumpsuit or cling to him and cry, Genma was more than happy to have a spirited youthful duel with him now and then.

Kakashi was a good friend, and so was Might Guy.

Genma watched for a while. In the end, Might Guy ran out of strength and fell, defeated by Kakashi.

But even after falling, Guy still refused to give up. He stubbornly stretched out his hand.

Kakashi, panting hard, stretched out his hand too, and the two began playing rock-paper-scissors.

Guy only collapsed on the ground after beating Kakashi.

Genma brought over a canteen and tossed one to Kakashi. Then he went to Guy and helped him drink in small sips.

"Thank you so much, Genma."

After finishing his water, Might Guy thanked him excitedly, his eyes welling up with tears.

Those tear ducts of his were really something else.

Genma teased him. "Guy, you don't have to exhaust yourself every time."

"You should learn to pace yourself and manage your strength."

Might Guy wiped away a tear. Understanding that Genma meant well, he smiled and said, "Because it's Kakashi, I have to give it everything I've got. He's my lifelong rival."

From not far away, Kakashi said, "Genma's your lifelong rival too."

Might Guy didn't feel awkward in the slightest. His voice rang with passion. "Steel is tempered by steel, and brothers grow through brotherhood!"

"Dad says that's what makes youth so special!"