Master and Disciple (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Hatake Sakumo was not surprised by Genma's actions, nor did he refuse. Instead, he asked earnestly, "Why do you want to take me as your master?"

Genma straightened his posture and replied with equal seriousness, "I respect your character, Uncle, and I admire your formidable strength. In the future, I wish to become a powerful ninja just like you."

To this answer, Hatake Sakumo remained noncommittal, saying instead, "Genma, you are a very clever child, even more mature than Kakashi."

Not far away, Kakashi's eye twitched upon hearing this.

Although it's the truth, Dad, please don't say it to my face. I'm afraid this guy Genma will get arrogant!

Hatake Sakumo continued, "Even without my guidance, I believe you would become an outstanding ninja in the future, with achievements far surpassing my own."

Genma shook his head at this, "In a group of three, there must be a teacher for me. Perhaps I will become an outstanding ninja one day, but I am not one yet."

"If even Kakashi can be my teacher, how much more so for you, Uncle?"

Hatake Sakumo chuckled, "I recall that you are more proficient in Medical Ninjutsu and Genjutsu, not to mention your clan's signature Sensory Ninjutsu... Actually, Tsunade would be a better fit for you. If you need it, I can help introduce you."

"Uncle Sakumo, I am already friends with Lady Tsunade."

Genma showed off just a little bit.

Both Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi were stunned.

Genma continued, "I want to follow you for training, not just to learn ninjutsu, but more importantly, to learn from your character."

This kind of apprenticeship was different from the squad leaders assigned after graduating from the Ninja Academy.

A squad leader could be called a teacher, but there was another layer to the relationship: that of superior and subordinate.

A squad leader was a guide for newly graduated genin, but they did not necessarily teach them ninjutsu.

A formal apprenticeship, however, was about more than just the inheritance of ninjutsu; it was, to a greater extent, the inheritance of ideals.

The bond between master and disciple was sometimes even more intimate than that between father and son.

Hearing Genma's earnest explanation, Hatake Sakumo nodded slightly.

If it were anyone else, he would have assumed someone had prepared this speech for Genma in advance.

But he understood this junior.

He likely hadn't even discussed this apprenticeship with his parents beforehand.

Thinking of this, Hatake Sakumo smiled slightly and agreed to take Genma as his disciple.

A genius youth no less capable than his son Kakashi was indeed an excellent candidate for a disciple.

Genma was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly bowed solemnly once more, "Master!"

From this day forward, he was Kakashi's senior brother!

Two days later, Genma's parents hosted a dinner for Hatake Sakumo and Kakashi, serving as an apprenticeship banquet.

Yu Fenglan was also deeply shocked that his son had managed to apprentice under Hatake Sakumo.

This was the White Fang of Konoha, a powerful ninja capable of suppressing the Legendary Sannin. Among the ranks of Konoha's jonin, he was arguably the number one, and he held a prestigious reputation throughout the entire Ninja World.

In the original timeline, when Kakashi was proposed as the Sixth Hokage, the Daimyo's first reaction was: So, it is the son of the White Fang of Konoha.

This spoke for itself.

Although Yu Fenglan himself was a Special Jonin, appearing only one rank below the jonin Hatake Sakumo, he was well aware of the gap between them.

In terms of strength, authority, and influence, the disparity was immense.

My son truly has the makings of a Hokage!

The ancestral grave must be smoking with good fortune!

On the day of the banquet, Yu Fenglan took Genma to pay respects to his father and grandfather.

The Yu Feng Clan had reached the third generation of ninjas with him, and Genma was the fourth; they had always been few in number.

On the way home, Yu Fenglan patted his son on the shoulder and said, "Genma, your future achievements will surely surpass mine. The prosperity of the Yu Feng Clan depends on you!"

Is he trying to make me a stud?

Genma was slightly speechless, "Isn't it a bit too early to talk about this?"

"Shouldn't you and Mom be the ones having more children?"

Although he did want to have a few confidantes of his own, the idea of raising children felt far too premature; he was still just a kid.

As expected, the Naruto World is truly insane!

Yu Fenglan was also left scratching his head and laughing awkwardly at the retort.

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

Apprenticing under Hatake Sakumo did not bring any new Setting Value to Genma.

Genma, however, felt his future suddenly brighten tenfold.

He began running to the Hatake household more and more frequently, even when Hatake Sakumo was away on missions, often ending up sleeping right at Kakashi's place.

Besides, Kakashi's cooking was decent enough that he wouldn't go hungry.

Kakashi: o(╯□╰)o

Of course, Genma hadn't forgotten about Tsunade either.

He still had to continue learning medical ninjutsu, and he could start gradually dipping his toes into knowledge regarding Sealing Technique as well.

Moreover, to leverage his own advantages, Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred was a skill worth pursuing.

One had to realize that after training for several years, aside from basic taijutsu and swordsmanship, Genma had yet to master any techniques with significant lethality.

Chakra Scalpel didn't count.

Wood Release Chakra Mode didn't count either, as it wasn't a specific technique.

Furthermore, Wood Release Chakra Mode was too restrictive; for the time being, it clearly couldn't serve as his primary means of combat.

Fortunately, there was still quite a bit of time before graduation, so Genma focused on building his foundation and was in no rush.

The summer vacation passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was Kakashi's birthday.

Hatake Sakumo had gone out on a mission, so only Genma was there to celebrate with Kakashi.

Naturally, it was still Kakashi who did the cooking.

Kakashi: ╮(╯▽╰)╭!

However, Genma wasn't just a freeloader; he had bought the groceries, and he handled the cleanup after the meal.

Afterward, the two of them pored over ninjutsu scrolls in the study, not sleeping until very late.

Hatake Sakumo hadn't managed to make it back!

The next day was the weekend.

Genma went out to train with Kakashi as usual. Once they reached the training grounds, they split up, and Genma headed into a dense grove to practice his Wood Release Chakra Mode.

When he finished his training and emerged, he found Kakashi sparring with a boy wearing a green jumpsuit.

Might Guy!

One of the oddballs in their class; the other was the perpetually late Uchiha Obito.

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

One was a good friend he frequently sparred with, and now, a fellow disciple.

The other was his desk mate and childhood friend.

He was friends with Might Guy as well, though they didn't spend as much time together.

Of course, as the two most hardworking people in the class, they were kindred spirits.

As long as Guy didn't try to sell him a green jumpsuit or hug him while crying, Genma was always happy to engage in a hearty, youthful duel with him.

Kakashi was a good friend, and Might Guy was a good friend as well.

After watching from the sidelines for a moment, Might Guy finally collapsed from exhaustion, defeated by Kakashi.

Even after falling, however, Guy remained unwilling to give up, stubbornly reaching out a hand.

Kakashi, also panting heavily, reached out his own hand, and the two began a game of rock-paper-scissors.

Only after winning the game against Kakashi did Guy finally sprawl out on the ground.

Genma walked over with a water bottle, tossed one to Kakashi, and then went to Guy's side to let him take small sips of water.

"Thank you so much, Genma."

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

His tear ducts were truly excessively developed.

Genma retorted, "Guy, you don't have to exhaust all your stamina every single time."

"You should learn how to distribute and control your own energy."

Might Guy wiped away his tears, understanding Genma's good intentions, and smiled. "Because it's Kakashi, I have to give it my all. He is my lifelong rival, after all."

From not far away, Kakashi added, "Genma is your lifelong rival, too."

Might Guy didn't feel the least bit awkward, his passion blazing. "Steel is tempered by steel, and brothers grow through brothers!"

"My father said, this is the unique essence of youth!"