Looking at the awkward Genma, Shizune didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She was just about to run into the Tree World when Hatake Sakumo leaped out.
"Sensei, are you all right?"
His defiant student hurriedly asked.
Hatake Sakumo smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not hurt."
His body had only been paralyzed; he hadn't been hit by a high-energy lightning strike.
Still, Genma's displayed strength had truly surprised him.
His Taijutsu and swordsmanship were merely at an excellent Chunin level.
But with Wood Release and that space-time Body Flicker Technique, he already had the foundations of a Jonin, setting aside combat experience.
At that moment, Hatake Sakumo suddenly understood a little of the worry Genma's father, Yu Fenglan, had felt.
Having a genius son and a genius student was much the same: teaching them was easy, but it didn't seem to bring much sense of accomplishment.
Gathering his thoughts, Hatake Sakumo gave the three little ones an approving assessment. "You all did very well this time."
Shizune looked a little embarrassed. "Sensei, I don't think I was much help."
Hatake Sakumo replied gently, "That's because this was only a drill. In a real battle, if Aoba gets hurt, you'll be able to treat his injuries and get him back into fighting shape quickly."
"Besides, as a medical ninja, choosing to protect yourself first is absolutely the right thing to do."
Then Hatake Sakumo's expression grew more solemn. "Remember this: in a squad, the medical ninja should be the last one to die, if it comes to that!"
Genma and the others immediately nodded in unison, their expressions serious.
"All right."
Hatake Sakumo smiled. "You've gotten a general idea of what kind of teacher I am. That's enough for this morning. Come on, I'll treat you to barbecue."
Genma immediately patted his stomach. "Then Sensei's going to have to spend quite a bit today."
Yamashiro Aoba looked grave. "Genma, is your appetite proportional to your chakra reserves?"
Genma rubbed his chin. "Well, if necessary, I suppose it could be."
Hatake Sakumo found the exchange a little amusing, then waved them along. "Let's go. Eat as much as you want today!"
"Mm, today only."
Laughter rang out cheerfully.
Compared to the friendly atmosphere around Genma's group, Namikaze Minato was having a bit of a headache.
Kakashi and Uchiha Obito wouldn't stop bickering, while Nohara Rin flailed about trying to keep the peace.
Kids were so hard to manage!
As a newly appointed Jonin squad leader, Namikaze Minato felt a little helpless. He could only put on his Jonin's air of authority. "All right, that's enough for today. I'll treat you all to barbecue!"
Kakashi and Uchiha Obito stopped bickering, and Nohara Rin let out a sigh of relief. Then she asked awkwardly, "Sensei, won't that be too expensive?"
Namikaze Minato smiled. "Not at all. Don't worry."
And so—
The two squads ran into each other at the barbecue restaurant.
Genma and the others had arrived first. They'd just sat down and ordered when Kakashi's group showed up.
Namikaze Minato led his students over to greet them. "Senior Sakumo!"
"Minato!"
After greeting him, Hatake Sakumo immediately introduced him to Genma and the others. "This is Jonin Namikaze Minato, one of the village's outstanding young Jonin. He's already earned the title Yellow Flash in the Ninja World. His future achievements are sure to surpass mine by far. You should learn from Minato and take him as your role model."
Hatake Sakumo considered Namikaze Minato a perfect ninja.
Since becoming a ninja, Namikaze Minato had never failed a mission, and he completed every one of them flawlessly.
Even Hatake Sakumo, his senior, admired him.
His words weren't meant only for Genma and the others; they were meant for Kakashi, too.
Namikaze Minato was almost embarrassed by Hatake Sakumo's praise. "You're too kind, Senior. You're the one we should all look up to."
Genma and the others had already stood up. Genma bowed first. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Senior Minato. I'm Yu Fenglan Genma. I hope you'll look after me."
Shizune and Yamashiro Aoba also bowed.
Namikaze Minato returned each greeting, warm and friendly. He chatted with Genma and the others for a few moments, then went to find a table and order.
After they'd ordered, Uchiha Obito couldn't help asking, "Sensei, that Jonin just now seemed really powerful."
Namikaze Minato glanced at the expressionless Kakashi and smiled. "You may have heard of his title."
"The White Fang of Konoha!"
Uchiha Obito's eyes went wide. "He's the White Fang of Konoha?!"
"No wonder even you respect him so much, Sensei."
Namikaze Minato smiled and nodded. "That's right. He's an extraordinary ninja, worthy of everyone's respect."
"Even my own teacher, one of the Konoha Sannin, deeply respects Senior White Fang."
Uchiha Obito gasped. "That's amazing!"
Then he shot a sidelong glance at Kakashi, his words dripping with disdain. "Unlike some people, who act so smug all the time."
"Hmph. I'm definitely going to become a powerful ninja like Senior White Fang and a Hokage everyone recognizes!"
Nohara Rin hesitated, wanting very much to warn Uchiha Obito.
Namikaze Minato held back his laughter and explained, "Um, Obito, Senior White Fang is Kakashi's father."
"Senior White Fang's name is Hatake Sakumo."
Uchiha Obito's face was full of confusion. What?
His expression gradually twisted. He looked at Kakashi, who remained expressionless, and his face flushed red. After a long moment, he huffed, "Some people should learn from Senior White Fang instead of acting so smug all the time."
Kakashi replied with a tongue as sharp as a blade. "If some people want to become Hokage, they should start by showing up on time!"
"Besides, nobody would accept a crybaby as Hokage!"
During their match earlier, Uchiha Obito had been scared into tears by one of Namikaze Minato's genjutsu.
At the reminder, Uchiha Obito's face turned red in an instant. "I'm not a crybaby! I... I just got sand in my eyes!"
"And I was late because something important held me up."
"Hmph! I'm definitely going to become Hokage!"
"You're the one who'll never earn everyone's recognition and become Hokage, Kakashi, you jerk!"
Kakashi made a face at the furious Uchiha Obito, then said nonchalantly, "I'm not the least bit interested in becoming Hokage."
Watching the two start arguing again, Namikaze Minato didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Nohara Rin hurried to break them up. At last, the fight was averted, and the food began arriving.
And so their rivalry spread to the dinner table. Uchiha Obito and Kakashi tried to outdo each other, and by the end they'd eaten until their stomachs were round as balls. They waddled out like ducks.
Genma and the others stared in shock.
That was intense!
"Damn you, Kakashi..."
Uchiha Obito was suffering, too.
Kakashi didn't hold back. His airy voice drifted over. "Idiot!"
Before you continue