Clashing

Watching Kazekaze Genma's awkwardness, Shizune was caught between laughter and tears. Just as she was about to run toward the Tree World, Hatake Sakumo had already leaped out.

"Teacher, are you alright?" the rebellious student asked hurriedly.

Hatake Sakumo smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not injured."

He had only been paralyzed, not struck by a high-energy lightning blast.

However, the strength Kazekaze Genma had displayed truly shocked him.

His taijutsu and kenjutsu were merely at an excellent chunin level.

But when combined with Wood Release and that space-time Body Flicker Technique, even without considering combat experience, he already possessed the foundation of a jonin.

At this moment, Hatake Sakumo suddenly understood the worries of Kazekaze Genma's father, Yu Fenglan.

A genius son is much like a genius student; they are easy to teach, but it feels as though there is little sense of accomplishment to be gained.

Collecting his thoughts, Hatake Sakumo looked at the three youngsters and gave a hearty assessment: "Everyone performed very well this time."

Shizune felt a bit embarrassed. "Teacher, I don't think I contributed much."

Hatake Sakumo said gently, "Because this was just a drill. In a real battle, if Yamashiro Aoba were injured, you would be able to treat his wounds and allow him to quickly recover his combat effectiveness."

"Furthermore, as a medical ninja, choosing to protect yourself first is a very correct decision."

Finally, Hatake Sakumo's expression turned somewhat solemn. "Remember, in a squad, the medical ninja should be the last one to sacrifice themselves—if it ever comes to that point!"

Kazekaze Genma and the others immediately nodded solemnly in unison.

"Alright." Hatake Sakumo smiled. "I have a rough understanding of you all now. Let's end it here for this morning. Come on, Teacher will treat you all to barbecue."

Kazekaze Genma immediately patted his stomach. "I'm afraid Teacher will have to spend a fortune today."

Yamashiro Aoba looked grave. "Genma, your appetite isn't going to be proportional to your chakra levels, is it?"

Kazekaze Genma rubbed his chin. "Well, if necessary, that wouldn't be impossible."

Hatake Sakumo couldn't help but laugh at this, then waved his hand. "Let's go, all you can eat today!"

"Well, only for today."

Cheerful laughter erupted instantly.

Compared to the harmonious atmosphere on Kazekaze Genma's side, Namikaze Minato on the other side was having a bit of a headache.

Kakashi and Uchiha Obito were bickering incessantly, while Nohara Rin was frantically trying to pull them apart.

Children are truly hard to manage!

As a jonin team leader for the first time, Namikaze Minato felt a bit helpless, so he could only project the dignity of a jonin: "Alright, that's it for today. I'll treat you all to barbecue!"

Kakashi and Uchiha Obito stopped bickering. Nohara Rin breathed a sigh of relief, then said embarrassedly, "Teacher, wouldn't that be too expensive?"

Namikaze Minato smiled. "Not at all, don't worry."

And so.

At the barbecue restaurant, the two squads happened to run into each other.

Kazekaze Genma and his group had arrived first; they had just sat down and ordered when Kakashi and the others arrived.

Namikaze Minato led his team forward to greet them: "Senior Sakumo!"

"Minato!"

After exchanging greetings, Hatake Sakumo immediately introduced the others to Kazekaze Genma's trio: "This is Jonin Namikaze Minato. He is a very formidable young jonin in the village and already holds the title of Yellow Flash in the Ninja World. His future achievements will surely far surpass mine. You should learn well from Minato and take him as your role model."

Namikaze Minato was a perfect ninja, and that was exactly how Hatake Sakumo evaluated him.

Since becoming a ninja, Namikaze Minato had no record of failed missions, and every one of them was completed perfectly.

Even Hatake Sakumo, as his senior, felt admiration for him.

His words were not just for Kazekaze Genma's trio, but also for Kakashi.

Namikaze Minato felt a bit embarrassed by Hatake Sakumo's praise. "Senior, you are too kind. You are the role model we should all be learning from."

Kazekaze Genma and the others had already stood up. Kazekaze Genma bowed first: "Hello, Senior Minato. I am Kazekaze Genma. Please take care of us in the future."

Shizune and Yamashiro Aoba also offered their greetings.

Namikaze Minato responded to each of them very gently and kindly, chatting with them for a few moments before heading off to find a table to order.

Once they had ordered, Uchiha Obito couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, that jonin from earlier seemed incredibly strong."

Namikaze Minato glanced at the expressionless Kakashi and smiled. "You may have heard of his title."

"White Fang of Konoha!"

Uchiha Obito's eyes widened instantly. "He is the White Fang of Konoha?!"

"No wonder even you respect him so much, Teacher."

Namikaze Minato nodded with a smile, "Yes, he was a truly remarkable and respectable ninja."

"Even my teacher, one of the Legendary Sannin, held White Fang in high regard."

Uchiha Obito exclaimed in awe, "That's amazing!"

He then cast a sidelong glance at Kakashi, his words laced with thorns, "Unlike some people, who act all stuck-up all day long."

"Hmph, I will definitely become a powerful ninja just like White Fang in the future, and become a Hokage recognized by everyone!"

Nohara Rin opened her mouth to speak but hesitated, desperately wanting to warn Uchiha Obito.

Namikaze Minato held back a laugh and explained, "Well, Obito, White Fang is Kakashi's father."

"White Fang's name is Hatake Sakumo."

Uchiha Obito's face was filled with question marks and confusion: Nani?

His expression gradually twisted. He looked at the still-expressionless Kakashi, his face flushing bright red. After a long moment, he let out a cold snort, "Some people should really learn a thing or two from White Fang instead of acting so stuck-up all the time."

Kakashi's tongue was as sharp as a blade in response, "If some people want to become Hokage, they should start by not being late all the time!"

"Besides, no one is going to recognize a crybaby as their Hokage!"

During their sparring match today, Uchiha Obito had been scared to tears by a genjutsu from Namikaze Minato.

Being reminded of this, Uchiha Obito instantly turned beet red, "I am not a crybaby, I... I just had sand in my eyes!"

"And I was late because I was held up by other important matters."

"Hmph, I will definitely become Hokage!"

"You annoying jerk Kakashi, there's no way you'll ever be recognized by everyone to become Hokage!"

Kakashi made a face at the exasperated Uchiha Obito and said with an indifferent shrug, "I have absolutely no interest in becoming Hokage."

Watching the two of them bickering again, Namikaze Minato couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.

Nohara Rin hurriedly stepped in to mediate, and after much effort, she managed to quell the brewing war just as the food began to arrive.

The silent battle then spilled over to the dinner table. Uchiha Obito and Kakashi competed with each other, resulting in both of them eating until their stomachs were round as balls, waddling like ducks when they finally left.

This left Genma and the others staring in shock.

That was just too ruthless!

"Damn you, Kakashi~"

Uchiha Obito was suffering himself.

Kakashi didn't hold back either, his voice drifting out lightly, "Idiot!"