The Beginning

Unless you are in Konohagakure, it is hard to grasp the extent of Kakashi's reputation among the villagers. At this point, Kakashi has yet to obtain the Sharingan, nor has he earned titles like "Copy Ninja" or "Konoha's Number One Technician." What he is currently celebrated for is simply his reputation as a genius.

After the Second Shinobi World War, the upper echelons of Konoha began purposefully building up certain ninja to dispel the village's gloomy atmosphere. Jiraiya and his peers, who earned the title of Sannin, were set as examples for all the village's ninja. The spread of the Sannin's fame was an intentional move by Konoha; externally, it served as a deterrent, while internally, it boosted morale. However, the Sannin were, after all, powerhouses nearing the Kage level. Aside from the high-ranking ninja, they were too distant for the average person. Thus, the village needed to mold a genius from the lower ranks to serve as a role model, and that genius was undoubtedly the precocious Kakashi.

Kakashi is the son of the White Fang of Konoha. Although the White Fang committed suicide due to a mission, only the upper echelons of Konoha knew the truth. The average villager had no idea he had passed away, and many still spoke of the White Fang's legendary name to this day.

Though Hatake Sakumo is dead, the Hatake Clan behind him still possesses formidable strength. In terms of background, Kakashi is undoubtedly the most suitable choice; it demonstrates a closeness to the clan's influence while signaling that the village will not allow personal matters to interfere with the clan itself.

While Kakashi is an idol intentionally cultivated by Konoha, he possesses the absolute credentials to back it up.

He graduated from the Ninja Academy at five, setting a record for the youngest graduate since the school's inception, and he promoted to Chunin with ease just one year later. Four or five years have passed since he became a Chunin, and aside from his team leader and himself, almost no one knows the true extent of his current strength. Many speculate, however, that he will likely reach the Jonin level within a few years.

Yuehua Ai cannot help but acknowledge Kakashi's talent, for recognizing another's strength is also a recognition of one's own training. Kakashi became a Chunin at six, but what was Yuehua Ai doing at six? He was busy chasing after the Sannin with Yahiko and the others!

Over three years, Yuehua Ai transformed from an ordinary brat into an elite Chunin. In terms of raw talent, he is not a whit inferior to Kakashi. Although Kakashi likely possesses strength approaching that of a Jonin, Yuehua Ai has reached the peak of the Chunin level himself. Whether in ninjutsu, taijutsu, or swordsmanship, Yuehua Ai does not believe he is inferior to Kakashi. If Kakashi has not yet developed the Chidori, Yuehua Ai considers his own strength to be even greater.

While he recognizes Kakashi's talent and effort, Yuehua Ai feels absolutely no affinity for the guy. During his half-year in Konohagakure, Yuehua Ai has seen many ninja he recognized from his past life, and he has crossed paths with Kakashi a few times. Though they are familiar faces, they aren't even on nodding terms. The current Kakashi is still a cold, dead-eyed brat who wouldn't dream of taking the initiative to greet him. Yuehua Ai isn't the type to be proactive either; he wouldn't dream of offering a warm face to a cold shoulder. Even if the guy is the second-tier protagonist of the Naruto world, so what? There are only a few people here he actually cares about. Forget about characters like Kakashi—even if it were Uzumaki Naruto or Uchiha Sasuke, if they have no value to him, he couldn't care less if they lived or died!

"Don't bring up Kakashi. I don't get along with that dead-eyed guy. Just tell me what the urgent matter is. If it's just to relay an order, you didn't need to come find me personally!"

To the current Yuehua Ai, Kakashi is ultimately just a background character. He has no desire to discuss him further, so he uses a casual excuse to ask why Shizune came in person.

What "dead-eyed guy"!? That's called being calm and composed, okay? And "don't get along"? It's clearly just Ai-chan being jealous!

Shizune mentally retorts to Yuehua Ai's words, but she doesn't dare voice these thoughts. She may be naive, but she isn't stupid; if she really provoked him, heaven knows what he might do to her.

Suppressing her inner thoughts, Shizune finally reacts to Yuehua Ai's last question. Right, the reason she came to find him! She had been so worried about his condition that she had completely forgotten her purpose.

"Lady Tsunade wants us to gather at the Medical Corps before this afternoon to ask if the ten of us accept the distribution plan. If there are no objections, we'll likely sign the agreement there."

Shizune twirls her fingers, looking a bit embarrassed.

"You couldn't have said that sooner!"

Looking at the sun directly overhead and then at his own disheveled appearance, he realizes he's pressed for time!

"You're the one who ran off to a place like this! I had a hard enough time finding you, and now you're blaming me!"

Shizune glares at him, and Yuehua Ai's keen hearing even catches the sound of her grinding her teeth.

"Uh, my fault, all my fault. I shouldn't have troubled my lovely Lady Shizune with such trivial matters..."

Yuehua Ai rubs his head and offers a sheepish smile.

"Hmph!"

What do you mean "your" Shizune? Shizune feels conflicted and bashful, but she tries her best to suppress her annoyance, eventually settling for a haughty huff.

"Alright, I'd better head back and get ready. You see the state I'm in—it's going to take a while to clean up!"

Sure enough, even the shyest girl can't escape being a tsundere, Yuehua Ai thinks as he notices the hint of shyness in Shizune's eyes.

"Mm, you should hurry back and change. We'll see each other at the Medical Corps later!"

Seeing the dirt stains on Yuehua Ai's gray-white training gi, Shizune nods. He certainly isn't in a state to meet Lady Tsunade like this.

"Let's go!"

Yuehua Ai calls out to Shizune and takes the lead. After resting for so long, although his chakra and mental energy haven't fully recovered, his physical stamina has returned enough that traveling is no longer an issue.

It's a good thing Shizune arrived a bit later. If she had come right after he finished training, when his physical and shadow clone fatigue were stacked, he wouldn't have wanted to move—let alone walk back—even if Shizune had offered to carry him.

Yuehua Ai's pace back to the village isn't fast; he couldn't speed up even if he wanted to. Thinking about the upcoming team assignments, he asks Shizune for information on the other teams. To be honest, he has spent most of the last six months in the library or training in medical ninjutsu, paying little attention to other village affairs. He knows far less about the ninja squads than Shizune does.

Knowing that Yuehua Ai hadn't paid attention to those things before, she answers his questions in detail.

She proceeds to explain the basic information regarding the twelve Genin squads, including their Jonin team leaders.

Yuehua Ai remains silent for most of the journey, listening quietly. Beyond her primary role as a medical ninja, Shizune is also an intelligence operative. The reason she could become a battlefield medic without exceptional sensory talent is largely due to her aptitude for gathering and analyzing information. Later, when Tsunade becomes the Fifth Hokage, the reason she serves as Tsunade's assistant—beyond her connection to Kato Dan—is her own outstanding talent.

Hearing Shizune mention familiar names like Yuhi Kurenai, Asuma, Aburame Shibi, and Yamanaka Inoichi, Yuehua Ai's usually calm heart cannot help but ripple. These names are not just simple labels; they represent the dawn of an era!

Grouping into teams and executing missions means he is finally about to integrate into the grand currents of this era. Thinking about who will rise and fall in the future, Yuehua Ai cannot help but feel his blood boil.

This feeling is unprecedented. What I have been waiting for is finally here!

Yuehua Ai clenches his fist. Once missions begin, it means he can achieve financial independence, and then he can finally do as he pleases! A man reborn into this world should accomplish great things and live without restraint!

While Yuehua Ai and Shizune are on their way back, Jiraiya, having recently returned from a mission, is in the Hokage Office having a private talk with the Third Hokage.

"His performance over the past six months has indeed been remarkable, and he is worthy of being your student. From his daily interactions and conduct, I can see he has a strong sense of belonging to Konoha. Therefore, I grant your request!"

After responding to his student in a serious tone, Sarutobi Hiruzen casually rests his chin on his crossed hands, taking a deep puff from his pipe.

"Then thank you, Teacher. I believe Ai will certainly not disappoint our expectations!"

Jiraiya expresses his gratitude, then reaches out to pick up an object from the Hokage's desk. After nodding to Sarutobi Hiruzen once more, he turns to leave. As he turns, the midday sun streams through the floor-to-ceiling window behind the Hokage, catching the object in his hand and causing a metallic reflection to flicker through the room.