Sparring, Hayato VS Sakumo!

Just as Hayato was about to step out of the Hokage's office, Hiruzen's steady, powerful voice rang out, stopping him in his tracks.

"Hayato, wait a moment. Let me introduce you to your jonin instructor."

Hearing this, Hayato's footsteps faltered involuntarily, and a flash of astonishment crossed his face.

Is he really assigning me a mission on the very first day I've received my ninja registration?

According to standard procedure, shouldn't the team assignments be announced a few days later?

Just as he was mulling this over in confusion, a light knock sounded at the door.

Hiruzen's voice followed: "Come in."

Immediately after, a figure stepped slowly into the office.

Hayato fixed his gaze on the newcomer and felt a jolt of shock. The man who had entered was none other than Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake!

Hayato quickly turned his eyes toward Hiruzen, his gaze filled with silent questions.

Hiruzen smiled slightly and provided the answer: "Sakumo Hatake will be your jonin instructor from now on."

Good grief, it really is him, Hayato thought, unable to hide his inner shock.

He had speculated about who his instructor might be, but he had never once considered the man standing before him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sakumo-sensei!" Regardless of his surprise, he had to offer a proper greeting.

Sakumo nodded with a smile: "Hello, Hayato."

Hayato couldn't help but think to himself that he had now officially become a genin.

In that case, it seemed he had already gained the recognition of the Third Hokage.

With a flick of his mind, he pulled up the system interface.

Regrettably, there was no notification that any part of the mission had been completed.

Did it not count? Or does it only display once everything is fully achieved? This is hardly intelligent, Hayato muttered to himself.

It seemed he would have to wait until he achieved both Hiruzen's recognition and the rank of jonin to see what happened.

"Lord Hokage, we shall take our leave now," Sakumo said, bowing to Hiruzen.

Hiruzen nodded slightly, signaling that they were dismissed.

And so, Hayato followed Sakumo to Training Ground 3.

Looking around, Hayato couldn't help but feel puzzled: "Sakumo-sensei, where are my other teammates?"

When the topic came up, Sakumo felt a bit helpless; Hiruzen hadn't explained this to Hayato personally.

He had been waiting right there, intending for Sakumo to handle that conversation.

He sighed helplessly and explained: "Due to some special circumstances, our squad currently consists of only the two of us."

Though Hayato was surprised to hear this, he realized upon reflection that it might be for the best.

At the very least, he wouldn't have to face the bell test on his first day.

After all, the bell test was primarily a test of teamwork, and he was currently the only one there.

Thus, Hayato waited quietly for Sakumo's next instruction.

Sakumo, however, changed the subject: "Let's skip the pleasantries. Let me see what you're capable of."

Sakumo didn't mention an assessment, nor did he say what the consequences would be if he failed.

Hayato was stunned. Are we really going to fight?

Can't we just have a peaceful team-building meal on the first day?

Could it be that he knows about the time Kakashi lost to me and wants to get revenge for his son?

After a brief moment of thought, he drew a kunai, took a stance, and prepared for battle.

If we're fighting, we're fighting. I'm not afraid.

Seeing this, Sakumo drew the short sword from his back and said with a smile: "You must fight with the intention of killing me."

Before the words had even faded, Hayato lunged toward Sakumo like a bolt of lightning. The kunai in his hand danced like the wind, clashing against Sakumo's short sword and sending sparks flying.

"Your taijutsu fundamentals are solid, but your kunai technique is a bit chaotic," Sakumo remarked while parrying Hayato's attacks.

Hayato admitted to himself that while he had a decent grasp of hand-to-hand combat, he was indeed lacking in weapon proficiency.

He didn't lose heart, however; instead, he quickly put some distance between himself and Sakumo and performed a series of hand seals.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Hayato spat out a massive, roaring fireball that surged straight toward Sakumo.

Sakumo's eyes brightened. "It's hard to imagine a student who just graduated from the Ninja Academy could produce a Great Fireball of this scale."

He didn't stand there foolishly, though; he dodged the attack with a nimble leap to the left.

At the same time, Hayato was already prepared for his next move: "Lightning Style: Earth Flash!"

Bolts of lightning surged from the ground, racing toward the spot where Sakumo was about to land.

However, Sakumo was clearly no novice ninja; he easily dodged the attack with a Body Flicker Technique, reappearing ten meters away from Hayato.

"Your combination of ninjutsu is quite good, and your combat awareness is excellent. But relying on ninjutsu so frequently isn't a wise move; you must learn to control your chakra," Sakumo commented.

He figured that since Hayato was only three years old, his chakra reserves couldn't be that large.

He wouldn't be able to cast ninjutsu of this scale many times.

However, Hayato paid no mind to his critique.

Because Hayato knew that for him right now, this level of ninjutsu didn't consume much chakra at all.

"Next, it's my turn to attack!" Sakumo said with a smile. In his heart, this assessment was more like a training session.

Upon hearing this, Hayato's expression instantly turned grave.

He gripped his kunai tightly, focusing all his attention on waiting for Sakumo's strike.

Sakumo's figure vanished like a ghost, appearing instantly before Hayato.

The short sword in his hand descended like a violent storm, leaving Hayato struggling to keep up.

So fast!

Hayato was secretly startled, but he didn't just sit and wait for his defeat. He abruptly activated his Sharingan.

This sight caused a flash of shock to cross Sakumo's eyes: "Already at the Three-Tomoe stage?"

Although he had some understanding of Hayato's situation, seeing it with his own eyes still took him by surprise.

After a brief moment of shock, Sakumo's attacks became even more ferocious.

Yet, relying on the observational power of the Sharingan, Hayato gradually began to see through the trajectory of Sakumo's attacks.

However, being able to see it didn't mean his body could keep up.

This won't do; at this rate, I'll lose sooner or later!

He attempted to put some distance between himself and Sakumo again, but Sakumo pursued him relentlessly.

Sakumo brandished his short sword, giving Hayato no chance to catch his breath.

"In a ninja's battle against an enemy, one of the important roles of swordsmanship is the ability to prevent the opponent from forming hand seals," Sakumo explained while attacking.

Hayato nodded inwardly, but the corners of his mouth curled upward.

If it were the old him, he might have been helpless unless he revealed some of his trump cards.

But he was different now.

He blocked Sakumo's slash with his right hand while simultaneously gathering a sphere of blue-white chakra in his left.

"Rasengan!"

Since he could advance the Rasengan, he could naturally use it as well.

In the current situation, there was no need to use the more powerful Spirit Bomb.

Keeping an ace up one's sleeve was the wise thing to do.

This change caught Sakumo off guard: "This is... a seal-less ninjutsu?"

"Sakumo-sensei, you're right, swordsmanship can indeed stop an enemy from forming seals, but you've also restricted yourself from forming them!"

Before he could finish his sentence, the Rasengan struck Sakumo like a cannonball, sending him tumbling backward.