Do I Still Have a Chance?

The Rasengan's impact sent Sakumo sliding backward before he finally managed to steady himself.

He looked up at Hayato, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

Hayato stayed close on his heels. Almost the instant Sakumo stopped, he appeared behind him.

A sharp kunai rested lightly against Sakumo's neck.

However, there wasn't the slightest trace of killing intent in his movements. He had only carried out the attack to demonstrate his strength.

"Teacher Sakumo, you let me win." Hayato's voice was calm and confident, revealing a composure beyond his years.

Sakumo smiled faintly, letting go of his earlier dismissiveness as he regarded the subordinate he would be fighting alongside in the future.

"You won, Hayato. Your strength exceeded my expectations."

On the other hand, though Hayato was somewhat surprised by his victory, he didn't let it go to his head.

He didn't assume he was stronger than Sakumo just because he'd won one sparring match.

He knew that his lucky victory had mainly come from exploiting the gap in their information and catching Sakumo off guard.

Then again, battles between shinobi were often contests of information.

"Teacher Sakumo, I still have a lot to learn from you." Hayato spoke without being obsequious, his tone full of humility and respect.

Sakumo looked at the young man before him and couldn't help but nod inwardly.

He hadn't become arrogant after a moment's victory. Instead, he was even more humble and polite.

This young man had both extraordinary talent and a steady temperament. He was sure to achieve great things.

"All right, now that we've gotten to know each other a little, let's go have a good meal. It's my treat. Is there anything in particular you'd like to eat?" Sakumo asked with a smile.

Hayato answered without a moment's thought. "Udon!"

His voice was full of eager delight, as if he could already smell that familiar, tempting aroma.

So there was a team dinner after all.

Well, it wasn't like they'd be sent out on a mission on the very first day.

The two exchanged smiles and headed toward a noodle shop.

A short while later, they arrived at a bustling noodle shop.

Sakumo ordered a bowl of udon and a bowl of soba, while Hayato waited eagerly for his udon.

"My son has told me about you. Oh, right, my son is Kakashi. You were classmates." Sakumo used the topic of his son to get the conversation started.

He wanted to learn more about the young man so he could guide him better.

Hayato looked as if he had suddenly realized something. "So you're Kakashi's father."

The two then chatted about their interests and experiences, gradually getting to know each other better.

After a while, Hayato finally asked, "Teacher Sakumo, when will we go on a mission?"

He knew that strength alone wasn't enough to become an elite jonin. He also needed a record of accomplishments to prove himself.

Sakumo thought it over before answering, "Tomorrow. I'll see if there's a suitable mission available."

"Get some good rest today. You'll have plenty to keep you busy from now on." His tone was full of care and anticipation.

After hearing this, Hayato slowly nodded.

He couldn't help thinking that he ought to tell Minato.

In the future, not only would Minato sometimes be unavailable, but Hayato would also be unable to discuss the Flying Thunder God Technique with him when he was away on missions.

The thought left him feeling a little regretful.

But that feeling quickly faded as he enjoyed a delicious bowl of udon.

After their meal, the two parted ways and headed in different directions.

Hayato made his way to the usual place where he'd arranged to meet Minato.

Minato, who had been training, looked delighted when he saw Hayato running toward him from a distance.

When he noticed the Konoha Forehead Protector on Hayato's brow, he was even happier for him.

"Hayato, congratulations! You've finally become a shinobi!" Minato's voice was full of genuine warmth and good wishes.

"Thanks, big brother Minato!" Hayato replied with a wide grin. His heart was filled with joy and pride.

"By the way, who's your jonin instructor?" Minato asked curiously. He wondered what kind of teacher Hayato would have.

Hayato didn't keep him guessing. "Teacher Sakumo." His voice was full of respect.

Minato was stunned to hear it. Hatake Sakumo, the man known as the White Fang of Konoha.

He was an elite jonin so formidable that even the Konoha Sannin held him in high regard.

However, Minato wasn't jealous. He was genuinely happy that Hayato had such a good teacher.

He knew Teacher Sakumo would give Hayato the best guidance and support.

They didn't discuss it any further and quickly returned to studying the Flying Thunder God Technique.

They both knew that missions would make chances to study together like this increasingly rare.

So they treasured every minute and second, working hard to improve their strength.

Meanwhile, at Kakashi's home.

That evening, Kakashi returned home looking rather downcast.

It was mainly because Shuichi had announced in class that Hayato had graduated.

Everyone except Kurenai had been shocked.

Kakashi had been startled as well, and he felt a little dejected.

Will the gap between us just keep growing?

"Dad, didn't you have a mission today?" Kakashi loosened his scarf and asked when he saw Sakumo polishing the White Fang.

But Sakumo didn't answer his question. Instead, he said, "Kakashi, you weren't wrong to lose to Hayato."

Kakashi froze, then looked at Sakumo in confusion.

What was going on? Why had he suddenly brought up Hayato?

A suspicion suddenly came to Kakashi's mind.

Sakumo set down the cloth in his hand and slowly stood up.

"He's on my team now. We sparred today."

His words were open and proud, as if he were sharing something worth celebrating.

Hearing this, Kakashi's eyes widened in shock.

"Dad, you mean..." His voice trembled.

He'd heard the night before that his father would be taking on a team as their jonin instructor.

That was why, when Sakumo brought up Hayato, he'd wondered if Hayato was his father's subordinate.

But what shocked him even more was what Sakumo had said about sparring with him.

Sakumo didn't hide anything. He said frankly, "That's right. I lost."

Whether it was because of the information gap or not, a loss was still a loss.

Sakumo's words finally crushed Kakashi's last hope.

He felt a sense of defeat and disappointment unlike anything he'd ever experienced.

Has the gap between us really gotten this big? Doubt and unease filled his heart.

Kakashi lowered his eyes, looking dejected.

Sakumo walked over and ruffled his hair.

"What, have you given up?" His voice was full of concern and hope.

Kakashi slowly raised his head. "Do I still have a chance?"

Sakumo's voice turned slightly stern. "So giving up so easily—that's your way of the ninja?"

His words were full of challenge and expectation. He wanted Kakashi to understand that the path of a shinobi left no room for giving up, only perseverance and hard work.

At Sakumo's words, Kakashi's eyes brightened again. "No, that's not my way of the ninja! 'Never give up'—that's the way of the ninja I believe in!"

His voice was full of determination and confidence, as if he'd found his path and his goal.

Seeing his son regain his resolve, Sakumo smiled with relief.

"So give it everything you've got and leave no regrets. Having someone to catch up to isn't a bad thing, is it?"

Kakashi nodded firmly, then looked out the window.

Watching a sparrow soar into the sky, he made a silent vow.

"Hayato, I'll catch up to you soon!"

The next day.

"Hayato, repeat the target's information."

"Quick to act and good at evading surveillance. Very skilled at hiding."

"Just leave it to me. I won't let the target get away." Hayato spoke confidently.

Hayato wore a serious expression, like a general heading to the front lines.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Hayato created three shadow clones. From the east, south, west, and north, they surrounded the target.

The moment the mission target let down its guard—

"Now!"

"Surrender!" Hayato shouted as he and his three shadow clones rushed forward, capturing the target on the spot.

"Thank you so much for finding my child!" a plump woman wearing a heavy coat of makeup exclaimed happily.

In her arms, she held a Chameleon.

It was the child she'd been talking about.

The Chameleon gave Hayato a resentful look, then was carried off by the plump woman, wearing an utterly hopeless expression.

It longed for the days when it had run beneath the setting sun. Those days were its lost youth.

"Take care!"

Their first D-rank mission was a complete success!