Konoha Year 43 · Hidden Leaf Village
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in Hokage Rock, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow across the village rooftops.
Konoha was especially lively today.
In the streets and alleys, people gathered in small groups, discussing the same topic—
"Did you hear? That kid from the Hatake Clan graduated today!"
"Five years old? Are you kidding? Doesn't the Ninja Academy require you to be six before graduating?"
"Rules? Those are meant to be broken. I heard the Third Hokage personally tested him, and he passed with full marks."
"The Hatake Clan... White Fang-sama's son?"
"Yeah, that Kakashi. Damn, that talent is even more terrifying than his father's was back then."
Inside a tea stall, several ninja discussed the matter as they drank tea.
The one speaking was a Chunin, his tone full of amazement.
A Jonin beside him shook his head and said quietly:
"Graduating at five—he's the youngest graduate in Konoha's history. He broke the record."
"Who held the previous record?"
"I think it was... Orochimaru-sama? He graduated at six?"
"Damn—doesn't that mean this kid is even more—"
"Shh. Don't say things like that carelessly."
The discussions gradually quieted, but the topic remained just as heated.
Hokage Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before the window, a pipe between his lips as he gazed at the distant Hokage Rock.
Smoke curled upward, obscuring his face.
Behind him, on the desk, lay a graduation certificate that had just been signed.
The name on it was—Kakashi Hatake.
Five years old!
He had signed it himself.
Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe and slowly exhaled.
As the Third Hokage, he should have been pleased that the village had produced such a genius.
In truth, he was pleased—Konoha's future needed young people like this.
Yet at the