Childhood Arc: Team Formation

In the end, the Third Hokage flipped through the student roster but could not find anyone who met Sakumo's requirements and could be assigned to us.

Thus, Kakashi and I formed a two-man team.

I was quite dissatisfied with this and questioned Sakumo about why he had not recommended Rin.

"I've observed that girl. With your help, she has indeed developed some close-combat ability and has talent for chakra control. But she can't keep up with us. Her overall level is still somewhat short of Genin standards, so it would be better for her to remain at the academy for now. Most importantly, that child relies on you too much. That isn't a good thing for a ninja."

That was true. Rin definitely was not the talented type when it came to being a ninja, and as a civilian-born child, her chakra reserves were insufficient to begin with.

Her only outstanding traits were theoretical knowledge and fine chakra control. She could only become a medical ninja.

"I understand. So what do we do next? Go on missions?"

"Yes. First, you two will spend three months doing the lowest-ranking commissions in the village, things like finding cats and cleaning."

"Father, I..."

"Kakashi, this isn't because I don't acknowledge your strength. These missions exist to provide for ninjas who lack the strength for more difficult work, and their fairly decent pay is enough to support them.

"At the same time, they let brats like you experience what missions are like. Many missions require you to deal with high-ranking officials from the Land of Fire. As ninjas, we must maintain the proper demeanor.

"Having you do those commissions is meant to cultivate your character while training your abilities and mentality. Once you are judged suitable, you will begin taking on the commissions proper ninjas should handle."

Thinking about it, it was basically an internship—getting used to work... But I had finally come to the world of Naruto. I really did not want to do menial labor!

Then, a brilliant idea suddenly struck me!

"By the way, Kakashi, didn't you say you wanted to repay me? Whether it was teaching you Battle Aura or that previous incident, you don't want the Hatake Clan name to gain a reputation for breaking promises, do you?"

"Hey, don't tell me you're going to..."

"That's right. Do my share too. In exchange, I can teach you more about how to use Battle Aura!"

Cleaning sewers and finding cats were absolutely out of the question. In my previous life, I had already had enough of working at a company, not to mention those summer jobs as a waiter back when I was in school...

No matter what, I did not want to do this kind of work again!

"It is indeed a reasonable request, but Qingyue, the essence of these missions is for your own good. So shouldn't you at least do them in moderation?"

Huh? Were you telling someone who, at work, had to not only finish his own duties but also bring breakfast and coffee for coworkers, organize meeting materials for the boss, and do all sorts of other things every day that he lacked work experience?!

"Senior Sakumo, I believe you've said something similar before."

"Eh?"

In the end, Kakashi, Sakumo, and I reached a deal—the commission payment would be split seventy-thirty between Kakashi and me, with Kakashi taking the larger share and doing the bulk of the work while I only assisted occasionally.

At the same time, during our free time, Sakumo and I would guide Kakashi's training together. Sakumo would also guide me.

And so, we formed a special assault team.

There were still two years before the Third Shinobi World War fully erupted. I still had two years to grow.

By then, I would be exactly ten years old. Hill had told me before that I would receive a guaranteed reward at least every five years. As for the rest of the time...

[That depends on whether Lord Qingyue is willing to offer up his beauty for my viewing pleasure~]

That was what she had said, if I remembered correctly.

Clang, clang-clang, clang!

In the clearing, Qingyue and Kakashi were sparring as part of their training.

Kakashi held a short sword suited for conducting chakra, while Qingyue gripped the slightly longer ninja blade his father had given him.

After their frontal clash, Kakashi's hands trembled slightly. In terms of strength, he was nowhere near his opponent.

[We both used Battle Aura, yet the gap is this huge...]

Unwilling to accept it, Kakashi began circling him, relying on his exceptionally swift footwork to launch probing attacks from multiple angles in an attempt to find Qingyue's weakness.

However, everything Kakashi did was no more than a performance before Observation Haki.

[This child actually has no openings? Kakashi is already an exceptionally talented child. As my son, he has inherited my strengths remarkably well. Yet Qingyue hasn't revealed even the slightest flaw in the face of such attacks.]

Unable to find an opening, Kakashi had no choice but to push both his Battle Aura and the chakra within his body to the boiling point, attempting to win through speed!

After stepping onto a tree trunk, Kakashi compressed his legs like springs before launching himself out in an instant, his short sword thrusting forward as fiercely as a beast's fangs.

[Let's try Water God Style.]

The instant the short sword closed in, Qingyue swung his blade with even greater speed, his strike flowing like water.

The moment the two blades collided, Qingyue's seemingly soft and powerless swing easily knocked Kakashi's short sword aside. Instead, Kakashi, who had initiated the attack, was sent flying backward and slammed heavily into a tree trunk!

"Cough, cough..."

"That's enough! The winner is Qingyue. Both sides, form the Seal of Reconciliation!"

This was roughly where we stood now. With Observation Haki, I could better grasp the timing and use Water God Style swordsmanship to parry.

As long as I was not facing someone on Sakumo's level, I should be able to handle most opponents. I should even be able to deflect ninjutsu that was not too fast or too powerful.

"Your swordsmanship truly is unique. I've spent so long on the battlefield, and I've encountered quite a few opponents with profound attainments in swordsmanship. But I have never seen a sword style like yours. Is it something that can only be used through the Battle Aura you developed?"

"Something like that, I guess..."

Fortunately, it was only swordsmanship. As long as it was not some powerful bloodline limit or especially outrageous ninjutsu, it would not draw too much attention. That old bastard Danzo would not set his sights on me just because of this.

In the ninja world, powerful bloodline limits were still what attracted the most attention in the end. Even the Land of Iron, where samurai were the majority, had not developed particularly sophisticated swordsmanship. Instead, they infused chakra into their blades.

"You previously used a sword technique with an explosive burst of speed, along with your ability to react to danger. Qingyue, I think you already possess Jonin-level strength. Once you officially leave the village and complete some missions, go take the Chunin Ninja Exams. Then I'll speak to the Third Hokage and have you promoted to Jonin."

If possible, I would rather remain a Genin. After all, Genin were the strongest...

But after becoming a Jonin, I would have greater freedom on the battlefield in the future, and the pay would be much better too.

"Then thank you for your recognition, Senior Sakumo. But Kakashi should be ready too, shouldn't he?"

In the original story, Kakashi became a Jonin at twelve, though it had been somewhat inflated due to the wartime circumstances.

But now, with the Battle Aura I had taught him, once he developed his signature ninjutsu—Lightning Release: Chidori—he would truly reach Jonin level.

"Kakashi is still a little early for that. But after gaining experience for a while, he may be about ready."

Having received recognition, Kakashi turned his head away. He looked a little embarrassed? Good grief, that was why he was such a tsundere.