The New Generation of Shinobi!

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows and spread across the polished wooden floor, filling the office with warmth.

Kagami Uchiha stepped into the room, the solemn air he had worn through the meeting falling away as his expression softened.

Sixteen-year-old Hatake Sakumo stood quietly to one side, straight as a pine, his gaze calm and his shoulders respectfully lowered.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"No, Teacher. I just got here myself."

Kagami Uchiha studied Hatake Sakumo.

Over the past five years, master and apprentice had spent plenty of time together. The boy always wore that grave, unsmiling expression.

What a brooding little show-off...

As Kagami silently grumbled about his apprentice, a clear voice rang out by his ear.

"Big Brother Kagami, you're in there, right? I'm coming in!"

Before the words had faded, a bright flash of gold burst through the doorway.

The moment she entered the office, her gaze locked onto Kagami Uchiha, her eyes sparkling. All her proud reserve vanished, leaving only a young girl's easy affection and familiarity.

She hurried over and slipped naturally to Kagami Uchiha's side. Looking up at him, she spoke in a soft, sweet voice tinged with willful complaint:

"Big Brother Kagami, is your meeting over? We've been waiting forever!"

The girl was slender and radiant, her golden hair setting off her fair skin. Her bright eyes seemed to hold no one but Kagami Uchiha.

There was no trace of the forceful, aloof way she usually treated others.

Jiraiya, who had followed her in, felt his eyelid twitch as complaints raced through his mind.

Here we go again...

Tsunade's fierce with everyone else. She'll throw a punch at the drop of a hat and boss people around like anything.

But the second she sees Lord Hokage, she turns into a sweet little girl. Even her voice gets softer! Could she be any more biased?

Sure, Lord Hokage's a bit handsome, a bit stronger than everyone else, and his position's a bit higher... Hmm... and his family background...

Forget it. Let's not talk about him...

Jiraiya stood at the back, looking as though he saw right through it all, his expression equal parts helplessness and envy.

At the very edge, Orochimaru—at the very edge, Orochimaru—cast a cool glance over the scene with his narrow eyes. His face betrayed neither joy nor sorrow.

He was perceptive. Tsunade's admiration for and reliance on Lord Hokage were so open and fervent that he could see them at a glance. He simply had no interest in commenting.

Besides, he had spent most of the past few years at the research institute discussing all manner of things with Hiruko. If Tsunade had not dragged him here today, he would never have let anything cut into his research time.

Only Hatake Sakumo, standing farthest to the side, remained apart.

His expression was as calm as ever, revealing nothing. He was steady, reserved, and unfailingly disciplined and courteous.

But only he knew about the faint, complicated feeling in his heart...

He was Teacher's only personal apprentice, and Teacher had no family left. They had spent five years together, day after day, almost like father and son.

If not for the Hatake name, Uchiha Sakumo wouldn't sound bad, honestly...

Maybe I could change it after I have a child?

To him, his master was a towering figure who governed Konoha and looked out over the Shinobi World.

He was someone to fear, revere, and look up to.

Watching Tsunade lean on Teacher with such natural, unrestrained affection, Sakumo felt a trace of bitterness rise in his heart—one he did not want to admit was there.

But I'm... Fine. You were here first, Tsunade...

Sakumo lowered his gaze, hiding the glimmer in his eyes. He still looked as silent and dependable as ever, though a distinctly youthful awkwardness had quietly taken root in his heart.

Kagami Uchiha was far too perceptive. One sidelong glance was enough for him to catch the deeply buried flicker of emotion in his apprentice's eyes.

So this kid isn't just a brooding show-off—he has a proud streak too?

That... that doesn't fit your image, Sakumo! Hey!

They had spent so much time together over the years that their bond had grown deep. Sakumo even had his own room in Kagami Uchiha's home. Kagami no longer knew him only as the tragic hero from the original story.

Young Sakumo was more reliable and composed than his peers, but he was also a little brooding, and more than anything, he wanted his teacher's approval.

Kagami smiled to himself, though his expression did not change as he looked gently at the girl gazing up at him.

"Have you been waiting long?"

Tsunade nodded hard, her eyes shining too brightly for her to hide her smile:

"Forever! Big Brother Kagami, do you have time today? Teacher Sarutobi's too busy, so we wanted to ask you for advice on our training!"

Kagami Uchiha took in every subtle shift in their expressions and understood.

The four of them were no longer the inexperienced children they had once been.

Already gifted, they had spent five years receiving the village's best resources and focused instruction. Now every one of these young shinobi stood at the very top of their generation in the Shinobi World.

Tsunade had devoted herself to Medical Ninjutsu over the past few years, and she was already among the village's best. With the Senju clan's unique monstrous strength and the Sealing Jutsu Mito had taught her, she was formidable in both combat and medicine.

As for Jiraiya, he had mastered Fire Release and Earth Release, learning much from Hiruzen Sarutobi. It seemed he had already made contact with the toads of Mount Myōboku.

Orochimaru spent most of his time in the research institute, but his talent was exceptional. His Ninjutsu, Swordsmanship, and Taijutsu had not fallen behind, and it seemed he was already developing the Snake-Style Ninjutsu that would become his signature.

The three might have looked young, but their foundations were formidable. Their combat ability, Chakra control, and understanding of jutsu had all reached the threshold of Jonin. Only their mission records kept them at the rank of veteran Chunin. In a real fight, they could overwhelm most of the village's seasoned Jonin.

The foundations of the future Sannin were already set. Even at their age, they showed the beginnings of Kage Level strength.

And sixteen-year-old Hatake Sakumo stood head and shoulders above everyone his age.

After five years of personal instruction from Kagami Uchiha, his Swordsmanship, Taijutsu, and Ninjutsu had long since surpassed those of an ordinary Jonin. All he lacked were battlefield achievements and seniority to confirm his status. Across Konoha, he was recognized as the New Generation's most unstoppable blade.

The short sword on his back had been made especially for him. Kagami Uchiha had enlisted help, gone to great expense through the Land of Iron, and commissioned one of its finest swordsmiths to forge it from rare Chakra-forged Gold. It had taken more than a year.

Sakumo had named it the White Light Chakra Sabre.

Combined with his mastery of Lightning Release Chakra's nature transformation, it made him all the deadlier. Nothing could withstand his blade.

Kagami Uchiha first glanced at the silent Sakumo beside him.

"Sakumo, come along," he said gently.

Hatake Sakumo raised his eyes slightly. A faint warmth passed through his cool gaze as he bowed. "Yes, Master."

Kagami Uchiha then turned to the three young shinobi before him.

"Let's go to the Fourth Training Ground."

Kagami Uchiha set off at an unhurried pace. His voice was calm, yet it made them want to obey.

"The four of you have built solid foundations. You've honed your bodies, your Chakra reserves, and your basic jutsu as far as they can go."

"Ordinary Ninjutsu and Taijutsu training won't do much for you anymore."

They fell into step behind him, instantly alert and listening closely.

They truly had reached a bottleneck. Their fundamentals were already honed to the limit, and conventional training brought almost no progress. They needed higher-level guidance to break through.

As Kagami Uchiha walked, he said, "Today, I'll test the results of your training myself."

"Your talent stands at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World. Ordinary instructors can no longer teach you, so I'll personally help you shore up your last weaknesses."

The four young prodigies were stunned. Then excitement surged through them.

Personal instruction from Kagami Uchiha, one of the Five Kage, was an opportunity that could change their lives!

Jiraiya straightened at once, every trace of laziness gone;

Genuine interest finally stirred in Orochimaru's narrow eyes;

Tsunade held her head high, ready for a fight. Big Brother Kagami was going to test them himself—how exciting! She had to knock him flat.

Grandma said that if you want to win a man's heart, you have to conquer him with your strength first.

Walking beside Kagami Uchiha, Hatake Sakumo stood even straighter, calm and poised. A test like this was something to look forward to.

Teacher, I'll show you who you can truly rely on.