"Stop. Practicing swordsmanship like this won't do you any good. Tell me, what problems did you run into on this mission?" Maruboshi Kosuke interrupted Kakashi Hatake's training and asked softly.
Kakashi Hatake dared not hide anything. He recounted some of what had happened on their trip to Kumogakure, including the matches there and the ambush by the two great ninja villages, as well as his own helplessness and how he had become a burden during the mission. He did not disclose the mission's specific details, however. The village's rules still had to be followed, and Maruboshi Kosuke was not interested in those details anyway.
"Recognizing the gap is a good thing. Only then can you understand more clearly where you fall short and find more motivation to move forward. But these things must not become a reason for unsettling your mind. Think back. This mission was fraught with danger, but did the Jonin on your team experience such drastic fluctuations in their state of mind as you did?" After learning what had happened, Maruboshi Kosuke offered Kakashi Hatake some guidance.
Kakashi Hatake recalled how Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, and Ye Feng had behaved during the mission. They had all remained as calm as ever, still searching for solutions even when the situation was overwhelmingly unfavorable. Even the two Jonin who had performed the worst had merely looked grave. Even when facing more than thirty ninja, they had only become more cautious, showing no sign of panic.
At that moment, Kakashi Hatake understood. His composure truly was not up to par. Whether in composure, strength, or mental maturity, he fell far short of Ye Feng. But he would not give up. This was only the beginning, not the end.
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Kosuke. I understand now," Kakashi Hatake said