"Kōki, since you passed the assessment and became a Genin, I won't try to stop you anymore. But I hope you'll be extremely careful on your future missions. Don't forget what you told me that day."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kōki's young face and recalled what Kōki had told him at the training ground that day. He continued,
"Tomorrow, I'll assign a Jonin to be your instructor. I hope you two will get along."
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi could no longer stop Kōki, he still arranged for an experienced Jonin to teach him.
"Okay, old man. Don't worry. I won't die that easily," Kōki replied confidently to Hiruzen Sarutobi. He was going to surpass Hashirama Senju. How could he die so easily?
Hearing Kōki's answer, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, then turned and left. War was about to begin, the confrontation at the front continued, and there were far too many matters to handle.
Once the onlookers saw Hiruzen Sarutobi leave, they gradually dispersed as well. What had happened today was so extraordinary that they could hardly wait to share what they had seen and heard with others.
After seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi leave, Kōki turned to look at Kakashi. Finding that Kakashi was also about to leave, he immediately stepped forward and called out to him. "Senior Kakashi, let me introduce myself properly. My name is Kōki Itō. I look forward to learning from you."
Kōki had long known Kakashi's illustrious name and felt familiar with him. Although he had seen Kakashi before, that had been on a computer. This was his first time seeing him in person in the real world.
Seeing Kōki's smiling face, Kakashi's previously cold expression softened. "Mm, hello. My name is Kakashi Hatake. I look forward to getting to know you."
While Kōki and Kakashi were talking, Rin Nohara came over, pulling Obito Uchiha along with her. She said to Kakashi, "Kakashi, long time no see."
Then she congratulated Kōki. "Congratulations on graduating, Kōki."
She tugged on Obito again, giving him a signal.
Noticing Rin's signal, Obito looked thoroughly displeased. But when he remembered Kakashi's defeat, he gloated, "Congratulations, Kakashi. You lost to this little brat. Must feel pretty awful, huh?"
"Idiot." Looking at Obito as he mocked him, Kakashi coldly spat out a single word.
But that one simple word instantly got under Obito's skin. Like a cat with its fur standing on end, he yelled at Kakashi, "Stupid Kakashi! You're an idiot who lost to a new student! You're so stupid!"
"I'm still better than a certain idiot who let Kōki hit his weak spot with that embarrassing Taijutsu." Kakashi struck back with sharp words.
"What? What did you say, stupid Kakashi?"
"Idiot Obito, I already made myself perfectly clear." Watching the two argue, Rin Nohara looked helpless. All she could do was soothe Obito one moment and Kakashi the next.
While she was busy trying to manage them, she suddenly remembered that Kōki was still beside them and had an idea. She said to Kakashi and Obito, "Kakashi, Obito, since Kōki graduated today, why don't we all go out for a meal to celebrate? Besides, we haven't gotten together in ages, not since Kakashi graduated."
Hearing Rin Nohara speak, the two stopped arguing. They exchanged a glance, then both snorted and turned their heads away.
Seeing that they had stopped arguing, Rin Nohara asked Kōki, "Kōki, would that be okay?"
"Of course, Senior Rin. I'm not going to miss out on good food."
Just as the four were about to discuss where to eat, an unfamiliar voice sounded behind them. "Let's get barbecue. My treat."
All four looked toward the source of the voice. Asuma Sarutobi was walking over with Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, and the others.
Asuma Sarutobi said to Kōki, "Kōki, let's go to a barbecue restaurant to celebrate your early graduation. You too, Kakashi."
None of the four had any objections to Asuma Sarutobi's suggestion. More people would make it livelier anyway.
Kōki knew Asuma Sarutobi. Because Hiruzen Sarutobi took such good care of Kōki, he occasionally brought him home for meals, and over time, Kōki had gotten to know Asuma Sarutobi. Although Asuma was a little rebellious at this age, he treated his friends well.
And so, the group arrived at a barbecue restaurant run by the Akimichi Clan. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by a bustling scene. The aroma of meat whetted all their appetites, and their mouths began to water.
A server seated the group, and they chatted as they grilled meat.
Asuma Sarutobi pointed at a boy with a bowl cut and introduced him to Kōki.
"This is Might Guy."
Then he pointed at the girl beside him. "This is Kurenai Yuhi."
Asuma went around introducing everyone with him. By the time he finished, the meat on the grill was ready, and everyone dug in.
As he ate, Kakashi asked, "Kōki, why did you want to graduate early? Things aren't looking good in the Shinobi World right now. War is about to break out."
Kakashi simply could not hold back the question. Although this was their first meeting, he could clearly sense that Kōki was not the sort of person who would put himself in danger just for the title of genius.
"How should I put this?"
Hearing Kakashi's question, Kōki thought for a moment. "I want to get stronger. I don't want to be helpless when I face a crisis. With my current strength, there's too little for me to learn at the Ninja Academy."
"Besides, things are extremely tense between Konoha and Sunagakure right now. Only by getting stronger quickly can I stay alive and safe."
Hearing Kōki's words, everyone present felt a hint of urgency. Although Kakashi was the only active ninja among them, the time when they would step onto the battlefield was not far off either.
While Kōki, Kakashi, and the others ate and chatted,
elsewhere, the darkness of the Shinobi World-Shimura Danzō-arrived at the Hokage's office. The moment he entered, he got straight to the point, addressing Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Hokage's seat. "Hiruzen, hand this Kōki Itō over to my Root for training. He's a rare genius. I can certainly raise him into a pillar of Konoha."
But Hiruzen Sarutobi knew his old friend's methods inside out and refused him outright. "Danzo, Kōki will not be joining Root. He's an excellent ninja, and I've already arranged his placement. I hope you won't bother him."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's answer, Danzo angrily jabbed his cane against the floor.
"It's the same every time. Whenever I ask you for someone, you fob me off with some random people. Since you won't agree, I'll go find him myself and see what he thinks. Surely, as Hokage, you wouldn't force someone against his will."
Hearing Danzo's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi also grew angry and rebuked him loudly. "I told you, Danzo, I've already arranged Kōki's placement. Didn't you hear me? And Danzo, I am the Hokage. Are you going to disobey the Hokage's orders?"
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi use his position as Hokage to pressure him only made Danzo's anger burn hotter. He seethed inwardly.
If I had acted first back then, I would be Hokage now. Damn it.
But no matter how dissatisfied Danzo was, there was nothing he could do.
His longing for the Hokage's position only grew stronger.
Left with no choice, Danzo departed in anger, leaving one last remark before he went. "Hiruzen, you'll regret this."