The next day, Konoha Hospital.
Two mummies lay in hospital beds, only a few floor tiles apart.
"Heh heh." The mummy Asuma looked utterly disdainful.
"Didn't expect to see you like this, Kakashi."
"Tsk tsk... so pathetic."
It was rare to see Kakashi in this state.
Asuma felt all his pent-up frustration vanish in an instant, even the pain from his injuries felt significantly lessened.
The mummy Kakashi turned his head upon hearing the words.
He glanced at the fellow mummy, Asuma, before reverting to his usual deadpan gaze.
"Well, it can't be helped. The nature of our work is a bit dangerous."
"After all, it's normal to bleed a little while protecting Konoha."
The injuries weren't too serious, but the embarrassment was overwhelming.
Kakashi probably knew how Asuma ended up like this...
Rumor had it, he got beaten up by two prodigies who graduated early?
As expected of you, Asuma.
"It's like you're saying no one else has bled for Konoha!"
Asuma's face flushed with anger at Kakashi's words.
"I was just giving the younger generation some pointers! Understand?!"
"If it weren't for me, that Uchiha girl wouldn't have..."
His voice suddenly trailed off mid-sentence.
His expression darkened.
Even wrapped in bandages, Kakashi couldn't see it.
Yeah...
No matter how miserable Kakashi looked, it was due to the high-risk tasks he'd undertaken as part of Anbu.
And he?
Heh.
Just bragged a little and then got schooled.
Looking back, his angry reaction seemed pretty foolish.
No wonder that girl blew up...
But...
Is the next generation really that strong now?
Or... has the Uchiha with Sharingan truly become that powerful?
One move.
Just one move.
Victory was determined.
The two exam takers left gracefully, and before they left, they even tossed some dog food his way.
How humiliating...
"So, you got beaten up by an Uchiha girl."
"For the sake of mentoring the younger generation, you paid such a price; she should really thank you."
Kakashi delivered another jab from the side.
In fact, when it came to that Uchiha girl.
Kakashi felt a complexity in his heart.
That girl from that day was also an Uchiha, wasn't she?
Just didn't know her name.
"Tch!"
Asuma flipped over again, refusing to engage.
But after some thought, he felt the need to explain.
"Laugh if you want, but although I didn't use my full strength back then, there is one thing I'm certain of."
"That girl is far stronger than you were back then…"
"I heard she's only been in school for three days; she probably just went to school to go through the motions."
Asuma mumbled.
"To be honest, I feel a bit sorry for that girl."
"At her age, achieving this much... she's probably suffered more than you did back then."
"Alas. Such a pity. That girl's smile is so beautiful; after becoming a ninja, I doubt we'll see that smile in a few years." The assessment yesterday had a significant impact on Asuma.
He could also roughly understand what the old man meant.
He certainly still had to be a Guardian Ninja.
However, the meaning behind it had changed somewhat...
Just consider it a form of training.
Meanwhile, Kakashi's deadpan expression gradually turned serious.
He sensitively picked up on the key point in Asuma's complaints.
Her smile is so beautiful...
Could it be the same person?
That girl... who looks so much like Rin when she smiles.
If it really is the same person...
From what Asuma said, the girl has already become a ninja...
"Nurse, could you please help me with the discharge procedures? Thank you."
Kakashi's voice returned to its lazy tone.
He raised his hand, calling a nurse over.
Asuma also turned his head, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"You want to be discharged looking like that?"
"Are you crazy?"
"No." Kakashi shook his head, moving his injured shoulder.
It hurt a bit, but he could bear it.
"I just want to step out for a bit…"
"To express my gratitude to someone."
On the other side.
Uchiha Clan Compound.
Itachi respectfully handed over the results of the exam to his father, then silently waited for further commentary.
Fugaku glanced at it and a look of satisfaction grew in his eyes.
"Just like my son."
"Well done, Itachi."
"In a couple of days, once you get your forehead protector, you will officially be a proud Uchiha man."
Fugaku generously encouraged him.
Beside him, Mikoto smiled gently, and little Sasuke, held in her arms, excitedly waved his little hands, not quite understanding what was happening but still celebrating Itachi.
However, among the four family members, Itachi was the only one who couldn't maintain his smile.
"Sorry, Father."
"I haven't done well enough."
Itachi lowered his head.
That slight hint of self-reproach in his tone caused Fugaku to feel puzzled.
Had he put too much pressure on his son?
Fugaku felt a pang of guilt.
But the priority was to help his son stabilize his mindset.
"Good, you weren't swayed by the results; that's often more important than the scores themselves."
"But, Itachi... relaxing a bit is also very important."
Fugaku comforted him, and suddenly thought of something, resolute within.
"By the way, the girl named Haruko... she passed the exam too, right?"
"Let's invite her over for dinner in a couple of days."
"Consider it a celebration for both your early graduations."
Itachi immediately lifted his head!