The air was frozen.
The atmosphere was so tense that even Sakura Haruno didn't dare breathe.
Sasuke Uchiha clenched his fists tightly.
Naruto's expression was emotionless and calm—only a faint trace of disappointment and grievance flickered in his eyes. It stemmed from not receiving the favoritism one might expect from "his father's student." Despite his outstanding performance, he didn't even get a single sincere compliment, which triggered his feelings.
He didn't believe that Kakashi was unaware of his identity.
Kakashi had already been a Jonin before Naruto was even born.
If he truly didn't know...
Then Konoha must be terrifyingly calculated to have hidden such a truth so well.
That alone would be reason enough for Naruto to feel more anger.
But he leaned toward believing the former.
Even so, Naruto couldn't understand—why there was no favoritism.
Just last night, he had made excuses for Kakashi—excuses for not visiting him, not appearing in front of him over the years: to ensure the safety of the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, Kakashi had no choice.
He had let his grievances out through those words, prepared to break off completely.
If Kakashi wasn't the "Fourth Hokage's student," Naruto wouldn't have felt so invested earlier, wouldn't have gotten so excited.
Being a ninja wasn't his only option.
Kakashi looked down at the bells at his feet, easily tossed aside, now stained with dust.
This kind of forceful tone of voice...
Was just like Kushina-sensei.
Refute him?
He couldn't find any reason to argue back.
Naruto's words weren't nonsense—in fact, they were well-organized and reasonable.
When had he himself come to understand the meaning of "teamwork"?
It must have been...
After Obito's sacrifice.
He looked up slightly, catching sight of Naruto's brilliant blond hair.
These three in front of him—
One was born an orphan, rejected by the village, with no friends. Another saw his entire clan wiped out by his own brother when he was young.
Even Sakura, who had both parents, was nothing more than a lovestruck girl obsessed with her crush.
Expecting them to understand "teamwork" immediately was too harsh.
How did his own teacher, Minato, treat them back then?
He should have more patience too.
More importantly, he couldn't really send them back to the Academy.
He could tell that such a threat wouldn't work on Naruto.
With that in mind—
"You've got quite the presence, Naruto," Kakashi's tone softened. "You're certainly not like the brats before you."
"As newly graduated genin, you're already very impressive."
"Both Naruto and Sasuke have abilities far beyond other students."
"As for Sakura..."
He paused, carefully recalling, trying to extract a bit of positive feedback: "Hmm... she's also very brave."
"The criticism earlier was just to make you remember the importance of teamwork."
He looked into the distance at a square stone monument in the training field, densely carved with names.
"A friend once told me..."
"Those who don't value their comrades are worse than trash."
"You three will be fighting together in the future—facing life and death side by side."
Naruto frowned slightly.
Perhaps he was just being sensitive. The words weren't wrong, but he couldn't bring himself to like them.
"Training exercise is over," Kakashi held up his hand with a thumbs-up. "Congratulations, you're officially genin."
"Starting tomorrow, you'll operate as a team—Team 7—and carry out missions together."
Sakura's nerves finally relaxed—her heart had been in her throat the whole time.
What a relief.
Sasuke also exhaled lightly.
Naruto looked at Kakashi.
He understood this was ultimately a compromise made for the mission.
Still, he wished Kakashi had held his ground earlier—then maybe he could've pushed him for some answers.
The heavy atmosphere dissolved.
Kakashi treated them to barbecue to celebrate their successful graduation.
That evening—
At the Hokage Tower, Kakashi reported the training results to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Third Hokage puffed his pipe, sparks flickering: "Naruto's swordsmanship is exceptional, and he also knows a lightning-style technique that doesn't require hand seals?"
"Yes," Kakashi nodded.
Sarutobi's tone grew concerned: "Is there a chance he learned it from a ninja outside the village?"
Kakashi hesitated, then shook his head: "I believe it's unlikely."
"His sword is a katana—only the samurai of the Land of Iron use such weapons. But Naruto's sword style is different from theirs."
"It doesn't match any sword style I've encountered."
"As for the lightning technique..."
"I believe Naruto developed it himself."
Sarutobi raised his eyebrows: "Developed it himself? That's quite remarkable."
"Naruto only just graduated—he's twelve."
Recalling their sparring that day, Kakashi said, "Naruto is a genius."
"He developed a unique body-flicker technique, and learned Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu in just two nights."
"When we fought, he saw me walk on water and managed to do it himself after just five tries."
"After all, he is the son of Minato-sensei."
A brilliant father giving birth to a brilliant son—completely natural.
Kakashi paused, then changed his tone: "But I won't rule out the possibility that Naruto had contact with someone outside the village."
"He has two swords. He only used one during the exercise."
"That one is a famous blade—it can conduct chakra. The other, though unused, is also a katana, and likely no less powerful."
Sarutobi stroked his beard.
Two famous blades?
"The most concerning thing..." Kakashi's voice deepened, "is that Naruto seems to hold deep resentment toward the village."
He repeated Naruto's final words:
"'They don't accept me—why should I accept them?'"
Sarutobi echoed the words, momentarily stunned.
"Resentment toward the village, huh..."
"In that regard, we really did fail him."
"Kakashi, I'll be counting on you."
Kakashi nodded solemnly.
"And what about the other two?" Sarutobi asked.
Kakashi replied, "Sasuke Uchiha's goal is to take revenge on that man. He's also gifted, and performed quite well."
"But as for Sakura Haruno..."
"Why was she assigned to this team?"
Her performance was ordinary, with no special bloodline or talent. Among average genin, she could be called above average—but compared to Sasuke and Naruto, the gap was far too large.
"Iruka told me Naruto likes Sakura," Sarutobi chuckled. "Love can change a Jinchūriki."
Naruto's mother, Kushina Uzumaki, had been such a Jinchūriki.
Kakashi opened his mouth: "Lord Third, I'm afraid Naruto doesn't like Sakura."
"He could say calmly, 'Sakura doesn't want to be teammates with me.'"
Sarutobi frowned, smoking more vigorously.
Iruka had sworn to him that Naruto liked Sakura.
Iruka wouldn't lie to him.
So that meant...
Sometime in the past half month, Naruto had undergone a complete transformation from the inside out.
Their intelligence was outdated.
After a long pause, he spoke heavily, "The village's view of Naruto must change—and Naruto's view of the village must also change."
"But these are not things that can be done overnight."
"Compared to changing the villagers' opinion of Naruto, perhaps changing Naruto's opinion is more feasible."
"Kakashi, I'll entrust this to you as well."
"Whether as the Fourth's son or the Jinchūriki, Naruto cannot afford to be lost."
"I will create the best environment for you."
He believed that time would heal everything.
He had waited for Naruto to graduate—he could wait even longer, until Naruto matured, until Naruto turned twenty-four—
Kakashi lowered his head, silently grumbling.
Change Naruto's view of the village?
He instinctively felt... that might be even harder than changing the village's view of Naruto.
That little brat was far too mature for a child.
(End of Chapter)