"What did you say?!"
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Kakashi with astonishment. "Yuto has already mastered your Chidori?"
Chidori was classified as an S-rank Lightning Release jutsu, and it hadn't even been a full morning—how was that possible?
"That's correct, Lord Hokage," Kakashi replied, bowing his head respectfully. "Yuto is… exceptionally gifted. Compared to him I'm mediocre at best—to continue teaching him would only hold him back."
"Now, now, no need to sell yourself short, Kakashi," Hiruzen exhaled a slow puff of smoke, his tone fatherly. "To me, you'll always be that prodigy who graduated at the top of his class at just five years old."
"Lord Third, I—"
"You still haven't let go of the past, have you Kakashi?"
Kakashi opened his mouth to speak, but Hiruzen gently cut him off. "I'm certain Obito and Rin wouldn't want to see you torturing yourself like this, if their spirits are watching over us."
"...Yes. I'll try to move forward," Kakashi murmured after a moment of silence.
"This isn't an order from your Hokage, Kakashi," Hiruzen said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Just an old man's wish to see his finest shinobi not lose himself to despair. The future of Konoha still rests on your shoulders."
"I understand." Kakashi nodded, visibly moved.
"Since you've decided against continuing as Yuto's instructor, I won't force the matter," Hiruzen said with a grandfatherly smile, glancing out the window. "But I'd like your recommendation—who do you think would be the best fit to teach him?"
Hiruzen fully expected Kakashi to suggest him, the Hokage. That way, he could smoothly take on a fourth disciple.
A talent surpassing the Sannin—no wonder Danzō had been so adamant about keeping Yuto under ROOT! The old schemer had probably wanted to take the boy as his own student but was too proud to say it outright.
'Too bad for him!'
But this was for the best. A shinobi of such caliber shouldn't be wasted on that fossil. No, he belonged under the Hokage's wing!
"If I may offer my opinion," Kakashi suddenly spoke up, derailing Hiruzen's mental victory lap, "I believe Yuto would be best suited for medical ninjutsu."
"Medical ninjutsu?" Hiruzen's face went blank. This was not the answer he'd been hoping for.
"Indeed," Kakashi affirmed solemnly. "Yuto is a gentle, humble soul—and he's expressed great enthusiasm for the healing arts."
"Is this Yuto's own wish… or your personal conclusion?" Hiruzen asked carefully.
Kakashi's gaze flicked briefly to his bulging satchel before he straightened. "Both."
"...I see." Hiruzen gave a stiff nod and waved him off. "You're dismissed, Kakashi."
His tone had noticeably cooled. Internally, the Hokage grumbled about Kakashi's astonishing lack of tact. The hints had been painfully obvious! Yet here he was, stuck with this "medical ninjutsu" nonsense. Where was he even supposed to find a suitable instructor now?
As Kakashi turned to leave, Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe, stewing in frustration—until his eyes caught a glimpse of blue cover art and a mermaid princess peeking out from Kakashi's satchel.
'Wait a minute—'
"KAKASHI!" Hiruzen's arm shot out in a perfect Hold it right there! pose. "That bag of yours—!"
*WHOOSH.*
Before he could finish, Kakashi vanished in a blur of speed, leaving only a breeze and the faintest hint of betrayal in the Hokage's heart.
Later That Evening…
At Yuto's humble abode, the "Study Group" was in full swing—or rather, full devouring.
The presence of rivals had turned the gathering into an all-out food war, with dishes disappearing at an alarming rate. But the undisputed eating champion? None other than the seemingly delicate Hyūga Hinata.
While others debated second helpings, she was quietly polishing off her eighth bowl.
Ino, seated beside her, blinked. "Damn, Hinata. Never change."
This wasn't her first time witnessing the spectacle, but the sheer scale never failed to awe.
"I—I'm sorry!" Hinata stammered, cheeks flushing.
"Don't be! I'm just impressed." Ino leaned in conspiratorially. "So… you like Yuto, don't you?"
"Wha—?!" Hinata's face turned nuclear, steam practically whistling from her ears.
"No need to deny it. We're in the same boat." Ino patted her shoulder. "But here's the thing—we've got competition."
"Competition?" Hinata peeked over at Yuto, who was grading papers in the corner.
"You know how he's always going on those blind dates?"
"...Yes."
"Those women are the enemy. You really wanna let some random hussies steal him away?"
"N-No!" Hinata clenched her fists, summoning courage she didn't know she had.
"Then let's team up!" Ino thrust out a hand. "We drive off the intruders, then settle things between us. Fair?"
"But… wouldn't Yuto hate us for that?"
"Relax! We're not hurting anyone." Ino grabbed Hinata's hand, grinning. "We just outshine them so hard they quit on their own."
*Meanwhile, within the Spirit Pearl...*
"You hear that, Mikoto?" Kushina's spirit hovered intently, her lips curling mischievously. "These little girls actually want us to bow out gracefully."
"How frightening," Mikoto responded with mock concern, her dark eyes glinting. "After all, we're just mothers with children now. How could we possibly compete with young maidens their age?"
Yuto kept his head down, diligently marking papers in the small room, pretending not to hear.
Suddenly - poof! - Kushina materialized behind him, draping an arm around his neck while waving cheerfully at Ino, who had been stealing glances at Yuto.
Ino stiffened, her eyes widening.
"Y-you..." she stammered, turning to Hinata beside her. "Did you see that just now?"
"See what?" Hinata followed her gaze but saw only Yuto sitting thoughtfully at his desk, chin resting on his hand.
"A red-haired woman!" Ino gestured wildly. "She appeared out of nowhere, kissed Yuto, then turned into a black-haired ghost and disappeared!"
Naruto scratched his head. "Ino, you feeling okay?"
"You must be exhausted," Sakura said gently, pressing a hand to Ino's forehead. "Let me walk you home."
As Sakura helped the dazed Ino toward the door, the blonde girl cast one last bewildered look backward - and there they were again. Both women, one red-haired and one dark-haired, standing on either side of Yuto like guardian spirits, waving farewell with identical amused smiles.
Ino's mouth opened, then closed. She allowed herself to be led away without another word.
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