"Ryoto-kun, what a fascinating boy," the White Fang said with a warm smile. "He's the same age as my son, Kakashi. I'm sure they'll get along splendidly."
"In that case, Sakumo-san, I entrust him to you," Rin declared solemnly, rising to her feet and bowing.
"There is no need for thanks, Rin-chan," the White Fang replied. "Teaching one or teaching two—it makes little difference. Kakashi has just finished, so I suppose I shall take my leave."
The White Fang stood and picked up a cage from the floor, inside which sat a small puppy.
Rin walked him to the door.
Ryoto, meanwhile, flopped onto the sofa.
The White Fang of Konoha was going to die. It would happen within the next few years. Ryoto couldn't recall the exact date, but he was certain it would be very soon.
Just then, Rin returned.
"What was that all about?"
"That's a ninja hound for Kakashi. Her name is Pakkun, and she can talk," Rin explained.
"I wasn't talking about that."
"Sakumo was my senior comrade during my time in the Anbu. He is an exceptionally reliable man, someone you can trust," Rin said. "The Inuzuka Clan maintains contact with him; we assist him with the training and care of his ninja hounds. Don't misunderstand me."
Rin looked at the pouting Ryoto. No men had ever visited their home, and Sakumo was the first. Therefore...
You think I could misunderstand? That you found me a stepfather?
"Have you even once asked for my opinion?!" Ryoto burst out, his face grim as he stared at Rin. "You're always like this! Always deciding everything for me, controlling my life!"
A lightning-fast strike, which he had no time to dodge, landed squarely on Ryoto's head. He had wanted to evade it, but he couldn't!
"Is that any way to speak to me?!" Rin exclaimed in a fury. She grabbed Ryoto by the ear and, lifting him with one hand, hissed, "I am your mother!!!"
Standing on his tiptoes on the sofa, his neck stretched, Ryoto wailed, "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"
"Do you think I've done something wrong?!"
"Let go! Let go! You're right! I was wrong!"
Rin released him and said, "Starting tomorrow, after school, you will report obediently to Sakumo for your lessons, and in the evening, you will return home. On weekends, I will train you personally!"
What a devilish schedule! Not a single day off all year!
Rubbing his ear, Ryoto looked at Rin but said nothing more. He knew it was useless to argue with her, but he decided to try his luck anyway. It doesn't hurt to try, but in his case, it was indeed torture. What could he do? Right now, he was just a five-year-old brat with no say in the matter.
"Sakumo is an incredibly powerful ninja. Learn from him properly," Rin said, tossing the remark over her shoulder as she walked angrily into the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Ungrateful boy! I found him the best teacher in the village, and he turns his nose up at it. He has absolutely no appreciation for kindness.
Watching her leave, Ryoto snatched a glass of juice from the table and drained it in one gulp.
A powerful ninja... a powerful ninja who will commit suicide after a psychological breakdown. Betting on him is a huge mistake. When the White Fang is gone, how am I supposed to live in the village with the stigma of being his student? Everywhere I go, people will point fingers at me. Moreover, I'll inevitably fall under the scrutiny of the Third Hokage's faction. The Third might be able to protect Kakashi by placing him in the Anbu. But Danzō will surely target me, to, so to speak, put the waste to good use. A confrontation would be unavoidable then. Nothing but trouble! And besides, my father died at the hands of men from Root...
"Come here! Dinner's ready!" Rin shouted.
"Coming." Anger was one thing, but dinner was on schedule. Ryoto ate with a hearty appetite.
After dinner, having cleared the dishes from the table, Rin looked at Ryoto, who was sitting discontentedly on the sofa, and said, "I have a gift for you."
Ryoto raised his head.
Rin blew a dog whistle, and a beautiful golden dog emerged from the other room, sitting down right in front of Ryoto.
"Her name is Kage, she is ten years old, and she can talk."
"Hello, master," Kage said in a gentle voice, looking at Ryoto like a caring older sister.
She called me master...
Ryoto shuddered and looked at his mother in horror.
"Use that technique on her."
Ryoto reached out and placed his hand on the dog's head. Kage obediently lowered her head.
"The main drawback of Suzu's Human Beast Mimicry is her speech."
No, her behavior too, Ryoto grimaced, understanding his mother's plan.
"If she could speak, she would be no different from a human," Rin said. "Kage is one of the rare geniuses. Take good care of her."
"Yes, I understand."
The name Kage... does that mean she is to become my shadow, my replacement in the event of my death?
"I will train the ninja hounds myself, so don't worry about that. Focus on developing your own abilities."
When Ryoto removed his hand, his vision darkened, and for a moment, his mind buzzed and went blank, but he quickly recovered.
"Alright, go to bed early tonight. Starting tomorrow, this easy life will be over."
Ryoto stood up and went to his room, the four dogs following him.
…
The next day at school, nothing of note occurred. Nohara Rin didn't spare him a single glance, which allowed Ryoto to breathe a sigh of relief. His deskmates were absent from class again—they had ended up in the hospital once more.
After his lessons, Ryoto followed Kakashi. On the way, Kakashi noticed him and would occasionally glance back, looking from Ryoto to Nohara Rin, who was walking behind them. Kakashi had seen Nohara Rin many times, as they lived in the same direction. But Ryoto... he was supposed to be going the other way. Puzzled, Kakashi stopped at the gate of his house.
The Hatake clan's home was quite large. Though a minor clan, it was a clan nonetheless, and the family was of a considerable size, residing in a spacious, traditional mansion.
We're here.
Ryoto glanced at the house, walked past Kakashi, pushed the gate open, and strode decisively inside, tracking the White Fang by scent.
What is he doing?! Why has he come to my house?!
Kakashi hurried after him. Nohara Rin stopped at the crossroads, looked at the gate of the Hatake residence, then pursed her lips, turned, and walked in the other direction.
…
In the courtyard of the Hatake home...
"I think you have the wrong address," Kakashi said, catching up to Ryoto.
"Excuse me, is this the home of the Hatake clan?" Ryoto asked.
Kakashi nodded, not understanding what he wanted.
"Then I'm not mistaken," Ryoto said and continued walking.
"Hey, stop!" Kakashi grabbed Ryoto's arm and, staring at him with his lifeless eyes, hissed, "This is my house!"
"I know," Ryoto nodded, shaking off Kakashi's hand and proceeding onward.
At that moment, Pakkun ran up to them, barking happily and greeting Kakashi. He was one of the dogs that could talk, but he needed to be taught how. Kakashi immediately scooped the puppy into his arms, caught up with Ryoto, and demanded, "Why did you come here?!"
"You're so smart, take a guess," Ryoto replied without stopping.
Take a guess, he says! What kind of guy is he!
Seeing that Kakashi disliked Ryoto, Pakkun began to bark loudly at him. Hearing this, Ryoto stopped, looked at Kakashi, and, holding out his hands, said, "Give him to me."
Kakashi, slightly taken aback, handed Pakkun to him. Ryoto lifted the puppy and, narrowing his eyes, growled, "You bark one more time and I'll break your legs!"
Pakkun, looking into Ryoto's face, immediately fell silent and, whimpering, glanced at Kakashi.
"What do you think you're doing?!!"
Kakashi, who adored his puppy, instantly snatched him back from Ryoto's hands.
How insufferable! He barges into my home and then scares my dog!
Kakashi lifted his head and saw that Ryoto had already walked on ahead.
"Hey, stop!"
Ryoto paid him no mind and kept walking.
"I told you to stop! You want to fight me, is that it, Ryoto?! You've picked the wrong opponent!"
In a small dōjō in the backyard, sitting under an awning, the White Fang watched this scene with a kind smile. Gradually, Kakashi fell silent and regained his usual cold and arrogant demeanor.
Kakashi is a good child in every respect, but he acts far too grown-up; he lacks a child's liveliness. When a friend appears with whom he can play, his boyish nature breaks through.
The White Fang shifted his gaze to Ryoto.
But this child, on the contrary, acts childishly while being mature beyond his years. He grew up too fast. Rin has told me a lot about him. It sounds like he will be a handful. So young, yet already able to hide his true abilities—he's no simple boy. The personalities of these two complement each other perfectly.
"Ryoto, you've come," the White Fang said with a warm smile.
"I have come, master. From this day forward, please take care of me," Ryoto said with a bow. This teacher had been found through his mother's efforts, so respect and politeness were mandatory.
Hearing this exchange, Kakashi's eyes widened.
This guy! Now he's trying to take my father from me too!