"Okay, don't be angry."
Seeing Kakashi stubbornly refuse to speak, Hayashi crouched down with a gentle smile and said, "Relax. Smile more, you don't have to always look serious."
He reached forward and lightly lifted Kakashi's cheeks, guiding his expression into a grin.
"I'll take you out for ice cream later, as an apology."
"…Really?" Kakashi paused for a moment, suspicion still evident in his voice.
"Really. Hasn't Sakumo taken you before?"
"…No. My father always demands I meet this standard, or complete that assignment. As for my mother, she sometimes says she'll take me, but then she ends up staying with my father… claiming they're practicing swordsmanship."
"…."
Hayashi exhaled softly. Being a mentor for someone this age occasionally felt like babysitting. And as for Sakumo , He couldn't help but wonder if they were using this excuse as a chance to go on a date.
"Since they won't take you, then I will."
"But my father's side…"
"It's fine," Hayashi said with a shrug. "If I see Brother Sakumo, I'll drag him along with us."
Kakashi fell silent as he considered the idea. He likely couldn't envision his stern father eating ice cream, but it did bring a small smile to his lips.
"Take this chakra test paper."
Hayashi took a special sheet of chakra‑inducing paper from his pouch and handed it to Kakashi, explaining, "This paper reacts to chakra nature. If you infuse your chakra into it, it will show your elemental affinity and help you decide which ninjutsu suits you best."
"Is that so?" Kakashi took the paper and focused, allowing chakra to flow into it.
In moments, the paper crumpled and then completely dissolved into a fine powder.
"Lightning, Water, Earth?"
Hayashi always assumed Kakashi might have potential in all five nature types, but this reaction suggested something else.
He pulled five separate chakra induction papers from his pouch and explained:
"Most shinobi are born with one natural chakra affinity, which makes learning and focusing on related techniques far easier. These papers detect what your primary affinity is by how they react when chakra is applied."
"If the paper wrinkles," Hayashi continued, "that means Lightning affinity."
He demonstrated by channeling his own chakra into one of the papers. It instantly wrinkled.
"If it splits, that is Wind affinity."
Hayashi then touched another paper with chakra to make it neatly split in two.
"Fire affinity would burn the paper. Earth will crumble it into dust. Water would make it become damp or wet."
This basic elemental testing was standard in ninja world training and was often used to help genin specialize in the right direction.
"If ninjas train hard, they can learn more than one chakra nature over time, but you must master at least one before graduating," Hayashi said with a kind but firm tone.
Kakashi nodded gravely.
Hayashi reached out and gently ruffled Kakashi's white hair with an affectionate grin.
Appearances notwithstanding, this test wasn't as simple as it looked. Having an affinity was not the same as quickly mastering multiple elemental transformations. Even Naruto, who could use Wind chakra effectively, still needed time and intense training before substantial progress.
Hayashi tucked away the test papers and patted Kakashi's shoulder.
"Let's go. I know a shop that's really good. I'll take you there."
"Really?" Kakashi asked, eyes brightening despite himself. "Running off in the middle of training… won't my father get angry?"
"Don't worry," Hayashi teased as he grabbed Kakashi gently by the collar, "You're under my supervision now."
In an instant, they were outside the gate of the Hatake estate.
"Just Body Flicker Technique," Hayashi said with a smirk as he swiftly led them toward the commercial street.
In late September, the weather in Konohagakure still carried a bit of warmth. The two walked through a long alley before reaching their destination.
When Hayashi pushed open the shop door, a crisp chime filled the room. A woman inside looked up from behind the counter.
She appeared to be in her mid‑twenties. When she saw them, attractive dimples appeared on her cheeks.
"Hayashi, you're here."
"Yes, Aunt Kyoko."
Kyoko's eyes shifted to the little boy beside him. "And who might this be?"
"This is the student I just took on," Hayashi explained casually. "I'm bringing him here to eat something. Kakashi, you should call her Aunt Kyoko."
Kakashi stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Hello, Aunt Kyoko. I'm Hatake Kakashi. Please take care of me."
Kyoko covered her mouth to stifle a giggle, then smiled warmly.
"Hello to you too. My name is Uchiha Kyoko. Pleased to meet you."
"As for me," Hayashi said with a gentle shrug, "I'll have what we always have."
Turning to Kakashi, he asked, "What would you like to eat?"
Kakashi tiptoed and studied the menu carefully before deciding.
"…Then I'll have the Century Egg and Lean Pork Milkshake."
"…Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"All right then," Hayashi said, pulling Kakashi to a seat as Kyoko nodded and went to prepare their order.
Before long, a child of about four or five carried a tray and set two glasses of ice cream on the table.
"Enjoy your meal!"
The boy didn't leave immediately. Instead, he settled down beside Kakashi and surveyed the room with lively eyes.
Hayashi glanced at him with a mild expression of helplessness.
This energetic little troublemaker was Uchiha Obito, notorious for his future antics, but currently just an excitable child. At nearly four years old, he often helped out at the shop.
His backstory was bittersweet. His father had died young, followed by his uncle Uchiha Ryo. Only his mother, Kyoko, remained to raise him, supported by assistance from the Uchiha clan and Konohagakure. It was enough to live comfortably, but Kyoko, still young and once a ninja herself, didn't want to stay idle.
Hayashi, as a friend, had helped secure a shop from Nawaki, leaving it to Kyoko to run. Obito, curious and eager, had taken a fond liking to him.
Perhaps it was because Hayashi was a friend of his mother's. Perhaps it was because Hayashi was already a respected figure to the young boy. Or perhaps it was simply because Obito saw something exciting in the older man.
Whatever the reason, Obito followed Hayashi around with the hope that he might one day learn real ninja skills from him… although Hayashi had politely refused.