Looking through the wire mesh of Training Ground 44, you could see a large number of hired carpenters repairing the land and trees within the Death Forest.
Due to the battle months ago, the Death Forest suffered the most severe damage.
The destructive power of large Summoning Beasts and the barrage of numerous extravagant Ninja Techniques are major reasons the Death Forest has yet to recover.
Just looking from the outside, you could imagine the intensity of that night's battle.
Craters formed as if from a meteor impact, trees uprooted over a span of several miles, leaving only a barren expanse.
At present, the funds Konoha has invested in repairing the Death Forest are astronomical to the average person, and the manpower and resources involved are not something that can be understated.
In a certain corner of Training Ground 44, Kakashi trained alone. To achieve a certain goal, he must become stronger.
Joining the Minato Squad, honestly, did not significantly enhance his strength.
His future path, prepared by a certain man, was already laid out.
Whether during his Chunin era or after reaching Jonin level, or even on much further levels, everything was already thoroughly planned.
He merely needed to follow the advice given by that man, step by step.
Therefore, not gaining significant strength by joining the Minato Squad was expected.
His growth in strength could not achieve breakthroughs through ordinary methods.
Even Namikaze Minato, who possessed Space-Time Ninjutsu, was the same.
Kakashi sat in front of a wooden stake, his back to the stake, calmly sitting on the ground. On his lap lay the unsheathed White Fang Short Knife, entering the so-called 'oneness of man and knife' state, sensing the essence of nature.
After a long time, he slowly stood up from the ground, gripping the White Fang Short Knife tightly, a thin layer of pale blue light, unnoticed when it formed, was on the blade.
This was the manifestation of Lightning Attribute Chakra's nature change.
The White Fang Short Knife had an extremely powerful effect of absorbing nature-changing Chakra; his Lightning Style focused on power and speed, specifically thrusting.
Once drawn, it would surely slice through the enemy at lightning speed.
He then swung the White Fang Short Knife, turning and slicing at the stake behind him.
The White Fang Short Knife passed through the stake without leaving a trace, as if the slash was just an illusion.
But upon closer inspection, you could still see a hair-thin cut and a sprinkling of wood chips.
"Did I fail again?"
How to make a blade pass through without leaving a mark was extremely difficult.
But this was the training goal Kakashi aimed to achieve.
To master the nature change of Lightning Attribute Chakra perfectly, this practice was necessary.
But as it stood, the training effects in this regard, far from satisfied him.
"Kakashi, are you here? It's time to depart..."
A voice came from behind, and Kakashi raised the White Fang Short Knife without hesitation, attacking the person behind him.
He only ended up striking air, as the person had already used Instantaneous Body Jutsu to dodge.
"Now's not the time for actual combat exercises, Kakashi."
Minato stood behind Kakashi, gently patting his shoulder, and smiled slightly at him.
"I was just curious about how fast you are, Minato-sensei."
"Well, are you satisfied?"
"There's still a big gap."
He hadn't noticed Minato move at all—Space-Time Ninjutsu? No, it was probably just Instant Body.
At his level, there was no need for Space-Time Ninjutsu. If so, it would be overkill.
"At your age, having such strength is already quite remarkable."
Minato comforted him.
Geniuses inevitably have a bit of pride, something Minato understood very well.
Ordinary methods can't make a genius like Kakashi comply. Occasionally showcasing his own strength also helps with team cohesion, giving Kakashi a sense of recognition, allowing gradual influence thereafter.
Kakashi shook his head, said nothing, sheathed the White Fang Short Knife, and left Training Ground 44 with Minato, heading towards the gate of Konoha to gather.
"Minato-sensei, what's our mission this time?"
"A-Class Mission."
Minato sighed.
"?"
Kakashi was a bit puzzled.
Not that he feared the difficulty of an A-Class Mission—since graduation, he had encountered A-Class Missions more than ten times.
Although A-Class Missions were very challenging, to him, they weren't insurmountable.
His confusion stemmed from the fact that there were two virtually new members in the team.
Obito and Lin.
Despite a period of running-in, they mostly executed D-Class and C-Class Missions and have not dealt with even B-Class Missions. Suddenly executing an A-Class Mission seemed incomprehensible.
"The front line is stretched thin. Recently, the village dispatched another squad for support. Apart from ninjas who must stay in the village, there are fewer and fewer squads available for external tasks. Otherwise, this kind of task would never have fallen to our squad."
Minato explained.
Kakashi understood. Simply put, they were a bit short-handed. Even a rookie team couldn't afford to operate leisurely anymore.