When Kakashi made his request, the Third Hokage's expression hardened.
The office fell silent.
The warmth that usually filled the room vanished — replaced by an icy, heavy pressure that made everyone uneasy.
No one spoke.
Even Naruto, who normally couldn't stop talking, sensed that something was very wrong.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Kakashi.
He could feel it — the tension between his teacher and the Hokage wasn't a simple disagreement.
For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the faint click of the Hokage's pipe.
Finally, Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke and spoke in a low, even tone.
"So… that would make your squad a team of four."
Kakashi met his gaze without flinching. "It's just one more person."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Kakashi — if anything happens to him, you will be responsible."
"I will take responsibility," Kakashi replied, his voice firm.
The air was so still it felt suffocating.
And then, to everyone's surprise, the Hokage smiled faintly.
"…It seems Arata is a very fortunate boy."
Kakashi didn't respond, but the tension in his shoulders eased just a little.
In truth, Hiruzen had only been testing him — trying to see just how far Kakashi would go for this mysterious boy.
He hadn't expected the normally calm, detached Copy Ninja to defend him so fiercely, almost to the point of confrontation.
But instead of feeling threatened, Hiruzen was quietly pleased.
He trusted Kakashi's judgment. If Kakashi was willing to fight for someone, that meant the boy wasn't dangerous.
"Very well," the Hokage said after a pause. "But your team's reward will be split among four instead of three."
Kakashi nodded. "Understood. Thank you, Lord Hokage."
"Go on then," Hiruzen said with a wave of his hand. "Bring him along."
Kakashi inclined his head respectfully, then turned and left with his three students in tow.
Only after the door closed did Iruka, who had been standing silently at the side, finally speak up.
"Lord Hokage… the Arata Kakashi mentioned — that's the same Arata who just graduated this year, right?"
Hiruzen nodded.
Iruka frowned in confusion. "Then… why did things get so tense just now? I've never seen anything like that. You and Kakashi almost…"
He trailed off, unsure if he should say it.
One was the Hokage, the most powerful man in Konoha.
The other was the village's strongest active jonin.
That kind of clash was unheard of.
"Did Arata do something wrong?" Iruka asked carefully. "You seemed… dissatisfied with him."
The Hokage glanced at Iruka with a calm smile. "I'm not dissatisfied with him at all."
Iruka didn't answer, but the look in his eyes said he didn't quite believe that.
Hiruzen said nothing more. His silence only deepened the mystery.
Finally, Iruka asked cautiously, "But isn't Arata under Jonin Samei's guidance? Why would Kakashi request to take him along on his mission?"
"That's not something you need to concern yourself with," Hiruzen said mildly.
The tone made it clear the conversation was over.
Iruka bowed his head. "Yes, Lord Hokage."
Meanwhile, outside the Hokage Tower, Naruto finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Kakashi-sensei! What was that just now? You and the old man looked like you were about to fight!"
Sakura and Sasuke nodded silently beside him.
They'd been too intimidated to ask in front of the Hokage, but their curiosity was burning.
Kakashi glanced at them briefly. "You're imagining things."
Naruto frowned. "Come on! I'm not that dumb. The air was so heavy I could barely breathe!"
"Why'd you want to bring Arata anyway? He's not even in our team!"
Naruto crossed his arms, pouting in protest.
To him, it felt like his teacher didn't trust his own students' ability.
Sasuke, on the other hand, said nothing.
But his eyes were sharp — thoughtful.
He knew there was something about Arata that Kakashi wasn't telling them.
And that bothered him.
For Kakashi to stand up to the Hokage like that… it meant Arata was far more than he appeared to be.
A flicker of jealousy passed through Sasuke's chest before he could stop it.
Kakashi was their sensei — and yet he'd risked defying the Hokage for another boy.
Just who is he to you, Kakashi-sensei?
After a long pause, Kakashi finally said, "Arata's also my student now."
All three genin froze.
"WHAT?!" Naruto shouted first. "He's your student too?!"
Sakura and Sasuke looked equally stunned.
They might complain about Kakashi's laziness, but deep down, they respected him immensely.
He was one of Konoha's strongest jonin — the legendary Copy Ninja, the man who once fought alongside the Fourth Hokage.
And now, some other kid — someone outside their team — had also been taken under his wing?
Naruto threw his arms up in outrage. "That's not fair! You totally taught him secret jutsu, didn't you!? You haven't even taught us anything yet!"
Sakura and Sasuke stayed quiet, but their scowls said enough.
Kakashi simply shrugged. "Believe what you want. I haven't taught him much at all — I met him not long before you three."
But Naruto snorted. "Yeah, right! You're definitely hiding something!"
Kakashi sighed. "If you say so."
He didn't bother arguing.
A few minutes later, the group arrived at Arata's home.
It was simple, quiet — like the boy himself.
Inside, Arata was sitting cross-legged, focusing on the golden chakra that shimmered faintly around his hands when Kakashi appeared at the door.
"Arata," Kakashi said, patting his shoulder, "we've got a C-rank mission outside the village. I requested permission to bring you along — think of it as field training."
Arata raised an eyebrow. "Outside the village?"
Kakashi nodded. "That's right."
Naruto grinned. "We're escorting some old bridge-builder guy! It's gonna be awesome!"
Sakura, meanwhile, finally took a closer look at Arata — and blinked in surprise.
He's… actually kind of handsome.
How did I never notice him before?
Of course, that thought ended there.
Her heart had long been reserved for Sasuke, and nothing could change that.
Sasuke, on the other hand, was also quietly observing Arata.
He wanted to see what made him so special — what made Kakashi-sensei trust him so much.
But after a long, silent stare, he saw nothing extraordinary.
Other than being just as sharp-featured as himself.
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