"Kakashi, you're not graduating early anymore?"
Obito Uchiha leaned in close, grinning. "Heh. You just can't bear to leave me, right? Afraid that once you graduate, you won't have a rival like me around and you'll get lonely…"
As he spoke, he bumped Kakashi lightly with his shoulder.
Most people would hesitate before bringing something like that up.
Obito never did.
Some people were just naturally drawn to each other.
Take Kakashi and Obito. A cool, aloof prodigy and a hot-blooded so-called dead last. On the surface, they didn't seem to have much in common.
And yet, somehow, they clicked.
Strangely, Kakashi didn't find Obito's clinginess annoying. Even when Obito followed him fishing or watched him cook, blurring personal space without realizing it.
Kakashi could clearly feel the sincerity in him. The simple, earnest desire for friendship.
He would often call out Obito when he caught him secretly watching from a distance and invite him to eat.
Sometimes Rin would tag along with Obito, quietly observing what Kakashi did in his daily routine.
Even though they hadn't graduated yet, the three of them already felt like a fully formed squad.
"You don't understand what it's like outside the Academy…"
Kakashi closed the kenjutsu notebook in his hands. The calm in his eyes shifted into something faintly melancholy. He spoke in a tone far more mature than his age.
"If you graduate without being ready, you'll think the outside world is hell…"
"Huh?"
The other students, who had gradually gathered around, blinked in surprise.
The Academy hadn't officially established an elite advancement class yet, but in reality, circles had already formed.
They were based on talent.
It wasn't about looking down on others. It was simply that when abilities didn't match, there were fewer shared topics.
Naturally, those with similar strengths gravitated toward one another.
Shisui. Obito. Asuma. Guy. Kurenai Yuhi. Rin.
Aoba Yamashiro, Hayate Gekko, Raido Namiashi, Ebisu, Genma Shiranui.
Even Obito, jokingly called dead last, only earned that reputation because of his carelessness and frequent blunders.
"Hell? Don't exaggerate, Kakashi…" Obito scratched his head. "You're actually really strong. I think you're stronger than most Chunin, right?"
"Even if I don't want to admit it, you're someone I need to surpass."
Kakashi's eyebrow twitched.
That might be one reason he didn't mind being around Obito.
In some sense, Obito was the Academy's number one Kakashi fan.
Who could reject a teammate who blushed while praising you for being amazing at fishing?
"Most Chunin? I don't know if that guy counts as an ordinary Chunin…"
A flash of blond hair appeared in Kakashi's mind, and a chill ran down his spine.
"He said he's just average. That there are plenty of people in Konoha stronger than him…"
The memory made his face heat beneath the mask.
He had tailed the man, thinking he was hidden perfectly.
In reality, he had been noticed for days.
He launched a full-force sneak attack and didn't even brush a single strand of hair.
He had been immobilized by a Curse Mark for a moment and couldn't move at all.
His father had to step in and resolve it.
"Hey, Kakashi, your face looks kind of red," Obito said sharply, immediately catching the slight change in tone. "Who are you talking about? Is he really that strong?"
Kakashi quietly tugged his mask higher. "His name is Minato Namikaze. He looks like a really sunny guy…"
He paused briefly.
"And he really is."
Kakashi suddenly remembered that his father and Minato had a strange, cross-generational friendship.
His father had even mentioned applying to the Hokage to have Minato serve as his Jonin instructor if he graduated.
Better not badmouth him.
If word got around and Minato really became his teacher, that could get… unpleasant.
Guy seemed to worship that blond guy.
"The Hokage said the Academy will set up an advanced program. A group of selected students. Minato Namikaze will be the instructor."
"When that happens, you'll see for yourself, Obito."
Guy jumped in enthusiastically. "I will definitely earn Minato-sensei's recognition! His youth burns like a little sun!"
"A little sun? Then doesn't that make him like the Hokage…" someone muttered.
"The Hokage's youth is a great blazing sun!" Guy didn't even look to see who spoke. He spread his arms wide in an exaggerated circle. "He shines over every single person in the village! My father and I revere him deeply!"
Asuma's mouth twitched out of habit.
Sure, his old man was impressive.
But wasn't that laying it on a bit thick?
In the past, Asuma would have made a sharp comment or two. After all, he was the Hokage's son.
But when he thought about the pressure his father carried, about how he still woke at four in the morning to train despite already being Hokage…
Asuma let it go.
"The Hokage really is great. My father says the same."
Kakashi added calmly, then continued, "Minato Namikaze is a good person. If it's you, Obito, you might even be able to push him to use his full strength."
"Everyone train hard. When the time comes, we'll all go at him together and show him what the Academy can do!"
A strange gleam flickered in Kakashi's eyes.
If he had gotten drenched in the rain, how could he let his classmates carry umbrellas?
And if they prepared properly, maybe they could actually make that blond guy stumble.
His father had mentioned that Minato might have mastered the signature Forbidden Jutsu of the Second Hokage.
But that was just a possibility.
There was no way he'd actually learned it.
Don't make Lord Kakashi laugh.
And even if, by some one-in-ten-thousand chance, he had mastered it, would he really use the Second Hokage's Forbidden Jutsu on Academy students?
The scheming little white-haired boy smirked inwardly.
No matter what, he wouldn't lose.
Either his classmates would share the rain with him, or they would successfully strike back at Minato Namikaze.
It was just a question of big win, medium win, or small win.
Shisui fell silent, thinking.
He had also planned to graduate early.
But after hearing Kakashi's words, he hesitated.
Though still a child, he thought far beyond his years, always worrying about the future of his clan and the village.
If becoming a full ninja meant seeing more of the world, perhaps he could meet someone wise enough to guide him.
But if leaving the Academy meant losing his edge, perhaps it was better to stay, build a stronger foundation, and grow alongside everyone else.
Most ninja understood that solid fundamentals supported long-term growth. Even children grasped that.
It was just that reality often forced their hand.
If only I had a capable older brother…
Shisui sighed inwardly.
Then I could share these thoughts with him.
Sometimes he felt the weight of those worries in his very body.
If he had a family member who truly understood him, perhaps things would feel lighter.
But he knew that was unlikely.
The Uchiha Clan had always been like this.
Always yearning for an older brother or a younger one.
Brother complex and sibling devotion seemed practically hereditary.
"Kakashi, your idea is great!"
Asuma stepped into the center of the group, speaking with passion. "We can't lose to the adults!"
"We'll form an organization. Support each other. Show the grown-ups our fighting spirit!"
Guy raised both hands. "Asuma's youth! Let me join too!"
"What should we call it?" Everyone leaned in eagerly.
Who didn't want to shock the adults and prove how outstanding they were?
"Let me think…"
Asuma rubbed his chin. "If we're picking a name, it should reflect something from our village."
"I've heard the First Hokage's ultimate technique could summon a massive azure wooden dragon. So how about we call ourselves the Azure Dragon Gang?"
There was still a trace of rebellion in Asuma. The name carried a hint of street flair.
But it perfectly matched the chuunibyou energy of a bunch of young boys.
"Alright! Then as of today, the Azure Dragon Gang is officially established!"
"We train together. We improve together. Our goal, challenge Minato Namikaze!" Asuma declared boldly.