Kakashi was genuinely surprised by Yoru's reaction.
"You really are different from other kids," he said with a faint smile. "If it were anyone else, they'd be proud just hearing that. They'd think I was praising them."
"But you don't look even a little pleased."
Yoru frowned slightly.
"Wouldn't it be wrong to feel proud? I know my own limits."
"Reaching jōnin-level strength in half a year is impossible. Going on missions with you is even more impossible."
"I'd still like to stay alive."
Kakashi chuckled.
"Yet Dōichi and I both believe you can do it."
"Then you're both overestimating me," Yoru replied calmly. "I don't have that kind of ability."
Kakashi didn't argue further.
"We'll only know after trying."
He reached into his ninja pouch and pulled out a sheet of chakra paper.
"Here. Chakra test paper. It'll reveal your elemental affinity."
Yoru hesitated for a split second before taking it.
Truthfully, he didn't want Kakashi to know he possessed all five elemental affinities.
In the shinobi world, that was exceedingly rare.
Within Konoha, as far as he knew, only Kakashi and the Third Hokage had that distinction.
"Channel your chakra into it," Kakashi instructed.
Yoru focused and infused chakra into the paper.
Kakashi stared intently.
Most shinobi possessed only one affinity.
Two was considered exceptional.
Even many jōnin started with just one and painstakingly trained to develop a second.
And acquired affinities were never as pure as innate ones.
Kakashi secretly hoped Yoru would have Lightning Release.
If so—
He could teach him Chidori.
The moment chakra flowed into the paper—
It split cleanly in two.
One half became soaked with moisture.
The other crumpled tightly—
Then ignited with flame, burning a hole through part of it—
While the remaining sections crumbled into dust like shattered stone.
Kakashi froze.
Completely stunned.
Yoru blinked as well.
Even though he already knew the result—
Seeing it confirmed was different.
Kakashi stared at him in disbelief.
"You… you have all five elemental affinities."
"This is unbelievable."
"It's been years—decades—since Konoha has seen someone like this."
"Yoru… you're destined to become a great shinobi. Perhaps even someone like the Fourth Hokage."
Yoru almost felt awkward at the intensity of Kakashi's excitement.
Five affinities were impressive, yes.
But Kakashi himself had five.
Why react like this?
And comparing him to the Fourth Hokage?
Even if Yoru believed he would surpass Minato someday—
Right now, that was a distant mountain peak.
"Kakashi-sensei," Yoru said calmly, "is it really that rare?"
He deliberately played ignorant.
Chakra theory was taught at the Academy, but chakra test paper certainly wasn't standard genin knowledge.
Kakashi let out a slow breath.
"You don't understand."
"Having five affinities means you possess all elemental transformations."
"That alone is reason enough for excitement."
He expected at least a flicker of amazement from Yoru.
Instead—
Yoru simply nodded.
"That's convenient. So I can learn any elemental ninjutsu?"
Kakashi stared at him.
"You're not surprised at all?"
Yoru remained expressionless.
"Why should I be? I only care whether I can learn the techniques."
Kakashi shook his head in disbelief.
"You really are different from your peers."
He continued,
"In Konoha right now, as far as I know, only three people possess all five affinities."
"You. Me. And the Third Hokage."
Yoru smiled faintly.
"So you do as well. That makes sense, considering your title as the 'Copy Ninja.'"
"Without matching elemental affinity, copying techniques would be difficult."
Kakashi nodded.
"The Sharingan allows replication of many techniques."
"But not everything."
"If the user lacks the corresponding chakra nature, it can't be copied."
"Forbidden techniques and kekkei genkai are also exceptions."
"And taijutsu is difficult to replicate perfectly."
He explained in rare detail.
Not classified information—
But not something casually shared with genin either.
It showed how much Kakashi already trusted Yoru.
Yoru listened quietly.
None of it surprised him.
Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder again.
"From today onward, I'll train you under the harshest conditions."
"You need to be mentally prepared."
Yoru nodded.
"I'll do what I can."
Kakashi smiled.
He was genuinely pleased.
Yoru's foundation was extraordinary.
Massive chakra reserves.
Exceptional control.
Five elemental affinities.
Sharp composure.
He wasn't just raw talent—
He was an uncut gem.
And not even one that required excessive carving.
Just a little refinement—
And he would shine brilliantly.
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