Kakashi could tell from Arata's silence that his words had landed.
The boy wasn't arguing anymore — just thinking, quietly.
That was good. Because if the Third Hokage ever saw what Arata had done tonight…
he wouldn't just be wary.
He'd send the ANBU to keep constant watch.
After all, Arata was only twelve — yet he had already killed a Jonin, and not just any Jonin.
One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist — Kurotsuchi Raiga himself.
And that wasn't even the scariest part.
The jutsu Arata had used to suppress Naruto's rampage was technically forbidden-level.
But Kakashi knew — deep down — that it wasn't even Arata's full power.
He had seen flashes of that golden lightning before. It felt like something alive.
"A few more months and it'll be time for the Chūnin Exams," Kakashi said, breaking the silence.
"Once that happens, the Hokage will know everything about your strength."
Arata tilted his head slightly.
"You're hoping I'll participate, aren't you, sensei?"
Kakashi gave a crooked smile.
"That decision might not even be up to me."
He looked out toward the horizon.
"The Sand Village is sending their best genin this year. You understand what that means, right?"
Arata nodded.
"It means Konoha has to show its strongest, too."
"We can't afford to look weak — not even to our allies."
Kakashi smiled faintly.
"Exactly. The Chūnin Exams may be a test on paper, but in reality it's a show of force."
"Every hidden village uses it to flaunt their military strength."
He looked at Arata meaningfully.
"And in that kind of show, the Third won't keep you hidden for long."
Arata shrugged.
"That's fine by me. I want to get promoted anyway. Chūnin rank means better missions…"
"And better pay."
Kakashi blinked.
"…Pay?"
Arata nodded solemnly.
"Come on, sensei. You know how it is — every mission's commission gets split in half by the village first. Then we have to cover our own expenses, buy our own gear. It's robbery."
Kakashi chuckled, amused at how serious Arata sounded.
Arata continued, completely straight-faced.
"You know how expensive explosive tags are? A single one costs a few thousand ryō. Meanwhile, a C-rank mission barely pays that much."
"Basically, we risk our lives for enough money to buy one piece of paper that explodes."
Kakashi had to bite back a laugh.
"I didn't think I'd see the day you complained about finances."
Arata shot him a flat look.
"I'm not greedy. I just don't want to go broke trying to survive."
He leaned back and sighed.
"Even Jōnin barely make a profit unless they have side hustles. No wonder someone like Jiraiya ended up rich — everyone else is just broke and bruised."
Kakashi tilted his head, smirking under his mask.
"So our prodigy has a practical side too, huh?"
"Please," Arata muttered. "Even prodigies need food."
Kakashi chuckled quietly.
"Fair enough. Well, if the Third really meant it when he said he'd nurture you, hopefully he'll make it worth your time."
But even as he said that, his tone dimmed.
He didn't truly believe it.
Trusting the Hokage was one thing.
Trusting the village council was another.
"Anyway," Kakashi said, snapping himself out of his thoughts.
"Once you've learned sealing techniques, I want you to keep an eye on Naruto for me."
Arata blinked.
"You sound awfully sure I'll be able to learn them."
"And isn't that supposed to be your job?"
Kakashi grinned, patting his shoulder.
"I have absolute faith in you. Besides, you've never met a jutsu you couldn't master."
"If you really learn sealing arts that can suppress a tailed beast… well, that makes you responsible too."
He chuckled.
"Let's call it shared responsibility."
Arata stared at him for a moment, unimpressed.
"You just don't want to babysit Naruto anymore, do you?"
Kakashi froze.
Then coughed into his fist, eyes drifting away.
"Ahem. I wouldn't say that. I just believe in giving talented individuals opportunities."
Arata sighed.
"Right. Opportunities to handle your problem child."
Kakashi laughed behind his mask.
"You can't blame me! You've seen what he's like. I'm lucky I haven't died of stress yet."
"My whole squad's a collection of walking headaches — one brooding avenger, one love-struck kunoichi, and one hyperactive menace."
He gave Arata a pleading look.
"As my unofficial student, don't you think it's only fair you share some of my suffering?"
Arata pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You just want a free assistant."
"Think of it as… teamwork," Kakashi offered weakly.
"Uh-huh. More like indentured labor."
Kakashi gave a half-hearted shrug, still grinning.
Despite the teasing, the trust between them was clear.
Kakashi wouldn't even joke about giving Naruto's safety to just anyone.
Deep down, he truly believed Arata was the one person capable of controlling that chaos —
someone who could handle Naruto's power and protect the village if things went wrong.
Just like Minato once did.
And though Arata rolled his eyes at the man's antics, he understood the sentiment.
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