Ordinary civilians like Rin Nohara did not know the specifics of the sacrifice, but Sakumo Hatake's name was placed on the Memorial Stone.
"I am going to apply for early graduation," Kakashi said concisely, stopping for a moment before continuing to walk forward.
"Won't that be very dangerous?" Rin Nohara asked.
She glanced at the application form, which set the examination time for 5:00 PM today.
She knew Kakashi was outstanding.
If it were before, hearing about Kakashi graduating early would only fill her with admiration.
However, ever since Kiyoshi spoke those ambiguous words, Rin Nohara had deliberately gathered a lot of information about Kakashi's father.
There were many things she had never known before, and the sources of information were limited to her parents or other comrades, making her knowledge very restricted.
Rin Nohara was currently worried that Kakashi's emotions might affect his performance on missions.
With Kakashi's talent, he certainly wouldn't waste time on simple D-rank missions—such as finding lost pets, conducting character investigations, helping villagers dig sweet potatoes, or babysitting. His tasks would be the more difficult ones.
If these types of missions failed, it could easily mean a danger to his life!
Because he would encounter ferocious beasts, bandits, or even enemy ninjas.
This was no longer a game of make-believe; this was facing the cruelty of the ninja world head-on!
"No, I won't be the kind of person who fails missions. Besides, continuing to waste time here is meaningless," Kakashi finished, walking forward alone.
Rin Nohara remained standing there, her worry deepening.
She went alone to the training ground's rest area and found Obito.
"What? Kakashi is graduating early?" Obito was shocked when Rin Nohara told him Kakashi was submitting his application. He immediately jumped up from his chair in disbelief.
He had planned to rest and slack off a bit, but that thought vanished instantly, replaced only by a sense of urgency.
"Isn't he the same age as us?" Obito couldn't understand.
Why was the gap so huge when they were all the same age?
Even Kiyoshi Uchiha, the new foreigner, was progressing quickly.
Did that mean he was the only one standing still?
Thinking this, Obito clenched his hands.
Why were these two people so close to Rin all the time?
"I don't know, maybe because of his strength, or maybe because of his father," Rin Nohara said after a moment of hesitation.
"When is the test?"
"Five o'clock this afternoon."
"Let's go see it later." Since class was dismissed soon anyway, Obito decided to go see if Kakashi could pass.
Rin Nohara nodded, agreeing with Obito's suggestion.
***
Hokage Office.
"Kakashi is applying for early graduation?" Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe and exhaled a puff of smoke, which drifted onto the application form.
"Yes, Lord Third, this is Kakashi's application." the Chūnin instructor, knelt on one knee respectfully.
The names of any student seeking early graduation were sent here for review by the Third Hokage.
Not to mention that Kakashi was the "Son of the White Fang."
Since the matter of the White Fang had only just concluded, Instructor dared not delay for a moment. With Kakashi applying for early graduation at this sensitive time, it was better to notify the Third Hokage as soon as possible.
"The time is 5:00 PM, is it?" Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the application form and tapped his desk with his pipe.
Instructor lowered his head, silently waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision.
"Gather the other examiners now and come with me to conduct Kakashi's early graduation examination."
"Yes, Lord Third!" Instructor immediately focused chakra into his feet and used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.
Only Hiruzen Sarutobi remained, staring out the window, lost in thought.
***
5:00 PM.
In a room with a vermillion door and a large "NINJA" character hanging above the doorframe.
Kakashi, wearing a light green scarf embroidered with circular patterns, began to form hand seals to quickly mix his spiritual and physical energies.
Ram—Snake—Tiger.
Kakashi's hand seal speed was very fast, and he completed the sequence in little time.
*Poof.*
The smoke cleared, and a clone almost identical to Kakashi stood before him, maintaining the Tiger seal.
When Kakashi lowered his hands, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly.
He was indeed Sakumo's only son.
The afterimage created by the chakra was almost indistinguishable from the real thing, showing a high level of understanding and proficiency with the Ninjutsu.
However, the coldness in this child's eyes was a true reflection of the darkness in his heart.
"Congratulations, Kakashi. You have passed the examination and become a newly sprouted leaf of the Hidden Leaf. From now on, you must become a great ninja, just like your father." Hiruzen Sarutobi concluded.
An examiner next to him handed Kakashi a brand-new ninja headband.
Kakashi stepped forward, accepted the ninja headband, and tied it around his forehead.
"Regarding your father, we are also deeply pained. However, he died as a hero and will forever be enshrined on the Memorial Stone. I hope you will be like him and protect the 'King.'"
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Kakashi nodded.
The "King" (*Tama*) had different meanings.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was referring to the "King" piece in Shogi.
Which symbolized the people who inherited the "Will of Fire."
However, the current Kakashi no longer cared about any of that.
He only wanted to become a ninja who strictly adhered to the ninja code, that was the true path of a ninja.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered slightly as he watched Kakashi, fully donned with the ninja headband, push the door open and exit.
"Amazing."
"That's the headband only ninjas can wear!"
"Kakashi actually passed."
A crowd of students who had heard the news gathered at the doorway, all packed outside, watching Kakashi emerge.
Kiyoshi was also among them.
He stood further back, watching Kakashi.
This scene occurred in the anime TV episodes 580 and 581.
Kakashi applied for graduation, and Hiruzen Sarutobi personally came to examine him.
The death of the White Fang was just the beginning of Kakashi's dark path.
The subsequent deaths of Rin Nohara and Obito, coupled with his integration into the Anbu, would turn Kakashi completely cold.
Many Anbu comrades who were accustomed to the darkness of the ninja world couldn't even tolerate Kakashi.
Kakashi even almost betrayed the Third Hokage under Danzō's persuasion.
Eventually, Kakashi was emotionally touched by Hiruzen Sarutobi and brought back in time.
Hiruzen Sarutobi intended for Kakashi to become a Jōnin leader and use the process of training students to erase the darkness from Kakashi's heart.
This was why he became the leader of Team 7.
"Your headband..." Obito walked forward, pointing to Kakashi's headband.
"You passed, congratulations, Kakashi."
Rin Nohara couldn't change Kakashi's mind, so she could only choose to congratulate him.
"Mm." Kakashi nodded.
Obito turned his head and saw Rin Nohara watching Kakashi with unwavering attention.
Hearing Rin Nohara's sincere congratulations, Obito clenched his hands.
"What, aren't you going to congratulate me?" Kakashi asked casually, his gaze shifting to see Kiyoshi watching from his back left.
"Who wants to congratulate you? Just watch, I'll catch up to you very soon." Obito dropped a challenge and quickly ran off.
"Obito..." Rin Nohara watched Obito run away, feeling helpless.
Obito was truly as emotional as a child.
In that case, the only person she could rely on was the stable Kiyoshi.
Even though she couldn't change the fact that Kakashi had already graduated, Rin Nohara still wanted to try to ease Kakashi's mental state.
( Original author note:- This book is a mixed version, blending the settings of the manga and anime, including official novels, because every version has plot holes. I can only try to make the logic as smooth as possible, but all content is sourced from official material and has its origins.)
***
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