Chapter 57 Instructions

Naruto started to complain that he was hungry, and Sasuke called him an "idiot" while sharing the food in his lunch box with him.

Seeing this, Sakura also shared the food in her lunch box with Naruto.

Kakashi finally couldn't help it, and when Naruto reached out to take the rice ball handed to him by Sakura, he untied the ropes that tied him.

Kakashi suddenly felt very powerless, he couldn't let them fail again, even if he wanted to, he couldn't do it.

More importantly, he didn't want to do it.

He could feel that deep in the hearts of these children, there was a powerful force hidden. Although this force was still immature, it would be unstoppable in time.

He had never seen such outstanding children, and he had never been so eager to train a strong ninja team.

It was as if he saw a chance to break the cycle of history, a chance to ensure that this team would never make the same mistakes again.

"I hope to see the three of you showing up at the training ground in high spirits tomorrow morning," Kakashi finally said to them.

He didn't say explicitly that they had passed the test, but from the looks in their eyes, he knew that they had understood.

"Are you going to be late?" Naruto asked.

"Maybe, maybe not." Kakashi said with a smile. The mask hid his expression, but he couldn't help but reveal a long-lost smile.

Of course, he would be late.

******

"I really don't know what to do with them," Kakashi complained to Iruka and Puck at Iruka's house, "All the training plans I prepared this morning were disrupted by them! They have already mastered the use of chakra and the concealment of aura. Sakura even broke a tree as thick as a bowl with one punch..."

Instead of comforting Kakashi, Iruka listened to his complaints with a smile, as if he was enjoying a good show.

"Looks like you'll have your hands full," Iruka gloated.

Kakashi glared at him fiercely, and Puck turned over, revealing his round belly, as if to say:

"Come on, touch me"

"How can I train them? They are not those Anbu members who only follow orders, they are a team!" Kakashi said frantically.

"Then teach from the beginning." Iruka said lightly, as if it was a very simple thing.

"Start from the beginning?" Kakashi looked at him in disbelief. "But I can only issue orders, not teach students..."

"They are no different from other children," Iruka explained patiently, "They have strengths and weaknesses, dreams and confusions. Whether you like it or not, they are your students now. You must understand their needs in order to help them grow."

"But how can I understand their needs?" Kakashi asked in confusion, "Just ask them directly?"

"You come from the Anbu, so observation and evaluation are your strengths, aren't they?" Iruka said as he stroked Puck's fur. "Observe them carefully, find their strengths and weaknesses, and give them help and encouragement when they need it."

Kakashi sighed, propped his chin on his hand, and scratched his hair with the other hand in annoyance, and said:

"That's easy for you to say..."

"It's not easy," Iruka said bluntly, "but it's easier than you think."

Kakashi was silent, thinking about how to train these three little brats. He was used to training those experienced adult ninjas, but he didn't know how to guide these young newcomers.

But maybe he was overthinking it.

He had only known these three children for a few hours, but they had already made him so exhausted, which also proved their potential. He was now full of curiosity about their abilities and wanted to know how much energy they could burst out under pressure.

"Kakashi, there's one more thing." Iruka said suddenly, his tone serious and earnest.

Kakashi immediately looked up and looked at Iruka.

Iruka paused, as if he was organizing his words. After a long while, he continued:

"One day, these children will need not only your guidance, but also your care. Maybe it will be a week later, or maybe it will be a year later, but you have to understand that the three of them have all been through a lot. Two of them have been without parents since childhood, and one has lived under discrimination from villagers since childhood. One day, they will need your help and support, and you can't run away."

Iruka's words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Kakashi's heart. He remained silent, he knew Iruka was right, but he was not ready yet.

"You don't have to make a decision now," Iruka's tone became gentle, "but you have to remember that sooner or later you will have to make a choice. You have to decide whether to treat Haruno Sakura as an excellent ninja worthy of training instead of a nymphomaniac; you have to decide whether to treat Uchiha Sasuke as a trustworthy companion instead of an orphan of the Uchiha clan; you have to decide whether to treat Uzumaki Naruto as a worthy opponent worthy of respect instead of the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki."

Iruka's words touched Kakashi's heart again. He felt an inexplicable irritation and uneasiness, but he said nothing and just listened quietly. He knew that Iruka would not say these words for no reason. He must have his own intentions.

Iruka looked directly into Kakashi's eyes and said word by word:

"You can't do things halfway, Kakashi. You either accept them wholeheartedly or you reject them outright. There is no in-between."

After saying that, Iruka stood up and walked into the kitchen, holding the sleeping Puck in one hand, and began to work. Kakashi sat there, lost in thought.

Night fell and the room was dark. Iruka did not turn on the light, and Kakashi was grateful for this. He did not want Iruka to see his vulnerability at this moment.

Iruka came back with two cups of hot coffee and handed one to Kakashi.

The coffee had no sugar, just a little milk, just the way Kakashi liked it. Iruka sat down beside him and waited quietly.

Kakashi took a sip of coffee, put the cup on the ground, then raised his head, looked into Iruka's eyes, and said softly:

"Thank you, Iruka."

Iruka patted his shoulder and said:

"You are much stronger than you think, Kakashi. Don't be afraid to make choices."

Kakashi was silent for a long time, and finally nodded. He knew that Iruka was right, he had to make a choice, and now.

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