#35 - The Darkness in Kakashi's Heart
The average person like Nohara Rin didn't know the specifics of how Hatake Sakumo sacrificed himself, but his name was on the memorial stone.
"I'm going to apply for early graduation."
Kakashi said concisely, pausing for a moment before continuing forward.
"Isn't that dangerous?"
Nohara Rin asked.
She noticed the time on the application form was 5 PM today.
She knew Kakashi was excellent.
If she had heard about Kakashi graduating early before, she would only feel admiration.
However, since Kiyoshi had said those ambiguous things, Nohara Rin had made a point of collecting a lot of information about Kakashi's father.
There were many things she had never known before, and the sources of information were only her parents or other companions, which were very limited.
At this moment, Nohara Rin was worried that Kakashi's emotions would affect his mission execution.
With Kakashi's talent, he would definitely not waste time on simple D-rank missions, such as searching for lost pets, conducting character investigations, helping villagers dig sweet potatoes, or taking care of children. He would be doing more difficult missions.
If these types of missions failed, there could be a risk to his life!
Because he might encounter wild animals, bandits, or even other enemy ninja.
This was no longer child's play; it was facing the cruelty of the ninja world head-on!
"No, I'm not the kind of person who would fail a mission. Besides, continuing to waste time is meaningless."
Kakashi said, then walked forward alone.
Nohara Rin stayed where she was, her expression even more worried.
She went to the resting area of the training grounds and found Obito.
"What, Kakashi is graduating early?"
When Obito heard Nohara Rin say that Kakashi had submitted an application form, he immediately stood up from his chair, in disbelief.
He originally wanted to rest for a while and slack off, but now that idea vanished, and he only felt a sense of urgency.
"Isn't he the same age as us?"
Obito didn't understand.
Why was there such a big difference between people of the same age?
Even the new foreigner, Uchiha Kiyoshi, was constantly improving quickly.
Was he the only one standing still?
Thinking of this, Obito clenched his fist.
Why were these two always so close to Rin?
"I don't know, maybe because of his strength, or maybe because of his father."
Nohara Rin said hesitantly.
"When is the exam?"
"Five o'clock this afternoon."
"We'll go watch later."
Anyway, school would be out soon, and Obito decided to see if Kakashi could pass.
Nohara Rin nodded, agreeing with Obito's suggestion.
……
Hokage Building.
"Kakashi is applying for early graduation?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe, exhaled a puff of smoke, and brushed it onto the application form.
"It's Kakashi's application, Third Hokage."
Chunin instructor Umino Iruka knelt on one knee, respectfully.
Any student who wants to graduate early has their name sent to the Third Hokage for review.
Not to mention Kakashi was the "Son of the White Fang."
The White Fang's matter had only just ended not long ago, and Umino Iruka didn't dare to delay for even a moment. At this critical juncture, with Kakashi applying for early graduation, it was best to notify the Third Hokage as soon as possible.
"The time is five o'clock this afternoon?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen put down the application form and tapped the table with his pipe.
Umino Iruka lowered his head, silently waiting for Sarutobi Hiruzen to make a decision.
"Call the other examiners and come with me to give Kakashi his early graduation assessment."
"Yes, Third Hokage!"
Umino Iruka immediately extracted chakra and concentrated it on his feet, using the Body Flicker Technique to leave.
Only Sarutobi Hiruzen was left, looking out the window, wondering what he was thinking.
…………
Five o'clock in the afternoon.
In a room with a vermilion door and a large "Shinobi" character hanging above the door frame.
Kakashi, wearing a light green scarf embroidered with a circular pattern, began to form hand seals, allowing his mental and physical energies to mix as quickly as possible.
Hare—Snake—Tiger.
Kakashi formed the hand seals very quickly, completing them in no time.
Poof.
The smoke cleared, and a clone almost identical to Kakashi stood in front of him, maintaining the "Tiger" seal.
When Kakashi lowered his hands, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly.
As expected of Sakumo's only son.
The afterimage created by chakra was almost indistinguishable from the real thing, showing a high level of understanding and proficiency in this ninjutsu.
But the child's cold eyes were simply a reflection of the darkness in his heart.
"Congratulations, Kakashi. You have passed the exam and become a new green leaf of Konoha. In the future, you must become a great ninja like your father."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's words fell.
The examiner beside him handed Kakashi a brand new ninja forehead protector.
Kakashi stepped forward to receive the ninja forehead protector and put it on his forehead.
"Regarding your father's matter, we are also very saddened, but he died as a hero and is forever engraved on the memorial stone. I hope you can protect the 'Jade' as he did."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi nodded.
"Jade" has different meanings.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was referring to the "King" in shogi.
That is, the person who inherited the "Will of Fire."
But the current Kakashi no longer wants to care about these things.
He only wants to become a ninja who abides by the ninja system. This is the ninja's destiny.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flickered slightly, watching Kakashi, who was already wearing the ninja forehead protector, push the door open and walk out.
"So amazing."
"It's the forehead protector that only ninjas can wear!"
"Kakashi actually passed."
Many students who had heard the news gathered at the door, all crowding outside, watching Kakashi come out.
Kiyoshi was also among them.
He stood in the back, watching Kakashi.
This scene happened in anime TV episodes 580 and 581.
Kakashi applied for graduation, and Sarutobi Hiruzen personally came to review it.
The death of the White Fang was just the beginning of Kakashi's darkening.
After the deaths of Nohara Rin and Obito, and Kakashi's adaptation to the Anbu, he would completely become cold-blooded.
Many Anbu colleagues who were accustomed to the darkness of the ninja world could not accept Kakashi.
Kakashi even almost betrayed the Third Hokage under Danzo's persuasion.
In the end, Kakashi was moved by Sarutobi Hiruzen and persuaded back in time.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted Kakashi to become a Jonin leader, erasing the darkness in Kakashi's heart by leading disciples.
This is why he became the Jonin leader of "Team 7".
"Your forehead protector..."
Obito stepped forward and pointed to Kakashi's forehead protector.
"You passed, congratulations, Kakashi."
Nohara Rin couldn't change Kakashi's mind, so she could only choose to congratulate him.
"Yeah."
Kakashi nodded.
Obito turned his head, his eyes fixed on Nohara Rin, who was watching Kakashi.
Hearing Nohara Rin's sincere congratulations, Obito clenched his hands.
"What, aren't you going to congratulate me?"
Kakashi asked casually, his vision blurred, and he noticed Kiyoshi looking at him from the left rear.
"Who wants to congratulate you? Watch me catch up to you soon."
Obito said harshly and ran away quickly.
"Obito..."
Nohara Rin looked at Obito running away, feeling helpless.
Obito was really as emotional as a child.
Then the only person she could rely on was the steady Kiyoshi.
Although she couldn't change Kakashi's graduation, Nohara Rin still wanted to try to smooth Kakashi's mood.
This book takes a mixed version, integrating the settings of the manga and anime, including official novels, etc., because there are bugs in every version, so we can only try to make the logic smooth, but they are all taken from the official version and have sources.
