Testing with shuriken, deceiving enemies with Shadow Clones, feinting with Lightning Release, and finishing with the instantaneous movement of the Teleportation Jutsu combined with the ancestral Hatake kenjutsu style for a decisive strike.
Kakashi's strategy, tactics, and combat prowess were displayed in full during this battle—far surpassing even many Chunin-level shinobi.
Just ask Eiji Momoshiro, who had just suffered defeat at his hands.
As the battle concluded, Hiruzen Sarutobi rose from his seat. In his capacity as the Third Hokage, he walked forward with a warm smile, gazing at the slightly fatigued Kakashi. "Kakashi, your performance exceeded my expectations. Even your father would be proud."
"It is thanks to prodigies like you that Konoha continues to thrive."
Turning to the gathered students and shinobi, he spoke with solemn authority, "One day, when we grow old, you will be the pillars of Konoha's future. I hope you will always remember the Will of Fire: wherever leaves dance, fire burns. The flames will continue to illuminate the village, nurturing new leaves to sprout."
With just a few words, Hiruzen stirred the emotions of everyone present—including Kakashi and Eiji, still standing on the training field.
The majority of students, honored by such praise and expectation from the Hokage himself, were visibly flushed with excitement.
Even Veigar, who had little attachment to Konoha, found himself recalling those who had aided him during his time here.
There was no denying it—Hiruzen Sarutobi's ability to instill the Will of Fire was incredibly strong.
Confirmed. Hiruzen was a master of ideological indoctrination—ahem, I mean, a master at spreading the Will of Fire.
Satisfied with the reactions around him, Hiruzen smiled and turned back to Kakashi. "Kakashi, I hope you will uphold the Will of Fire and grow into a formidable shinobi—one who will become a pillar of Konoha's future."
Before Kakashi could respond, Hiruzen continued, "As the Third Hokage, I hereby grant Kakashi Hatake permission to officially graduate and become a Genin."
Upon hearing the long-awaited verdict, Kakashi immediately dropped to one knee and respectfully acknowledged, "Thank you, Lord Third."
Though he maintained his composure, he could barely contain his excitement. Meanwhile, the other students erupted in an uproar.
"Wow! Kakashi is amazing! I wish I could graduate too!"
"He's so strong! If only I could go on a date with him…"
"Kakashi Hatake, huh? I will surpass you!"
…
Fanboys, fangirls, admirers, and rivals alike—all eyes were now firmly locked on Kakashi.
It was clear that from this moment onward, the legend of Kakashi Hatake—the five-year-old genius who graduated from the Ninja Academy—would spread across the entire shinobi world.
Konoha was about to be thrust into the spotlight, all because of this newly graduated rookie Genin.
Among Kakashi's former classmates, Rin Nohara watched him with a gentle smile, silently offering her congratulations from the bottom of her heart.
"Congratulations on becoming a Genin, Kakashi."
Meanwhile, Obito Uchiha—who had always kept his attention on Rin and viewed Kakashi as a romantic rival—immediately grew jealous upon noticing where her gaze lingered. He loudly declared, "It's just early graduation! I'll definitely become a ninja far stronger than Kakashi in the future!"
Unfortunately, rather than earning support, his statement only drew laughter from their peers—after all, Obito was at the bottom of the class.
Ironically, this very same 'dead last' would one day spark the Fourth Great Ninja War, eventually becoming an even more powerful shinobi than Kakashi himself.
Meanwhile, Kakashi's closest rival, Might Guy—currently limited to taijutsu, and destined to master only taijutsu—set his own goal.
"To celebrate Kakashi's graduation, I will run around the entire village twenty times after school!"
"If I fail, I'll do it upside down for thirty laps instead!"
The classmates standing near Might Guy all looked at him as though he had lost his mind.
...
Another day, another pre-dawn morning.
Five days had passed since Kakashi's graduation exam. Meanwhile, Veigar, keeping a low profile and steadily improving, had successfully mastered the Substitution Jutsu.
Just as he caught sight of the slaughterhouse where he worked in the distance, a shadow appeared in the darkness ahead, blocking his path.
"Oi, Veigar Koshima."
From the shadows emerged Kakashi Hatake.
Veigar, still mid-stride, quickly came to a halt, standing a short distance from Kakashi. With a puzzled expression, he asked, "Good morning, Kakashi. Do you need something?"
"Oh, and congratulations on graduating early."
Though Veigar had his suspicions that Kakashi had been waiting for him, he still greeted him with a friendly smile.
"You owe me a favor from last time. Let's settle it with a spar."
Kakashi's tone was calm, but his intent was clear.
"Kakashi, I—"
Veigar started to refuse, but Kakashi cut him off.
"I've been watching you in secret for days now. You've already mastered the Three Basic Jutsu, haven't you?"
As he spoke, Kakashi unsheathed the short sword on his back, its cold blade gleaming ominously under the moonlight.
The revelation that Kakashi had been observing him for several days made Veigar's face darken.
Nobody liked being watched—Veigar was no exception.
But knowing he wasn't strong enough to challenge Kakashi, he merely shook his head and refused, "Kakashi, I can't fight you."
"Sorry, but I have work to do. I need to go."
With that, Veigar attempted to walk around Kakashi. But before he could take another step, Kakashi pulled something from his ninja pouch and tossed it toward him.
Instinctively, Veigar caught it.
It was a scroll.
"It contains a sensory-type jutsu. If you fight me, it's yours."
Kakashi had found Veigar's weakness.
As someone from a civilian background, Veigar had no access to advanced ninjutsu—and this scroll was exactly what he needed.
"…Why me?"
Holding the scroll, Veigar was tempted—but he still asked the question weighing on his mind.
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