"My grandson's amazing!"
Hashirama laughed heartily. Though shocked by Kazuku's outrageous talent, it filled him with unprecedented joy.
After all…
This was his grandson!
At seven, he'd mastered monstrous strength and the Eight Gates, inherited Seal-less Healing, and possessed immense chakra.
What about at seventeen? Twenty-seven?
Maybe…
Tobirama's prediction was right.
With this growth, in ten years, Kazuku could become Hokage!
But…
Raw power alone wasn't enough to be an exceptional Hokage.
He needed the Will of Fire.
Otherwise, Kazuku could stray down a wrong path.
Like Madara.
"Lord Tobirama, can you announce the results?" Kazuku said softly, snapping Tobirama out of his daze.
He wasn't here to flex his muscles.
He wanted to become a ninja.
Tobirama's thoughts returned, his mood calming.
"You're right."
He nodded, declaring the exam's outcome.
"Starting today, you're a Konoha genin!"
However…
Though Kazuku had chunin-level strength, he lacked mission experience.
And he didn't know how to lead a team.
In other words, Kazuku had much to learn.
He should grow as a genin.
"Got it," Kazuku replied, unbothered.
After all…
Konoha's strongest were genin, right?
"Sarutobi."
Tobirama called his prized student.
With Hashirama ill and needing rest…
And himself, the Second Hokage, swamped with daily affairs…
He couldn't personally guide Kazuku.
No matter how you sliced it…
As a genin, Kazuku was a true ninja, expected to contribute to the village.
Simply put, take on various missions.
Like weeding or finding lost pets.
A Second Hokage couldn't tag along to help Kazuku weed!
After some thought, Tobirama decided to entrust Kazuku to Sarutobi.
Let him be Kazuku's mentor.
If he could instill a ninja's creed in Kazuku…
Even better.
"Me?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped beside Kazuku, pointing at himself, baffled.
Kazuku's monstrous, freakish talent…
The pressure was immense!
He was just an ordinary guy!
Sure, he had a bit more chakra than peers and more chakra natures.
But nothing extraordinary!
Suddenly, Hashirama spoke. "Oh, didn't a genius graduate from the ninja academy recently?"
"Genius?" Kazuku tilted his head.
In Naruto, few were called geniuses.
But Kazuku's current timeline was early.
Tsunade wouldn't be born for months.
A genius, born early, not among Tobirama's students…
These keywords piqued Kazuku's interest.
Could it be…
Another genius absent from Naruto's plot?
Like Might Batsu?
"Yeah, that guy…" Sarutobi instantly pictured a kid around Kazuku's age.
Before Kazuku, he was the genius in everyone's eyes.
Outstanding in tests and combat, far beyond peers.
He graduated ninja academy in just a year and a half.
Most unbelievably…
He wasn't from a clan.
No Uchiha bloodline limit, no secret clan techniques like Torifu's.
Before the academy, he had no training.
A true genius!
"Uh…"
Sarutobi glanced at Kazuku.
But now, he thought in past tense.
That guy was a genius, but compared to Kazuku…
He seemed ordinary.
At least he studied a year and a half at the academy.
Kazuku never attended!
Who was the real genius? Clear as day!
"So, what's his name?" Kazuku's curiosity surged.
Sarutobi Hiruzen only seemed unremarkable.
But the man who became Third Hokage, led Konoha to its peak, and earned the title "Ninja Hero"…
Was he ordinary?
No way!
If he called someone a genius, they deserved it.
"I remember now. Big Brother means the Hatayama kid, Sakumo, right?" Tobirama realized, recalling the academy buzz.
Hatayama Sakumo excelled in every way.
They had to graduate him early.
"Yeah, the Hatayama kid. He's eight, right? Same age as Kazuku. Why not put him with Kazuku and Sarutobi for missions?" Hashirama suggested.
To him, a same-age partner to grow with was ideal.
Even now, he fondly recalled meeting Madara that afternoon.
Sarutobi and the others were ten years older than Kazuku.
Missions together might feel distant.
"Hatayama Sakumo?"
Kazuku frowned. The name didn't ring a bell.
But Hatayama was famous.
Konoha's top technician, Kakashi, was a Hatayama!
Known as…
Hatayama Fifty-Fifty!
"The Hatayama aren't a big clan. Kakashi's childhood poverty, living in Konoha's outskirts, proves it."
"So… this Sakumo is… Kakashi's father?"
"White Fang?"
Kazuku suddenly remembered.
White Fang was a title.
Like Golden Flash or Blue Beast.
Sakumo was his real name.
"If it's White Fang, he is a genius. His fame echoed across nations, even the Legendary Sannin respected him."
"And now, he's my teammate?"
Kazuku paused.
He'd thought only the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Hokages were tied to him.
Now, it seemed the future Sixth Hokage, Kakashi, might call him "uncle" at birth!
"Big Brother, that's a great idea."
Tobirama nodded, agreeing Sarutobi, Kazuku, and Sakumo made a perfect team.
"Starting today, you three are Team 7!"
Tobirama declared firmly.
And…
He'd already picked Kazuku's first mission.
Recently, the Land of Whirlpools sent envoys to discuss key matters.
Why not have Kazuku's team escort them back?
"A C-rank mission, perfect for Kazuku now."
Author's Note: While writing this chapter, I forgot Kakashi's dad's name. A Baidu search showed "Hatayama Sayun" (you can check Baidu Encyclopedia). A reader's comment reminded me it's Sakumo. I checked the databook, and it said "Sakumo" too. I was like, ??? Probably a translation issue. In my Naruto manga, Obito's called "Tojin," but Sakumo's the most recognized translation, so I went with it. All three names are likely correct, (￣m￣) so don't roast me for getting it wrong! Similar issue with Painful Sky Leg—some translations call it Heavenly Guard Leg.*
(End of Chapter)