Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage!

c5: Graduation and Coming Back, Not Without Reason

Hokage's Office.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, placed one hand on the crystal ball, observing the movements of Hatake Kakashi, Ryomine Kyohiko, and Yuhi Kurenai from above through his scrying technique.

At that moment

Thump!

A sudden, strange thud echoed outside. Sarutobi immediately pressed his palm against the crystal, eyes narrowing as he turned toward the window.

Then...

He caught himself.

No what am I reacting like that for?

Sarutobi cleared his throat, recovering his composure. Looking calmly at the open window, he scolded sharply, "Jiraiya! How many times have I told you to use the door?"

"Oi, it's faster this way," Jiraiya replied with a grin, not bothering to hide his usual irreverence.

Despite the entrance, his face turned serious once he caught sight of the Hokage's scrying crystal. "You're monitoring them? How's it going?"

The Third Hokage tapped his pipe, watching the orb intently.

"Ryomine Kyohiko is... impressive," he said slowly. "What's most valuable is his awareness he has the instinct to prioritize his teammates in battle. He's composed, observant, and adaptable far more mature than most fresh graduates."

Sarutobi exhaled softly. "But the war makes that dangerous. Children forced to grow up too fast burn out early or worse."

"He's like Kakashi," Jiraiya noted as he moved closer, staring into the crystal ball.

Inside the glowing orb, Kakashi and Kyohiko were locked in a running spar, trading blows taijutsu against taijutsu, step-for-step.

At first

Kyohiko was clearly at a disadvantage, evading more than striking, using his speed and positioning to avoid Kakashi's precision.

But

As the fight progressed, even through the hazy image in the orb, it was becoming obvious to both men:

Kyohiko's taijutsu was improving in real time.

His footwork adjusted with each exchange. His dodges became cleaner. His counterattacks found sharper angles. His guard was more disciplined.

How could this be?

Jiraiya squinted, stunned. "This rate of improvement… is he copying Kakashi's fighting style as they spar?"

He nudged Sarutobi, speechless.

Clack!

The Hokage's pipe fell from his mouth.

"Oh no my pipe!"

He lunged to catch it before it shattered, but the tobacco spilled across the floor.

Still, the moment didn't warrant concern for a mere pipe.

Sarutobi's brow furrowed. He leaned in toward the orb again.

This kind of progress…

If he hadn't already verified that Kyohiko descended from the Senju bloodline, he might have suspected the boy had awakened a Sharingan.

That kind of observational learning adapting to your opponent mid-fight and growing was more reminiscent of Uchiha combat instincts than a typical Genin.

"Jiraiya," Sarutobi asked, voice low, "have you met him before?"

"Old man," Jiraiya said, rubbing the back of his head, "I've been watching him on and off for over a year now. I swear to you this kid's growth is pure grind. He trains alone most of the time. He never really had live combat experience, so this is probably the first time he's had someone push him like Kakashi."

"Hm."

Sarutobi nodded.

It made sense he had simply been caught off guard.

To think that a student who'd remained so inconspicuous during his Academy years... had this kind of latent potential.

And the will to develop it.

Truly exceptional.

---

"Hahh... hahh…"

Kakashi panted, sweat glistening on his forehead.

He couldn't believe what he was witnessing.

How could someone improve so rapidly, just during a spar?

A genius?

But if that were true...

Then what about all his own effort?

What about all the sleepless nights, the endless drills, the painful missions, the solitude?

Kakashi refused to believe that mere talent could explain this.

No.

Kyohiko must have been training in isolation refining his skills behind closed doors all along.

That would make more sense. This wasn't raw talent being revealed it was strength being unleashed.

But still…

There was something more.

His speed it had increased subtly, quietly. Kakashi hadn't even noticed when the pace shifted.

This guy… is still accelerating?

He was still getting stronger!

Although Kakashi wasn't panicked to the point of being overwhelmed, he was undeniably shaken. As Kyōhiko's form, timing, and power steadily advanced, their spar evolved into something far more intense and far more dangerous.

But

Jingyan understood this clearly himself.

If he hadn't previously trained with Might Guy sparring relentlessly against his precise, high-intensity taijutsu he never could've sharpened his hand-to-hand combat this fast.

In addition

Real combat remained the fastest way to turn theory into instinct, and technique into reflex.

"Stop fighting! If you both keep this up, someone's going to get seriously hurt!"

Yuhi Kurenai tried to intervene, her voice sharp with concern.

But

Neither responded.

She bit her lip, clenched her fists, and began to weave hand signs rapidly.

"Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion – Falling Sakura!"

An illusion of petals began to drift from the sky soft, pink, tranquil unnatural within the context of their heated battle.

Jingyan and Kakashi instantly halted, alarm bells going off in their heads. Both dropped to the ground, fingers forming the necessary hand signs to disrupt chakra flow and dispel the genjutsu.

Moments later, both opened their eyes dazed but unscathed.

Of course

They hadn't broken it on their own. Yuhi Kurenai, already proficient in genjutsu beyond most Academy graduates, had deliberately released the technique to snap them out before it escalated further.

She bowed immediately.

"I'm sorry! But your fight was getting too intense... I don't know any medical ninjutsu. If either of you got hurt here in the Forest of Death it could be serious."

Jingyan looked at her and spoke gently.

"Hong, thank you. That was the right call."

Kakashi remained silent.

Even he was surprised.

For someone their age, Kurenai's genjutsu was remarkably advanced. The chakra control needed for Demonic Illusion: Falling Sakura was no joke. No wonder Lord Jiraiya had selected her.

Thankfully, Kakashi still wore his mask his slight frown stayed hidden, and his image as the cool genius wasn't publicly dented.

Jingyan didn't reveal Kakashi's discomfort.

"We're a team. This battle helped us understand each other's strengths. We'll use that insight in tomorrow's survival assessment."

Team… partners…

"Just don't slow me down," Kakashi said curtly.

Kurenai's temper flared.

She was usually gentle but this boy, with his elite reputation, continuously shattered her assumptions with sheer arrogance.

How could someone so praised be so cold?

She took a breath to calm herself then noticed Jingyan's composure.

Had he anticipated this?

Probably. After all, he'd been Kakashi's classmate, unlike her, who was one year below them.

But then

Kurenai froze.

"Maybe you didn't go all out earlier," Jingyan said softly, looking at Kakashi. "You still haven't used your blade. But no matter how strong you are, could you defeat Lord Jiraiya alone?"

Kakashi turned slightly, his eyes narrowing.

"Cooperation exists to build bonds. If you ignore your teammates' safety, it doesn't matter if we pass or not we're just strangers in your eyes. Tools."

"You act like you don't need anyone. Then why not join ANBU alone?"

He paused.

"There's a reason you came back two years after graduating. The way you view others... is the way others will view you. Nobody wants a teammate who looks down on them."

Jingyan finished and turned to Kurenai.

"Come on, Hong. Let's scout the area. It'll help us tomorrow."

So that was it…

He hadn't been unaffected he'd been suppressing his emotions all along. Until now.

What biting words!

Isn't he afraid of Kakashi fighting back?

Kurenai stared at Jingyan, then at Kakashi.

Kakashi's fists trembled. His eyes burned with restrained fury.

But Jingyan didn't flinch. He had no intention of backing down or apologizing.

Kakashi wasn't someone you could reason with gently. Even if he did one day change, it might come at the price of a teammate's life…

He refused to be another Obito.

And in this world, there might not be a Madara lurking to revive him.

Besides

Words alone were too slow. Jingyan wanted results. He wanted to "defeat the boss"—Kakashi quickly and earn his recognition.

There was no room for emotional diplomacy.

He didn't expect to win in one day.

Two or three confrontations would be faster than playing nice.

Step one: show Kakashi that respect was mutual.

Even if he couldn't match Kakashi's strength yet, that didn't mean he had to endure Kakashi's dismissiveness.

Step two: It all depended on whether Jiraiya would help push things forward.

Jingyan thought quietly as he walked.

Yuhi Kurenai hesitated, but eventually caught up.

"Kyouhiko-kun, wait!"

She jogged beside him, still flushed.

"I'm not great at detecting traps. Can you handle observation for us? But let's not disturb anything just map it mentally."

"Got it."

The two ventured deeper into Training Ground 7.

Behind them, Kakashi stood still, fuming.

Hidden among the branches, Jiraiya's shadow clone sighed.

That silver-haired brat… no wonder so many people filed complaints. He really is hard to work with.

But…

That kid's words hit deep. Kakashi's silence said it all.

He was still just a boy. No matter how calm or composed he appeared, he had his limits and his scars.

Jiraiya chuckled.

This is what kids should be like!

But…

How will you three fare in tomorrow's exam?

---

That night, the trio parted ways.

A visible rift hung between them, and their conversations had dwindled almost entirely.

"Is this really okay?"

Kurenai asked softly.

Jingyan's earlier speech had shattered her half-day impression of him.

She had mistaken his calm for passivity. But in truth, he was simply restrained until necessary.

"Kakashi has reasons for acting the way he does. I understand that. I've been there. But solving the problem doesn't mean bowing to it. That's not the right way."

"I see…"

Kurenai whispered, eyes downcast.

Jingyan paused.

"We're near your home. I won't go farther."

"Huh?"

She blinked, surprised to find herself standing at the corner near her house.

When had they arrived?

She hadn't been paying attention just lost in thought about the day, and about the strange, composed boy walking beside her.

"Goodnight. Let's work hard tomorrow."

"Yes! Thank you, Jingyan-kun. I learned a lot today."

---