Chapter 10: The Third Hokage’s Thoughts
"Click..."
At Konoha's photo studio, the shutter snapped, and the freshly captured group photo of Team 7 appeared before Ishikawa's eyes.
The cameras here were similar to Polaroids, instantly producing vivid and highly realistic prints!
"Alright, that's all for today. Be at the Hokage building by 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. I'll take you to meet the Hokage and walk you through the mission procedures." After handing each of them their photo, Kakashi turned and walked away.
Ishikawa and the other two didn't say much in response. Instead, they stared at their team photo with visible excitement and joy.
'With this, I should be able to get closer to Nohara Rin tonight.' Gazing at Kakashi in the picture, Ishikawa felt a sense of accomplishment and stood tall.
"Boss, give me a frame for this. I want to display it properly."
"I want one too!"
"Same here!"
The two younger brothers chimed in immediately, declaring that this photo marked a memorable moment they had to preserve!
Seeing their enthusiasm, the bald shop owner rubbed his hands and beamed. "One thousand ryo per frame. Three frames, three thousand ryo."
"What?! One thousand ryo for a cheap frame? Boss, are you trying to rob us?" Jiro instantly shouted in disbelief, eyes wide.
Even Ishikawa and Taro were stunned.
They knew very well how precious every ryo was. Their monthly living allowance was barely three thousand ryo. Without frugal living and part-time work, they wouldn't have made it to graduation at all.
After all, training costs money—ninja tools, supplies, food, everything requires funds.
That was one of the biggest reasons why the three of them were desperate to graduate.
A penny can bring down a hero. As war orphans, their only path forward was through missions—and that started by becoming Genin and earning rewards to improve their lives.
Even low-ranking ninjas could earn decent pay!
"Forget it. We'll make our own." Ishikawa shook his head and turned around, walking out with his two younger brothers.
To be honest, they could afford it, but spending one thousand ryo on a photo frame was a complete waste. If it were 100 Ryo, sure. But a thousand? Either the boss was crazy… or the whole world was.
It's just a few pieces of wood. They could build it themselves.
"Yeah, one thousand Ryo could buy five kunai and shuriken!"
"Exactly. We'll need every weapon we can get when we start missions."
The younger brothers agreed wholeheartedly and followed close behind. The three of them, born into poverty, knew full well how hard life was. They also knew they had to be smart with their spending.
"Come again next time~" The shopkeeper wasn't offended at all. He waved them off cheerfully. This kind of emotional business was a gamble—he capitalized on Genin's sentimentality, but even if he didn't make a sale, it didn't matter.
If he sold one, it was all profit. If not, no loss either—his wife made the frames at home, and the cost was nearly zero.
Who knows if these three will become Chunin or Jonin in the future? It's always better to make money through harmony!
---
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's Office—
"So you let them pass, huh? Seems like you're quite satisfied with this group, Kakashi."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, smiled warmly as he glanced over the submitted team list.
Finally... this guy's taken the first step out of the shadows.
As long as the bond between master and student exists, it will slowly influence Kakashi to reflect, reconnect, and ultimately, get out of the darkness.
"Yoohoo! I didn't expect you, Kakashi, to actually take on a team you acknowledge. This is the youth! You truly are worthy of being my eternal rival!" Beside him, Might Guy—who had also just submitted his team list—had eyes blazing with passion. "Kakashi, shall we compete to see whose student becomes a Chunin first?"
At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a hint of anticipation and curiosity toward the students recognized by Kakashi. For someone to earn the approval of the genius Kakashi—they must be far from ordinary!
Wonderful! This way, his adorable students will have worthy rivals, igniting their fighting spirit and helping them grow faster.
This... this is the bond of youth we pass on to the next generation, Kakashi...
"Eh? Did you say something just now?" Just as Guy was getting fired up, Kakashi slowly turned his head, looking confused.
"Agh—It's happening again! Kakashi, you truly are my lifelong rival!" Seeing Kakashi's lazy, innocent expression as he scratched his head, Guy's emotional walls collapsed again, and tears streamed down his face.
"Ahem… thank you both for your hard work. Kakashi's team and Guy's team are now officially established." The Third Hokage coughed dryly, trying to hide his embarrassment, before putting away the forms and politely seeing them out.
Kakashi wasn't surprised. He simply nodded to the Third Hokage and turned to leave.
"Wait for me, Kakashi! How about dinner with our students? Our bond should be inherited by them as well..."
"No, Guy."
"Guy's still as passionate as ever," the Third Hokage muttered, pressing down on his hat as the two voices echoed down the corridor. He didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Kakashi's students were just average Genin, while Guy's team included Hyuga Neji, the top graduate. Was there really a need to compare them?
Still, the real headache was just beginning. Kakashi had already formed a team—so what would happen with Naruto, Sasuke, and the others next time?
The Third Hokage's smile faded as he looked out the window, his expression filled with concern.
Admittedly, it had been his idea to let Kakashi lead a team early—to help him heal from the past. But it was also a necessary preparation. When the next batch graduated, Kakashi needed to be experienced and emotionally ready.
Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... Sasuke, the last of the Uchiha... no one in the entire village was more suited to guide them than Kakashi.
"Hah... there's still a year left until Naruto and Sasuke graduate. We'll have to take things one step at a time. If this team doesn't get promoted to Chunin by then, they'll have to be reassigned..." Taking a long puff of his pipe, the Third Hokage's gaze fell onto Team 7's information.
He couldn't let three ordinary Genin block the future of Konoha.
But he would never intentionally send them on dangerous missions just to clear the way. If Kakashi lost his entire team on his first outing, he'd never agree to take on another squad.
That wasn't the style of Sarutobi Hiruzen—the Third Hokage.
---
As midnight approached, Ishikawa stood on edge in his room,
Suddenly, under his tense gaze, his house twisted and expanded unnaturally. Foreign objects materialized from thin air—items that clearly didn't belong to him—and turned solid.
And then, on the interior wall, another door linking the time to 14 years ago appeared again. Along with the changes, a familiar petite figure of Nohora Rin emerged.
"You're finally here!" Ishikawa let out a quiet sigh of relief. His words carried a double meaning.
As long as the spacetime connection appeared each night, his golden finger—his cheat—remained intact.
"Th-that is..." As soon as Ishikawa spoke, Rin's eyes fell on the photograph of Class 7 in his hand. Her gaze locked on young Kakashi in the picture. Her breath stopped for a moment—her eyes wide and trembling.
"Why... why is Kakashi covering one eye?"
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