"Kakashi, do you think of yourself as a genius?"
"?"
Midway through chewing his tasteless sandwich, Kakashi looked up, a big question mark practically hovering above his head.
It seemed like a puzzling question. Kakashi thought about it for a moment and then answered, "I guess... I might be."
"...."
He really is my kid-so full of confidence.
Never mind, we can deal with this later. It's not urgent.
"I need to go out for a bit, and I won't be home for dinner tonight. Want to come along?"
Tsunade had been supportive of him, so it was only right to treat her to dinner. Sakumo wasn't one to procrastinate-he decided to head to the logistics department to find Tsunade.
After glancing at the half-eaten sandwich in his hand, Kakashi decided to put it down. Though he wasn't a picky eater, his father's sandwiches were particularly bad.
"You brat!"
Seeing his food being rejected, Sakumo playfully scolded with a smile.
When Sakumo brought Kakashi to the logistics department and told Tsunade he wanted to treat her to dinner, she couldn't help but laugh. He was persistent, so eventually, she agreed. "Hey kid, you've grown up fast, huh? Almost ready for school?"
Tsunade placed a hand on Kakashi's head, ruffling his hair. Kakashi rolled his eyes but stayed still, tolerating it.
If it had been anyone else, he would have dodged the gesture. But since it was Tsunade, Kakashi endured it, even though he disliked it.
"Almost," Sakumo said with a smile. "Although he's not old enough yet, I think I'll send him to the academy this upcoming term. He's a bit too reserved, and being around other children might help him open up."
"I'm also thinking about finding a good teacher for him. Any suggestions, Tsunade?"
Sakumo had been mulling it over but couldn't decide. Tsunade's insight might help, especially considering her keen judgment.
"A teacher, huh?"
Tsunade hadn't expected Sakumo to be considering this already, given that Kakashi was only four. It wasn't an easy decision, especially for Kakashi. With Sakumo backing him, whoever they picked was unlikely to refuse, even if it was one of the Sannin.
"It's not really my area," She admitted. "I'm better at taijutsu and medical ninjutsu, and I can't really guide him myself. You'd need someone well-versed in kenjutsu or sword techniques... and personality matters too."
"Definitely not Jiraiya or Orochimaru, though," Tsunade added with a grimace.
Orochimaru was becoming someone even Tsunade felt uncomfortable around, and as for Jiraiya... who knows where he was off gallivanting now?
"Yeah... not the best fit," Sakumo said, giving an awkward chuckle. He would have to keep looking for the right person.
Finding the right mentor for Kakashi meant considering not only their skills but also potential factional implications. It wasn't a decision to be taken lightly.