Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed the list of jonin team leaders, selecting suitable candidates to supervise Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki.
Asuma Sarutobi had already been eliminated by Hiruzen.
Kurenai Yuhi had only recently become a jonin. She was skilled in genjutsu but might struggle to control Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki.
Other jonin also seemed unsuitable.
When he saw one name, Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.
Kakashi Hatake.
Hiruzen now deeply trusted Kakashi.
Because Kakashi had become one of the sharpest blades in Hiruzen Sarutobi's arsenal.
Kakashi could carry out any of his orders flawlessly.
As Chinya's disciple, Kakashi had passed Hiruzen's multiple tests.
Without realizing it, Hiruzen had already taken a puff from his pipe. If Kakashi became the instructor for Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki, he would surely keep them in check and report their every move back to him.
However, the matter concerning Naruto Uzumaki was extremely important; Hiruzen felt he needed to proceed with caution.
His eyes narrowing again, Hiruzen resolved to test Kakashi once more.
Hiruzen summoned a ninja to go find Kakashi.
Kakashi arrived at Hiruzen's office, glancing at the list on the table. Immediately, he guessed why Hiruzen had summoned him—it must be about becoming a team-leading jonin.
He wasn't sure whether Hiruzen had already chosen the students—or whether he was here to give his own input.
If the decision had already been made, that would be troublesome—any objections he raised would be useless if Naruto wasn't among his genin students.
Hiruzen spoke first: "Kakashi, I called you here because I want you to lead two students—I just wanted to hear your thoughts."
Kakashi exhaled inwardly with relief. Asking for his opinion was better this way—at least there was room for flexibility.
Kakashi asked, "Third, who do you have in mind for me to lead first?"
"Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki."
Kakashi looked surprised. He hadn't expected Hiruzen to proactively assign Naruto Uzumaki to him. That saved him a lot of trouble.
Kakashi agreed immediately: "Third, I'm ready to take both Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki."
Hiruzen fixed Kakashi with a piercing gaze and asked, "Kakashi, no objections? Were you already hoping to take either Sasuke or Naruto?"
Facing Hiruzen's scrutinizing look, Kakashi answered calmly, "Yes, I did have someone in mind originally—Sasuke Uchiha."
Now, it was Hiruzen who was taken aback. Kakashi and Sasuke Uchiha had not interacted much before—why would Kakashi want to train Sasuke?
Kakashi explained, "As the Third well knows, Sasuke's older brother, Itachi Uchiha, once served under me. Back then, Itachi was a trusted subordinate—but he committed unforgivable acts."
"It's possible that Itachi had issues long ago, yet I failed to notice. If only I had realized it sooner, maybe none of this would have happened. I've always felt guilty about that, so I don't want Sasuke, Itachi's younger brother, to one day follow the same path as his elder sibling. I wish for Sasuke to become a true and loyal ninja of Konoha.
Therefore, even if The Third hadn't spoken up, I would've requested The Third to allow me to guide Sasuke myself. I will ensure Sasuke becomes a true and loyal ninja of Konoha."
Kakashi wasn't sure whether Hiruzen Sarutobi was testing him.
But Kakashi treated every word and action from Hiruzen Sarutobi as a test. That's how he stayed fully prepared.
This was also why Kakashi had passed many previous trials set by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He had no emotional attachments toward Sasuke Uchiha. It just seemed natural to think that way, now that Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki were on the same team.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't doubt Kakashi's reasoning either. He nodded and said, "Since that's the case, perfect then. Kakashi, besides watching over Sasuke, you must also keep an eye on Naruto. You understand how important Naruto is to us."
Kakashi asked with confusion, "I know Naruto is important to Konoha, but why doesn't The Third arrange special surveillance on Naruto alone? After all, I'll definitely take them out of the village for missions in the future, which seems too risky."
Naturally, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't tell Kakashi about Minato Namikaze's imminent awakening.
This matter was known only to himself and the medical ninja who cared for Minato Namikaze—no one else in Konoha knew about it.
Not even Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo were aware.
As for the involved medical ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi had issued strict orders: any leakage of this information would be considered treason against the village.
Officially, the reason given to the medical ninja was for Minato Namikaze's safety. If his former enemies learned that Minato Namikaze was still alive and about to awaken, he would be in great danger.
But the real reason was known only to Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
Hiruzen Sarutobi told Kakashi, "I want Naruto to live a normal life, so it's better to treat him like any other student. As their team-leading jonin, proceed as you usually would. There's no need to treat him differently because of his identity."
Kakashi nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, I understand."
...
One week later at the Ninja Academy.
"Alright, we'll now begin the graduation exam. Those called should go to the next classroom. The exam technique for today is the Clone Jutsu."
When Naruto Uzumaki heard the examination content, his expression didn't change at all.
The Clone Technique posed absolutely no problem for Naruto Uzumaki.
Currently, Naruto Uzumaki even mastered the [Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu].
Considering that Nine-Tails wouldn't interfere, Chinya believed it easy for Naruto Uzumaki to learn the Clone Jutsu and thus pass the Ninja Academy exam smoothly.
However, under such circumstances, Chinya guessed that Naruto might fail to obtain the [Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu] from the Scroll of Seals.
Therefore, back then when teaching Naruto Uzumaki the [Wind Breathing All Sword Techniques], Chinya also imparted the [Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu] to him.
Naruto Uzumaki's name was soon called, and he went to the next classroom for the exam.
Iruka said to Naruto, "Alright, let's begin."
[Bunshin Jutsu.]
Naruto made five clones in an instant.
Iruka nodded. "Good job. You've passed. Come over and receive your [Forehead Protector]."
Naruto walked forward and picked up a Ninja [Forehead Protector].
Sitting beside Iruka, Mizuki smiled at Naruto and said, "Truly impressive, Naruto. Effortlessly creating five clones."
Naruto shot back with a grin, "Thanks for the praise, Mizuki-sensei."
Naruto turned and left the classroom, while Mizuki's eyes were glued to his retreating form, as if he couldn't tear himself away.
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