The sun felt warmer than usual as Kakashi and I walked side by side through the busy streets of Konoha.
People moved around us, shopkeepers called out prices, and somewhere a hawk screeched over the rooftops.
But I barely noticed — my mind was on the Academy.
When Father said I would attend the Academy with kids my age, I thought it would be exciting.
Secret training, advanced jutsu, hidden missions…
But reality was… well, different.
Next to me, Kakashi sighed like he'd rather be anywhere else. His hands were buried deep in his pockets, and that silver hair of his shone in the morning light.
"Another tactics lesson today," he muttered.
"You don't like tactics?" I teased.
"I know tactics," Kakashi shot back, giving me a side-eye glare that lasted exactly one second before he looked bored again.
"I wanna do something real. Do not draw maps on paper."
I laughed. "So you'd rather spar with me all day?"
He almost smiled — almost.
"Tch. You'd lose."
"Oh yeah? We'll see about that."
When we reached the Academy, the kids were already gathering outside the big wooden doors.
Some were throwing paper shuriken, some sat in small groups whispering rumors about whose parents were strongest.
Typical.
But one kid caught my eye.
He sat alone near the window, black hair tied back in a neat ponytail. He had a toothpick in his mouth — which was weird for a six-year-old — and when someone called his name, he didn't even look up.
"Asuma Sarutobi," I whispered.
Kakashi glanced over, unimpressed. "Hokage's kid. So what?"
"So what? He's gonna be our classmate."
Kakashi shrugged. "Doesn't look like much."
"Neither did you when I first saw you," I teased.
He shot me another glare.
"Watch it, Izuna-san."
Class started. I swear the seconds on the clock moved backwards.
The teacher droned on about formations, old battles, and village alliances.
At some point, Asuma raised his hand just to yawn in the teacher's face.
I bit my tongue to keep from laughing when Kakashi whispered, "Now that's the Hokage's son."
The teacher snapped a piece of chalk at Asuma's forehead. It bounced off, and Asuma just kept yawning.
Hours later, the final bell rang.
I stood up so fast my chair almost tipped over.
"Finally," I muttered.
"Training?" Kakashi asked.
"Training."
We left the Academy yard behind, moving through the village streets until we reached a small clearing hidden behind an old shrine.
Leaves covered the ground like a soft blanket.
Kakashi cracked his knuckles. I drew a practice kunai from my belt.
We didn't need to talk — we just moved.
Kunai clashed against kunai, each hit echoing through the trees.
I ducked, he jumped, we spun and blocked.
We were both fast, but Kakashi was faster. I could feel his talent with every move. It pushed me to move quicker, too.
"Don't hold back, Izuna," he called, breathing just a little heavier than usual.
"Same to you!"
Our feet kicked up leaves in little whirlwinds. For a moment, it was just us — two kids pushing each other to go beyond what the Academy taught.
Then, from the shadows of an old cedar tree, a voice broke through.
"Good form," a deep voice said, calm but warm.
We froze mid-swing.
Standing there, arms folded, was Sakumo Hatake — the White Fang himself.
He didn't wear any fancy armor, just simple shinobi gear and that famous white hair. But there was an air about him — something calm, something strong.
"Father," Kakashi said, quickly lowering his kunai.
I bowed my head. "Hatake-sama."
Sakumo chuckled. "None of that, Izuna. Just Sakumo is fine."
He stepped closer, eyes flicking between us, studying our stances.
"You boys remind me of myself and Raizen when we were your age."
Kakashi's eyebrow twitched. "You were never our age. You were born old."
I burst out laughing before I could stop myself.
Sakumo reached out and ruffled Kakashi's hair, ignoring his glare.
"Keep talking, smart mouth. Now — show me what you've got."
He stepped back and gestured for us to continue.
We hesitated — training in front of the White Fang? But he nodded, so we did.
This time, Sakumo circled us as we fought. His calm voice cut in here and there:
"Too wide, Kakashi. Tighter steps."
"Izuna — your guard drops after the third strike. Fix it."
Kakashi gritted his teeth when Sakumo corrected him a second time. He hated being wrong. But he adjusted, moving sharply.
At one point, we paused, catching our breath.
"You both have good instincts," Sakumo said.
"But instinct alone won't save you. You need discipline, patience, and trust in each other."
Kakashi scoffed. "I don't trust him."
I rolled my eyes. "Love you too, Kakashi."
Sakumo laughed — an easy, honest laugh that warmed the whole clearing.
But then, I felt it again.
A chill. A cold, sharp sting on my skin.
Like eyes digging into my back from somewhere far, but too close.
I turned my head, scanning the shadows.
Leaves rustled, but there was no wind.
A single black bird flew from one tree to another — and in that moment, through the branches, I thought I saw a bandaged face.
A gleam of a single, half-lidded eye.
Danzo.
My hand tightened around my kunai.
He's watching. He's always watching.
Sakumo must have felt my tension. He put a hand on my shoulder, firm but gentle.
"Never forget," he said quietly, so Kakashi wouldn't hear,
"There are some enemies who hide in plain sight. Be patient, Izuna. One day, you'll be ready."
I nodded, jaw tight.
After another round of sparring, we all sat on the soft leaves, catching our breath.
Sakumo sat with his back to a tree, arms folded, eyes on the sky.
"You two are going to be monsters someday," he said, half-smiling.
"Just promise me you'll watch each other's backs."
I met Kakashi's eyes. For once, he didn't look away.
"Fine," he said with a huff.
"Just don't slow me down."
I punched his shoulder lightly. He punched me back.
As we packed up, Sakumo ruffled both our heads at once.
"Get stronger, boys. This village needs kids like you."
Kakashi grumbled but didn't swat his father's hand away.
I hid a smile.
When Sakumo turned to leave, I looked once more at the edge of the trees — but Danzo was gone.
Still, his presence lingered like a shadow on my mind.
One day, I promised myself, I'll be strong enough to protect everyone. Strong enough that people like him can't touch us.