Chapter 11 – Coming Home
"Hokage-sama, the mission is complete. It seems the Kumogakure Shinobi came to gather intel on Konoha's current state," Murakami Shigeno reported calmly.
"Understood. You're dismissed. Since you've just returned, you're all granted two days of leave. Black Hound, stay behind," said Sarutobi Hiruzen in his usual composed tone.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" the four replied in unison, bowing before exiting the room.
"Hmm… So after the Second Great Ninja War, the Kumogakure is starting to probe Konoha's recovery…" Hiruzen murmured, exhaling a deep sigh.
He shifted his gaze to the shinobi still standing before him.
"Black Hound, how did the team perform during the mission?" he asked, though it was clear who he was really asking about—Hatake Yusuke.
The others had already proven themselves through previous missions. Yusuke was the new variable, and Hiruzen wanted answers.
"All of them performed exceptionally. Each is talented in their own right… but Hatake Yusuke, in particular, is extraordinary," Shigeno said firmly.
He was thoroughly impressed with his team—not just their Ninjutsu, but their overall combat instincts and teamwork.
"Oh? That boy performed that well?" Hiruzen's curiosity deepened.
He had already sensed Yusuke's potential—he was the one who assigned him to the mission—but the details had been left to Shigeno.
"Frankly, his talent is an anomaly. In my entire career, I've never seen anything like it. In terms of raw ability alone, even Sakumo-senpai pales in comparison—and the gap is significant."
Shigeno wasn't exaggerating. He knew Hatake Sakumo well, and his praise wasn't given lightly.
"Explain the entire mission from the beginning," Hiruzen ordered, his gaze sharp.
If Shigeno was speaking so highly, there had to be something remarkable. Not even the legendary Sannin had received such praise from him.
During the Second Great Ninja War, Sakumo Hatake was a hero. His name alone was enough to warrant emergency mission withdrawals across all villages—with no penalties issued. That was the extent of his reputation and might.
"Yusuke possesses strength on par with a Tokubetsu Jōnin," Shigeno declared without hesitation.
"...What did you just say?" Hiruzen couldn't hide his shock.
Even if he trusted Shigeno's judgment, it was hard to believe that a five-year-old boy could wield power equivalent to a Tokubetsu Jōnin.
"He took down an elite Chūnin from the Hidden Cloud. The enemy's speed and offensive capabilities were nearly Tokubetsu Jōnin level."
"Give me the full details. Don't leave anything out," Hiruzen said, leaning forward.
Shigeno nodded and began recounting every step of the mission in detail—from the ambush to the final clash.
Hiruzen found himself taking slow, steady breaths as he absorbed what he heard. Yusuke's Kenjutsu, Ninjutsu, and Taijutsu were far beyond expectations.
"He withstood an A-rank Lightning Release… and used that strange Three Sword Style technique?" Hiruzen asked, furrowing his brow.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. I didn't see how he blocked the jutsu clearly, but there was an odd shockwave when it hit. The enemy's internal organs were crushed after the impact."
"Are you suggesting he possesses some kind of hidden ability?"
"I am. Even with his Three Sword Style, the damage shouldn't have been that devastating. The enemy was extremely tough—those blade strikes alone shouldn't have been fatal."
"And when they fought up close, Yusuke remained mostly unscathed. Two of his swords were shattered, but it didn't seem like it was due to chakra overuse. More like they were destroyed from within by some unknown force."
Hiruzen slowly nodded. "Your assessment is reasonable. Keep this between us. Not a single word to anyone outside this room."
— — —
"Yusuke! Let's go get some ramen!" Honda Kaori's voice rang out cheerfully.
"No thanks. I've been gone long enough—I want to go home and check on my little brother first."
"Your brother… Hatake Kakashi, right?" asked Hyūga Inaka.
"You know him?"
"Of course! My little sister's in the same class as him," Inaka said with a grin.
"Your sister... Hyūga Ryoumi, right?" Yusuke recalled there was only one Hyūga child in that class.
"That means I'm in the same class as your brother, too," he added.
"Seriously? But my sister never mentioned you. Weird, especially since you're this amazing," Inaka chuckled.
"Maybe because Kakashi's the better-looking one," Yusuke joked, knowing full well he used to be a pretty plain kid.
"Your brother's been called the genius of his entire class, you know."
"Yeah… Kakashi really is talented. Anyway, I'm heading home. If I don't, who knows what that brat's gotten into."
With a wave and a smile, he turned and left.
— — —
When he arrived home, Yusuke spotted Kakashi in the courtyard, practicing the Six Styles.
"Not bad. He's already learned two of them?" Yusuke murmured, impressed by how fast his brother was growing.
"Welcome back, Nii-san," Kakashi said flatly. His tone was calm, but the sparkle in his eyes betrayed his happiness.
'Tch. This kid really was a tsundere when he was younger,' Yusuke thought. 'It's not even cute.'
"I just got back from debriefing. How's your Six Style training going?"
"I'm close to mastering Finger Gun and Shave. I've started working on Moonwalk and Tempest Kick, too. But I haven't figured out Iron Body or Paper Art yet."
"Good. I've got the day off tomorrow. You don't have any missions, right?"
"Nope. We just finished a C-rank mission, so we're off-duty."
"Perfect. I'll train you personally tomorrow. And we're visiting Kurenai's team."
"Wait, why am I coming too?" Kakashi immediately frowned.
"Don't complain. I want you to make more friends."
'I don't need friends,' Kakashi grumbled in his head—but he dared not say it aloud. Not if he wanted to avoid a beating.
"Oh, and I have a suggestion. Ask Guy's father if you can train with them."
"You mean... Might Dai? The Eternal Genin? No thanks."
"Idiot! Don't ever underestimate a low-rank shinobi in Konoha—especially not the Might family. Guy will be your eternal rival, got it?" Yusuke said, flicking Kakashi on the forehead.
Most wouldn't know this, but Yusuke did. Might Dai once took down four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—on his own.
And Guy? He would go on to be known as the "Emperor of Taijutsu", acknowledged even by Uchiha Madara.
Madara, the embodiment of arrogance, only ever recognized two people as true opponents: Hashirama Senju... and Might Guy.
Even Naruto and Sasuke never earned that recognition.
"Yeah, yeah… I get it," Kakashi muttered, annoyed—but he quietly took it to heart.
His father had once told him the same thing: that Guy would be his true rival. And now his brother said it too.
He couldn't help but wonder... What exactly did they see in Guy that made them speak of him so highly?
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