"The chakra test paper is half crumpled… and half burned."
Kakashi glanced at the paper in Sasuke's hand.
"You're born with Fire Style and Lightning Style chakra. Unfortunately, you don't have Earth Style."
He led Sasuke to a park bench and sat down beside him.
'Fire and Lightning are both powerful attributes,' Kakashi thought as he slanted his eyes toward the paper.
But Sasuke wasn't satisfied. His face twisted in frustration.
"Damn it! Lightning Style!"
According to Kakashi, most boys his age would find Fire and Lightning more exciting than Earth.
Yet Sasuke looked genuinely upset.
Problem child.
Kakashi sighed. "Don't be discouraged. If you want to learn Earth Style in the future, it's not impossible."
Suddenly, Sasuke stood up, eyes burning. "Sensei Kakashi, please teach me Earth Style!"
Kakashi raised a brow. This kid… such a big reaction. Is Earth Style that important to him?
But before agreeing, he had to make something clear.
"Listen, Sasuke. Any ninja can technically use any jutsu, as long as they have chakra. But to use an element you weren't born with, you need to master Nature Transformation first."
Kakashi's tone grew serious. "That's too advanced for you right now. And because you weren't born with Earth Style, even if you do master it, your Earth Style jutsu will consume much more chakra—and still be weaker than someone who naturally has that attribute."
Sasuke froze, his expression shifting rapidly as he processed Kakashi's words.
"In short," Kakashi finished, "it's not worth it. You're already gifted—two attributes from birth. That's rare."
"Damn it! Why Fire and Lightning? If I had Earth Style, everything would be different."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. So that's it. He wants Earth Style… because Earth restrains Water.
The genius Uchiha Sasuke, obsessed with Earth Style just to counter a Water Style user?
Interesting. Just who could push him to this point?
"Who is this person you want to fight with Earth Style?" Kakashi asked.
"…One person."
Kakashi deadpanned. Obviously. What else, a ghost?
"I meant his name."
"I don't know."
Kakashi's interest deepened. "So his Water Style is that strong?"
"Yeah," Sasuke muttered through gritted teeth. "Strong… and he's our age."
Kakashi's eyes sharpened. "He's also a graduate from this class?"
"…Probably."
Sasuke stood, clenching his fists. "Since I can't learn Earth Style, then I'll use Fire Style to defeat him!"
With that, he stormed off, leaving Kakashi reclining on the bench, staring up at the sky.
A windfall, he mused.
An unknown Water Style kid… a mere graduate… managed to defeat Uchiha Sasuke.
From Sasuke's frustration, it was clear. If his opponent weren't the same age, he wouldn't be this unsettled.
And Kakashi already knew Sasuke's strength—ordinary genin were no match for him.
For Sasuke to be defeated by a peer… that meant something extraordinary.
Hokage's Office – Third Generation
The Sandaime was reviewing documents when the door creaked open. Without looking up, he asked, "How was it?"
Kakashi reported plainly:
"Not bad, but each has problems. Uchiha Sasuke is consumed by revenge. Uzumaki Naruto's chakra reserves are astonishing, but his basics are terrible—and he's too impulsive. Haruno Sakura lacks combat strength, but her innate talent is exceptional."
The Hokage nodded. His own evaluation matched.
"Then I'll leave them to you, Kakashi."
But Kakashi didn't leave.
The Third squinted. "What is it?"
"…A small discovery. Just a guess, but worth mentioning."
"Speak." The Hokage put his papers aside.
Kakashi hesitated, then said slowly, "Lord Third… I believe there may be a… special existence among this year's graduates."
"Oh? Special?"
"Sasuke followed me after the test. He begged me to teach him Earth Style."
Kakashi's tone grew heavier.
"I only met Sasuke today, but I understand how proud he is. For him to want an element he wasn't born with—just to deal with a Water Style user—means the opponent's strength far surpasses his."
He paused. "And from his words, the one who defeated him… may be a civilian ninja."
The Hokage's eyes narrowed. He recalled Sasuke lying under that tree earlier, humiliated.
Kakashi's reasoning was solid. The Third trusted it completely.
"…A civilian ninja?"
He pulled open a drawer, taking out a stack of files. "There are twenty-three civilian graduates this year. If one of them bested Sasuke, such talent cannot be overlooked."
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Talented shinobi must be cultivated."
"Then tomorrow," Kakashi suggested, "let the instructors test every civilian graduate's chakra attributes. That will help us narrow the search."
The Hokage tapped his pipe against the desk, then gave a firm nod.
"Do it."