April, Konoha Year 41.
Almost a full year had passed since the original Sakumo's squad disbanded.
Shiraishi was another year older.
There was nothing much to say about the organization; it was developing steadily and cautiously, being in its initial accumulation phase.
Their operations were limited to small countries, carefully avoiding the territories of the Five Great Nations.
With Shiraishi, their leader, personally guiding them, everyone in the organization was well-versed in stealth, arguably surpassing their mentor in this regard.
Solving the Caged Bird problem and recruiting a Jonin subordinate like Hyuga Shingo was also a great help to the organization.
Although he couldn't show his face in public, guarding the organization's headquarters was a top priority.
After all, Shiraishi was very concerned about those peculiar white creatures, which greatly resembled General Earth's abilities, moving swiftly through solid objects, and being undetectable by ordinary sensory ninjutsu.
With the Byakugan's assistance, such problems could be avoided.
No matter how stealthy, even merging with the earth still involved physical movement, and the Byakugan, a Kekkei Genkai that could see through matter, had far superior observation capabilities compared to sensory ninjas.
Furthermore, Shiraishi conducted a detailed comparison between the list of Hyuga branch family ninjas provided by Hyuga Shingo and the list provided by Ayane.
He discovered that among the Hyuga branch family, the proportion of ninjas dissatisfied with the main family was different from what he expected.
Some had completely sided with the main family, while others were in a wait-and-see stance, with wavering wills, but mostly leaning towards the main family's decisions.
The remaining were branch family ninjas who were dissatisfied or highly hostile towards the main family; such ninjas were not few, but not many either.
Shiraishi had no intention of contacting these people now.
The more people involved, the higher the chance of exposure, and he certainly didn't want to be targeted by Konoha right now.
Even if the possibility was low, it had to be prevented.
Anyway, Konoha wasn't lacking in anything; perhaps he could even find some useful prospects there.
Research into Sage Mode was also progressing well; according to statistical data, after several months of effort, the success rate had increased by several percentage points.
At other times, Shiraishi continued to live as a qualified Konoha ninja, conducting research at home and serving as a teaching assistant at the academy.
As a Konoha ninja, he was truly a loyal and upright citizen.
He just started visiting the ANBU headquarters more often to meet with Ruri.
Of course, it was a very pure date.
Around mid-April, Shiraishi walked briskly through the streets of Konoha.
It was clear he was in a good mood.
Not just because it was Saturday, meaning he didn't have to be a teaching assistant at the Ninja Academy and had free time.
"Yo, Kakashi, long time no see."
Shiraishi spotted a familiar back on the street.
A boy with a full head of silver-white hair.
He wore a mask and carried a White Light Chakra Sabre on his back, identical to the one Sakumo used.
This kid still idolized his father so much.
"Isn't this Genin Shiraishi-senpai? What can I do for you?"
Kakashi turned around and replied indifferently, with little change in his tone.
"When did you start talking like Ruri?"
Shiraishi placed his hand on Kakashi's head and ruffled his silver hair vigorously, stopping only when his hairstyle was messed up.
"What was that for?"
"Retaliation for what you just said. You're such an annoying kid, nothing like Sakumo-sensei."
Shiraishi said frankly.
"So, what do you want? I don't believe this is a mere coincidence."
Kakashi, precocious for his age, adopted an adult tone, holding a recently popular book that he had likely been engrossed in while walking.
He put the book into his ninja pouch and tidied his hair, which Shiraishi had messed up.
"How's Genin life?"
Without stating his purpose, he instead inquired about Kakashi's experience as a Genin.
"What else? The missions are all very simple, basically nothing to worry about."
Kakashi thought for a moment and expressed his thoughts very directly.
"You really aren't modest at all."
Shiraishi patted Kakashi's shoulder.
"Senpai should state his purpose now."
"Is Sakumo-sensei home?"
"No, he's out on a mission. He should be back in a few days."
"What a shame."
Shiraishi sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"Today is a joyous day for me."
Kakashi looked at Shiraishi, somewhat puzzled.
"Are you getting married? Who's the lucky person? Ruri-senpai or Ayane-senpai?"
"..."
"No?"
"Of course not, why would you think that?"
"Senpai's words were too misleading."
Kakashi said helplessly.
Shiraishi had no choice but to pull out a piece of paper from his ninja pouch—an appointment letter personally signed by the Hokage himself.
"See? From today onwards, I'm a Chunin of the village too."
Seeing Shiraishi, who was a bit smug, Kakashi understood the source of his joy.
Should this kind of thing be celebrated?
Shouldn't it be considered pathetic?
The person who was in the same squad as you is already a Jonin. This hurtful remark, however, did not escape Kakashi's lips.
"From today onwards, I'm your superior."
Shiraishi declared.
Kakashi sighed helplessly again, also pulling out a similarly styled appointment letter from his ninja pouch.
"Sorry, Senpai, I don't want to discourage you, but as of this morning, I'm also a Chunin."
"..."
Shiraishi's smile froze on his face.
Then, he sensed something and looked at Kakashi with immense surprise.
"Wait, Kakashi, you're only six this year, aren't you? And you're already a Chunin?"
Something must be wrong here.
Only six years old.
When Shiraishi himself was six, he had just started at the Ninja Academy.
Although Kakashi enrolled at four, which was early education, graduating from the Ninja Academy at five in just one year was already an unprecedented feat in Konoha.
And now, a year later, he was a Chunin?
Shiraishi knew Kakashi's strength surpassed his peers, but becoming a Chunin wasn't just about strength; it was a squad leader position.
Sound psychological quality and excellent leadership skills were paramount.
"This was personally signed by Lord Hokage. If Shiraishi-senpai thinks it's fake, I have nothing more to say."
"Sigh, I originally wanted to show off."
Thinking that he only became a Chunin at seventeen, while Kakashi achieved this at six… Hmm, he felt a little sorry for himself.
"As expected of Sakumo-sensei's child. It seems I can no longer treat you as a kid."
Shiraishi laughed with emotion.
Kakashi felt a little happy hearing Shiraishi's praise, especially since he hadn't disgraced his father's name.
"Then, Senpai, you came to me for…"
"To celebrate my promotion to Chunin, but now we should also celebrate your promotion to Chunin, Kakashi."
"..."
Just as I thought.
However, it's just becoming a Chunin, what's there to celebrate?
But no matter what, the other party was one of his father's former subordinates, and they often chatted when they met, so their relationship could be said to be quite good. Kakashi nodded and agreed.
He followed Shiraishi to a familiar barbecue restaurant.
Ruri and Tsunade were already sitting there waiting. Next to Tsunade sat a cute girl with short black hair, slightly older than Kakashi.
"Isn't Ayane-senpai here?"
Kakashi didn't see Ayane and couldn't help but wonder.
"She couldn't make it today, but the gift arrived, so that's fine."
"What a pity, I won't get to see an incredibly exciting battle."
Kakashi said this.
Shiraishi gave a forced smile, regretting bringing this kid along a little.
Just like when he was little, not cute at all.
"Tsunade-Jonin, hello."
Kakashi showed respect to Tsunade before sitting down.
"We were just waiting for you. But didn't Sakumo come?"
Tsunade didn't see Sakumo and asked.
"He's currently on a mission," Kakashi replied.
Saying that, he looked at the girl next to Tsunade.
"This is…"
"This is Shizune, a relative of mine, I suppose,"
Tsunade introduced with a smile.
Since today was Shiraishi's big day for becoming a Chunin, bringing a pair of relatives and friends might seem inappropriate, but she didn't feel comfortable leaving Shizune alone at home, so she brought her along to join the meal.
Kakashi nodded to the girl named Shizune, and she likewise smiled and nodded back.
"Speaking of which, not only did I become a Chunin today, but it's also the day Kakashi became a Chunin!"
Shiraishi said with a smile after sitting down.
Everyone looked at Kakashi with great surprise, especially Shizune. She had just graduated from the Ninja Academy, and this boy, who looked several years younger than her, was already a Chunin.
"So annoying."
Kakashi, who didn't want to attract attention, saw everyone's gaze fixed on him and could only pretend to look away indifferently.
Fortunately, everyone knew Kakashi was a genius, and his father was the famous Konoha White Fang. Becoming a Chunin at six was indeed a bit unbelievable, but since it was approved by the Hokage, it meant Kakashi was a qualified Chunin, and there was no foul play involved.
"These young people are getting scarier and scarier."
Tsunade glanced at Ruri, who was sitting next to Shiraishi, feeling a lot of pressure from her.
Then looking at Kakashi, though still young and immature, he already possessed the demeanor of his father, the Konoha White Fang, and was even more outstanding than his father at that age… Truly a village brimming with talent. Tsunade was happy for the future prosperity of the village, but thinking about her current situation, she felt a little down.
"Tsunade-sensei, is something wrong?"
Seeing Tsunade in a bad mood, Shiraishi was a bit puzzled.
"Ah, no, just feeling a bit emotional."
Realizing her lapse, Tsunade quickly adjusted her mood from her disappointment.
"Suddenly, I feel a bit embarrassed celebrating your Chunin promotion today. Kakashi is already a Chunin at six."
Ruri said at this point.
"But Ruri, when you were six, weren't you also a student at the Ninja Academy, just like me?"
Shiraishi said this.
Then Shiraishi's face turned green.
"Shiraishi-senpai, are you alright?"
Kakashi glanced at the green-faced Shiraishi and expressed concern.
"Children shouldn't meddle in adult matters."
Shiraishi knew Kakashi was asking on purpose.
This kid was too annoying.
He'd give him a piece of his mind when he left Konoha later.
Two days later, Shiraishi's promotion to Chunin went largely unnoticed, except by those close to him.
Instead, it was Kakashi becoming a Chunin at only six years old that gradually became known throughout the village, leading people to believe that a tiger father had no dog sons.
Because of this, Kakashi became