Minato was sixteen years old now. At this age, he was strong, but his abilities had limits. No matter how skilled a ninja might be or how many jutsu he had mastered, a lack of chakra always imposed a ceiling.
If one were to rate Minato at this moment, he would fall somewhere between Shikaku and Kakashi: in battle, his high intelligence allowed him to maneuver against stronger opponents, yet the final results were often a fifty-fifty split.
For a sixteen-year-old, reaching this level was enough to call him a genius, but compared to the unstoppable Yellow Flash of the future, he was still far behind. Minato's potential was immense, yet he lacked the "orange-level equipment" needed to truly shine. That equipment, of course, was the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Hayashi didn't know exactly when Minato first encountered the Flying Thunder God Technique in the manga, but it certainly wasn't earlier than this age. After all, Minato couldn't have studied advanced sealing techniques in his early years, and his merits weren't enough to trade for an S-rank jutsu from the Book of Seals.
Originally, Minato had hoped to wait for Jiraiya to return and exchange it via the Third Hokage. But the eccentric teacher's whereabouts were unknown, so Hayashi used his own merits to secure the scroll for Minato. They had also checked within the Senju clan, but neither the Flying Thunder God scroll nor forbidden techniques like the Impure World Reincarnation could be found.
…
At dusk, Hayashi parted ways with the others at a street intersection and headed toward the Hatake clan grounds. He hadn't visited in several years, so standing at the gate felt unfamiliar.
After a few knocks, the gate opened, and a little white-haired boy peeked out. Though wary, he asked in a small voice, "Who are you?"
Hayashi couldn't help smiling at the tiny shota before him, and reached out to pinch his cheek.
But who was Kakashi?
Although the boy would one day become a cunning and infamous ninja, even in his youth he carried a proud aura. He wouldn't allow a stranger to grab his face without a fight.
Kakashi tilted his head to avoid Hayashi's hand and attempted a low kick aimed at his abdomen. But Hayashi's hand moved with perfect timing, grabbing Kakashi's collar and lifting him effortlessly.
Kakashi froze, eyes wide.
Before, he had gone with Oda Ichishi to the Daimyo's mansion, missing Hayashi entirely. Now, this was the first time he met the Hatake boy who would one day astonish the ninja world for decades to come. Compared to the perpetually tired, masked Kakashi of the future, this young Kakashi was unmasked, handsome, and spirited.
Hayashi couldn't resist pinching his cheek again.
Kakashi struggled briefly, then realizing escape was impossible, burst into loud sobs. "Sob sob sob… Mother! Someone is bullying me!"
…
Inside the living room, Sakumo sipped green tea in silence. Mealtime was underway, and Oda Ichishi was busy in the kitchen, leaving the atmosphere serious.
Hayashi sat beside Sakumo, thinking the tea was far superior to what Oda Ichishi might make. Across the table, young Kakashi watched his father respectfully, quietly sipping his own tea.
Hayashi glanced between Sakumo and Kakashi, silently noting the strict family discipline.
"Kakashi," Sakumo finally said after taking a sip, his tone firm but measured, "do you remember what I taught you about meeting your father's friends?"
"Yes, Father!" Kakashi responded immediately, setting down his cup. Though precocious, he was only two years old. At this age, Hayashi himself had still been learning how to handle brash little Uchiha kids.
"I see you're ready," Sakumo said. "Very good."
Kakashi bowed earnestly to Hayashi. "My name is Hatake Kakashi. I apologize for my earlier rudeness. Please, senior, give me guidance."
Hayashi laughed. "Brother Sakumo, you've scared your child. It's my fault—I teased him a little." He reached out to smooth Kakashi's white hair and calmed the boy, then helped him sit beside him. Even so, Kakashi maintained a disciplined posture, sitting with serious intent.
"This is Konoha's Lightning Flash, Uchiha Hayashi," Sakumo said, gesturing calmly.
Hayashi noticed Kakashi's expression shift subtly—from initial wariness to admiration and restraint.
"You probably can't imagine your reputation in Konoha right now," Sakumo said. "Hayashi, you're the genius who helped Konoha win the Second Ninja World War at just eleven years old. Unprecedented in the ninja world. My son Kakashi admires you greatly—I'm even a little jealous."
Hayashi smiled humbly. "You flatter me. Konoha simply needs new heroes, so they're promoting me."
"Not so fast," Sakumo replied seriously. "I've watched you grow step by step. I know your talent and strength best. I asked you here because I have a request."
"What is it?" Hayashi asked.
"I plan for Kakashi to become your disciple, and I also hope you can take over as his jonin instructor after he graduates."
"If you request it, Brother Sakumo, there's no problem… but," Hayashi hesitated, "isn't it a bit early?"
Kakashi was only two years old, capable of only the simplest training, not even chakra extraction.
"It doesn't matter," Sakumo replied firmly. "Even teaching theory will suffice. Given his talent, I plan to send him to the Ninja Academy next year, and he could graduate by six or seven. A strong teacher like you is crucial."
Hayashi nodded, understanding. Sakumo wanted Kakashi to have a mentor who was not only skilled but truly cared for him. Hayashi's strength and knowledge, especially beyond swordsmanship and medical ninjutsu, made him the perfect choice.
Sakumo's own motivations were also clear. While he could pass on everything he knew, he hoped Hayashi's guidance—rooted in the Sannin's teachings—would secure an inheritance of wisdom that even Kakashi's father could not.