In terms of talent, Kakashi was undeniably a prodigy. He had graduated from the Ninja Academy at the age of five, become a Chunin at six, and reached Jonin rank by twelve, mastering ninjutsu across all five elemental attributes. At this stage, Kakashi could only be described as remarkable. Anyone who had seen him in action knew it was only a matter of time before he would surpass Sakumo himself.
Yet, the next twenty years were somewhat embarrassing. Kakashi didn't progress as fast as expected. Not that he was weak—far from it—but he simply didn't meet the lofty expectations many held for him. Tsunade herself once said bluntly, "It's really unfortunate you were injured by those rogue ninjas. Aren't you supposed to be a genius?" Her words were harsh but honest, tinged with regret.
Still, Kakashi had undeniable strengths. He could go toe-to-toe with even the highest-ranking shinobi. From Zabuza in his early days to Itachi's clone, later Pain Tendo, Obito, and even Kaguya, Kakashi had proven he could match any foe. To put it simply: he may earn much, but he would never lose.
Thus, Hatake Kakashi became a benchmark in the ninja world. Those who could defeat him were worthy of facing Naruto and Sasuke; those who couldn't were considered beneath notice.
Many reasons explained why Kakashi transitioned from prodigy to benchmark, but the primary one, Hayashi believed, was Obito's Sharingan. While it granted him incredible power, it also robbed Kakashi of his greatest advantage: raw chakra reserves.
At twelve, Kakashi could develop the Chidori, while Minato, capable of jutsu at the same level, wouldn't reach that point until he was around twenty. This alone demonstrated Kakashi's natural talent, combined with mastery of all elemental attributes. He could have rivaled—or even surpassed—the Second Third Hokage in strength, had circumstances been different.
Kakashi's chakra was limited, comparable to the Third Hokage in his later years. Even during the Third Hokage's fight against Orochimaru, there were no signs of chakra exhaustion despite using multiple high-level jutsu. Kakashi's chakra, though higher than Itachi's, was suppressed by the Sharingan, limiting his full potential. Yet even constrained, he could still follow in Sakumo's path. Without the Sharingan, he might have been even stronger.
Hayashi observed the young white-haired boy beside him, noting the nervous glimmer in his eyes. Smiling, Hayashi sipped his green tea. "Since Brother Sakumo has made his decision, let's leave it for now. I suppose I'll have a mission soon. Once it's done, I'll return to bother you again."
"It's no bother at all. You and I were comrades on the battlefield," Sakumo said, his tone carrying the weight of experience. "If you wish to stay here for a while, it won't be a problem."
Hayashi chuckled. "Then it's settled. One wish fulfilled." Sakumo stretched, smiling faintly. "Speaking of missions, I'm sure the Third Hokage will pull me for another one in a few days."
"Another S-rank mission?" Hayashi asked.
"Yes," Sakumo replied with a sigh, sipping his tea. "I'm used to it."
"Why not take lower-level missions? They're shorter, less dangerous, and give you time with Sister Ashi and Kakashi," Hayashi suggested.
Sakumo shook his head. "My strength doesn't allow it."
Kakashi, holding his small teacup, looked at his father with awe. "As expected of my father. If one day I can match him… or even stand toe-to-toe, I'll be satisfied."
Sakumo glanced at the time. "Dinner will take a while. Why don't we head to the training ground out back for some practice?" Though married, Sakumo's warrior spirit remained undimmed.
Hayashi followed silently. Fighting Sakumo wasn't like teaching children at the Uchiha training ground; there was no room for laxity.
"The rule is simple: there are no rules. Just avoid fatal attacks. Sister Ashi will scold you if you get hurt," Sakumo warned, offering a rare smile. Hayashi felt a burst of warmth from the rare gentleness.
"Then let's begin." Hayashi activated his Sharingan and appeared behind Sakumo instantly. His speed was unreserved; the air itself seemed to tear as he swung his kunai.
"Bang!" Sakumo blocked with his short sword, white chakra flaring along its blade. Continuous clashes caused the chakra to form a shimmering light curtain, threatening to engulf Hayashi.
Sakumo's fighting spirit was pure, and Hayashi knew it well. Dodging a five-hit combo, Hayashi leapt into the air and formed hand seals:
Wind Release: Vacuum Explosive Shot!
The giant wind ball formed instantly. Sakumo, experienced from battles in the Land of Wind, knew he couldn't withstand this alone. He flickered through the air and appeared behind Hayashi, striking at his neck.
"Snap!"
Sakumo felt a brief disorientation but quickly regained focus. By the time he recovered, Hayashi had vanished, leaving only the spinning wind sphere.
Hayashi's tactics were increasingly impressive. Protecting himself, Sakumo turned the next vacuum blast into white chakra smoke and dispersed into the air.
"The warm-up is almost over, right?" Hayashi asked from behind.
"Yes," Sakumo nodded, "Now, we get serious."
Lightning chakra coursed through Hayashi's body and spread to his kunai. Sakumo's White Fang sword, imbued with wind chakra, intercepted every strike. Their battle escalated; Hayashi's speed matched Sakumo's perfectly, ready to exploit any lapse.
Sakumo's obsession with the short sword gave him unmatched skill, but also limits. If the sword wasn't in his hand, his effectiveness dropped sharply. Hayashi, adept at both speed and sealing, knew how to exploit this.
"Bang!" Another metallic clash rang out. The sound alone created a brief genjutsu effect, making Sakumo dizzy. Hayashi's right hand reached for the back of the White Fang blade, pressing the attack.
"Hayashi, Chen… come have dinner." Oda Ashi's voice rang from the house, breaking the tension. Sakumo, briefly disoriented, stepped back with a sigh.
"Next time, we'll continue," Sakumo said with regret. Hayashi retracted his hand.
"Want to drink some wine later? Ashi's cooking is excellent."
"I'm not an adult yet. What do you want to do?"
"Don't joke. Everyone in Konoha knows Raikou enjoys wine," Sakumo rolled his eyes.
===
Look up "_Zeph" on Patreon to get access to chapters in advance.