Watching from a distance as the youngsters—those "little radishes"—cheered and skipped while returning safely to Konoha, Kakashi confirmed that not a single one was missing.
Satisfied, he asked no further questions and handed the remaining matters over to Itachi's full authority before heading back to the Hokage's office.
An individual was already there, waiting for him.
"Lord Hokage."
The man, whose long brown hair was tied back in a ponytail and who wore a short blade at his waist, bowed deeply to Kakashi.
"Do you know why I summoned you here?"
Kakashi spoke calmly as he looked at the man before him—Hayama Shiragumo, who was a year or two younger than himself.
"I do not, but I am at your command, Lord Hokage," Hayama replied, lifting his head to meet Kakashi's gaze.
"How has your practice with the White Fang's blade techniques been progressing lately?" Kakashi gestured toward the nearby sofa, signaling for him to sit.
"It is truly a formidable style, as expected of a technique created by Lord Sakumo," Hayama said modestly. "I am dull-witted, however, and have only managed to grasp a fraction of its essence."
"There's no need to be so self-deprecating. I know better than anyone what the White Fang's techniques entail," Kakashi said. "With your talent, I doubt they will remain a mystery to you for long."
While Kakashi didn't have as deep an understanding of Hayama as he did of Uchiha Itachi, the man was, after all, a member of his Hokage Guard Platoon. In terms of judging character, Kakashi considered himself quite proficient.
In the original timeline, Hayama Shiragumo simply lacked the opportunity to become a top-tier powerhouse. Kakashi had decided to give him that opportunity.
The White Fang's blade techniques were the first step. Now, Kakashi intended to give him the second.
"Recently, Jiraiya, the Third Lord, and I—along with others—have been researching a formula. Once applied, it can double a person's strength," Kakashi said, looking intently at Hayama.
Hayama's heart skipped a beat. He looked at Kakashi in disbelief.
Strength... doubled?
His pulse quickened. Kakashi's purpose in calling him here and sharing this information was self-evident.
"However, due to specific circumstances, the formula isn't suitable for Jiraiya, and the Third is too old. It places extremely high demands on the user. Willpower, chakra, and physical endurance—none can be lacking. Furthermore, there hasn't been a first user yet. So..."
Any new jutsu carried risks. Although Kakashi and the others had finalized the Sage Mark, Jiraiya had failed his initial attempt to adapt to it. Even Kakashi couldn't say for certain what hidden dangers might remain.
They needed someone to test it. Even though they had reduced the risks of the Sage Mark to the absolute minimum, the danger was still present.
"I am willing!" Hayama said decisively.
The prospect of doubling one's strength was an irresistible temptation for any ninja. This was especially true for Hayama; as a member of the Hokage's guard, and having been selflessly gifted the White Fang's techniques, he was ready to face any risk for Kakashi.
Moreover, Hayama trusted that Kakashi would never intentionally harm him.
"It's not too late to change your mind," Kakashi said seriously.
"I have no regrets, Lord Hokage. Without you, I would likely still be nothing more than an ordinary, newly-promoted Jonin. Since you trust me so deeply, I will repay that trust even if it costs me my life!"
Looking at Hayama, even Kakashi felt a flicker of emotion.
Truth be told, his focus on Hayama Shiragumo had never matched his focus on Uchiha Itachi—or even Sakura Haruno. Yet here was a man willing to risk his life for him.
When he first selected his Guard Platoon, Kakashi hadn't even intended to establish one. If it hadn't been for the need to bring Uchiha Itachi closer, he wouldn't have bothered with such a thing. If an enemy was too much for the Hokage to handle, what could a guard platoon do?
To put it coldly, Hayama had originally been chosen just to fill the numbers. Having a guard platoon consisting only of Uchiha Itachi would have looked politically suspicious.
But now, Kakashi found himself truly valuing the man.
"Fine. No matter what happens, as long as I am alive, there will always be a place for you by my side," Kakashi said solemnly.
Hayama's eyes shimmered. He lowered his head deeply toward Kakashi.
Behind the Hokage Rock
Hayama sat cross-legged by the lake, his upper body bare.
Once Kakashi confirmed that Hayama's physical strength met the minimum requirements for the Sage Mark, he no longer hesitated. he reached out and pressed his finger against the top of Hayama's spine.
As his chakra surged, following a path designed by seven master-level shinobi (including himself), a mysterious black solar sigil appeared at the base of Hayama's neck.
The moment the Sage Mark was implanted, Hayama felt his daily chakra instinctively rush toward the seal. Simultaneously, an external, unknown force began pouring into the same point on his spine.
"Its name is the Sage Mark (Sen'nin Kokuin). it was developed and improved based on the S-rank sealing technique, the Strength of a Hundred Seal (Yin Seal)," Kakashi explained.
"This is the secret behind Lady Tsunade's eternal youth. This means that anyone branded with the Sage Mark will retain their youthful appearance, even in death. Of course, that is the most insignificant of its functions."
Kakashi watched Hayama closely as he explained, monitoring for any signs of an adverse reaction. Should anything go wrong, Kakashi—who possessed Sage Mode—could intervene immediately to neutralize the danger.
"The most vital power of the Sage Mark—its core—is that it allows you to enter Sage Mode. Sage Mode provides a massive boost to your strength. Speed, power, and physical defense will all surpass those of an ordinary ninja. It is nearly impossible for a normal shinobi to obtain this power; learning Sage Mode usually requires one to sense Natural Energy on their own, which is not only difficult but extremely hazardous."
Listening to Kakashi's explanation, Hayama focused his mind, carefully sensing the Sage Mark on his body.
Time passed steadily. No abnormalities appeared in the mark. Kakashi remained unmoved.
Implanting the Sage Mark required time for natural energy to fill the "Solar Core Seal" at the center, while the user's own chakra had to fill the "Solar Ring Seal" on the outer perimeter. Only when both seals were fully charged could Sage Mode be activated.
The time required varied by individual. Jiraiya had taken an hour. Kakashi estimated that Hayama would take roughly six.
As the sun began to set, Kakashi stayed by Hayama's side. Four hours had passed since the implantation.
"Lord Hokage... I feel it is complete."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed at Hayama's words. The time taken to accumulate the necessary energy was shorter than he had anticipated.
"Try the power. Open the barrier between the Solar Core and the Solar Ring."
At Kakashi's command, Hayama stood up slowly, his expression solemn. Success or failure rested on this single move.
As the barrier between the seals vanished, the blue light of the shinobi's chakra from the Ring Seal merged with the white fluorescence of the natural energy from the Core Seal. Together, they transformed into a pale blue glow.
Simultaneously, starting from the Sage Mark, a dozen black lines spread across Hayama's body. They crawled over his torso, arms, chest, neck, and jaw, finally forming the Arabic numeral "1" over his heart.
The number "1" was originally intended for Jiraiya, but since he had failed, his mark had been revoked.
Feeling the surge of power within him, Hayama's spirit trembled. He felt as though he were omnipotent.
"Do not let the power cloud your mind. You must master the power, not let the power master you," Kakashi warned from the sidelines.
This was exactly why the Sage Mark required a specific temperament. A sudden explosion in strength could easily lead to a lapse in judgment. An ant that gains the strength of ten ants is still an ant. But that sudden surge might make the ant believe it can take on a human one-on-one.
If a human—the creature with the strongest desires in nature—gained such power, the potential for disaster would be far greater than that of any ant.
"Yes!"
Hayama snapped out of the euphoria of his sudden strength and quickly stabilized his mind.
"Test your strength," Kakashi said, pointing toward the lake.
Without a word, Hayama drew the short blade stuck in the ground. Wind Style chakra wrapped around the blade, and the enhancement from the Sage Mark manifested in full force.
A frigid wind sliced through the water. Even standing to the side, one could feel the razor-sharp intensity of the blade's gale.
The surface of the lake was split in two.
Kakashi watched, his eyes narrowing. Excellent compatibility.
Although Hayama had used both Wind Style and the White Fang's techniques, that single strike proved his total synchronization with the Sage Mark.
"It seems we have a success."
Even after that full-power strike that cleaved the lake, Hayama's condition remained normal, and his senjutsu chakra continued to circulate stably. This meant the research into the Sage Mark could officially be declared a success. If the senjutsu chakra were going to go berserk, Hayama would have collapsed by now.
"How do you feel?" Kakashi asked.
"I have never felt better," Hayama said seriously, looking at the water in shock at his own power.
"In that case, stay close to me for the next few days. I need to observe you further to ensure no delayed complications arise," Kakashi instructed. Hayama naturally agreed.
Looking at Hayama, Kakashi's mind began to wander.
If he included Might Guy, who was currently training his chakra control, there were only two users of the Sage Mark so far. This fell far short of the number Kakashi had envisioned.
He needed at least ten people to make the time and effort spent by himself, Tobirama Senju, and Hiruzen Sarutobi over the last six months worthwhile.
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