Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 41 41 : Kakashi Showdown

Kakashi thought for a mont before saying, "Because I promised that kid... When he graduates, I'll be his teacher."

What Kakashi had originally said was that he would help Riku find a good instructor, but he never explicitly stated that he would beco Riku's teacher himself.

The Third Hokage looked even more curious now. This wasn't like Kakashi at all. "I'm curious—what's so special about him that made you promise sothing like that? Do you understand the weight of your own commitnts?"

Kakashi gave it so thought. At this point, he believed Riku's strength was more than enough to speak for itself in front of the Hokage.

"Actually, you're right—he is special. Riku isn't like the average students at the Academy. I've actually been his teacher for a few years now."

The Third Hokage was stunned. "A few years ago?"

Kakashi nodded. "At first, I thought his talent was decent, though his personality was too unassuming. I taught him a few jutsu. Later on, I realized his potential was even greater than I imagined. Right now, I'd say he's about Chūnin level."

"It's just that his reserved nature keeps him from standing out at the Academy."

The Third Hokage blinked in disbelief. "Chūnin level? Are you serious?"

Chūnin-level ninja already made up the core combat strength of the village—reliable and competent shinobi. A twelve-year-old at that level could easily be considered a genius.

Even if it wasn't on the sa level as Kakashi's own Jōnin-level strength at twelve, it was still impressive.

The Hokage thought for a mont, then asked, "You taught him personally?"

Kakashi nodded. "Yes. I taught him several jutsu—Fire Style, Water Style, and Earth Style. He's mastered at least five B-rank jutsu."

The Third Hokage looked genuinely shocked. "Five B-rank jutsu? That's sothing even Chūnin struggle with."

He wasn't exaggerating. B-rank jutsu were considered advanced techniques—typically taught only to Jōnin or elite Chūnin. For most standard Jōnin, B-rank techniques were often the strongest ones they possessed.

Yet Kakashi had just said Riku had mastered five of them, and he was still only twelve.

If that was true, Riku might very well be as much of a prodigy as Kakashi once was.

The Third Hokage remained silent for a while, then finally said, "No wonder you took him on yourself. He's like you were—except a little less wild."

Kakashi gave a quiet nod. "He's got a very different temperant than I had. That's one of the reasons I respect him. He's calm, grounded. I hope he can stay that way and not end up like ."

The Third Hokage's thoughts drifted in another direction.

Now he understood why Kakashi hadn't inford him about Riku earlier.

Considering that Kakashi had spent ti within ANBU—especially under Root—it was clear.

Kakashi didn't trust him. Or Danzo.

The Third Hokage didn't like that, of course, but right now, the village couldn't afford to lose Kakashi.

In this generation, Kakashi was a cornerstone—an irreplaceable pillar of strength.

Even if the Hokage was slightly displeased by being kept in the dark, it wasn't enough to create a rift between them.

After all, he was already sixty-nine. His body wasn't what it used to be. He needed to find a successor.

And Kakashi, the most well-rounded ninja of his generation, was the obvious choice. He had the skill, the loyalty, and the lineage—student of the Fourth Hokage, making him part of their shared ideological legacy.

Even if Kakashi withholding information about Riku was frustrating, it was ultimately minor in the bigger picture.

Kakashi understood this as well. That's why he chose to speak now—because Riku's strength and connections had matured to the point where they couldn't be dismissed or suppressed.

After thinking it over, the Third Hokage finally gave his answer. "Alright. I'll allow him to be placed on your team. But in exchange, I hope you'll accept the person I've chosen for you."

Technically, the Hokage had the authority to assign anyone he wanted to Kakashi's team—but that would only stir controversy.

So instead, he used Riku as leverage to negotiate.

Kakashi anticipated this. He nodded. "Alright. But I still expect them to pass my test."

The Third Hokage chuckled. "Don't worry. They'll definitely pass your assessnt."

"Here, take a look at their profiles first."

He handed Kakashi a stack of folders. Kakashi flipped through them casually at first, but stopped abruptly at the third na.

"Didn't he fail the graduation exam?"

It was Naruto Uzumaki.

Last he'd heard, Naruto couldn't even perform the Clone Jutsu properly. How did he have a completed ninja registration file already? And now he was expected to be part of Kakashi's team?

It wasn't that Kakashi disliked Naruto, but from a practical standpoint, the boy clearly didn't have the skills to graduate. If even the basic Academy techniques weren't within his grasp, then unless he was a taijutsu specialist like Rock Lee, this felt... premature.

He looked back at the docunts. "With these three people... does that an I'm taking a four-man squad?"

The Third Hokage nodded. "Yes. Naruto needs a strong guiding hand—soone who can keep him optimistic. I trust you with that. And you know how important he is."

"Sasuke is the last of the Uchiha clan. He needs a proper ntor as well. He's a genius, and I want him to grow into a powerful shinobi."

What the Hokage didn't say was that this was also tied to a secret agreent with Itachi Uchiha.

Itachi knew too much—about the truth behind the Uchiha Massacre, about the inner workings of the village. At the ti, Itachi hadn't wanted to go through with it, but the clan had already crossed a line.

Just like the Second Hokage before him, Hiruzen believed the Uchiha needed to be monitored. But extermination? That had never been his intention. He couldn't bring himself to raise the blade, even if others did.

Though the Uchiha had once posed a threat, the last remaining survivor—Sasuke—was different.

He could still be of use to Konoha.

So the Hokage wanted Sasuke to grow strong—strong enough to be a future weapon, a symbol, perhaps even a leader. It was also a way to reassure Itachi that his younger brother would be protected and nurtured.

The sa logic applied to Naruto.

He was the son of the Fourth Hokage. The Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. He had Minato's blood, Kushina's spirit, and the potential to beco Konoha's next great hero.

In so ways, the Hokage viewed Naruto like a grandchild—soone he felt responsible for. He wanted Naruto to rise, to carry on the dream of the Fourth Hokage. And with Naruto's own desire to beco Hokage, the hope burned even brighter.

Right now, Konoha's younger generation lacked the kind of shinobi who could truly support the village's future.

Even Kakashi wasn't enough on his own.

That's why, despite his age and declining strength, the Hokage still wore the mantle.

But if he could nurture talents like Naruto, Sasuke, and Riku—then maybe, just maybe, Konoha would once again have pillars strong enough to hold up the Will of Fire.

And that was all he wanted