"Really, it's all thanks to you, Senju Haruto."
After leaving the training grounds, Kakashi went straight to the Konoha Hospital for treatment. After all, taking a full-force kick from Naruto in his Golden Cloak Mode had broken several of his ribs. Combined with the massive drain on his chakra, Kakashi now needed serious rest.
"If it weren't for you, I honestly don't know how I would have resolved that survival exercise," Kakashi admitted sincerely when he saw Haruto come to visit.
"That's nothing. What matters is your health—don't push yourself too hard," Haruto replied calmly, giving Kakashi a quick once-over before taking a seat beside his bed. If Kakashi couldn't continue leading Team Seven, Haruto could always assign someone else as a substitute.
"It's fine." Kakashi shook his head lightly. "Naruto and the others have only just become genin. Even if they take on missions, they'll be the lowest-rank D-class ones. At most, they'll be asked to find a missing pet or something like that. They don't need me to spend much chakra to see it through."
Kakashi spoke frankly. Even though he hadn't led genin teams before, he was well-versed in how mission assignments worked. All he'd really need to do was give direction—they would never notice anything off.
"By the way, Haruto… you came here for more than just a visit, didn't you?" Kakashi asked after a moment's thought.
Haruto wasn't like him. Haruto wasn't just a jonin—he was the leader of Root, a special advisor to the Hokage, and a key figure among the Fire Country's leadership. Normally, his time was consumed by countless responsibilities. For him to personally visit Kakashi meant there might be more behind this.
"Not exactly anything urgent," Haruto said after a pause. "When you were sparring with Naruto, I happened to be watching. Kakashi, your chakra reserves…"
He didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.
Kakashi knew exactly what he meant. With his Lightning Chakra Mode fully activated, he could barely last seven minutes. Add the Sharingan on top of that, and five minutes was his absolute limit. If that had been a real enemy instead of Naruto during the exercise, he would have already been dead.
And truthfully, even against Naruto, things had not gone well. His injuries aside, Kakashi knew that for the next few days he wouldn't even be able to mold chakra properly. If an enemy appeared during this time… he would end up relying on Naruto to protect him.
That was a truth he could never allow Naruto and the others to find out.
Taking a deep breath, Kakashi looked straight into Haruto's eyes, as though he had guessed what Haruto was about to propose.
"So… are you saying you plan to personally take over Team Seven?" Kakashi asked seriously.
But Haruto chuckled.
"Of course not. Like you said, D-rank missions don't even require chakra. You're perfectly capable of handling them—you don't need me to meddle."
He paused, then his tone shifted.
"But this is your weakness, Kakashi. Peace won't last forever. Sooner or later, you'll face enemies you can't afford to underestimate. That's why I suggest… you correct this weakness."
"Correct it?" Kakashi frowned deeply. Of course he knew how dangerous his chakra limitation was. But his chakra reserves were simply what they were. Sure, soldier pills could temporarily boost them, but those came with serious drawbacks. In the end, that was just relying on external crutches.
Not a lasting solution.
And then… something clicked. His eyes widened slightly as he stared at Haruto again.
"You mean…"
"Yes." Haruto nodded, confirming Kakashi's realization.
"By storing chakra in a seal on your forehead with Yin Release and releasing it when necessary, you can overcome your limitation. This technique… is called the Hundred Seal."
The Hundred Seal wasn't a kekkei genkai. As long as one had precise chakra control, the right training, and proper instruction, it could be mastered.
Even Haruno Sakura of the Senju line had learned the Hundred Seal under Tsunade's guidance. Not that it was easy—Shizune, also Tsunade's disciple, had never managed it.
But Haruto had high expectations for Kakashi. After all, he was Konoha's famed Copy Ninja, the man who could master nearly any jutsu he laid eyes on—even techniques as terrifying as Susanoo.
"Of course, there's no rush. Kakashi, once you've fully recovered, come find me. We'll start then," Haruto said.
He didn't attempt to teach the technique on the spot. For one, the Hundred Seal was no less demanding to learn than the Lightning Chakra Cloak. And right now, Kakashi's body was still badly weakened. He wouldn't even be able to mold chakra for several days—how could he possibly train?
As Haruto walked away, Kakashi's heart stirred again.
"The Hundred Seal…"
He swallowed hard, feeling a shiver run through him. If Haruto's description was true, the jutsu's potential was staggering. If he could master it, doubling the duration of his Lightning Chakra Mode would be the least of the benefits.
"Haruto… just how many jutsu do you know?"
After a night of rest, Kakashi's body had recovered enough to move, though he still couldn't properly mold chakra. Regardless, he resumed leading Team Seven on their first missions.
Because they were genin, the assignments were all simple D-rank tasks—chores, really. Jobs that could be completed with minimal effort. And with Naruto's Golden Cloak mode, things like catching runaway pets were laughably easy.
But it was precisely this kind of work that grated on Naruto's nerves.
Inside the Mission Assignment Hall of Konoha…
Naruto crossed his arms in front of his chest and made a big X with them. "No more of these stupid missions! Please give us something else!"
He had had enough. Using the Nine-Tails' chakra to chase after cats was a complete waste of his power. He needed harder missions—missions where he could prove himself. Missions where he could earn recognition.
"Everyone goes through this phase. Especially when you're new and lack experience, these missions are not only the safest, they also test a ninja's patience," the chunin in charge of assignments replied curtly.
He had little fondness for Naruto to begin with. To him, a ninja's duty was to carry out the missions given without complaint.
As he stood, ready to properly scold Naruto for his attitude, a familiar voice rang out from another direction.
Naruto and Kakashi both recognized it instantly.
They turned, and sure enough—the one who had arrived was none other than Senju Haruto.
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