"Sorry, senior, I don't mean to discourage you, but just this morning, I also became a Chunin."
"..."
Hakushi's smile stiffened on his face.
Then, he realized something and looked at Kakashi in astonishment.
"Wait, Kakashi, aren't you only six years old this year? And you're already a Chunin?"
There must be something wrong somewhere.
Only six years old.
When Hakushi was six, he had just started at the Ninja School.
Although Kakashi enrolled at four, which is considered early education, graduating from the Ninja School at the age of five in just one year was already unprecedented in Konoha.
And now, a year later, he's become a Chunin?
Hakushi knew Kakashi's abilities surpassed those of his peers, but becoming a Chunin isn't just about strength; it's a position as a small squad leader in a team.
Qualified psychological qualities and excellent leadership skills are of utmost importance.
"This is personally signed by the Hokage. If Senior Hakushi thinks it's fake, then I have nothing more to say."
"Sigh, I originally wanted to show off a bit."
Thinking about how he only became a Chunin at seventeen, while Kakashi achieved it at six...
Well, he felt a little pity for himself.
"As expected of Sakumo-sensei's child, it seems I can no longer consider you a little kid in the future."
Hakushi sighed with a smile.
Hearing Hakushi's compliment, Kakashi felt a little pleased, especially since he didn't let his father's reputation down.
"So, senior, you came to me for..."
"To celebrate me becoming a Chunin, but now we should also celebrate you becoming a Chunin, Kakashi."
"..."
Knew it.
However, it's just becoming a Chunin, what's there to celebrate?
But since the other party was once his father's subordinate, and they usually got along well, Kakashi agreed.
Following Hakushi, they arrived at a familiar barbecue restaurant.
Ruri and Tsunade were sitting there waiting, and next to Tsunade, there was a cute girl with short black hair, a bit older than Kakashi.
"Isn't Ayane here?"
Not seeing Ayane's figure, Kakashi couldn't help but wonder.
"She has something to do today and can't come, but as long as the gift has arrived, that's fine."
"What a pity, missing out on a spectacular battle."
Kakashi said.
Hakushi forced a smile, somewhat regretting bringing this little rascal.
Exactly the same as when he was a child, not at all cute.
"Jonin Tsunade, hello."
Kakashi showed respect to Tsunade before sitting down.
"We're just waiting for you, but hasn't Sakumo come?"
Tsunade asked, noticing Sakumo's absence.
"He's on a mission outside," Kakashi replied.
Then he looked at the girl next to Tsunade.
"This is..."
"This is Shizune, kind of a relative of mine."
Tsunade introduced with a smile.
Since today was Hakushi's big day for becoming a Chunin, bringing relatives and friends might be inappropriate, but she wasn't comfortable leaving Shizune home alone, so she brought her along for a meal.
Kakashi nodded to the girl named Shizune, who smiled back and nodded as well.
"Speaking of which, today isn't just the day I became a Chunin; it's also the day Kakashi became a Chunin."
Hakushi sat down and said with a smile.
Everyone was taken aback and looked at Kakashi in surprise, especially Shizune, who had just graduated from the Ninja School herself, and this boy who seemed younger than her was already a Chunin.
"So annoying."
Kakashi, not wanting attention, pretended not to care when everyone focused on him.
Fortunately, everyone knew Kakashi was a genius, and his father, the renowned Konoha White Fang, made it unbelievable that he was a Chunin at six. But with the Hokage's approval, it meant Kakashi was a qualified Chunin, without any shady dealings.
"Young people nowadays are increasingly frightening."
Tsunade glanced at Ruri sitting beside Hakushi, feeling quite pressured.
And looking at Kakashi, though still immature, he already had the makings of his father, the Konoha White Fang, and even more impressive than his father when he was young...
What a gathering of talent. Tsunade felt pleased for the village's prosperous future, yet thinking about her current situation, her mood dipped slightly.
"Tsunade-sensei, is something wrong?"
Seeing Tsunade feeling down, Hakushi was a bit puzzled.
"Ah, nothing, just a bit sentimental."
Realizing her own lapse, Tsunade quickly adjusted her mood.
"Suddenly, it feels a bit embarrassing to celebrate you becoming a Chunin today. Kakashi became a Chunin at six."
Then Ruri spoke.
"But Ruri, weren't you also a Ninja School student at six, just like me?"
Hakushi said this.
Hakushi's face turned a little pale.
"Senior Hakushi, are you okay?"
Kakashi, noticing Hakushi's pale face, showed concern.
"Stay out of adult matters, kid."
Hakushi knew Kakashi was asking deliberately.
This kid is too cheeky.
I'll give him a piece of my mind when I leave Konoha in the future.
◎
Two days later, only those close to Hakushi noticed his becoming a Chunin.
On the contrary, Kakashi becoming a Chunin at just six began to be known throughout the village, confirming that like father, like son.