Year 41 of Konoha, April.
Almost a full year has passed since the original Sakumo's team was disbanded.
Hakushi has grown another year older.
There's not much to say about organizational matters, progressing steadily and cautiously due to the initial accumulation phase.
The actions are also limited to some small countries, rarely involving the realm of the Five Great Nations.
With Hakushi this leader teaching by example, members of the organization have become adept, especially in stealth, outdoing their predecessor.
Solving the Caged Bird and recruiting an upper nin like Hyuga Shingo as a subordinate has greatly benefited the organization.
Although they cannot show their faces outside, guarding the organizational headquarters is also of utmost importance.
After all, Hakushi is very worried about that peculiar white creature, similar in ability to Earth General, capable of moving swiftly within objects and undetectable by standard Perception Ninjutsu.
With the assistance of the Byakugan, these issues can be avoided.
No matter how stealthy, merging with the earth still involves moving the body, and the Byakugan's ability to see the essence surpasses Perception Ninjas in observation.
Hakushi also compared the list of Hyuga Branch Family Ninjas provided by Hyuga Shingo and Ayane in detail.
He found that within the Hyuga Branch Family, the proportion of ninjas dissatisfied with the Main Family differed from his expectations.
Some have completely sided with the Main Family, some remain on the fence, indecisive but usually lean towards the Main Family's decisions.
The rest are Branch Family Ninjas who are dissatisfied or heavily hostile towards the Main Family; they are neither few nor many.
Hakushi doesn't plan to contact these people yet.
Too many people raise the likelihood of exposure, and he doesn't want to draw Konoha's attention.
The possibility being very low, it should still be prevented.
After all, Konoha isn't lacking, and maybe some promising seedlings could be found.
Research on the Immortal Technique is progressing well; after several months of effort, the success probability has increased by a few percentage points according to data statistics.
In other times, Hakushi still maintains the life of a qualified Konoha Ninja—conducting research at home, acting as an assistant at the school.
As a Konoha Ninja, he is deeply rooted and devoted.
Except for increasing visits to the Security Team to date Ruri.
Of course, it's a very pure date.
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Around mid-April, Hakushi stepped lightly along Konoha's streets.
It was apparent he was in a good mood.
Not just because it was Saturday and he didn't have to serve as an assistant at the Ninja School, but he had free time.
"Yo, Kakashi, long time no see."
Hakushi spotted a familiar figure on the street.
A boy with a full head of silver-white hair.
Wearing a mask on his face, carrying a White Fang Short Knife identical to the one Sakumo used on his back.
This kid is still so obsessed with his father.
"Isn't it Genin Hakushi-senpai? What advice do you have?"
Kakashi turned, responding indifferently without much fluctuation in tone.
"When did you start talking like Ruri?"
Hakushi set his hand on Kakashi's head, ruffling his silver-white hair until messy before stopping.
"What are you doing?"
"Revenge for your earlier words. You're really annoying, not at all like Sakumo-sensei."
Hakushi candidly said.
"So, what business do you have with me? I don't believe this is a mere coincidence."
Kakashi, precocious and learning to speak like an adult, held a currently popular book, presumably reading while walking.
He put the book into his Ninja Tool Bag, tidying his hair messed by Hakushi.
"How's life as a Genin?"
Instead of explaining his purpose, Hakushi asked about Kakashi's feelings after becoming a Genin.
"What else? The tasks are very simple, nothing much to worry about."
Kakashi, after some thought, bluntly expressed his thoughts.
"You're really not modest at all."
Hakushi patted Kakashi's shoulder.
"Senpai should also explain your purpose."
"Is Sakumo-sensei at home?"
"No, he's out on a mission, should be a few days yet to return."
"What a pity."
Hakushi sighed.
"What's up?"
"Today's a joyous day for me."
Kakashi looked puzzled at Hakushi.
"You're getting married? Who's the bride, Ruri-senpai or Ayane-senpai?"
"..."
"No?"
"Of course not. Why would you think that way?"
"Senpai's words mislead me a lot."
Kakashi said helplessly.
Hakushi had to take out a piece of paper from the Ninja Tool Bag, a letter of appointment signed personally by the Hokage.
"See, from today onward, I'm also a Chunin of the village."
Seeing Hakushi's slightly smug demeanor, Kakashi now realized his source of joy.
Should this be something worth celebrating?
Isn't it something to be lamented?
Others on your team have long become Jonin. However, Kakashi refrained from uttering this hurtful truth.
"From today onward, I'm your superior."
Hakushi said.
Kakashi sighed helplessly again, also taking a similarly styled letter of appointment from his Ninja Tool Bag.