Chapter 2
As the elder brother, Kakashi received a short sword from Sakumo, and naturally, Hefeng was no exception.
"Hefeng, you mentioned before that you wanted to learn dual blades. In my spare time, I've looked into it a bit and had the blacksmith forge these two identical short swords just for you." Hatake Sakumo took out another pair of matching short swords and handed them to Hefeng.
"Although dual blades have never appeared in the history of our Hatake clan's sword style, the essence of swordsmanship remains the same no matter the variations. Both you and Kakashi—I believe you can each forge your own path within it. After all, you are the sons of Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo."
At this moment, Sakumo was brimming with pride. Having made tremendous contributions during the Second Shinobi World War, his title of "Konoha's White Fang" was known and feared throughout the ninja world, giving him every right to his confidence.
He stood up straight and said solemnly, "Since you two brothers have taken up my blades, it means you're ready. This is the basic chakra extraction method. Tonight, you can try extracting chakra. Starting tomorrow, I'll begin formal training with both of you."
"Yes, Father!" the brothers replied in unison.
The next morning, while the pair were still curled up in bed, Hatake Sakumo—wooden training sword in hand—gave each of them a sharp whack.
"The sun's already high—get up for morning training! Whether it's ninjutsu, swordsmanship, or taijutsu, none of it works without solid stamina. Today's goal is simple: physical conditioning!"
Hatake Sakumo said sternly.
Raising children alone wasn't easy. To ensure his sons grew up healthy, he had to play both the gentle mother and the strict father.
Seeing Sakumo's serious expression, neither Hefeng nor Kakashi could tell if he was truly angry or just putting on an act. They obediently got dressed, washed their faces, and headed out the door.
By coincidence, as soon as they stepped outside, they spotted Might Guy already running far ahead.
Sakumo stood behind them. "What are you waiting for? Go catch up!"
"Yes!"
...
Day 30.
Thanks to the system, Hefeng's enhanced talents were gradually showing themselves.
In just one month, his physical endurance had already surpassed Might Guy's, and his chakra reserves had reached the level of an average chūnin.
Hatake Sakumo was quite surprised. Though he had expected great things, seeing Hefeng's talent manifest so clearly still shocked him.
"Ah! Today's training is finally done! So tired." Hefeng stretched lazily, shaking out his arms to relax.
Beside him, Might Guy watched Hefeng radiate such charm and unconsciously swallowed. Hefeng was getting cuter and cuter...
Guy shook his head vigorously, only to meet Kakashi's murderous glare. In return, he shot back a look that said: Hefeng is my best friend—don't get any ideas.
[Might Guy Favorability +1]
[Favorability Critical Hit Triggered]
[Obtained Fragment of the Eight Gates Formation (1/8)]
[Fragment of the Eight Gates Formation: Collect all to learn the Eight Gates Formation]
Hefeng's eyes lit up. The Eight Gates Formation was an incredible technique. With proper recovery methods, even without opening the Eighth Gate, it would be a devastating trump card.
Thinking this, Hefeng looked at Guy with much gentler eyes and said softly, "Guy, you're such a good person."
Kakashi's eyes widened. Before he could speak, Hefeng continued, "And so are you, Nii-san. We're passing a dango shop—wait for me a second, I'll go buy some tri-color dango."
Guy grinned. "As expected of my best friend Hefeng—this is youth!"
Kakashi's face under the mask turned as black as a pot. He snarled, "Guy, let's have a contest. Whoever does more push-ups wins. The loser has to give the dango Hefeng buys to the winner."
"Fine! I accept, Kakashi! Let's have a youthful competition!"
...
Three months later.
Snow was still falling heavily from the sky. Kakashi and Hefeng stood in the Hatake family's training ground, dressed only in basic training clothes, wooden swords in hand as they swung over and over.
The snowflakes didn't linger on their bodies—they melted instantly into sweat, fueling the brothers' efforts.
Hatake Sakumo stood to the side, pointing out flaws in each of their movements.
"Very good. Your basics over these three months are solid. Next, I'll demonstrate our family's Hatake sword style once. Afterward, tell me your insights."
With that, Hatake Sakumo drew the White Fang short sword from his back.
Under Sakumo's blade, it seemed as though enemies rushed toward him one after another, only to be cut down completely.
In that moment, Sakumo embodied contradiction: his movements were swift yet somehow slow, plain yet somehow ornate. He wasn't just swinging a sword—he was swinging the unyielding spirit of the Hatake clan.
"Now, tell me—what does the Hatake sword style look like in your eyes?"
Sakumo stood tall before his sons, his figure imposing.
Kakashi's eyes shone with intensity, but he spoke with forced maturity: "Sharp. Father is like an unstoppable spear. As long as you wield the White Fang, nothing in front can stand in your way."
Sakumo was very pleased. He ruffled Kakashi's tousled hair and praised, "Well said. The Hatake blade is the sharpest spear on the battlefield. No one dares block a ninja who masters our style."
Then Sakumo turned to Hefeng—his second son, who filled him with both pride and headaches.
Pride because Hefeng's talent was the strongest he'd ever seen—even surpassing his own. Headaches because this son didn't act like a son at all.
He was more like a daughter, especially with that increasingly pure and adorable face, and the constant aura that made people want to protect him. If not for knowing there were no kekkei genkai in their bloodline, Sakumo might have suspected Hefeng had awakened some ancestral bloodline limit.
Shaking his head, Sakumo pushed those thoughts aside. Things were fine as they were—at least he felt like he had both a son and a daughter, instead of two rowdy boys.
"And you, Hefeng? What do you think of our family's sword style?"
Hefeng savored the memory of Sakumo's demonstration and replied, "Elegant. Our style has the elegance of taking an enemy's general's head amid a million troops, and the elegance of retreating unscathed from ten thousand soldiers—just like you during the Second Shinobi World War, when the people of Sunagakure could only flee at the sight of you."
Sakumo was satisfied with both sons' answers. Or rather, he would have been happy with anything they said—after all, they were his pride.