The first reason is that Kakashi has served under Minato for years, allowing for a high degree of teamwork.
The second is that Kakashi has inherited his father, the Konoha White Fang's, swordsmanship, and as a Jonin, he's able to participate in high-difficulty missions.
However, this mission seems to be somewhat special—Kakashi didn't receive orders to carry out the mission together with Minato, so their training could only end here.
After a brief farewell, Minato left to carry out the mission assigned to him from above.
Most likely another solo raid against Hidden Cloud Village ninjas.
Kakashi guessed in his heart.
After all, this was Minato's everyday routine.
He couldn't help but admire Minato's strength as well.
In the past, he could still vaguely sense Minato's limits, but now he could no longer grasp them.
If this rate of growth continued, it was only a matter of time before Minato became the strongest ninja in the Ninja Realm.
Setting these thoughts aside, after Minato left, Kakashi didn't resume his training.
Even though he knew that his next focus should be to further strengthen his Lightning Style, there was actually no need to rush.
That wasn't something achievable in a day or two. Occasionally, you needed to relax and combine labor with rest.
So, Kakashi decided to go back and rest for a bit, read a book, and broaden his mind beyond ninja knowledge.
Being a ninja is just one part of life, but it isn't the entirety of life.
As he headed back toward camp, two people walked toward him, prompting Kakashi to take a second look.
The reason was simple.
One of them was far too young.
About four or five years old—a tiny body and arms, an incredibly childlike face… definitely just a little boy.
The boy's clothes bore the fan emblem.
Representing the Uchiha Clan.
The adult beside the boy—Kakashi recognized him.
Uchiha Fugaku.
The current head of the Uchiha Clan, powerful and, though not as famous as the Yellow Flash, still a major figure in the Ninja Realm.
After all, the Sharingan stood shoulder to shoulder with the Byakugan. When it came to strength, he could probably be ranked alongside the Sannin.
Kakashi looked again at the boy next to Fugaku, sighing inwardly.
Seriously, bringing such a young, ignorant child here to shape his worldview... is that really appropriate?
He'll be left with lifelong shadows.
Could this child hold a grudge against Fugaku the Jonin? Kakashi couldn't help but wonder.
Kakashi couldn't be said to know Fugaku, but he did have some connections with the Uchiha Clan.
Among his father Hatake Sakumo's three former subordinates, one had been a ninja of the Uchiha Clan.
Before defecting, that person had been a genius who could even contend with Uchiha Fugaku for the position of Uchiha Clan Leader.
But Kakashi had no desire to speak with Fugaku, so he passed by silently without a word.
Fugaku stopped in his tracks and, like Kakashi, said nothing.
The boy beside him, seeing his father stop, also came to a halt.
The boy turned back to look at Kakashi's retreating figure, curiosity sparking in his eyes.
"Father, who is that man…?"
Hearing the boy's question, Fugaku replied, "Hatake Kakashi. Entered school at four, graduated from the Ninja School at five—a genius. Became a Chunin at six, a Jonin at twelve… you could say he is one of today's most legendary Konoha Jonin."
The boy didn't respond, just watched Kakashi's back curiously.
"Itachi, you need to grow up quickly… become such a genius, and be sure to surpass him."
Father Fugaku's voice echoed in his ears.
The boy named Itachi didn't understand why his father demanded this of him.
He only nodded blankly.
But a thought did rise in his heart: If I become someone greater than this so-called Kakashi, will Father be happy?
Itachi's little head was filled with such ideas.
◎
In the conference room of the Hidden Cloud camp.
The Fourth Raikage had gathered with all the participating Hidden Cloud Jonin.
The Hidden Cloud Jonin allowed in this room were all Jonin of renowned standing in the Ninja Realm, each holding important positions in Hidden Cloud—one could say this was the strong and trusted core under the Fourth Raikage's command.
Among them was Dodai.
Once a kekkeigenkai Corrosion Style ninja who served under the Third Raikage, after the Third Raikage's sacrifice he had devoted himself to assisting his son, the current Fourth Raikage.
Regarding the matter of how to fight Konoha, Hidden Cloud had already held more than one meeting this month. Yet each time, because no suitable solution could be found, the meetings ended in vain.
Against the Yellow Flash, no matter how much strategy they planned, they could not shake Konoha's position on the battlefield.
While Hidden Cloud hadn't gone all out, Konoha too had held back—a mutual testing of each side's limits.
Yet compared to Konoha, the current situation was indeed unfavorable for Hidden Cloud.
The Fourth Raikage, seeing the Jonin present unable to produce a good plan, felt disappointed, though he understood they had done everything possible in the face of the Yellow Flash. Fate seemed set against them; Hidden Cloud's long-held wish to dominate the Ninja Realm lay buried in the sands.
At that moment, Dodai, the Hidden Cloud Jonin to his left, spoke up.
"Right now, there are two paths before us."
"Two paths? What two paths?"
The Jonin's attention shifted to Dodai.
"The first is to retreat—to broker a ceasefire with Konoha."
Dodai said.
The Hidden Cloud Jonin, as well as the Fourth Raikage, all frowned.
They knew this was the optimal choice, but none of them wanted to do it.