Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 5: Sakumo Hatake!

Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Sakumo Hatake!

Outside the Ninja Academy.

It was a rare occasion that Sakumo Hatake came to pick up his son, Kakashi. His gaze, however, was unconsciously drawn to two other people.

He asked, "Kakashi, are those two also your classmates?"

Kakashi followed his father's line of sight and saw Shūichi Hoshita and Might Guy.

After nearly three months as classmates, they had all become quite familiar with each other, especially with Shūichi and Guy.

Guy considered Kakashi his strongest rival and often dragged him into friendly competitions. Since Shūichi and Guy were close friends, it was only natural that they also became friends.

Of course, part of it was because Kakashi had already formed a strong impression of Guy even before joining the Academy.

This was because Sakumo Hatake had once told him that Guy had extraordinary talent and would become a formidable opponent.

"Yes, Father," Kakashi replied. "His name is Shūichi Hoshita, and he's also my friend."

"His learning ability is incredibly strong—he's ranked first in the written exams for two consecutive tests."

Sakumo smiled and said, "It seems he's another outstanding talent."

"Kakashi, if you don't put in the effort, your friend might surpass you!"

Kakashi instinctively wanted to argue, because over the past three months, every time he faced Shūichi in a match, the latter had always been defeated.

But remembering Shūichi's rapid progress over the past month, he hesitated.

Especially in their practical class yesterday, when he was paired with Shūichi. During their match, it felt as though Shūichi could predict every one of his moves and techniques.

Although he still won, it wasn't due to superior taijutsu techniques, but rather because of his stronger physical abilities and more extensive combat experience.

So Kakashi thought for a moment and then asked, "Father, can I go train with them?"

Sakumo smiled and nodded, "Of course, go ahead."

Kakashi quickly said goodbye to his father and caught up with Shūichi and Guy.

Naturally, Shūichi and Guy welcomed Kakashi's participation, especially Guy, who had already invited Kakashi to join them many times.

On the way, Kakashi couldn't help but ask the question that had been on his mind, "Shūichi, during our match yesterday, and in your matches with others, it seemed like you could see through all our movements. How did you do that?"

When it came to taijutsu talent, Shūichi knew he was far behind Kakashi and Guy. This was something he could clearly feel after training with Guy so often.

If it weren't for the buffs provided by his tags, Guy would have left him far behind a long time ago.

"I wonder if the 'Strong and Sturdy' tag, with its one-fold enhancement to taijutsu talent, will allow me to catch up to Kakashi or even Guy."

Shūichi was full of anticipation.

Because today was June 25th.

Once today's training was over, the 'Strong and Sturdy' tag would finally be activated.

However, neither Shūichi, nor the battling Guy and Kakashi, noticed that a pair of eyes was watching them from afar.

...

Night, at the Root Base.

The Root leader, Danzo, still in his prime, looked at the report in his hand. "So, he's from an orphanage, with both parents having died in battle. His exceptional qualities are merely a superior neural response and memory?"

The Root ninja, responsible for scouting potential talents at the Ninja Academy, lowered his head and replied, "Yes, Lord Danzo."

"This Shūichi Hoshita has an exceptional learning ability, consistently ranking first in written exams, surpassing geniuses like Kakashi and many students from established ninja clans."

"His taijutsu talent is average, but his superior neural response and memory give him a Sharingan-like ability to see through an opponent's moves and anticipate their actions."

"In addition, he has an extremely valuable trait: self-discipline."

"His self-discipline surpasses that of most adults. I believe that if someone like him were to be trained by Root, he could be of great use."

At the mention of the Sharingan, Danzo's eyes narrowed, and he began to take the matter more seriously.

A Sharingan-like ability, combined with exceptional learning capabilities and terrifying self-discipline... these traits were indeed well-suited for Root.

Danzo immediately issued an order, "Keep a close eye on this Shūichi Hoshita!"

There were more talented individuals at the Ninja Academy than Shūichi, such as Kakashi.

But Kakashi was a child he couldn't recruit into Root.

(End of Chapter)