Naruto entry.

Chapter 35 The Darkness in Kakashi's Heart

Rin Nohara, an ordinary citizen, didn't know exactly how she sacrificed herself, but Sakumo Hatake's name appeared on the memorial stone.

"I want to apply for early graduation."

Kakashi said succinctly, paused for a moment, and then continued walking forward.

"Isn't that dangerous?"

Nohara Rin spoke.

I glanced at the application form and saw that the time was 5 PM today.

She knew Kakashi was excellent.

If I had heard Kakashi graduate early before, I would have only felt admiration.

However, ever since Kiyoshi made those ambiguous remarks, Nohara Rin went out of her way to collect a lot of information about Kakashi's father.

There were many things she had never known before, and her sources of information were limited to her parents or other friends, making her feel isolated.

At this moment, Nohara Rin was very worried that Kakashi's emotions might affect his ability to carry out the mission.

With Kakashi's talent, he certainly wouldn't waste time on simple D-rank missions, such as finding lost pets, conducting character investigations, helping villagers dig sweet potatoes, or taking care of children. He would choose more difficult missions.

These kinds of tasks, if they fail, could very well be life-threatening!

Because you will encounter wild beasts, bandits, and even other enemy ninjas.

This is no longer child's play; it's facing the cruelty of the ninja world head-on!

"No, I'm not the kind of person who would fail a mission, and besides, there's no point in wasting any more time."

After saying that, Kakashi walked ahead alone.

Nohara Rin remained where she was, her worry evident.

She went to the rest area of ​​the training ground alone and found Obito.

"What? Kakashi graduated early?"

When Obito heard Rin Nohara say that Kakashi had gone to submit an application form, he immediately stood up from his chair in disbelief.

I had originally planned to take a break and slack off a bit, but now that thought has completely vanished, replaced by a sense of urgency.

"Isn't he the same age as us?"

Obito didn't understand.

Why is there such a big difference between people who are the same age?

Even the new foreigner, Uchiha Seiji, has been making rapid progress.

So, is it just me who's always stuck in the same place?

Thinking of this, Obito clenched his fist.

Why is it that these two people happen to be so close to Lin as usual?

"I don't know, maybe it's because of my abilities, or maybe it's because of my father."

Nohara Rin hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"When is the exam?"

"5 p.m."

"We'll go take a look later."

Since he had nothing to do after school, Obito decided to go see if Kakashi could pass.

Rin Nohara nodded, agreeing with Obito's opinion.

……

Hokage Building.

"Kakashi applied to graduate early?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe, exhaled a puff of smoke, and smothered it on the application form.

"It's Kakashi's application, Third Hokage."

Chunin instructor Umino Ryu knelt on one knee and said respectfully.

Any student who wants to graduate early will have their list sent to the Third Hokage for review.

Not to mention that Kakashi is the "Son of White Fang".

The White Fang incident had only just ended, and Umino didn't dare to delay for even a moment. At this critical juncture, it would be best to inform the Third Hokage as soon as possible that Kakashi was applying for early graduation.

"Is it 5 p.m.?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the application form and tapped the table with his pipe.

Umino lowered his head, silently waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi to make a decision.

"Now, gather the other examiners and come with me to conduct the assessment for Kakashi's early graduation."

"Yes, Lord Third Generation!"

Umino immediately concentrated his chakra into his feet and used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

All that remained was Hiruzen Sarutobi, staring out the window, lost in thought.

…………

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

In a room with a large vermilion door and a large character "忍" (patience) hanging above the door frame.

Kakashi, wearing a light green scarf embroidered with circular patterns, began to form hand seals, trying to quickly combine his spiritual and physical energies.

Wei - Si - Yin.

Kakashi's hand seals were very fast; he completed them in no time.

Bang.

As the smoke cleared, a clone almost identical to Kakashi stood before him, maintaining the "Tiger" hand seal.

When Kakashi lowered his hands, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly.

He truly deserves to be Sakumo's only son.

The afterimages created by chakra are almost indistinguishable from the real thing, demonstrating a high level of understanding and proficiency in this ninjutsu.

But the child's cold eyes were a true reflection of the darkness in his heart.

"Congratulations, Kakashi! You have passed the test and become a rising star in Konoha. In the future, you should become a great ninja like your father."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking.

The examiner beside him handed Kakashi a brand new ninja headband.

Kakashi stepped forward, took the ninja headband, and put it on his forehead.

"We are also heartbroken about your father's passing, but he died as a hero and will forever be remembered on the memorial stone. We hope that you can be like him, protecting the 'Jade'."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Kakashi nodded.

"Jade" has different meanings.

Hiruzen Sarutobi refers to the "Jade" in shogi.

In other words, those who inherited the "Will of Fire".

Kakashi, however, no longer cares about these things.

He only wanted to be a ninja who adhered to the ninja code; that was the true destiny of a ninja.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flickered slightly as he watched Kakashi put on his ninja headband and push open the door to leave.

"That's amazing."

"That's a headband only ninjas can wear!"

"Kakashi actually passed."

A large number of students who had heard the news gathered at the entrance and crowded outside to watch Kakashi come out.

The Qing official was among them.

He stood further back and looked at Kakashi.

This scene occurs in episodes 580 to 581 of the anime.

Kakashi applied to graduate, and Hiruzen Sarutobi personally came to review his application.

The death of White Fang was merely the beginning of Kakashi's descent into darkness.

After the deaths of Rin Nohara and Obito, and Kakashi's adaptation to the Anbu, he will become completely cold-blooded.

Many of Kakashi's Anbu colleagues who were used to the darkness of the ninja world could not accept him.

Kakashi almost betrayed the Third Hokage under Danzo's influence.

In the end, Kakashi was moved by Hiruzen Sarutobi and persuaded him to come back.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to make Kakashi a leading jonin and erase the darkness in Kakashi's heart by taking him as his apprentice.

This is why he became the Jonin leader of Team 7.

"Your headband..."

Obito walked up and pointed at Kakashi's forehead protector.

"You passed! Congratulations, Kakashi."

Rin Nohara couldn't change Kakashi's mind, so she could only offer her congratulations.

"Um."

Kakashi nodded.

Obito turned his head, his eyes fixed on Rin Nohara, who had been watching Kakashi the whole time.

Hearing Rin Nohara's sincere blessing, Obito clenched his hands.

"What, aren't you going to congratulate me?"

Kakashi asked casually, and his vision shifted to see Kiyoshi looking in from the left rear.

"Who wants to congratulate you? Watch me catch up with you very soon."

Obito uttered a harsh remark and quickly ran away.

"Obito..."

Nohara Rin looked at Obito running away and felt powerless.

Obito really is just as emotional as a child.

The only person we can count on next is the steady and reliable Kiyoshi.

Even though she couldn't change the fact that Kakashi had already graduated, Rin Nohara still wanted to try to soothe Kakashi's mindset.