Chapter 21: DARK KAKASHI

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Hearing Uchiha Obito's reason, Kaino Ikkaku couldn't help but twitch his lips.

This kid really went to help someone?

Seeing Uchiha Obito panting and out of breath, Kaino Ikkaku just sighed and nodded. Well, at least he's a good-hearted boy.

"Go back to your seat first. Just don't be late next time."

"Yes!" Uchiha Obito responded energetically. After taking a few deep breaths, he confidently promised, "I won't be late again!"

"Pfft~" Yuichi Yuu couldn't hold back a chuckle after hearing Obito's proclamation.

The entire class turned to look at him.

"Sorry, sorry," Yuichi waved dismissively. "I've been trained to stay serious... unless something really catches me off guard."

Kaino Ikkaku sighed deeply as he looked at Yuichi. Another troublemaker.

This class seemed full of them.

Uchiha Obito, still trying to catch his breath, shot a glare in Yuichi Yuu's direction.'Just you wait, I'll achieve something great one day!'

In Obito's mind, his future was clear. 'I'll become Hokage!'

Next to Yuichi, Yuhi Kurenai leaned in and asked softly, "What was so funny, Yuichi?"

Yuichi smiled and whispered back, "I just don't think Obito will ever be on time."

"How do you know?" a voice chimed in from in front of them. It was Hatake Kakashi, who had turned around with his usual deadpan expression.

To avoid the boredom of the previous day, Kakashi had chosen to sit at the back of the class today.

After extracting chakra, the more advanced students, like Kakashi, had moved to the back rows.

Kaino Ikkaku didn't mind. He knew these students didn't need as much attention during this early curriculum stage. However, any students who couldn't extract chakra after the first month would likely be expelled from the academy.

Yuichi Yuu glanced at Kakashi and replied, "I just have a feeling."

Kakashi looked over at Obito thoughtfully. "But Uchiha kids shouldn't always be late, right?"

"Obito's... a bit different." Yuichi was about to explain when suddenly, a piece of chalk flew towards them.

Yuichi caught the flying chalk between his fingers, but Kakashi, who was facing the other way, got hit squarely on the back of the head.

Ikkaku was furious. 'These kids are too arrogant!'

"I've never seen such bold students," he muttered under his breath. He pointed to the door. "You two, get out and stand in the hallway!"

Yuichi and Kakashi exchanged glances, shrugged, and stood up. But before leaving, Yuichi leaned in to whisper something to Yuhi Kurenai, making her blush slightly.

As they left, Kaino Ikkaku raised his voice in an attempt to ensure they could still hear the lesson from outside the room.

Yuichi noticed and said sarcastically, "What a considerate teacher, making sure we can still hear from out here."

Kakashi, nodding with his usual dry tone, added, "Indeed, though I'm not sure I need to hear it."

Yuichi gave Kakashi a sidelong glance. 'This young Kakashi is a bit different from what I remember.'

Sighing, Yuichi waved dismissively, "I'm heading out. See you later."

As soon as he stepped outside, Kakashi followed quietly behind him.

"Why are you following me?" Yuichi asked with a hint of exasperation.

Kakashi replied confidently, "I don't know where else to go."

"Well, don't follow me."

"It's better to follow you than wander around aimlessly."

"I don't even know where I'm going either!"

They walked in silence for a moment before Kakashi broke it. "Why did you skip class?"

"Because I didn't want to stay in school," Yuichi answered without hesitation.

Again, the two fell silent, until, in unison, they both suggested, "How about training?"

They looked at each other, surprised.

Yuichi chuckled and draped an arm around Kakashi's shoulder. "I didn't expect you to be so hardworking, Kou Kou Xi."

Kakashi was less amused. "Stop calling me that!"

"Alright, alright." Yuichi waved his hand casually. "Since you don't like it, I'll call you Dark Kakashi from now on."

Yuichi mimicked a superhero pose, pretending to shoot beams of light.

Kakashi was about to protest but sighed instead. "Fine, just call me Kou Kou Xi."

"Alright, let's go train." Yuichi grinned as they set off.

Kakashi nodded, then added, "I'll need to grab my sword from home. You can also grab any ninja tools you might need."

"I don't have any," Yuichi replied casually. "I'll just tag along with you."

Kakashi thought for a moment and then nodded. "Fine, we'll meet on top of Hokage Rock."

With their plan set, they made their way to prepare for their impromptu training session.

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