Graduation

In the blink of an eye, another year had passed. On this particular day, Yato went to Might Guy's house for dinner to celebrate his graduation from the Ninja School. In addition to Guy, Team 3 arrived with gifts they had prepared in advance to congratulate him on becoming a Genin.

"First of all, let us congratulate Yato for successfully graduating from the Ninja School and becoming a glorious Konoha ninja. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" Guy, Lee, and Tenten raised their cups enthusiastically.

Although Neji didn't say anything, he also raised his glass and nodded to Yato in a friendly manner to show his congratulations.

"It's just graduation, there's nothing to congratulate," Yato said, picking up his cup. Unlike Kakashi's generation, where graduation depended on actual combat, his assessment wasn't as difficult. It was nothing more than performing one of the Three-Body Techniques and some theoretical knowledge that didn't require much studying.

"Hey, Yato, you're killing the mood with that attitude!" Tenten said, pointing her finger at him. After knowing him for a year, she was accustomed to his aloof attitude.

"Humph, he's right. The graduation exam of the Ninja School can't be difficult for him. Graduation is a matter of course," Neji agreed with Yato's opinion. For him, the graduation examination was just a formality; he merely needed to go through the process.

"Eh, Neji... you too." Tenten couldn't help but grit her teeth in frustration. She couldn't remember how many hours and sleepless nights she had endured to prepare for the graduation exams.

"Hahahaha... Anyway, I still want to congratulate you, Yato. You have taken the first step on the road to becoming an excellent ninja." Guy drank the wine in his glass in one gulp and said with a smile, "Next, it's the question of the team leader!"

When it came to the issue of the Jonin instructor, everyone in Team 3 became serious. Rock Lee, with some regret, said, "It would be great if Yato-senpai could join our Team 3." Turning his head, he asked, "Guy Sensei, why don't you ask the Hokage to let Yato join us?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? A team of four is a tradition passed down in Konoha. How can we just break it?" Guy raised his hand and slapped Lee's back, saying confidently, "Also, don't underestimate Konoha's Jonins. They are all excellent ninjas."

Although he said this, Guy was still worried that Yato might be assigned to a less suitable instructor just to complete a formation. Among the remaining Jonin instructors in Konoha, one of his good friends, Kurenai, was proficient in illusion. If Yato were assigned to her group, he might be used as cannon fodder.

"I'm sorry, Guy Sensei!" After being hit, Lee didn't complain but apologized sincerely.

"What about you? What do you think?" Neji turned and asked Yato.

"Whatever," Yato replied, not caring who his team leader would be. Whether it was Kurenai, Asuma, or anyone else, it didn't matter to him. His strongest trump card was the Gravity Kekkei Genkai, but he would not reveal it. Therefore, the help any Jonin could give him was very limited. However, if he had to choose, he hoped his team leader wouldn't be Kakashi. At this stage, he didn't want to be too involved with either Naruto or Sasuke.

Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki. No matter where he went, he carried the spotlight and was a huge target. As for Sasuke, he was Itachi's brother, and Yato was indirectly responsible for killing his best friend Shisui. If that were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

****

Certainly! Here's the continuation, proofread for clarity and natural flow:

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Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office...

"Hokage-sama!"

"Oh, you're here, Kakashi."

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

"Nothing special. Would you like to go for a walk with an old man like me?"

Without waiting for Kakashi to answer, Hiruzen walked out of the Hokage's office. Seeing this, Kakashi hurried to catch up.

"Where are we going?"

"Naruto Uzumaki's home."

After leaving the Hokage Building, the two quickly walked to the residential area, arriving at Naruto's home.

"The orphan of the Fourth Hokage? Did he become a Genin?"

"It seems you are somewhat interested."

Hiruzen laughed, then took Kakashi into Naruto's house. What they saw was chaos. Unwashed clothes and dirty dishes were everywhere. Cup noodle packages littered the floor, attracting countless flies.

Kakashi walked to the table, picked up a bottle of unfinished milk, and smelled it before he immediately jerked his head back. He finally knew what expired milk smelled like.

"I can't believe he's Minato-sensei's child."

If Kakashi didn't know Naruto's identity, he would never believe that the only son of the Fourth Hokage could be so sloppy.

"He probably inherited his temperament from Kushina."

Hiruzen smiled. "Although he might be a bit reckless, you're the most suitable person to lead you!"

After a pause, he continued, "By the way, there is also Uchiha Sasuke from the Uchiha clan in your team. Let's go and see where his home is."

They quickly arrived at Uchiha Sasuke's home. Unlike Naruto's room, Sasuke's room was very tidy, with furniture, ninja tools, books, and other items arranged neatly.

"Fugaku was a strict person. It looks like he educated his children quite well." Hiruzen smiled. "His brother Itachi was also a meticulous person back then."

"Well, I almost forgot. His elder brother worked for you before. I'm leaving his younger brother in your care. This is my personal request to you."

"Who's the last one?" Kakashi asked instead of answering immediately.

Whether it was Naruto or Sasuke, Kakashi could understand why the Hokage sent them to him. The class division in the ninja school wasn't done randomly. It requires rigorous consideration to ensure the team's survival rate and the mission's success rate while helping young ninjas grow.

Naruto was the only son of his teacher Minato and an important Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki of Konoha. It is most suitable for Kakashi to teach and protect him. Sasuke was the only ninja in Konoha who could open the Sharingan aside from him. No one is more suitable to teach him than Kakashi, the Copy Ninja.

"You'll know in a moment."

Hiruzen led Kakashi to an isolated house in the woods. Inside, apart from beds, quilts, oil lamps, and other daily necessities, there was almost nothing else. It was hard for them to believe a child lived here for years.

"This is the last member of your class."

"Yagami Yato!"

"You know him?"

"Yeah, I often hear Guy mention him. He seems to be his proudest student."

"Haha, it seems that you and Guy will have more to talk about in the future."

Hiruzen laughed, knowing the relationship between Guy and Kakashi well.

"I don't want to be haunted by him all the time."

Kakashi could only smile bitterly. He knew how much Guy valued this kid. He remembered being forced to go out for a drink and talk for a whole day and night. Fortunately, he escaped in time, or he would have to listen to Guy bragging about his student all night.

"But Sandaime-sama, is it okay to put these three kids on the same team?"

After hesitating for a moment, Kakashi couldn't help but express his concerns. He knew all three of them, and they all had some connection with him. One is the orphan of his teacher Minato, one is the only remaining member of his good friend Obito's clan, and the last is the beloved student of his good friend Might Guy.

Looking at it this way, he was the most suitable to lead and teach these three. However, their personalities gave him a headache, especially Sasuke and Yato.

"No one likes loneliness, Kakashi. You should know this better than me," Hiruzen said meaningfully. "No matter how good the disguise is, humans are social animals, even ninjas."

"That's why our Konoha ninjas continue to fight for the peace and stability of the village, even at the cost of their lives."

Kakashi was about to say something but was interrupted by Hiruzen.

"Naruto, Sasuke, and Yato are all victims of war. They have experienced pain and understand it. This shared experience will allow them to understand and resonate with each other, forming an unbreakable bond."

Seeing Kakashi listening to his words, Hiruzen continued.

"Kakashi, other guiding Jonin can't lead them, but you can, because you know this pain better than they do. Only you can guide them onto the right path, even if it's difficult."

Kakashi opened his mouth slightly under the mask to refute but in the end, he nodded.

"I understand, Hokage-sama."

****

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