Four years passed. Lin Yu's once tender face gradually sharpened, his gentle demeanor still present, yet with a subtle shift, a hint of sharpness now mingled with his softness.
His strength, too, had undergone a seismic change. Who knew how many ridiculous missions like "Help the Elderly Cross the Road 100 Times" he had completed in these four years!
The Eight Gates were almost fully mastered, with only the final Gate of Death remaining. Wood Style was now wielded with practiced ease; apart from the True Several Thousand Hands which required Sage Mode, all other Wood Style techniques were mastered and could even be combined with Susanoo.
As for the advancements and elemental changes to Rasengan… this was Lin Yu's greatest achievement in these four years! He now possessed the confidence to face Uchiha Madara without relying on Rinnegan or Tenseigan!
*Ding-a-ling!*
"Alright, that's all for today. Class dismissed!" With the teacher Iruka's announcement, the students in their seats dispersed.
They left the classroom in small groups, occasionally politely bidding farewell to Iruka: "Goodbye, Teacher Iruka."
"Be careful on your way! Stay safe!" Teacher Iruka offered his usual fatherly advice.
These students were like his own children. He had seen batches come and go, and welcomed new ones. He didn't know how his former students fared, nor did he inquire. He would be content if, occasionally, a few of them came to visit him in his remaining years.
"Huh? Kakashi? Is something wrong?"
"Teacher Iruka, I want to apply for early graduation!" Kakashi's eyes held a flicker of hesitation, but the goal in his heart soon solidified. He wanted to surpass his father, Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha!
The Ninja Academy could no longer teach him anything. He couldn't afford to waste more time here. Though he felt a slight reluctance towards some people, he had still chosen early graduation!
"Kakashi, are you serious? You've been here for less than a year, and you want to graduate early?" Teacher Iruka asked with considerable gravity.
This was not a decision he could make. Kakashi was not a common ninja; he needed to report this to Lord Hokage.
"Yes, Teacher. The Ninja Academy has nothing more to teach me; instead, it's holding me back. I want to see a broader sky," Kakashi stated earnestly.
"In that case… come with me to see Lord Hokage. I cannot make this decision on my own."
"Thank you for your trouble," Kakashi said, hands in his pockets, following behind Teacher Iruka.
As they passed the training grounds, a red-haired youth called out to them.
"Hey? Teacher Iruka, Kakashi? Teacher Iruka, what's wrong? Did Kakashi do something wrong?"
Lin Yu, dressed in sportswear, was covered in sweat, clearly having just finished a training session.
"It's… Teacher Lin Yu! Kakashi hasn't done anything wrong. I'm about to take him to the Hokage's office. Kakashi wants to graduate early."
Teacher Iruka looked at the fourteen-year-old boy before him. The phrase "Teacher Lin Yu" was difficult to utter. The age difference was immense, yet their status was the same, truly making one lament the relentless march of time.
"Early graduation?" Lin Yu was taken aback. "That won't do! If you graduate early, Kakashi, what about my Obito? I already missed out on one Jiraiya, who knows how long I'll have to wait. I can't afford another mistake here!"
Lin Yu frowned and continued, "That doesn't seem right. Kakashi is still young; rushing graduation like this is probably not suitable!"
"Hmph! There's nothing left for me to learn at the Ninja Academy. Staying here any longer would be a waste of time. I'm doing this solely to grow faster."
Kakashi looked at Lin Yu with a hint of arrogance. He finally remembered who this red-haired person was—the rising young talent his father, Sakumo Hatake, always praised: Uzumaki Lin Yu!
Lin Yu stroked his smooth chin and looked at Kakashi with amusement. So, he was itching for a fight, was he? That was easy!
Lin Yu said to Teacher Iruka, "Teacher Iruka, I don't agree with Kakashi graduating early. There are still many things he hasn't learned at the Ninja Academy. Growth cannot happen overnight; I believe you understand this principle."
"What you say makes sense, but…" Teacher Iruka looked at Lin Yu and Kakashi with a troubled expression. He detested situations where he had to please both sides!
"Let me try to convince him. If, in the end, he still wishes to graduate early, then I will take him to see the Third Hokage," Lin Yu said with a smile, glancing at Kakashi.
*Tch!* Kakashi turned his head away, holding no hope that Lin Yu could persuade him. He was Hatake Kakashi, after all! Not the dead-last Obito, who could be easily swayed with a few words!
Teacher Iruka pondered for a long time, then decided to hand this hot potato to Lin Yu. He clapped his hands and said, "Then I entrust Kakashi to you!"
Lin Yu was drenched in sweat: *…Why does it sound like he's entrusting a dying child to me!*
Kakashi: *My dad isn't dead yet!*
…
Behind the Konoha mountains.
Lin Yu led Kakashi along the barren rocky mountain, not telling him their destination, just walking aimlessly.
"Hey! Where exactly are you taking me? This isn't the way to the Hokage's office."
Kakashi, hands in his pockets, eyed Lin Yu suspiciously. This red-haired guy was definitely up to no good.
Lin Yu looked up at the mountain peak, not answering Kakashi's question, and said, "What 'hey' and 'hey'? You should call me Senior Lin Yu or Big Brother Lin Yu. Your father and I knew each other when you were just born."
Kakashi remained unconvinced, pouting, "You're not much older than me, and you might not even be stronger than me."
Lin Yu shook his head and said, "Strength isn't something you brag about. Come on, we're almost at the summit."
"Tch! I'll see what tricks you've got!" Kakashi pulled down his mask and quickly followed Lin Yu.
Before long, they reached the mountaintop.
"Ah! The view from up high is truly different." Lin Yu stood on the peak, stretching his body and gazing at the bustling Konoha village in the distance, sighing with emotion.
"What's so great about it? We see it every day." Although he said so, Kakashi still stepped forward, feeling the spring breeze, hearing the chirping birds; it seemed as if the day's fatigue was blown away.
After a while, Kakashi's mind calmed down. He looked at Lin Yu, who stood beside him with a somewhat dashing posture, and said indifferently, "Now you can tell me your purpose."
Lin Yu smiled playfully and said, "Purpose? What purpose do I have? I just want you to calm down and adjust your state, so I can beat you to my heart's content later!"
"You!" Kakashi was immediately stunned. He thought Lin Yu had brought him here to lecture him and make him give up on early graduation. He never expected it to lead to a fight so directly!
What kind of tactic was this? Kakashi was completely flustered.