Hiro adjusted the fit of his academy uniform, the fabric still a little stiff from ck of wear. Unlike the normal day-to-day uniforms, this was the field exercise variant, signifying practical training outside of the cssroom. He exhaled slowly, steadying himself as he approached the same nondescript building near the training grounds where he had met with the Hokage the previous day. This time, he was not here as a visitor. This time, he was a recruit.

  The training field behind the building was already filled with several dozen shinobi, many of them looking to be in their final year at the academy. Hiro, unsurprisingly, was the youngest, but what did surprise him was the presence of another student who looked barely older than himself.

  Hiro immediately took note of the boy’s silver hair, cut neatly and partially obscuring his forehead protector, which was tilted slightly to the side. His uniform was different—a Chūnin uniform. A sheathed sword rested comfortably at his hip, looking as though it belonged there as naturally as his own limbs.

  The boy’s presence radiated something unnerving, absolute confidence—as if he already knew he was the strongest in this field. When their eyes met, the boy gave Hiro an aloof expression, unreadable yet assessing.

  Kakashi Hatake.

  Hiro had heard the name before, of course. Kakashi had become a Chūnin at age six—a prodigy among prodigies. Now, at nine years old, he already carried himself like a seasoned shinobi.

  Hiro forced himself to look away as the same middle-aged monkey from yesterday entered the field, crouching in a typical primate stance before barking out orders.

  “Everyone, line up!”

  The recruits quickly formed neat rows. As silence fell over the training ground, Shigeto Sarutobi strode onto the field.

  His presence was undeniable—not in an overbearing way, but in the sheer command he exuded with each step. His build was lean yet strong, and the fire of the Sarutobi lineage was evident in his eyes as he stood before them.

  “Thank you all for answering Konoha’s summons,” Shigeto began, his voice carrying easily over the gathered recruits. “Today marks the first official gathering of the Summoner Corps.”

  Hiro listened carefully as Shigeto expined the purpose of the division.

  “Konoha has always had summoners, but until now, there has been no official structure in pce to harness their abilities efficiently.” He gnced over the gathered shinobi. “Many of you were identified because you already possess summoning contracts. Others come from cns with deep-rooted summoning traditions, and some were selected due to high chakra reserves, despite cking proficiency in traditional ninjutsu.”

  There were murmurs among the group. Summoning had always been a rare talent, mostly reserved for powerful individuals like the Sannin.

  Shigeto continued, “Summoning is an extension of ourselves, but it requires enormous chakra reserves. The most powerful summons are only avaible to those who can sustain them. Each summoning cn has its own unique battle applications, and it is up to the summoner to nurture their retionship with their summons and learn to wield them effectively.”

  His gaze turned toward the silver-haired Chūnin standing at the front of the formation.

  “Kakashi Hatake, step forward.”

  Kakashi obeyed without hesitation, walking to stand beside Shigeto with the effortless grace of someone who had already surpassed the expectations of his age.

  “The Hatake Cn has a long-standing contract with the Dog Cn,” Shigeto expined. “A highly versatile summoning cn, known for its trained ninken.”

  Shigeto gestured for Kakashi to demonstrate.

  With a blur of precise hand signs, Kakashi smmed his palm against the ground, and a rge plume of white smoke erupted before revealing a rge, muscur ninken with bck and brown fur, its powerful jaw lined with sharp teeth.

  The dog scanned its surroundings before calmly sitting beside Kakashi, who gave it an affectionate scratch behind the ears.

  Shigeto nodded in approval before forming his own hand signs, mirroring Kakashi’s movements. A moment ter, two small monkeys, each no taller than Shigeto’s knee, appeared in bursts of smoke. They twirled onto his arms before flipping onto his shoulders, bancing effortlessly.

  “Within each summoning cn, individual members may be more suited for specific tasks.” Shigeto gestured toward Kakashi’s ninken. “This particur ninken appears to be a combat specialist, trained for close-quarters fighting.”

  He then patted one of the monkeys on his shoulder. “These two, however, excel at reconnaissance. Their size and agility allow them to move unseen, making them ideal for scouting operations.”

  More murmurs spread through the recruits.

  “He summoned two at once.”

  “Only a high-level summoner can do that.”

  “You need a deep connection with the cn to pull multiple summons.”

  Hiro absorbed the information. He already had two summons at all times, but he had never considered whether that was unusual. Was it rare to have multiple summons active at once?

  Shigeto then ordered the recruits to separate into two lines—those with pre-existing summoning contracts on one side, and those without on the other. The second group would undergo affinity testing with representatives from Konoha’s major summoning cns.

  Over half of the recruits moved to the right. Hiro stepped to the left.

  As he moved, he felt Kakashi’s gaze lingering on him.

  Taking the opportunity, Hiro turned and extended a hand. “Hiro. Nice to meet you.”

  Kakashi gnced down at his hand, then tilted his head slightly, as if considering something. After a long pause, he finally shook it.

  “Kakashi.”

  Hiro noticed the flicker of recognition in Kakashi’s eyes, as if pcing a name to a vague memory.

  “I’ve heard your name before,” Kakashi said. “From my father.”

  Hiro felt a small sense of surprise. Sakumo had mentioned him?

  Before Hiro could respond, Kakashi continued. “I think he said you had some lessons with him.”

  Hiro nodded, about to praise Sakumo’s incredible skill, but Kakashi cut him off.

  “I don’t want my career to be connected to my father.”

  Hiro blinked. Kakashi’s voice was steady, but his words carried a weight that felt much older than nine years.

  “I will surpass him. I will become an even greater shinobi. A stronger tool for Konoha.” His dark eyes met Hiro’s with an intensity that made Hiro momentarily forget to breathe. “One day, people will tell him, ‘You’re Kakashi’s father.’ Not the other way around.”

  There was no hesitation in his voice. No uncertainty. Only sheer, unwavering conviction.

  Hiro had met many people with strong wills, but there was something about Kakashi that struck him to his core.

  This wasn’t pride.

  This was absolute determination.

  And Hiro, for the first time, wondered just how rare he himself truly was.