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Update Schedule: Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
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[Arata Takeshi - POV.]
I made my way to Training Camp Four as instructed by Mr. Yamato, wondering who he had sent to train me for the next two weeks, seeing all I had to go by was that this person owed sensei a few favors. Considering sensei, it was maybe another jōnin or even someone from the intelligence division to help me sharpen my sensory abilities, who just happened to be a wind style user. But as I approached the training grounds, pondering who my temporary sensei would be, I sensed a familiar chakra presence—one that instantly stood out.
Hatake Kakashi.
"So sensei sent him, who would've thought?" I muttered, smiling to myself. Now, this was mildly amusing.
To think it would be my relationship with Mr. Yamato instead of Minato's that would make our paths cross. Then again, it wasn't like I hadn't crossed paths with Kakashi before. But unlike the other times, this time I wasn't being watched from afar or something like it. This would be our first direct interaction.
As I stepped into the clearing, Kakashi was already there, leaning casually against a tree with that ever-present, depressed expression on his masked face. His single eye turned to me, giving me a lazy once-over before he pushed himself off the tree and sauntered over.
"Long time no see," I said, folding my arms with a faint smile, letting him know in a subtle not so subtle way I knew he had been part of the Anbu squad who had been guarding me a long time ago. "To what do I owe the honor?"
Kakashi raised a hand in greeting, his eye curving in a way that hinted he was smiling beneath that mask, though despite his amicable expression, I could sense he was faking it, even without focusing I could feel his own self-hate pulsing through his chakra. "Ma… well, it seems like your sensei thinks you need a bit of extra training. And I owed him a few favors, so here I am."
I tilted my head. "Well, he did say that whoever was going to train me would help me with my Wind Nature chakra."
Kakashi yawned, waving a hand dismissively. "Fun…. first things first, do you know your chakra nature?"
"Wind and Lightning," I replied. I had taken that test a long time ago.
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed slightly in thought. "So that's why Yamato asked me to train you." Sighing, he clapped his hands together. "Anyways… if you had to say, which one of the two natures you would say you mastered more?"
"Wind without a doubt," I replied, a small on my face. "Mostly because there's isn't that many lightning users in the village, so my opportunities to learn in that regard were rather limited." Unfortunately, I had learned only one, Lightning Jutsu, and it wasn't anything flashy or strong, it was basically the equivalent of a pocket taser.
"Well, then," Kakashi began, taking a step forward as he crossed his arms over his chest. "In that case, we'll work on your Lightning release."
Hm, well… that wasn't exactly what Mr. Yamato had planned, according to his words at least… or perhaps it was exactly what he had planned, either way, I was happy with the results. "Works for me."
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[Hatake Kakashi - POV.]
As I stood there, watching Takeshi move through the forms I'd just shown him, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix… of emotions—one that tugged at my heart in ways I hadn't felt in years. The kid was undeniably talented, maybe even more talented than I had been at his age. But it wasn't just the raw talent that got to me. It was the cockiness, the unshakable confidence that reminded me far too much of the person I used to be.
I took a deep breath, running a hand through my hair as I prepared to show him the next part of the technique. I was teaching him the Lightning Release: Thunderclap, a jutsu that required both precision and control. Unsurprisingly, Takeshi picked up on the basics quickly, his chakra control almost flawless. Almost. But there was still room for improvement, even if he didn't seem to think so.
"You're a natural with this," I said, keeping my tone neutral as I watched him channel and transform his chakra into the desired nature, lightning crackling to life into his hand. "But don't get ahead of yourself. Lightning chakra requires control, more than anything else. Control is everything."
Takeshi smirked, that same cocky grin I used to wear so well when I was younger, before my father killed himself. "Seems easy enough."
I forced a small smile in return, but inside, I couldn't help but think just how much he reminded me of myself—back when I thought I had the world figured out. Back when I thought I was untouchable, back when I thought my talent would offer me the world of a silver platter. Back… before I lost everyone.
"Easy enough," I muttered, shaking my head. "Just don't blow your arm off trying to impress anyone."
Takeshi gave a brief nod, already deep in concentration. His hands came together, forming the seals for the technique with a level of practiced precision that would make others second guess the fact this was his first training session with the Jutsu. It hadn't even been that long since we started, an hour or so, and already, he was getting the hang of it. I could see the crackle of lightning forming in his palms, flickering for a moment before it stabilized.
Lightning Release: Thunderclap wasn't exactly a beginner's jutsu, but here he was, making it look as easy as breathing. No wonder he was cocky…
I watched him intently, trying not to let the thoughts creeping into my mind distract me too much. But it was impossible not to compare, especially since sensei used to talk about him like he was a mini-me. Takeshi had the same raw potential, the same natural ability that I once had. And he had that same hunger—the kind that pushes you to want more, to prove yourself over and over again. That's probably what made it all the more difficult to stand here and watch him. Because I knew… that hunger was no longer within me.
Snapping me out of my train of thought, a flash of lightning burst from Takeshi's hands, the sound of it sharp and loud as he released the pulse of chakra into the air. It wasn't perfect yet, but it was impressive nonetheless.
"That's good," I said, trying to keep my voice even. "But control the discharge. You're letting too much chakra out too fast. You'll drain yourself if you don't pace it."
Takeshi nodded again, absorbing the feedback without hesitation. No arguments, no complaints. Just pure focus. That was the thing about him—he didn't waste time doubting himself. In that way, he was already ahead of where I had been at his age. So, maybe we weren't that similar after all…
Taking a deep breath, I leaned back against a nearby tree, watching him as he tried the technique again. Another flash of lightning, this time more controlled, closer to perfection. I didn't need to offer any further guidance. He was already figuring it out on his own.
"Well…" I sighed, looking at the sky, a single thought running through my head. This kid… He was going to surpass me one day. It wasn't even a question. It was a certainty.
And somehow, I wasn't sure how to feel about that. It should have made me proud, right? That's what I should be feeling—pride in his growth, in his progress, pride in the fact sensei had been right about him. But there was something else there, something that I couldn't quite shake.
It wasn't Takeshi's fault, of course. The kid had nothing to do with it. But watching him reminded me too much of the person I used to be—the prodigy, the one who everyone thought would change the village.
I thought back to my old team. To Obito. To Rin. To Minato-sensei.
They had believed in me. And I had let them down. I had failed them in the worst way possible. And now, here I was, training a new generation, wondering if I even had the right to do so… especially after all my failures.
"How am I doing?" Takeshi's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.
I looked up. "You're doing well," I said, offering a small smile beneath my mask, one that I knew he could tell it was fake. "Better than most would at this stage."
Takeshi grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "Does that mean I'm close to mastering it?"
I nodded. "You're close, but don't get cocky. There's always room for improvement."
The kid flashed a grin, this time… reminding me of Obito, instead of me. "I'll keep that in mind."
As he turned back to his training, I let out a quiet sigh. I really wished things were different, but I wasn't like him anymore. I didn't have that same fire, that same drive to push beyond my limits. After everything that had happened, after everything I had lost… it was hard to find a reason to care about power or progress anymore.
Hopefully… Takeshi wouldn't have to deal with the darkness of this world as I had… though I knew that was nothing but wishful thinking, and that this was matter of how long it would be before he lost something—or someone—that would change him forever. He had lost his parents, but still… remained the same, he had lost Sensei, and Lady Kushina, and… somehow, was still the same.
A part of me envied the resilience of his heart, however, I knew the kid had to be close to his breaking point. Mine had been losing Sensei and Rin, after losing Obito… I knew it was a morbid thought to have, to wonder just how close to his breaking point he was… but if there was one thing I knew for certain, it was that no matter how talented, no matter how cocky, no matter how much power you have, the world had a way of humbling even the strongest shinobi.