Raizen slips into a fresh shirt, the soft cotton a welcome change after a long day. He recounts his walk home to his father, the familiar sting of those judging gazes.
Kakashi, seemingly absorbed in his book, listens intently, his one visible eye occasionally flicking towards his son. "It's only natural, Raizen," he says, his voice low and understanding.
"They all heard about what happened six years ago."
Raizen nods, the weight of those six years settling heavily on his shoulders. He finishes changing and turns to his father. "Any homework?"
"None," Raizen replies.Kakashi closes his book, a rare smile gracing his lips.
"How about we go out to eat? My treat."Raizen hesitates. He's not always comfortable in crowded places, not with the stares, the whispers.
But the prospect of spending time with his father, just the two of them, is too tempting to resist.
"Okay," he agrees.
They walk together to one of the bustling food stalls, the air thick with the aroma of grilling meat and sizzling noodles.
Raizen notices something different tonight. The stares are gone.
Or, more accurately, they're directed at Kakashi.
People still look, but now it's with a mixture of awe and respect.
They know who Kakashi is.
And they know Raizen is with him.
The earlier disdain, the fear, has vanished.
It's a stark reminder of the power of association, and a bitter taste lingers in Raizen's mouth
.They settle into a small stall, ordering a mountain of sushi. As they eat, they talk. Raizen recounts the mundane details of his day at the Academy, the petty squabbles, the frustratingly slow pace of learning.
Kakashi shares anecdotes from his own day, tales of bureaucratic meetings and surprisingly insightful observations from his fellow jōnin.
They laugh, they tease, they simply enjoy each other's company. Their bond is strong, forged in shared experiences and unspoken understanding.
Kakashi clears his throat, a hint of seriousness entering his voice.
"Raizen," he begins, "I've been assigned to teach the new genin teams. And… I've managed to arrange things so that if you pass the exam tomorrow, you'll be on my team."
Raizen's eyes widen slightly. He'd been confident before, certain of passing. But now, knowing he has the chance to be on his father's team… it's more than just passing. It's proving himself.
It's earning his place by his father's side.
He nods, a renewed determination burning in his gold eyes. "I won't let you down," he says, his voice firm.They finish their meal, the shared joy of the evening lingering between them.
They walk home in comfortable silence, the unspoken promise of tomorrow hanging in the air.
They say goodnight at Raizen's door, a brief but meaningful exchange of glances. Raizen goes to his room, the image of his father's masked face, the glint of pride in his visible eye, etched in his mind.
He falls asleep quickly.
___________________________
The next day dawns, bright and clear. The Academy buzzes with nervous energy.
One by one, students are called in for their exam. Some emerge triumphant, sporting their new headbands. Others leave dejected, their dreams of becoming shinobi momentarily shattered.
Finally, Raizen's name is called. He walks into the exam room, his heart pounding in his chest, but his face betraying nothing but calm resolve.
Iruka-sensei stands beside another jōnin, a woman with a neat white bob and her Leaf headband pulled low over her forehead.
"Raizen," Iruka says, his voice warm but professional, "you know the task. The Bunshin no Jutsu."
Raizen nods, his gaze steady. He performs the hand seals quickly, precisely. The air shimmers, and instead of the usual two or three clones, ten identical Raizens stand in the room, each one a perfect replica.
Iruka's jaw drops. He'd taught Raizen for months, and he never suspected the boy possessed such control, such raw power.
The other jōnin raises an eyebrow, impressed.
Well, Raizen thinks, a flicker of amusement in his eyes, that was easy. With the amount of chakra he possessed, ten clones were barely a challenge.
He receives his headband, not tying it around his forehead like the others, but loosely around his neck, like a stylish, protective collar. It suits him.
It suits his unique style.
He wears a white jacket with subtle gold accents, matching his striking white hair and glowing gold eyes. His long, comfortable white pants and black shinobi boots complete the look.
Another Jonin comes in to get him."We'll be taking your graduation pictures now." She says, smiling.
Raizen nods and follows her.
He poses for the official photo, a quiet confidence radiating from him.