Stunned, Kakashi's friends were completely dumbfounded.
They never imagined that Kakashi had already obtained a spot in the second batch of trainees.
"H-How did you get it?!"
Asuma Sarutobi asked in disbelief, the others equally shocked.
"I signed up and got selected, I don't know why."
Kakashi spoke casually, pretending to be nonchalant. In fact, he himself hadn't expected to get a spot.
It was a complete surprise.
"Although it's still unbelievable, it doesn't seem that unbelievable, after all, it's Kakashi..."
Shizune spoke, her words causing the others to nod unconsciously.
Yes, it was Kakashi after all. Although he was still young, he was the strongest person under the age of eighteen in the Sage Shinobi Nation.
With this kind of strength, he was fully qualified to enter the trial grounds for training.
"If Kakashi, who's number one, can get a spot, then I, as number two, can also participate in the trial, right?"
Might Guy's eyes lit up. If Kakashi could enter the trial grounds, he, as someone only slightly weaker than Kakashi, should also be able to get a spot.
However, Genma Shiranui immediately retorted: "Don't you know how you got second place?"
He rolled his eyes and continued: "In this new place, there won't be the Sage to heal you. Your Eight Gates Released Formation is strong, but after using it once, you'll be done for."
Might Guy's eyes widened upon hearing this. He wanted to refute but found that he couldn't.
Indeed, the reason he was able to fight all the way to the finals in the youth competition was entirely because Hui healed him every time after he used the Eight Gates Released Formation, allowing him to enter the next match in peak condition.
Moreover, he hadn't even defeated Kakashi after opening the Fifth Gate. If he opened the Fifth Gate in the trial grounds, he estimated that he would be crippled, or even die.
"I just hate that we're too young!"
Obito said, very unwilling.
After Kakashi returned from the trial grounds, his strength would likely increase again, and the gap between him and Kakashi might widen further.
If he had a few more years, not much, just three years, he would definitely be able to enter the trial grounds!
"There will be opportunities in the future."
Kakashi offered comfort, after all, he had already secured a spot.
"I won't say more, I'll go back and tell my mother about this."
Kakashi said, patting Obito's shoulder and turning to leave.
After all, he was going to a very distant place, and the next time he returned would likely be at least a year later, so he still needed to talk to his mother, Michiko.
As for his father, Sakumo Hatake, he would support him one hundred percent.
Watching Kakashi's departing figure, the others' eyes were filled with envy.
They also wanted to go to the trial grounds!!!
Kakashi and his friends were just a microcosm. This same scene was happening everywhere in the Sage Shinobi Nation.
Those who obtained qualifications, without exception, became the objects of envy.
After all, this represented the village's recognition of them.
It also represented their excellence.
Soon, the day arrived for the second batch of trainees to depart.
On this day, a hundred people gathered by the Teleportation Array, waiting to be transported.
Kakashi looked around at the others. They were almost all in their twenties. He only saw a few who were under eighteen.
One was Sasori, who had lost to Might Guy last time. He was from the Region of Wind, a handsome young man.
He was very skilled in puppetry and also very proficient with poison.
He only lost to Might Guy because of Guy's sudden burst of speed, a speed he hadn't reacted to in time.
After all, although Sasori was only fifteen or sixteen years old, his strength was undeniably that of a Jonin elite.
With his poison, he could even take down a Kage.
And the second was someone Kakashi hadn't expected at all.
A boy only two years older than him.
Although this boy was young, he had a tall and large build. At the age of twelve or thirteen, he had the physique of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old.
If it weren't for the fact that this boy had left a deep impression on Kakashi, he might not have known that this person was only two years older than him.
This boy had an unusual face.
He looked a bit like... a shark!
And his name was Kisame Hoshigaki.
He came from the Region of Water and was extremely proficient in Water Style jutsu and Sage Jutsu, and was also quite good at taijutsu and swordsmanship.
These three were the only three people under the age of eighteen among the 100.
The others were all over eighteen and under thirty.
Kakashi also noticed that they all had one thing in common: they were not yet married with with children.
After all, this trial could be deadly.
It seemed that the village had eliminated those who were married with children.
Kakashi couldn't help but fall silent.
A seed was silently planted in his heart: never marry early!
While Kakashi was observing the others, everyone also noticed Kakashi.
After all, in this crowd, Kakashi was quite small.
It was hard not to attract attention.
In addition, Kakashi was a famous figure in the Sage Shinobi Nation, the first place winner of the youth competition, and the son of Sakumo Hatake, the leader of the Region of Lightning.
It was almost impossible not to know Kakashi in the entire Sage Shinobi Nation.
"I didn't expect him to come too. I thought Kakashi's age would prevent him from entering the dangerous trial grounds."
"I thought so too, but since he's allowed to enter the trial grounds, it proves that he has the ability. Moreover, his strength is not much weaker than ours."
Two young men were talking, one with red hair and the other with orange hair.
One was named Nagato Uzumaki, and the other was named Yahiko.
Because their fates had been changed, they weren't as outstanding as they were in the original story.
But their talent was still there. Although they weren't outstanding youths, they could still reach the Jonin elite level at their current age and obtain a spot in the second batch.
"But he's still too young. In that place, we should take care of him if we can."
Nagato Uzumaki said. After all, Kakashi was only eleven or twelve years old, truly too young.
"Don't worry, Konan will take care of him."
Yahiko said, because he saw the woman rubbing Kakashi's hair.
"Lady Konan!"
Kakashi said helplessly as Konan rubbed his hair, but he didn't dare to resist.
This was Konan, the Angel of Hidden Sage Village, someone who was very familiar with his father, Sakumo Hatake.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop messing with your hair. This time in the trial grounds, just stay by my side. With me here, you won't be in any danger."
Konan said confidently, but Kakashi rolled his eyes inwardly.
If I stay by your side, what kind of training would I get?!
He complained in his heart, but obediently said okay.
He couldn't beat her, and he couldn't afford to offend her.
He could only endure it.
"Is everyone here?"
A voice sounded, and everyone looked over, their eyes lighting up.
It was the Sage. He had personally come to send them off to the trial grounds!
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