Chapter 35: The Darkness in Kakashi's Heart
Rin Nohara, being just an ordinary civilian, didn't know the full details of how Sakumo Hatake had died. But his name had already been engraved on the Memorial Stone.
"I'm going to submit my early graduation application," Kakashi stated bluntly. He paused for a second, then continued walking forward.
"Isn't that dangerous?" Rin asked, noticing that the form listed the exam time as 5 p.m. that very day.
She knew Kakashi was exceptional.
If it had been before, she would've only felt admiration upon hearing he was graduating early.
But ever since Seiji had said those cryptic, ambiguous things, Rin had taken the time to investigate Kakashi's father herself.
She found out a lot she'd never known—fragmented truths passed down only through the closed-off whispers of her parents or other adults.
And now, she was genuinely worried that Kakashi's emotional state might interfere with his performance on missions.
With his talent, he wouldn't be wasting time on simple D-rank missions like pet retrieval, background checks, digging sweet potatoes, or babysitting.
No—he would be tasked with much more dangerous assignments.
Missions where failure meant death—ones involving wild beasts, bandits, or even enemy shinobi.
This wasn't playing pretend anymore. This was facing the brutal reality of the shinobi world.
"No," Kakashi said flatly. "I'm not someone who fails missions. And besides, continuing to waste time is pointless."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked off on his own.
Rin remained in place, worry etched deeply across her face.
She eventually made her way to the training ground's rest area and found Obito.
"What?! Kakashi is applying for early graduation?" Obito exclaimed, jumping up from the bench, shocked.
He had been planning to slack off a bit and take it easy—but that thought evaporated instantly, replaced by a sense of urgency.
"But… we're the same age, aren't we?"
Obito didn't get it.
Why was there such a gap between them?
Even that foreign newcomer, Uchiha Seiji, was progressing rapidly.
So was he the only one being left behind?
The thought clenched his heart like a vice. And to make it worse, both of those boys were always around Rin.
Obito balled his fists.
"Why them?"
"I'm not sure," Rin hesitated before answering. "Maybe it's about skill… or maybe it's because of his father."
"When's the test?"
"Five o'clock."
"Then let's go watch."
Since they had nothing after class, Obito decided he wanted to see for himself whether Kakashi could pass.
Rin nodded, silently agreeing.
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Hokage Office —
"Kakashi applied for early graduation?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe, a plume of smoke curling over the application form.
"Yes, Lord Third," answered Chūnin instructor Hayate Ruka, kneeling on one knee with respect.
Any early graduation request had to pass through the Hokage's office for approval.
But this wasn't just anyone—it was the son of the White Fang.
Sakumo Hatake's death had only just settled in the village's memory. Ruka dared not delay even for a moment. Given the timing, it was best to notify the Third Hokage immediately.
"This afternoon at five, huh..." Hiruzen murmured, tapping the desk with his pipe as he read over the form.
Ruka kept his head bowed low, quietly waiting for the Hokage's decision.
"Gather the other examiners. We'll personally conduct Kakashi's graduation trial."
"Yes, Lord Third!"
Ruka instantly channeled chakra into his feet and disappeared with a flicker—using the Body Flicker Technique.
Only Hiruzen remained, gazing silently out the window, deep in thought.
---
5:00
Inside a room marked with a large crimson gate, a bold "Shinobi" (忍) character displayed above the doorway.
Kakashi stood in the center, wearing a light green scarf embroidered with a circular symbol. He began forming hand seals, aiming to quickly merge his physical and spiritual energy.
Hare — Snake — Tiger.
His seal formation was swift and precise. In just moments, he completed the hand signs.
Poof!
A puff of smoke burst outward—and standing before Kakashi was a clone that looked almost identical to him, maintaining the final "Tiger" seal.
When Kakashi lowered his hands, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a small nod.
As expected of Sakumo's only son.
The chakra clone was nearly indistinguishable from the real one—his grasp of the technique and execution were near perfect.
But it was the coldness in his eyes that truly struck Hiruzen—an icy reflection of the darkness Kakashi held inside.
"Congratulations, Kakashi. You've passed the examination," Hiruzen said solemnly. "You are now one of Konoha's fresh new leaves. I hope you will one day become a great shinobi, just like your father."
As he finished speaking, an examiner stepped forward and handed Kakashi a brand-new forehead protector.
Kakashi stepped forward, took it without hesitation, and tied it securely across his forehead.
"We are also deeply saddened by your father's passing," Hiruzen continued. "But he died as a hero, and his name is forever etched on the Memorial Stone. I hope you, too, will one day protect the 'Gyoku.'"
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Kakashi replied with a nod.
The term "Gyoku" (玉) had multiple meanings.
In this context, Hiruzen referred to the king piece in shogi—symbolizing the Will of Fire, passed down to the next generation.
But Kakashi no longer cared about such ideals.
All he wanted now was to follow the shinobi code. That, to him, was the true destiny of a ninja.
Hiruzen's eyes glinted faintly as he watched Kakashi adjust his new forehead protector and push open the door.
"So cool…"
"That's the real forehead protector! Only official ninjas can wear it!"
"Kakashi actually passed!"
A crowd of students had gathered just outside, having caught wind of the test. They all jostled to get a glimpse as Kakashi walked out.
Seiji was among them.
He stood toward the back, watching Kakashi silently.
This moment had appeared in the original anime, around episodes 580 to 581.
Kakashi had submitted his early graduation application, and Hiruzen Sarutobi personally came to oversee the test.
Sakumo Hatake's death was only the beginning of Kakashi's descent into darkness.
Later, the deaths of Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha, coupled with the emotional toll of life in the ANBU, would push Kakashi to become completely cold.
So much so that even fellow ANBU members, used to the shadows of the ninja world, found it hard to work alongside him.
At one point, Kakashi nearly fell under Danzo's influence and betrayed the Third Hokage.
It was only Hiruzen's compassion and intervention that pulled him back.
He then made Kakashi a team leader—believing that taking on students could help dispel the darkness within him.
This was why Kakashi eventually became the Jonin leader of Team 7.
"Your forehead protector..."
Obito stepped forward, pointing at Kakashi's new headband.
"So you passed. Congratulations, Kakashi."
Rin, knowing she couldn't change Kakashi's mind, could only choose to support him.
"Yeah." Kakashi responded with a nod.
Obito turned his head to see Rin still watching Kakashi.
Hearing her sincerely congratulate him made Obito clench his fists.
"What? Not going to congratulate me too?" Kakashi asked offhandedly, catching sight of Seiji watching quietly from the back.
"Who needs to? Just wait—I'll catch up to you soon enough!"
Obito spat the words, then quickly ran off.
"Obito..."
Rin watched him disappear into the distance, feeling helpless.
He really was like a child—so easy to upset.
That left only one person she felt she could rely on now: the steady and composed Seiji.
Even though she couldn't undo Kakashi's graduation, Rin still hoped she could help soothe the pain in his heart.
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