Chapter 4 - Graduation and Retirement

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Meanwhile, the rest of the class crowded around Kakashi and Miblade, their voices a chaotic chorus of excitement and disbelief that sounded more like a bunch of chipmunks on a sugar high.

“Kakashi, Miblade, do you really want to graduate?” asked Konoha’s second prince, grinning ear to ear as if he had just discovered a new flavor of dango.

“Impossible! How can you two graduate before I do?” scoffed a self-proclaimed ninja boss, his arms crossed in a way that made him look like he was trying to block the sun.

“I’m practically a ninja god! I can do a cartwheel and everything!”

“Wow! I knew Miblade-sama was the strongest!” another enthusiastic fangirl gushed, her eyes sparkling like she’d just seen a shooting star—except it was just Miblade being fabulous.

“That’s true, but if Miblade-kun becomes a ninja, won’t we never see him again?” another fan lamented dramatically, clutching her heart as if she were about to faint.

“He’ll be off fighting evil and saving the world, and I’ll be stuck here eating lunch alone!”

“No, you’ll still see me!” Miblade quipped, striking a pose as if he were already a legendary ninja, cape billowing dramatically despite the absence of any actual cape. Konoha’s second prince pretended to swoon, dramatically falling backward and landing on a stack of textbooks.

“Huh!” The chorus of reactions left the classroom buzzing with energy, as Kakashi and Miblade stood firm.

“We might not be old enough for missions yet,” Kakashi said, glancing at Miblade, “but we can definitely handle snack time!”

In a shadowy corner of the classroom, a certain watermelon-headed boy sat, forgotten and forlorn, as he silently shed tears of despair that would make even the most dramatic soap opera star jealous, it was Mighty Guy.

“This is youth,” he thought dramatically, striking a pose that could only be described as “brooding ninja,”

“I must train hard and catch up to those two!”

It was a scene worthy of a heartfelt coming-of-age movie—complete with sad piano music playing in the background—but sadly, his melodrama was lost on everyone around him, including the classroom plants, who looked more engaged than his classmates.

While Kakashi grumbled under his breath, irritated by the incessant chatter of his classmates, Miblade was in his element, chatting animatedly like a social butterfly who had just discovered the nectar of gossip.

“Did you hear about the new ramen place? They’re offering ninja discounts!” he exclaimed, flapping his arms excitedly.

Kakashi couldn't help but feel bewildered. How was it that the cool, aloof descendant of the proud Hatake family could so effortlessly charm the chatty masses?

Was it the way he tossed his hair, or was it the fact that he could actually talk to people without accidentally making them cry?

And then there was Miblade, the haughty Uchiha, who seemed to possess an endless supply of friendliness. He was like the overly enthusiastic puppy of the ninja world—bounding around, licking everyone’s faces with joy, while Kakashi was left wondering how he’d ended up as the cat that just wanted to sleep in the sun.

As Kakashi shook his head, trying to comprehend this bizarre combination of social dynamics, the watermelon-headed boy in the corner wiped his eyes with a handkerchief and muttered,

“I’ll show them! One day, they’ll all know my name!” Unfortunately, he said this a little too loudly, prompting Miblade to turn around and wave.

“Hey, Watermelon! You coming to the ramen party? We need someone to carry the snacks!”

Kakashi sighed, realizing he might need to brush up on his charm skills if he wanted to be anything more than the quiet, brooding ninja in the back.

After all, it was a wild world out there—filled with ninjas, ramen, and an alarming number of social butterflies.

Meanwhile, at the Hokage Building, Sakumo Hatake, dressed in a comfortably loose kimono that looked like it had survived a tornado, sat across Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.

The atmosphere was tense, almost as if the walls were secretly recording their conversation for a reality TV show called “Ninjas: The Drama Edition.”

“Have you really thought about retiring early?” Sarutobi asked, his tone a mix of concern and the kind of curiosity usually reserved for watching a cat knock over a glass.

After sending his kids off to school that morning, Sakumo had given the matter a good deal of thought—mainly while contemplating whether to have another cup of tea or take a nap.

Instead of subjecting himself to a daily barrage of accusations and whispers, maybe it was better to embrace the quiet life, where the only drama involved his tea going cold.

The idea of sipping tea and playing shogi sounded far more appealing than enduring ninja gossip, which felt more like a full-contact sport.

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“There’s no greater sorrow than death,” he mused inwardly, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders. It was like carrying a boulder while wearing flip-flops—uncomfortable and utterly ridiculous.

The burden of his ninja identity was heavy, and the criticisms from his peers stung like a thousand wasps—on a bad day, that could turn into a swarm.

“Hokage-sama,” he finally replied, a determined glint in his eye that was probably a trick of the light,

“I’ve thought it over. I’m no longer fit to be a ninja. My shuriken skills have become more ‘scattergun’ than ‘precision.’”

“But...” Sarutobi began, ready to offer a counter-argument that probably involved inspiring speeches and ninja pride.

“Look, the war is over! Early retirement sounds fantastic—just drinking tea and playing shogi every day? Sign me up! I can finally wear my pajamas all day without shame,” Sakumo declared, his voice a mix of resignation and hope, imagining himself lounging like a king on a throne made of cushions.

“And who will protect the village?” Sarutobi countered, raising an eyebrow.

“Maybe I can train a cat,” Sakumo replied, deadpan. “They’re nimble, stealthy, and could probably take down a rogue ninja with a well-placed glare. Plus, they don't care about honor!”

The Hokage paused, contemplating this while trying not to laugh. “You may be onto something there, Sakumo.”

Sarutobi opened his mouth to interject but was cut off again by Sakumo, who had made up his mind like a toddler deciding they absolutely need a cookie.

The rumors surrounding his last mission were starting to swirl like autumn leaves caught in a gust of wind—chaotic and definitely not flattering.

Sure, he had failed, but as his son wisely pointed out, sometimes it was better to bow out gracefully… like a ninja gracefully tripping over a log.

“Alright, if that’s your decision, Sakumo, then we’ll respect it. No need for a hero to faint in the Ninja world any longer,” Sarutobi said, trying to lighten the mood as he imagined a fainting ninja wearing a dramatic cape.

“Hero…” Sakumo muttered to himself, pondering what that title truly meant. Was it just a fancy term for someone who gets a lot of paperwork and a bad back?

A wistful smile flickered across his face, as he contemplated the life of a retired ninja, lounging in a hammock and sipping tea while critiquing shogi strategies.

At that moment, Principal Mi Ren burst into the Hokage office like a ninja on a caffeine high.

“Third Hokage-sama! Kakashi Hatake and Miblade Hatake have applied for early graduation! Here’s their application!” he exclaimed, waving the papers in the air like he just won the lottery.

“Oh, Mr. Sakumo, you’re here too!”

Sarutobi glanced at the hastily submitted application, then shifted his gaze to Sakumo, who was sitting peacefully, sipping tea like a seasoned sage with zero cares in the world.

“Do you know this Sakumo?” Sarutobi asked, a hint of curiosity peeking through his tone like a cat trying to decide whether to jump on the counter.

Sakumo took the application, skimmed it briefly, and nodded. “Oh, these two have been going back and forth about this for ages. With their talent, they’ve been underutilized in the Ninja School."

"I mean, how can I keep such prodigious geniuses confined within those walls? It’s like putting a cat in a dog kennel!”

He couldn’t help but boast a little, his pride shining brighter than his tea set, which was starting to feel like an extension of himself.

Sarutobi chuckled, thinking of his own son, who preferred cool outfits and chasing after girls instead of training.

“Ah, to be six years old again!” he mused, shaking his head at the thought, mentally picturing a tiny version of himself, complete with a ninja headband and a crush on the neighborhood girl.

“Well, now that you’ve given your blessing, we can move on to the regular graduation exam,” Sarutobi announced, rubbing his hands together like a villain plotting something dastardly.

“Yes, Third Hokage-sama !” Principal Mi Ren replied, brimming with enthusiasm as he prepared to handle the logistics for these two gifted children. He was practically vibrating with excitement—someone should really check if he had consumed too much caffeine.

Sarutobi then added, “However, I can’t seem to find their team leader at the moment. The little ones haven’t graduated yet, and disrupting the previous teams is a bit tricky. What if…”

He paused dramatically, gauging Sakumo’s reaction as if he were auditioning for a role in a dramatic play.

“Sakumo, how about you take them under your wing? After all, they are your sons. I can transfer someone from another class to fill in.”

Sakumo grinned, a sparkle returning to his eyes like a kid seeing a cake.

“That sounds great! But since I’m retiring, I’d prefer they join a combat team instead. No more classroom shenanigans for them! They’re not there to learn math; they’re there to throw shuriken!”

“A combat team for five-year-olds?” Sarutobi raised an eyebrow, slightly incredulous, picturing tiny ninjas in armor that was way too big, stumbling around like they were on a balance beam.

“I have faith in both of them; after all, they are my sons!” Sakumo declared with newfound confidence, his voice ringing with determination.

It was the first time he’d felt this sure of himself since that fateful mission. “They’ll either learn to be ninjas or create chaos. Either way, I’m on a break!”

“Alright, I’ll make the arrangements,” Sarutobi said, nodding in agreement while trying to stifle a laugh.

“Thank you, Third Hokage-sama,” Sakumo replied, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders as he turned to leave. Sarutobi watched him go, a mix of nostalgia and relief washing over him, as if he had lost something yet gained a new hope—along with the mental image of Sakumo swinging a cat on a mission.

“It’s time to get things organized,” Sarutobi remarked quietly to himself, chuckling at the chaos that was about to unfold.

Back at school, Kakashi and Miblade aced their graduation exams, smashing the record for the youngest graduates in Konoha’s history.

The news spread like wildfire, or more accurately, like a really enthusiastic game of telephone where everyone added their own flair.

“Hey, you two! Don’t forget to swing by when you’re not on missions! And for heaven's sake, try not to die on the battlefield!” yelled Obito, waving at the departing brothers with all the intensity of a concerned parent watching their kid ride a bike for the first time, his voice a mix of genuine concern and a dash of envy.

While others looked at Kakashi and Miblade with awe, Obito's eyes showed a different emotion—worry. It was clear he cared deeply.

As the two brothers ventured into their new lives as ninjas, the stakes were higher than ever—like trying to eat ramen without spilling it on your new shirt.

The ninja graduation test was a piece of cake—at least for most of the hopeful young ninjas.

After breezing through the basic written exam, the real fun began: testing their skills with the three body techniques: the clone technique, the substitution technique, and the transformation technique.

It was like a ninja’s version of "Simon Says," but with more sneaky tricks and fewer rules—seriously, how do you expect five-year-olds to follow rules?

Back at home, the two brothers celebrated their mini-victory over a hearty lunch prepared by their ever-supportive father.

Sakumo Hatake, with a twinkle in his eye and a chest puffed out like a proud pigeon, was particularly pleased. “Just imagine,” he beamed, “my boys graduating from Ninja School before you can say ‘Shuriken!’”

After the culinary festivities, it was time for some serious training. In the warm afternoon sun, Sakumo took it upon himself to impart the sacred art of swordsmanship to his two eager sons.

With years of experience from the tumultuous Warring States period under his belt, he was ready to pass down the legendary Hatake family technique—something so powerful it could make even the most fearsome ninjas think twice before stepping into the ring… or at least make them reconsider their life choices.

The brothers were dead serious, each swing of their swords punctuated by their determination.

They understood that soon they would be thrown into the fray as part of a combat team, and they were ready to prove themselves—though Miblade couldn’t help but feel a bit perplexed.

“I’m only five! How on earth am I supposed to take on teenagers or even twenty-somethings?” he pondered, scratching his head like a confused puppy.

The rules of the Ninja World seemed less like guidelines and more like whimsical suggestions, and he half-suspected his instructor, Ke Xue, had never even covered this in class.

Dinner that evening was nothing short of a feast, rich with flavors and laughter. Sakumo, channeling his inner doting dad, attempted to step into the role of a caring father figure.

Gone was the fearsome White Tooth who had once struck terror in the hearts of adversaries—now, he was just a dad trying to figure out how to give the best dad jokes while flipping pancakes.

“Why did the ninja cross the road? To get to the other side… quietly!”

The following day marked a momentous occasion as Miblade and Kakashi proudly received their forehead protectors and snazzy combat vests.

Sarutobi, the third Hokage, showered them with words of encouragement, reminding them that this was just the beginning of their journey—like the first chapter of a long, confusing novel full of plot twists and questionable decisions.

“Make sure to uphold the Hatake name!” he advised, his voice booming with paternal pride, sounding like a sports commentator announcing a championship game.