Kakashi's smile became even more pronounced, "Yamato, did you know that Teacher Mokgetsu loves diligent students the most? Let's start training now. When Teacher Mokgetsu sees us, he'll definitely be pleased."
"Oh, so that's how it is." Yamato showed a look of eager anticipation.
Mokgetsu was so good to him, Yamato wanted to make him happy.
Yamato looked at Kakashi with gratitude; there really are a lot of good people in the world.
"As a senior, let me guide you in your training." Kakashi continued.
"Won't that be very troublesome for you, senior?" Yamato was a bit flattered and surprised.
"Not troublesome at all, harmonious interactions and mutual help between disciples is something Teacher Mokgetsu loves to see," Kakashi waved it off.
"So what do we do next?" Yamato agreed immediately, eager to please Mokgetsu.
Kakashi's smile turned from gentle to mischievous, "It's simple, just attack me with all your might, and I'll take care of the rest."
A practice bout would not only satisfy his vendetta but also help him gauge Yamato's current strength—a win-win, or more accurately, a double win for him.
Upon hearing Kakashi's words, Yamato couldn't help but think to himself, "As expected of Teacher Mokgetsu's disciple, so admirable."
Although Kakashi told him to go all out, Yamato was unaware of Kakashi's strength and worried about accidentally hurting him, so Yamato started with a tentative attack.
After exchanging a few moves, Yamato discovered that Kakashi was very strong; he couldn't even touch Kakashi's hem.
Bam!
Dodging Yamato's swing, Kakashi struck Yamato on the head with a hand chop.
"Your punches are too slow, how do you expect to hit anyone like that?" Kakashi seriously advised.
Yamato silently took Kakashi's words to heart, then feigned with his left fist and quickly swung out his right leg.
But how could Yamato's somewhat childish taijutsu escape Kakashi's Transparent World? All of Yamato's movements were easily seen through.
Kakashi effortlessly dodged and landed another punch on Yamato's head.
Feeling the impact through his fist, Kakashi felt an indescribable joy, like gulping down a cold soda on a scorching summer day, feeling thoroughly invigorated.
Kakashi started to understand future Yamato—no wonder hitting someone annoying on the head felt so satisfying, it was no surprise future Yamato hit him three times.
"Your footing is unstable and your lower body is weak!" Kakashi continued to evaluate.
Yamato rubbed his head with one hand, feeling that Kakashi senior's attentiveness was a bit too overwhelming.
At that moment, the rarely early Obito and Shisui arrived at the training ground together.
Looking at the battle between Yamato and Kakashi—or rather, the beating Yamato was receiving from Kakashi—Obito felt a sense of familiarity.
"Isn't that Captain Yamato? How did he become so small after only a few months?" Obito recognized that this was indeed the Anbu Captain Yamato who had traveled with Uzumaki Naruto.
"It should be the Yamato from our current time, not the future one," Shisui deduced after a moment of thought.
When executing the Dragon Vein mission, Shisui didn't go and never saw what Yamato looked like, but logically speaking, the Yamato being trounced by Kakashi couldn't possibly be the Anbu Captain Yamato.
"Heh heh, definitely not. If time travel were that simple, Teacher Mokgetsu would have taken us to the future to play during the Loulan arc," Obito chuckled, offhandedly commenting.
With the arrival of the other disciples, Kakashi paused the fight. Mokgetsu usually arrived last, and it would be impolite to continue the sparring.
As Kakashi anticipated, Mokgetsu suddenly appeared before them right on cue.
"Teacher Mokgetsu," everyone respectfully greeted in unison.
"Good morning," Mokgetsu responded with a gentle nod and smile.
Might Guy had temporarily returned to Teacher Chen's squad, Nohara Rin was training with Tsunade, and those who could come had arrived.
Then Mokgetsu called Yamato over to stand beside him, facing the other three disciples.
"This is Yamato, and he will be training with you today." Mokgetsu briefly introduced Yamato and then gave the three others a meaningful look.
Kakashi nodded; revealing the future ninjas' situation was definitely not an option. Even without Mokgetsu's reminder, Kakashi would have told Obito not to mention the future to Yamato.
"I'm Uchiha Shisui, pleased to meet you," Shisui introduced himself proactively.
"I'm Uchiha Obito. Learn from me, and I guarantee Kakashi won't bully you ever again," Obito said, patting his chest.
Yamato looked at Obito with some surprise; was he really just being bullied by Kakashi senior?
Kakashi didn't say anything but silently took out a picture of Obito from the ninja pouch and waved it at him.
Obito glared at Kakashi with anger but had no choice except to keep quiet; Kakashi's intent was clear: continue yapping and your photo is going up all over the main Konoha district.
"I'm Hatake Kakashi. Don't listen to Obito's nonsense, everyone who knows me knows I am the most reliable."
With a friendly face, Kakashi gently patted Yamato's head and sincerely apologized, "Sorry, did that hurt? I might've used a bit too much force earlier."
"It's okay, it doesn't hurt much anymore. Kakashi senior was merely guiding me," Yamato thought he might have wrongly accused Kakashi senior.
After all, Kakashi senior seemed gentle enough, though not as much as Teacher Mokgetsu.
Kakashi smiled gently at Yamato, knowing there was still plenty of time ahead to gradually reclaim those three punches with interest.
"Ahem, now that everyone knows each other, let's begin the training," Mokgetsu coughed lightly, signaling the start.
PS: Lately, I've been considering whether to write part of the Naruto storyline from another world as an extra chapter in advance.
The Dragon Vein plot isn't actually over; Naruto will soon come over again. At that time, his side will be nearing the original Fourth Great Ninja War with lots of highly anticipated plot developments.
But since that Naruto has been changed by the protagonist, I was thinking that writing out the changes happening in the Breath of Yang story first might make the storyline smoother and less jarring.
Also, asking for monthly votes.