"I lost. You've passed this assessment."
Hatake Sakumo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the hand gripping his chakra blade and calmly admitted defeat.
There were no excuses, no attempts to justify his momentary lapse. A loss was a loss.
"It was just luck," Qingshui replied as he sheathed his ninja blade.
Despite the outcome, he had no intention of underestimating Hatake Sakumo. This was only an assessment, after all, and Qingshui was well aware that Sakumo had not used his true killing techniques.
In fact, he couldn't have.
Likewise, Qingshui himself had relied on several hidden methods. Only under such conditions had this result been possible.
Hearing Qingshui's modest words, Hatake Sakumo fell briefly silent.
Luck?
If anyone else heard that, they would probably feel humiliated. After all, not just anyone could claim victory over him through "luck."
"Uncle Hatake, please stay still," Qingshui said gently. "I'll treat your injuries first."
As he spoke, he stepped forward. His palm glowed with soft green chakra, the distinctive sign of advanced Medical Ninjutsu.
Although Sakumo's hand bone was fractured, it was far from a serious injury. With Qingshui's skill, healing it would take only moments.
A few breaths later, the green glow faded.
[Treatment of Hatake Sakumo completed.] [Reward acquired: Colored Orb ×1.] [Congratulations! You have obtained: Top-Tier Swordsmanship Talent.]
"You'll just need to rest for a few days," Qingshui advised. "Avoid overusing that hand during recovery."
"Much appreciated," Sakumo replied.
Though Qingshui was technically the one who injured him, Sakumo harbored no resentment at all. Instead, his gaze held clear admiration.
After exchanging a few words, Sakumo turned and departed.
Watching his retreating figure, Qingshui's thoughts drifted.
With his involvement, Hatake Sakumo should no longer fall into despair because of rumors and political pressure in the future. That tragic path—ending in suicide—should be avoided.
If that fate was changed, then Kakashi would not grow into a ninja who rigidly prioritized missions above comrades, nor would he be ostracized by his peers.
He might not be reassigned to Minato's team.
Obito Uchiha. Rin Nohara.
The future "Copy Ninja of Konoha" might never exist.
Instead, perhaps the ninja world would know him as the "White Fang's Heir," or even the "Lightning Fang of the Leaf."
Lost in thought, Qingshui soon met up with Minato Namikaze and Yakushi Nonō, both of whom had also completed their assessments.
Neither of them was injured.
After all, this was only an evaluation. Demonstrating adequate strength was sufficient.
Qingshui was the only one who had gone so far as to injure his opponent—and only because Hatake Sakumo had been specifically assigned to assess him.
"Next, we head to the Hokage's office," Minato said. "We'll receive our final missions there."
The Hatake Residence
Hatake Sakumo returned home just as Kakashi was training alone in the courtyard.
The moment Kakashi sensed his presence, he stopped.
"Dad… you're back?" Kakashi's eyes widened. "You're injured?"
Shock washed over the boy's face.
Kakashi knew better than anyone how terrifyingly powerful his father was. No matter the enemy's strength or identity, they were always cut down by a single slash.
As far as Kakashi could remember, his father had never been injured.
Yet now…
"But weren't you attending a Jonin promotion assessment?" Kakashi asked urgently. "Your opponent should've only been a Chunin!"
"Relax," Sakumo said with a smile, ruffling his son's silver hair. "It's already been treated. I just need a few days of rest."
"Good timing," he added lightly. "I can finally give you proper swordsmanship training."
Kakashi stared at him, unsatisfied.
"…Who did this?" he asked quietly.
Sakumo met his gaze.
"Hirakawa Qingshui."
Kakashi froze.
That name wasn't unfamiliar.
Two years ago, Qingshui's reputation had spread throughout Konoha. Back when Kakashi was still at the Academy, Kurenai Yūhi had spoken of him often—a kind, handsome senior with exceptional medical skills.
At the time, Kakashi hadn't cared much.
A medical ninja was still just a support ninja.
Even later, when Qingshui became known as a war hero, Kakashi had merely felt mild surprise.
But now—
This man had defeated his father.
"That's right," Sakumo said calmly. "Qingshui is a genius—even more frightening than you, Kakashi."
"I'll surpass him."
The words came out instinctively.
Sakumo laughed softly.
"That's the spirit. But you'll have to train harder than ever."
"I will."
At that moment, a powerful target was engraved into Kakashi's heart—one he would chase relentlessly for years to come.
Hokage's Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the three young ninja standing before him with satisfaction.
"Well done. None of you disappointed me."
He handed Minato and Nonō each a mission scroll.
After they left, Hiruzen turned his attention to Qingshui alone.
"You truly surprised me," the Third Hokage said. "I thought I had already overestimated you—but I was wrong."
Defeating Hatake Sakumo so decisively had shaken him.
If Qingshui weren't so young…
Hiruzen might have seriously considered naming him the Fourth Hokage on the spot.
"It was just luck," Qingshui said modestly. "Uncle Hatake didn't use his full strength."
Hiruzen's hand froze mid-motion as he drew on his pipe.
Then he laughed wryly.
Youthful arrogance, he thought.
To imagine standing against a fully serious Hatake Sakumo…
The White Fang's reputation had been forged in blood, not rumors.
In Hiruzen's eyes, if Sakumo truly fought with killing intent, Qingshui would be cut down instantly if he reacted even a moment too late.
What Hiruzen didn't know was that Sakumo wasn't the only one holding back.
"Enough," Hiruzen said. "Qingshui, your assessment mission is to eliminate a rogue Jonin."
Qingshui blinked.
"A rogue Jonin?"
Such missions were usually handled by the Pursuit Unit.
Opening the scroll, he read carefully.
Target: Shirakumo Ranto
Former Konoha Jonin
Specialties: Wind Release, Swordsmanship
Ranto had distinguished himself during the First Great Ninja War and was promoted to Jonin afterward.
During the Second Great Ninja War, he had single-handedly killed two Sunagakure Jonin.
Two days ago, while on patrol, he murdered his teammates for unknown reasons and defected, fleeing north.
The pursuit squad sent after him was completely wiped out.
So that's why…
Although Qingshui was officially still a Chunin, no one truly treated him as one.
Assigning him an A-rank mission was entirely reasonable.
"With your strength, this shouldn't be difficult," Hiruzen warned. "But be cautious. This defection is too sudden. I suspect another force is involved."
"I understand."
After preparing, Qingshui departed Konoha and headed north.
Root Headquarters
Aburame Ryōma knelt before Danzō.
"Lord Danzō. Hirakawa Qingshui and Yakushi Nonō have both left Konoha, heading north—exactly as planned."
Danzō's eyes snapped open.
"Excellent. Inform Kage. The operation begins."
Ten Root operatives had already been deployed.
All they needed was the order.
Once Ryōma left, Danzō's lips curled upward.
"Once Hirakawa Qingshui is eliminated, the orphanage will return to my control."
For two years, he had been forced to recruit orphans outside the village.
Inefficient. Inferior.
"This is the price of defying me… of defying Konoha."
His gaze darkened.
"Hatake Sakumo is next."
Outside Konoha
Hiruko accepted a C-rank mission and departed.
Soon after, he arrived at a small town—far from his official destination.
Three figures waited.
Namura Yoru, tall and bald.
"Mouse," short and rat-like.
And Lingyin—a voluptuous woman whose presence drew leering glances.
All three were notorious bounty hunters.
Hiruko smiled.
The net was closing.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)