Kakashi brought Haku back to his own residence.
It was an ordinary house in Konoha—not large, but neat and orderly.
"This is my place," Kakashi said as he pushed the door open. "You'll be living here from now on."
"The guest rooms are on the second floor. Pick whichever you like."
Haku stood stiffly. "Th-Thank you, sensei."
"No need to thank me," Kakashi replied. "You're my apprentice now. Living at your teacher's place is normal."
He turned his head slightly. "Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura—you three come in and sit for a bit too."
The three followed him inside.
Naruto looked around curiously. "Whoa! Kakashi-sensei, your house is super clean!"
"Did you think I'd live like you?" Kakashi said irritably.
Sasuke, however, was focused on a framed photograph hanging on the wall.
In the photo, a much younger Kakashi stood alongside three others.
"Sensei… are these your former teammates?"
Kakashi glanced at the photo, his expression complicated.
"Yes. My old Team Seven."
"Minato Namikaze-sensei, Uchiha Obito, and Rin Nohara."
Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly.
"Uchiha… Obito?"
"Yes," Kakashi said. "A member of your clan. He gave me his Sharingan—that's why I have one."
Sasuke stared at the photo in silence.
Sakura hesitated, then asked softly, "Sensei… your teammates… are they all—"
"They're all dead," Kakashi said calmly.
"Minato-sensei died during the Nine-Tails incident. Obito died in the Third Great Ninja War. Rin also sacrificed herself during the war."
"I'm the only one left."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Haku lowered his head, thinking of Zabuza.
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh… Kakashi-sensei, sorry. I shouldn't have asked…"
"It's fine," Kakashi waved it off. "That's all in the past."
Then he looked at the four standing before him—Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Haku.
"But now, I have a new Team Seven."
"And this time, I'll protect every one of you."
Naruto's eyes grew misty. "Kakashi-sensei…"
"Alright, enough of the sentimental stuff," Kakashi clapped his hands.
"Go back and rest. We'll assemble tomorrow and continue training."
"Yes!" Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura replied together.
After the three left, Kakashi turned to Haku.
"Go choose a room. Once you're settled, come downstairs. I'll teach you some fundamentals."
"Yes, sensei!"
---
Two weeks later.
A pleasant aroma drifted from Kakashi's kitchen.
"Sensei, dinner's ready," Haku said as he carried out a dish.
Kakashi put down his book and looked at the full table, nodding in approval.
"Nicely done."
During these two weeks, Haku had taken it upon himself to handle the cooking—and his skills were unexpectedly good.
"When I was with Zabuza-sama, I was always the one who cooked," Haku said shyly.
"It's… the only thing I'm confident in."
"Don't say that," Kakashi picked up his chopsticks.
"Cooking is a skill too. And your progress in training has been fast."
Haku's face flushed slightly.
"That's because you teach well, sensei."
Kakashi took a bite of fish.
"Mmm. This is really good."
Life had been unusually comfortable lately.
Hot meals every day, a spotless house, and an apprentice who was sensible and hardworking.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you kenjutsu," Kakashi said.
"Kenjutsu?" Haku's eyes lit up.
"Yes," Kakashi nodded. "You're fast. Combining Ice Release with sword techniques will be extremely effective."
"I'll teach you the Hatake clan's sword style—the White Fang Technique."
Haku was stunned. "The White Fang Technique… the Konoha White Fang's—"
"My father's technique," Kakashi said. "Sakumo Hatake."
"Even though I specialize in ninjutsu, I've never neglected my swordsmanship."
"Passing it on to you means the White Fang Technique won't disappear."
Haku stood up and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, sensei! I'll study hard!"
Kakashi nodded in satisfaction.
---
One month later.
At the training grounds.
Haku wielded a short blade, his movements ghostlike.
Slash—slash—slash!
Blade light and afterimages flashed at terrifying speed.
Kakashi watched from the side.
"Good. Your speed is there—but your sword path lacks decisiveness."
"The White Fang Technique is built around killing in a single strike."
"No wasted motions. Every attack must be lethal."
"Yes!" Haku answered seriously.
Over the past month, he had trained relentlessly—grip, footwork, forms, movement.
Kakashi taught him step by step.
And Haku's talent was undeniable.
"Take a break," Kakashi said. "We'll continue this afternoon."
"Yes."
Haku sheathed his sword and wiped the sweat from his brow.
Kakashi smiled.
This kid really works hard.
---
Meanwhile.
Team Seven had returned to their daily D-rank missions.
"Another missing cat?!" Naruto was losing his mind.
"We survived a real battle in the Land of Waves, and we're still doing this?!"
"Shut up, dead last," Sasuke said coldly. "Orders are orders."
"Tch…" Naruto grumbled.
Sakura could only sigh.
Kakashi leisurely read Icha Icha Tactics.
"D-rank missions are basic training," Kakashi said without looking up.
"Stop complaining and go find the cat."
"…Fine," Naruto muttered.
Days passed.
Catching cats, pulling weeds, carrying supplies.
The endless D-rank missions only deepened Naruto's frustration.
That evening, after finishing their mission, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura gathered secretly.
"Let's do it," Naruto whispered.
"Is this really okay?" Sakura asked nervously.
"Let's try," Sasuke said, surprisingly in agreement.
They glanced toward Kakashi.
He was reading, seemingly oblivious.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto suddenly shouted.
"Hm?" Kakashi looked up.
"The mission went smoothly today," Naruto grinned.
"So we want to treat you to ramen!"
"Let's celebrate our first month as an official Genin team!"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
These brats were definitely plotting something.
Still—
"Alright," he closed his book. "Ichiraku Ramen?"
"Yes!" Naruto cheered.
---
Ichiraku Ramen.
"Welcome!" Teuchi greeted warmly.
"Naruto's back again—and with company."
Ayame smiled as well. "Welcome!"
"Old man, one miso chashu ramen!" Naruto ordered expertly.
Everyone placed their orders.
Soon, steaming bowls arrived.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura sat close to Kakashi, sneaking glances at him.
Kakashi picked up his bowl, fully aware of their intentions.
They wanted to see what was under his mask.
He smiled faintly.
"Alright," he thought. "I'll indulge them."
He set the bowl down and reached for his mask.
Pulling it down.
A handsome face was revealed—sharp features, clear skin, silver hair framing his face.
Stunningly good-looking.
"W-Whoa!!!"
Sakura's eyes turned into hearts instantly.
"Kakashi-sensei… you're so handsome!!!"
Ayame froze, cheeks flushing.
"So… handsome…"
Naruto and Sasuke were stunned as well.
"No way…" Naruto muttered.
"Kakashi-sensei is actually this good-looking?"
Even Sasuke showed a flicker of surprise.
"…Indeed."
Kakashi calmly picked up his chopsticks.
"What? Is it that strange?"
"N-No!" Sakura stammered.
"It's just… I never imagined—"
"You should show your face more often!" she blurted out.
Kakashi chuckled. "Eat before the noodles get cold."
Naruto finally snapped out of it.
"No wonder he wears a mask… he'd get harassed nonstop…"
Kakashi finished eating, wiped his mouth, and pulled the mask back on.
"There. Satisfied?"
The three laughed awkwardly.
"Hehe…"
"But Sensei, will you show your face again sometime?" Sakura asked hopefully.
"We'll see," Kakashi stood up. "Mission tomorrow."
"Yes…"
---
On the way home, Kakashi walked ahead.
Behind him, the three whispered excitedly.
"Kakashi-sensei is really handsome…" Sakura blushed.
"For once, I agree," Sasuke said.
"Why is Sensei so handsome while I'm not…" Naruto groaned.
"Because you're dead last," Sasuke replied.
"Hey!"
Kakashi smiled faintly.
Youth was a good thing.
---
Back home.
Haku had already prepared dinner.
"Sensei, you're back."
"I already ate," Kakashi said, removing his shoes.
"But I packed what you made. I'll take it as lunch tomorrow."
Haku smiled. "That's good."
Kakashi looked at him. "How's your kenjutsu coming along?"
"I'm still working hard," Haku replied seriously.
"Good," Kakashi nodded.
"Once you fully master the White Fang Technique, I'll arrange your Genin exam."
"At that point, you'll officially become a ninja of Konoha."
Haku's eyes shone.
"Yes! I'll do my best!"
Kakashi checked the system.
[Registered Apprentice: Haku]
[Favorability: 95]
[Kenjutsu Progress: 45%]
"Two more months…" Kakashi thought.
"That should do it."
He closed the system and looked out the window.
The night over Konoha was peaceful.
"Next…"
"It'll be the Chūnin Exams."