The Shimura Actually Has Ice Release

At the gates of Konoha, two nameless shinobi stood firmly at their posts.

Not far away, Sakumo, with a travel pack on his back, crouched down and smiled at the two children who had come to see him off.

"Takeshi, while I'm gone, I'm counting on you to take care of Kakashi."

"Don't worry, Sakumo-san. I'll do my best to turn this gloomy guy into someone more cheerful!" Takeshi patted his chest and made a serious promise.

"Who are you calling gloomy?!" A vein bulged on Kakashi's forehead. If Takeshi hadn't helped his father recently, he would've kicked him already.

"And for the record, I'm the one looking after this guy, alright?" Kakashi corrected his father with a frown.

Watching the "harmonious" interaction between the two, the last bit of worry in Sakumo's heart faded away.

He wasn't afraid of heading to the border—in fact, going to the front lines was something he welcomed.

Sakumo had decided to use real action to show the village what the Will of Fire truly meant, and the border was the perfect stage for it.

There, he could protect his comrades in his own way without being criticized.

After all, in the chaos of the border regions, ninja valued the safety of their comrades above all else.

"Alright, it's almost time for academy. You two should hurry back now." As the sun began to rise, Sakumo shielded his eyes from the light and urged them to leave.

"Don't worry, Sakumo-san. Even if we're late, Obito's always the last one to arrive anyway." Takeshi wasn't worried in the slightest. After all, Obito was forever the last to show up to class. Even if they got punished to stand outside, it would be the three of them together.

Everyone knew—being punished alone was a little awkward. But with two, it was brotherhood. And if a whole group got punished...

"Alright, Dad. We're going now." Unlike Takeshi, Kakashi absolutely hated being punished, especially with these two idiots.

So despite the reluctance in his heart about his father leaving, Kakashi still said his goodbyes and then forcibly grabbed Takeshi by the collar to drag him off to academy.

"Hey! Kakashi, don't grab there! You're choking me!" Strangled by the collar, Takeshi tried to break free, but failed, and could only be dragged along by Kakashi.

Sakumo waved with a smile, watching the two figures grow smaller and smaller, until they disappeared beyond the horizon.

"You're here, Third-sama." Turning around, Sakumo looked toward the trees beside the road and bowed respectfully. "Sorry to trouble you."

"Don't worry. I'll be keeping a close eye on that child too." Hiruzen stepped out from behind the trees with a smile and came to stand beside Sakumo.

"Don't pressure yourself too much. Do your best on the front lines. It won't be long before you can return and see Kakashi again."

Looking at this trusted subordinate, Hiruzen's eyes were filled with warmth.

"Yes, you can count on me. I'll do my utmost to uphold the honor of Konoha and live out the Will of Fire!" Sakumo declared with loyalty burning in his eyes.

"Hahaha, alright, enough of the sappy farewells. Just seeing you still so full of energy is enough to make me happy." Patting Sakumo on the shoulder, Hiruzen raised his tone slightly, signaling that he could depart.

"Yes!"

...

Just like that, a year passed.

According to the original timeline, Kakashi should've already graduated early and officially become a shinobi by now.

But due to Takeshi's interference, Sakumo didn't commit suicide, and Kakashi also lost interest in leaving academy. Every day, he just lazily followed Takeshi to class.

"Takeshi, let's go get some dango after academy!" During break, Anko came over to Takeshi's seat like always and extended her invitation.

"Well, Anko, I think it's best not to eat too many sugary foods. You'll get chubby." Takeshi gave a friendly reminder, noticing she'd gotten a little rounder since they first met.

"What's the big deal? I meet all my daily training targets anyway. Or are you saying I have gotten fat?" Resting her arm on his shoulder, Anko wasn't letting him off the hook and insisted on dragging him to the dango shop.

"Alright, alright, I'll go! Kakashi, Obito, you guys coming?" Feeling the weight on his shoulder and being pestered nonstop, Takeshi quickly gave in—and decided to drag his other two "friends" along with him.

"I'm not going." Kakashi rolled his eyes in rejection.

"I—ah! Who kicked me?!" Just as Obito was about to agree at the mention of dango, Kakashi kicked him in the shin, and he let out a wail while clutching his leg.

"Idiot?" Kakashi muttered, annoyed, glancing at Obito who was rolling around on the ground.

It was obvious that Anko had come for Takeshi. What was this airhead doing trying to butt in?

"What?!" Obito, not catching the subtext, tried to ask more—but just then, Might Guy happened to pass by and stepped right on him, causing an even louder scream.

"Ah, sorry, sorry! I was too busy sweating and burning with youth—I didn't see you there! Uh... Daini-kun?" With weights strapped to his legs, Might Guy had no idea how much damage he'd just done. He looked down at Obito with an apologetic smile.

But who the hell is Daini?! We've been classmates for over a year and you still don't remember anyone's names?!

"Oh! Takeshi! Next period is a combat drill. Let's have a passionate showdown together!" Seeing Takeshi, Guy loudly issued his challenge with enthusiasm blazing.

"I refuse." Takeshi rejected him without hesitation.

Come on, he might not know, but I do—those weighted leg wraps of his could crush me in one kick!

"Ehh? Why?! Aren't we comrades and rivals, advancing side by side?!" Guy looked lost after Takeshi's blunt refusal.

"You and Kakashi can be rivals. Count me out." Without hesitation, Takeshi threw Kakashi under the bus.

"Why is it always me..." Kakashi sighed. He was constantly being used as Takeshi's shield.

If I get the chance, I'm definitely beating the crap out of him.

Kakashi had made up his mind: if the opponent for today's sparring was Takeshi, he'd go all out.

"Everyone! The teacher said to gather at the training field. We're drawing lots for sparring partners!" At that moment, Rin ran into the classroom, calling everyone to the yard for class.

"Hmph, just you wait, Takeshi." Kakashi snorted coldly and gave him a look, then used Shunshin no Jutsu to make a dramatic exit.

Show-off!

Watching Kakashi vanish from sight, Takeshi refused to be outdone. He brushed off Anko's arm, opened the classroom window, and jumped out.

Yep, being on the first floor has its perks. Jump out whenever you want.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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