Just as Kaede was about to resume his training, he suddenly sensed something. He looked up toward the top of the courtyard wall and said:
"Seems like you've gotten used to not using the front door."
Standing atop the outer wall was a familiar figure, with the same silver-white hair and a mask over his face, it was none other than Hatake Kakashi.
"No, I just happened to be returning from this direction."
Kakashi leapt down from the wall and landed inside the courtyard.
Standing close together, there were still quite a few differences between him and Kaede: slightly longer hair, the signature face mask, and a noticeably smaller physique and height.
Kakashi turned to Kaede and said,
"Just like you predicted, the friction between the villages is intensifying. Most recent missions have been about intercepting or spying on each other..."
"I see."
Kaede wasn't surprised in the slightest.
After all, ever since coming to this world, aside from making a few small changes within the Ninja Academy, he hadn't done anything that would affect the larger course of history. Under the weight of inevitability, the outbreak of the Third Great Ninja War was bound to happen next year.
"You're still not planning to graduate? There's really nothing more for you to learn at the Academy, is there?"
Kakashi looked over at Kaede.
Others might not know, but Kakashi was very clear on just how strong his older brother truly was. Up to this point, he had never beaten Kaede in a single duel!
And that was despite the fact that he had already been promoted to Chūnin the previous year. Even after becoming a Chūnin, he had challenged Kaede again, yet still couldn't win. Kaede's speed was so fast it seemed almost unnatural.
Moreover—
Kaede wasn't just strong in combat; his mind was equally sharp. Even though he was only one year older than Kakashi, his understanding of the broader situation was almost on par with that of a seasoned adult.
Kaede smiled and said "It's true that I've already learned everything I can from the instructors, but staying in the Academy gives me more time to train on my own... Speaking of which, have you had any contact with the techniques I asked you to look into?"
Since Kakashi was already a Chūnin, he had access to far more jutsu than Kaede did. Many of the jutsu Kaede had learned came from Kakashi. He had also specifically asked Kakashi to keep an eye out for two techniques: Flying Thunder God and Eight Gates Release.
The Eight Gates technique was non-negotiable—he had to obtain it no matter what. As for Flying Thunder God, it was worth trying. If he could master it, it would be a life-saving trump card. If not, it was no big deal. After all, for someone who could control time, space-time ninjutsu wasn't all that critical.
Kakashi rolled his eyes and said: "Those are all in the Sealed Jutsu Scrolls. It's not that easy to get access to them..."
Although he was a Chūnin now and had access to a lot of jutsu like the Shadow Clone Technique, forbidden techniques like Flying Thunder God and the Eight Gates were still out of reach.
"We'll get our chance eventually."
Kaede wasn't bothered. Once Kakashi became a Jōnin, gaining access to those techniques wouldn't be a problem. In fact, considering Kakashi had become a Jōnin at twelve, there was a chance he might reach that milestone even earlier.
No matter what, he would be forced to graduate next year due to the war. Once the war started, there would be no hiding his abilities. In the face of constant danger, he'd have to go all out.
Kakashi shook his head and muttered,
"...I don't know how you have the patience."
After their father's suicide, brought on by public criticism for choosing to save comrades over completing a mission, Kakashi had been deeply affected. He had no desire to be looked down upon or criticized, so he showcased his talents early, graduating at five and becoming a Chūnin at six. And indeed, no one dared to look at him differently anymore.
But Kaede?
Kaede stayed in the Ninja Academy, going through classes like a regular student. This stood in sharp contrast to Kakashi's accelerated path and had stirred up a lot of discussion in the village.
And Kakashi knew Kaede was stronger than him.
Yet Kaede never wavered in the face of gossip or judgment. He never said a word about wanting to graduate early, just kept calmly attending school like nothing had happened.
Kaede sighed and said:
"You still don't get it."
The legendary "White Fang of Konoha," Hatake Sakumo, who made his name in the Second Ninja War, didn't die just because he failed a mission. That idea was nonsense.
In his past life, Kaede might not have been sure. But after living through it in this world, he was certain there had been foul play from Konoha's higher-ups.
At the very least, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, never once stepped in. He could have squashed the fallout from a single failed mission with a few words especially when the mission failed because Sakumo chose to save his teammates.
While Kaede couldn't be sure of the details, he could make an educated guess: Danzo Shimura had likely played a major role.
Sakumo's strength and battlefield achievements were such that, barring any accidents, he would have been a front-runner to become the Fourth Hokage. That alone was reason enough for Danzo to act.
And since Sakumo's death was likely tied to Danzo, that meant both Kaede and Kakashi were under scrutiny by the higher-ups.
If only one of them showed exceptional talent, Danzo might try to recruit that person into Root, but Hiruzen would probably veto it.
But if both of them stood out?
Danzo would come up with a thousand reasons to convince Hiruzen that at least one of them should join Root.
Kaede certainly wasn't going to let that happen, not to himself, and not to his younger brother Kakashi. He wouldn't let either of them fall under Danzo's brainwashing.
"Get what?"
Kakashi looked puzzled.
Kaede shook his head. He had no intention of explaining. Kakashi was still too young, and his personality too impulsive. It was better that he did not learn about Konoha's darker side just yet.
"But it's about time anyway..."
Kaede showed a thoughtful expression.
Now that they were already in the tense buildup to the Third Great Ninja War, even if he revealed his strength now, it wouldn't be a big deal. Danzo didn't have the luxury to expand Root at a time like this, his attention would be focused on the external threats.
The coming war was both a crisis and an opportunity.
Kakashi would rise to the rank of Jōnin during the war, and so would Kaede. Once they both became official Jōnin with recognized status, they'd be free of Danzo's reach. Even after the war, Danzo couldn't arbitrarily move full-fledged Jōnin around, Hiruzen wouldn't allow it.
And if Kaede pushed his training hard during the war, surpassing Jōnin-level and reaching power on par with Kage, that wasn't just a dream, it was well within the realm of possibility.
After all, he had the Illusory Clock, the power to manipulate time itself!
"Speaking of which… I wonder how your training's been going lately, brother..."
Kakashi's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at the wooden training posts in the courtyard and then turned his gaze back to Kaede.
Although he had never beaten his brother before, Kakashi had never given up on surpassing him. Especially recently, after so many real battles and close brushes with death, he felt his strength had grown by leaps and bounds. If Kaede had been slacking even a little… this time might be different!
After all, ever since becoming a ninja, he had never stopped training, and his power had continued to rise with each mission and every drop of blood shed.
Kaede raised an eyebrow.
Halfway through Kakashi's sentence, he already knew what his little brother was thinking.
"Oh? I was just thinking it might be time to see how much you've improved."