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  Hokage Tower.

  An importaing was taking pce at the Hokage tower between the Jonins assigned new Genin teams and the Hokage. The ninjas reported the results of the Genin exam to their leader.

  "Team 01 failed.

  Team 02 failed…

  …. Team 09 Pass."

  Everyone looked at Guy as he gave the results.

  "gratutions Guy."

  The Hokage looked at the results. "It seems only oeam has passed this year. How troubling."

  "Um sir. Kakashi isn't here yet. He was assigned a team too." A Jonin spoke up.

  "Yeah but do you really think he'd pass a team? It's highly unlikely." Another ninja spoke, showing his skepticism over the ces of Kakashi passing his team.

  "I'll speak with Kakashi whes here. The rest of you are dismissed." The Hokage gave the order and all of them left the pce.

  Some time ter his secretary came and informed him that Kakashi Hatake had arrived.

  "Send him in."

  Kakashi walked into the room and Hiruzen could tell that something was b him.

  "So what's the excuse this time?" The old kage asked the man.

  Kakashi sighed and replied. "No excuse. I was at the memorial stone. I just needed some time to clear my head."

  'The bell test was the wrong exam for this sario.' Kakashi couldn't get Daichi's words out of his head no matter how hard he tried.

  Hiruzen nodded and leaned ba his chair. "So how did the test go?"

  Kakashi sighed and looked at his leader. "They failed. One of them khe specifics of the test and the other two couldn't bring themselves to trust their teammate."

  "But they got the bells… Or more specifically Daichi got the bells right?"

  Kakashi's eyes slightly widened. "You were watg?"

  "Yes. I was ied in how far Daichi had e and I'm impressed with what I saw."

  "But sir, if you saw what happehen you would know that he only agreed to work with the other two because he k was the only way of passing the exam."

  "Yes. I'm aware. But the fact of the matter is he did work with them. He made a pn that incorporated their talents and used it to plete the mission…"

  "But sir,..."

  "You have to uand Kakashi, Daichi has been training under a private tutor for the st two years. He is used t alone. And from the other student's perspective, he is a year youhan them. Do you really expect kids who never met each other to suddenly trust one another implicitly?"

  Kakashi was silent when he heard that. 'The same argument Daichi made.'

  "Did you know they were going to fail?" Kakashi asked the kage in a low voice.

  Hiruzen sighed and leaned ba his chair. After a few moments he answered. "Seto may not be from a but he is skilled. His Taijutsu es only sed to Neji in their css. And Mari is skilled in trap dete, ambush and le support. I picked those two as Daichi's teammates because after Neji aen they are the best in that graduation css."

  He stopped for a moment and Daichi's image appeared in his mind. "I knew failure ossibility. But I also hoped for Daichi to rally his teammates behind him to help. He did. And I was hoping for those two to overe their fears and trust each other but… It seems they couldn't bring themselves to do so "

  "Teamwork is something that should e naturally to a Genin."

  "Yes. I agree. It's why we put them in squads. But there are times when exceptions must be made." Hiruzen said as he took his pipe and lit it on fire. He took a puff and looked at the surprised Jonin.

  "Kakashi. Look at Daichi Individually. His skills, his talent and his capabilities. If you met him otlefield without knowing who he is, what rank would you give him?" The Hokage asked the man as he smoked from his pipe.

  Kakashi was silent for several seds. After reviewing the battle in his mind he answered. "A mid to high level in at the very least."

  Hiruzen smiled hearing that and looked at the Jonin. "Is that all? I'm sure someoh keen eyes like yourself would have noticed it."

  Kakashi was silent for a few seds before he answered. "He was holding back. Quite a bit if I'm right."

  "Exactly. He's a lot more ing than you give him credit for. Usually kids with great talent and strength would love nothing more than to show off. But there are a few exceptions every now and then. Daichi is one such exception. He only showed you what he wanted you to see. And I'm sure that if he wao take the bells on his own he could have…"

  Kakashi was surprised at that assessment. "Lord Hokage, what makes you so certain that he's already s?"

  "I have my reasons. The point is, Daichi is far strohan his peers and if we send him back to the academy for another year that gap will only widen. And it will ultimately cause an imban his eam."

  "Wait, are you saying that I should pass this team? Sir, that would be a mistake. I tell that Daichi is angry at Seto and Mari after what they did. He said it himself. He hates people who stab their friends in the back. I'm not sure he would even want to work with them." Kakashi saw the look on Daichi's face. Despite him trying to hide it, Kakashi saw great anger hidden behind the calm facade.

  Hiruzen nodded his head with that assessment. "Yes. I agree. After what happened I doubt Daichi would be pleased to work with them as his teammates. And in my opinion those two could use another year at the academy. I'm sure it will do them well."

  Hiruze out a puff of smoke and looked at the silent Kakashi. "Passing the whole team was not what I had in mind."

  The Jonin's one visible eye wide that implication. "Wait. Are you saying…"

  The kage nodded his head. "Yes. Sending Daichi bato the academy will be a waste of time and a valuable resource. This year only Guy's team passed. The failure rate is almost 90%. Despite how our vilge looks from an outside perspective we are in desperate need of manpower. I believe sending Daichi back to the academy with his skills is a huge mistake. He certainly has the skills and qualifications to bee a Genin. I know that this is a bit unorthodox but I believe this is the right decision. I'm thinking about passing Daichi and just Daichi alone from your team."

  "And put him where? There's no spots open on any enin teams currently active."

  Hiruzen shook his head and smiled at the man. "I wasn't thinking about putting him in a team with any enin."

  Kakashi was surprised and he had a vague feeling as to where this was going.

  Hiruzen tinued. "I had a pn in mind to create a few specialized teams year. If Daichi had waited, I would have put him, Sasuke and Naruto under your care. They would have been a special unit designed for heavy assault and backup. But now that's ged. And seeing Daichi's skills first hand I'm ined to let him pass."

  He let out another puff of smoke and looked at Kakashi with a serious gaze. "I'm thinking about creating a special two man team. Daichi will be under your care for the year. Oside your team will be a special Genin team but you will also act as backup for enin teams or low ranked in missions if need be. A rapid respoeam."

  "This is certainly ued."

  "Yes. But sometimes we have to make certain exceptions. And if you want you sider this as a way to gain valuable experience. You know, for when you have to teach your eam." The kage chuckled as he said that.

  Kakashi was asto the decision. "But there has to be another reason for this decision. You wouldn't make such a choice without some serious forethought." The Jonin wao know why the Hokage was adamant on Daichi passing.

  Hiruzen leaned ba his chair and the image of his former teammate came to mind. 'No matter what, I 't let Danzo get to Daichi. The iigation st year didn't lead anywhere and I had to pull bae of the restris on him. And if he finds out that Daichi is alone he might strike again. I 't take that ce. Kakashi will be able to keep him safe. But he will want to know the real reason for why I'm doing all this.'

  Having made up his mind, Hiruzen waved a hand and the hidden Anbu and guards vanished. Kakashi immediately knew he was about to hear something highly sensitive. Hiruzen walked to a secret partment and took a few dots. He then hahem to Kakashi aured to the man to read them. "You asked me why I'm certain that Daichi is hiding his real strength! The answer is in there."

  Kakashi went through the papers quickly and his one visible eye wide what he saw. "Wait. Is this accurate?"

  The kage just nodded his head. "Yes. Based on Tsunade's report Daichi took down 4 of the 5 assaints on his own. And based on the report they were in at the very least with 2 of them even Jonin… And even though I have no proof, I'm sure it was Danzo who sent them."

  Kakashi finally uood his leader's reason. "You wao train and protect him. And keep him away from the vilge from time to time with missions."

  "Yes. There is a shadow war going oween me and Danzo and Daichi is ohe key elements. Someoh his potential ot fall into Danzo's hands. There are also other pieces in py but Daichi is a crucial piece. And you are the only Jonin I trust who is loyal and has the strength to protect the boy."

  The silver haired man was deep in thought. After a few moments he spoke. "Lord Hokage, if you don't mind me asking… Why do you think he's hiding his strength? What he's really capable of?"

  At that question the image of Kensei came to Hiruzen's mind. "I doubt the boy has any nefarious schemes or such… If I'm right… then I believe Daichi is hiding his strength to survive… To not draw any unwatention to himself."

  Kakashi paid rapt attention to his leader. Hiruzen tinued. "His grandfather was former Anbu. I'm sure he noticed Daichi's growth long before us. And I'm certain he's warhe boy about the enemies and dahat lurk in the shadows of our world. I believe the boy is hiding his real skills, not to cause any damage to a to protect himself. Although being the student of a Sannin, he's bound to draw more attention sooner or ter."

  Kakashi Hatake took a deep breath a out. "I uand sir. When do I begin my assig?"

  "Today. I will make the arras and annouhat you and Daichi will be a special two man team with you taking him as an apprentice due to his talents. I want you to train the boy. Sharpen and expand his skills." The kage said to the man.

  "Yes sir."

  "I'll leave you to inform the boy of the new arras."

  Kakashi left the Hokage tower and looked at the people moving through the streets. He slowly made his way back to training ground three where one of the most important mos of the Leaf vilge stood.

  Kakashi stood in front of the memorial stone for over an hour and thought about what just happened. He finally let out a breath and spoke as if he was talking to his old team.

  "Looks like I finally got someone as my student. It's not a team but… I suppose I'll have to start somewhere. He reminds me a bit of myself. A great talent minus all the trauma… I hope I pass on to him the lessons you taught me, Minato Sensei." Kakashi looked at the names important to him and thehe pce.

  A short while ter the silver haired man found himself standing in front of the Jonin station. He quietly went inside and took a seat he window. He looked out at the academy building and the children pying around without a worry in the world.

  "Ahh. My rival Kakashi! You've arrived." The boisterous sound of his friend came from the other side of the room. Kakashi turned and looked at the man.

  "Guy. I hear you passed your team."

  "Ihey have shown their youthful spirit and dedication. So I have taken them under my wing." Guy said with a rge smile.

  "What about you? Did you pass your team?" Guy asked with a wide smile but there was a hint of for his friend buried in his tone.

  Kakashi sighed and replied. "My team failed."

  "Ha! I k. Pay up." The voice of Anko came along with disgruntled groans from a couple of Jonins near her. She collected the money from the few Jonin who made the wro with a wicked smile on her face.

  "Man Kakashi. Isn't that like the fourth team you failed? If I didn't know aer I'd say you're failing them because you just don't want to deal with the hassle." Asuma joined in the versation.

  "Asuma? When did you get back?" Kakashi had heard that the man was w at the capital for some time and didn't realize that he was ba the vilge.

  "A few days ago." The bearded man replied.

  "So your team couldn't get the bells huh. I guess that's to be expected." The special Jonin Aoba Yamashiro joihe versation.

  At that Kakashi gave a small chuckle. "Well, teically they got the bells."

  "What?" Every Jonin who heard that was surprised.

  Kakashi sighed and vaguely expined what had happened. "They worked together and forced me into a er and they got the bells."

  "Wait! They got the bells? And you still failed them?" Guy was surprised to hear that.

  "They turned oeammate who had the bells at the st moment. So I had to fail them."

  "So his time too huh. Well… Better luext year I suppose." Asuma said, patting Kakashi's shoulder.

  "ly."

  Everyone was fused at that reply.

  "The Hokage decided to pass oudent from the team and based on the skills he's shown, I agree with Lord Hokage's judgment. It's decided that I would take him as an apprentid we'll both be a two man team." The silver haired Jonin said with a shrug.

  "What? Are you serious? A two man team? With a Genin?" Anko and everyone else was stunned.

  "Who is this boy?" Asuma asked Kakashi.

  "Daichi Hekima."

  Asuma's eyes widened hearing that name. "I see. It's that kid."

  Everyone's attention turo the fuardian twelve ninja. Asuma thought about what he had heard about the kid.

  "You know the boy?"

  Asuma nodded. "I've heard some rumors about him during my time in the capital these st couple years. A very talented medija personally trained by the Sannin Tsunade Senju. Rumors at the hospital are that his medical skills are already nearing or on par with Lady Tsunade herself."

  That information shocked everyone who heard it. They knew how formidable and capable the Sannin were. Tsunade holds the title of best medi the world. And for a child to be pared to her was astounding.

  "Wait. Daichi Hekima? I knew I reized that name." Aoba suddenly spoke. Everyouro him.

  "Yeah. He's the number oudent in his css and teachers at the academy call him a prodigy. His skills are far ahead of his cssmates."

  "Is that true Kakashi? You fought the kid. Is there any truth to the rumors?" Asuma and everyone else looked at the man.

  Kakashi nodded. "His skills are certainly a cut above the rest. His strength and abilities already put him in the ranks of in. And he's quite profit with mediinjutsu. I've seen that up close."

  Everyone's eyes widened in shock.

  "No wonder dad made such a choice." Asuma said. "Someone like that bei back to the academy is the wrong move no matter how you think about it.…"

  Kakashi nodded his head. He stood up from his spot and put his hands in his pocket. "I guess I better go meet my udent."

  "Good luck…"

  "Yosh Kakashi! ime we should have a petition to see who the stroeam is…"

  Kakashi walked out of the Jonin station with his destination in mind. - Daichi's home.