Chapter 151: A Rare Decision

Chapter 151: A Rare Decision

Hokage Tower.

An important meeting was taking place 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.

"Congratulations Guy."

The Hokage looked at the results. "It seems only one team 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 chances of Kakashi passing his team.

"I'll speak with Kakashi when he gets here. The rest of you are dismissed." The Hokage gave the order and all of them left the place.

Some time later 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 bothering 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 scenario.' Kakashi couldn't get Daichi's words out of his head no matter how hard he tried.

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

Kakashi sighed and looked at his leader. "They failed. One of them knew the 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 watching?"

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

"But sir, if you saw what happened then you would know that he only agreed to work with the other two because he knew it 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 plan that incorporated their talents and used it to complete the mission"

"But sir,..."

"You have to understand Kakashi, Daichi has been training under a private tutor for the last two years. He is used to working alone. And from the other student's perspective, he is a year younger than 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 back in his chair. After a few moments he answered. "Seto may not be from a clan but he is skilled. His Taijutsu comes only second to Neji in their class. And Mari is skilled in trap detection, ambush and long range support. I picked those two as Daichi's teammates because after Neji and Tenten they are the best in that graduation class."

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

"Teamwork is something that should come 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 on the battlefield 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 seconds. After reviewing the battle in his mind he answered. "A mid to high level Chunin at the very least."

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

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

"Exactly. He's a lot more cunning 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 wanted to take the bells on his own he could have"

"Ha! I knew it. 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 wrong bet with a wicked smile on her face.

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

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

"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 joined the conversation.

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

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

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

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

"They turned on the teammate who had the bells at the last moment. So I had to fail them."

"So no team this time too huh. Well Better luck next year I suppose." Asuma said, patting Kakashi's shoulder.

"Not exactly."

Everyone was confused at that reply.

"The Hokage decided to pass one student 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 apprentice and 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 turned to the former Guardian 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 last couple years. A very talented medic ninja 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 medic in the world. And for a child to be compared to her was astounding.

"Wait. Daichi Hekima? I knew I recognized that name." Aoba suddenly spoke. Everyone turned to him.

"Yeah. He's the number one student in his class and teachers at the academy call him a prodigy. His skills are far ahead of his classmates."

"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 Chunin. And he's quite proficient with medical ninjutsu. I've seen that up close."

Everyone's eyes widened in shock.

"No wonder dad made such a choice." Asuma said. "Someone like that being sent 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 new student."

"Good luck"

"Yosh Kakashi! Next time we should have a competition to see who the stronger team is"

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

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Author's Note:

Merry Christmas and happy holidays. I'll see you guys tomorrow with a new update.

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Patre /MonkWithAPen (No space)