Chapter 165: Kakashi's Knowledge Expansion

"Captain Yumi, has anyone ever told you that your ability to conceal your presence is outstanding?"

Kakashi turned his head to find Mutsuki sitting next to him, speaking unconsciously.

"Concealing oneself is a basic skill for a ninja," Mutsuki replied with a smile.

"Captain Yumi, you know, Konoha's White Fang didn't sacrifice himself, he committed suicide. He faced criticism from everyone for the failed mission and eventually took his own life," Kakashi asked.

As Kakashi asked this question, he didn't look at Mutsuki but gazed blankly at the river.

"Why do you admire White Fang, a ninja who failed like that?" Kakashi turned to look into Mutsuki's eyes and asked.

"If you call White Fang a failed ninja, I don't agree with that," Mutsuki replied, neither answering the question nor accepting Kakashi's statement.

"Why not consider a failed ninja? As a ninja, failing to complete a mission due to personal reasons isn't that considered a failure? Do you think you understand White Fang better than me?" Kakashi retorted.

Mutsuki, someone who had never spoken a word to his father, could he possibly understand his father better than Kakashi?

"Who knows? My perspective differs from yours. I believe White Fang embodies the true ninja way," Mutsuki replied, shaking his head.

"What has he embodied? Isn't the first rule of being a ninja to prioritize the mission?" Kakashi thought Mutsuki was speaking nonsense.

"Since we're talking about ninja rules, do you know the origin of the ninja?" Mutsuki asked with a smile.

Kakashi carefully recollected, then shook his head.

"Do you know about the Six Paths Sage?" Mutsuki continued to inquire.

"The divine being who is said to have created the shinobi world?" Kakashi still had some knowledge about the Six Paths Sage.

"The creator is a legend, but the Six Paths Sage was indeed a real historical figure. He created the ninja ideology for world peace, hoping that through the connection of chakra, people could understand each other, thus giving rise to the existence of ninjas."

"At that time, there were no such things as Genin, Chunin, Jonin, nor missions involving killing or stealing secrets. Everyone's common goal was world peace."

"If we truly talk about ninja rules, protecting peace is the rule of ninjas. So, if we look at it this way, currently, all the ninjas in the world are violating the rule of ninjas," Mutsuki explained.

It wasn't just his speculation. In the world of the Naruto, the origin of ninjas was different from his original world; they were truly born for peace. From this perspective, it's understandable why the major antagonists in the Hokage world clamored to create a peaceful world. After all, the origin of ninjas was for peace.

"Ninjas came about like this..." Kakashi looked at Mutsuki with some surprise.

"I enjoy reading historical books in my spare time, so I know a bit more," Mutsuki smiled, adjusting his glasses.

He didn't disclose anything too secretive. Records left behind by the history of the Otsutsuki and other ninjas were scarce, but there were still some relevant accounts.

"Using standards from a thousand years ago to demand from present-day ninjas might be a bit excessive, but I believe ninjas shouldn't just be machines for completing missions; they should have their own thoughts."

"Although White Fang failed the mission, he successfully saved his teammate. He upheld his own beliefs, so I believe Konoha's White Fang is not a failed ninja!" Mutsuki said seriously.

"Upholding one's beliefs..." Kakashi felt a sense of deja vu.

A few years ago, he seemed to have said something similar about comrades being the most important.

"At 1:30 this afternoon, gather at the training ground. If you badmouth White Fang again, I'll be angry," Mutsuki joked.

"Yumi-sensei, don't you know what Konoha's White Fang's name is?" Kakashi couldn't help but ask.

"Sakumo Hatake, of course I know," Mutsuki replied.

"Sakumo Hatake, Hatake Kakashi, could it be..." Mutsuki put on a thoughtful expression.

"Actually, Kakashi, are you related to White Fang?"

Kakashi: ...

At that moment, he truly didn't know if Mutsuki was being intentionally provocative or if he genuinely didn't guess. If it was the former, then it was quite a twisted sense of humor.

"Just kidding, I know you're White Fang's child. Don't be late this afternoon," Mutsuki smiled.

To pretend not to know would be underestimating Kakashi's intelligence. A Chunin and two interns mixed together, both of whom were familiar faces; Kakashi should have guessed it was intentionally arranged by the Third.

As he watched Mutsuki walk away, Kakashi's eyes flickered.

"Yearning for his father, was it intentionally sought by the Third?" Kakashi speculated in his mind.

Then Kakashi went to the library, heading straight for the historical section. After perusing many ancient texts, he indeed found some fragmentary history related to the ninja origin, although it was sparse and fragmented information.

This dispelled some of Kakashi's doubts; at first, he thought Mutsuki had concocted the story to comfort him.

At precisely one thirty in the afternoon, Kakashi arrived at training ground twenty-two.

"Kakashi, you're here early. Want to compete in handstand exercises?" Guy, who was already at the training ground doing handstand exercises, asked.

"Sorry, I'll pass," Kakashi, who had spent the afternoon studying, didn't want to engage in pointless competitions.

By one forty in the afternoon, Obito rushed in, panting heavily as he explained the reason for his lateness.

Due to what he had seen in the morning, Kakashi didn't question Obito's explanation this time.

"We completed three tasks this morning. How many do you think we can do this afternoon?" Mutsuki asked with a smile.

Even though each task was worth only thirty points, every little bit helps.

"Five!" Obito boldly declared.

"Then let's set the goal for five," Mutsuki decided.

To save time, Mutsuki immediately took on three tasks at the beginning. Normally, this wouldn't be feasible, but given their high efficiency in the morning, the registrar approved it.

This time, Mutsuki had Obito and Kakashi work together. With Obito's connections, Kakashi's efficiency, and Guy's strength, the three of them completed tasks at lightning speed.

With the cooperation of the three, the tasks were completed in less than two hours.

By six o'clock in the evening, Mutsuki's team had completed seven D-rank tasks, exceeding their target.

Obito and Guy were happy with their decent rewards, while Mutsuki was content with the 300 chakra he gained.

The only one who might not have felt much was Kakashi, who planned to disband after to continue his research.

"Everyone did well today. We won't take on tasks tomorrow morning; instead, we'll train at the training ground," Mutsuki said.

He wanted to try to take Kakashi as his disciple, which would bring more benefits in future tasks. Otherwise, he will always feel like he was losing out.

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