Iron Fist Punishes the Bear Child Kakashi

Being good at saying the right things to get ahead seemed harmless enough.

But when you're that smooth even with people you're close to, it starts to feel fake.

If Sarutobi Ryo didn't have a connection with Kakashi, maybe he wouldn't have bothered bringing this up.

However, Hatake Sakumo was his personal tutor, the one who taught him swordsmanship and the Body Flicker Technique, holding nothing back.

Some things just needed to be said.

Too much praise would only ruin Kakashi.

Especially with the days getting closer when Hatake Sakumo might be framed and killed by the Konoha Upper Echelon.

"The tortoise is slow, and the rabbit is fast. The tortoise keeps crawling, but the rabbit stops to rest and falls asleep, and in the end, the tortoise wins..."

Kakashi recited the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare with a smug look.

"Even a three-year-old knows that story."

Hatake Sakumo was too gentle, and Kakashi's early life had been too easy.

This meant that if Kakashi faced a setback, his mental problems would be serious.

On the other hand, Guy, who grew up with hardships, had a consistently strong spirit.

Sarutobi Ryo wasn't trying to say hardship was a good thing.

It's just that… raw jade needs to be cut and polished to become something beautiful.

"But, Young Master Ryo, not all rabbits fall asleep. Some rabbits work even harder than tortoises..."

Kakashi put a hand on his hip, looking unconvinced.

"Young Master Ryo." Namikaze Minato nodded to Sarutobi Ryo, his expression as bright as always.

It was obvious Kakashi's experience as a Genin had been easy.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to advance and become a Chunin in less than a year, just like in the original story.

He was a truly gifted child.

But… that was just on the surface.

"Of course, rabbits can work harder, but some people aren't rabbits…" Sarutobi Ryo shook his head.

Kakashi frowned, "What do you mean?"

"I'll be blunt. Right now, you're progressing fast, surrounded by a glow, looking amazing. But that doesn't mean you'll keep progressing at the same rate in the future…"

Guy progressed slowly at first, but then he took off, his progress becoming more and more impressive, his potential reaching incredible levels.

But Kakashi…

He might seem like a prodigy now, but once he reached a certain point…

"Around the age of 12, your weaknesses will start to show, and your strength will stop growing…"

Sarutobi Ryo stated his opinion of Kakashi.

"Then, you'll run slower and slower, no matter how hard you try…"

"Empty words." Kakashi waved his hand, not believing it.

Why are you saying I won't be able to run anymore at 12 and will be left behind?

"Why do you think some people are promoted directly to Special Jonin by the Konoha Upper Echelon, while others skip Special Jonin and go straight to Jonin?"

Sarutobi Ryo's eyes burned, his words full of meaning.

Namikaze Minato's eyes flickered, understanding what Sarutobi Ryo was saying.

The Konoha higher-ups could see the limits of some people's talents right away.

They would stay in the same position their whole lives because that's all they were capable of.

The Konoha Higher-ups were smart; they knew which Ninja could become Jonin.

Those Ninjas who couldn't go up or down, stuck in the middle, would become Special Jonin.

So… it wasn't just luck or a prediction, but a scientific way of estimating someone's potential.

"Ha? With my talent, becoming a Jonin is no problem…"

Kakashi didn't believe it.

He even wanted to say…

"You think you can even develop A-rank and S-rank nature transformations, right?" Sarutobi Ryo guessed what Kakashi was thinking.

"Uh…"

Kakashi was shocked.

How did you know my plan for the future?

"Hmph… so what? I'll be blunt, even if you can develop S-rank techniques, your weaknesses are as obvious as the sun in the sky."

Sarutobi Ryo didn't hold back, pointing out Kakashi's flaws.

"You have two big problems. First… your life has been too easy. Sakumo-Sensei spoiled you when you were young, making you pampered and spoiled, with terrible mental strength, a useless, coddled rich kid…"

"Second… your dynamic vision is the worst. Any Jonin could kill you instantly. Even if you have A-rank or S-rank techniques, if you can't see others clearly, or even see your own attacks, you'll still die… You'll understand when you're a Jonin."

Kakashi's weak dynamic vision might not have been obvious as a Ninja Academy student, Genin, Chunin, or Special Jonin.

But once he reached the Jonin level, he would see…

Everyone else had amazing reflexes and dynamic vision.

Attacks that Kakashi couldn't see, others could.

In close combat, Kakashi would die first.

How could he win like that?

Kakashi's eyes widened, his breathing getting faster.

He looked at his supervising Jonin, asking for Namikaze Minato's help.

Namikaze Minato scratched his head, looking around, and finally nodded: "Kakashi… Young Master Ryo is… right. Probably…"

Hatake Kakashi, the son of the Konoha White Fang.

His Chakra types were even more than his father's.

His talent was a mix of his father and mother.

But… Kakashi's mother was just a commoner, so that bloodline mixing… held Kakashi back.

Making his dynamic vision his biggest weakness.

If Kakashi had the Sharingan or Byakugan, maybe it could make up for it…

Namikaze Minato shook his head, getting rid of those thoughts.

The Sharingan belonged to the Uchiha clan; Kakashi couldn't have it.

Hearing his supervising Jonin's words, Kakashi was deeply affected.

He never knew he had such a big flaw, as Young Master Ryo said.

"This isn't true…"

Kakashi shook his head.

That's what happens when a spoiled kid gets a reality check.

"Heh… why don't you ask your Teacher Minato if he'll teach you the Golden Flash Style Body Flicker Technique (Flying Thunder God)? That would prove it…"

Yamanaka Hui added fuel to the fire.

People often mistook Namikaze Minato's space movement for a normal Body Flicker Technique.

"Kakashi…"

Namikaze Minato quickly wiped sweat from his forehead.

"With your dynamic vision… I'm afraid you can't use the Flying Thunder God Technique…"

"Wuu…"

Kakashi wailed.

He felt ashamed, angry, and sad.

Feeling humiliated, he ran away.

"Kakashi…" Namikaze Minato waved his hand.

But Kakashi, filled with anger and sadness, didn't stop. He disappeared like smoke.

"Young Master Ryo…"

Namikaze Minato turned, thinking about what to say.

Were we … too harsh?

"No."

Sarutobi Ryo's eyes flashed with a light Namikaze Minato didn't understand.

"Even worse things are coming for Kakashi. Not preparing him now is the real way to hurt him."

Soon, Namikaze Minato would know what those things were.