Chapter 5: Mai Te Kai and His Father

After seeing the father‑son pair, Qimu Shuomao stepped forward and said, "First time meeting, hello."

"From today, both of my children will also be entering the Ninja Academy; please look after them, and everyone should get along well."

Qimu Shuomao smiled, while opposite him Mai Te Dai shook his head and said, "Oh dear, that can't be done."

Those words startled Qimu Shuomao; he thought he had run into a father‑son pair that was hard to communicate with.

Kakashi tugged Qimu Shuomao's sleeve nearby and whispered, "Dad, you're mistaken; that guy failed the Ninja Academy test this time."

"Is that so?"

After hearing Kakashi's explanation, Qimu Shuomao awkwardly scratched his head and said, "That was really rude; we met at the Ninja Academy entrance, so I couldn't help but …"

"Hahaha, so that's how it is."

Mai Te Dai didn't mind such a trivial matter and laughed heartily, since compared with the daily gossip and ridicule, this misunderstanding was utterly insignificant.

Qimu Chao, rubbing his chin, looked at the pair of thick‑eyebrowed father and son and felt an Immediate Visual Sensation; on closer thought, wasn't that child the Body Technique master who often appears in Hot‑blooded Edit, the man whom Hokage fans call "Kai Emperor"?

So their first meeting was under these circumstances.

While Qimu Chao sized up Mai Te Dai and his son, Kakashi crossed his arms, feeling he didn't get along with such blunt‑nerved people.

If it were before, he would have said a couple of lines, but lately his brother's blows have been too heavy, so the words he wanted to say now remain silent.

Whether others enter the Ninja Academy is irrelevant to him; what he wants now is to keep up with his brother's pace—twins shouldn't let too much distance grow between them.

The first thing to do is to master the Five‑Colored Thread technique.

Qimu Shuomao, still talking with Mai Te Dai, noted the various marks on the father‑son pair and said, "You needn't worry too much; the substitute list hasn't been released, and the Ninja Academy examiners aren't idiots. Though your children may be a bit weaker in Ninjutsu knowledge, they're outstanding in Body Technique, right?"

"In the future, he'll surely become a worthy opponent for our two children."

Upon hearing Qimu Shuomao's words, Mai Te Dai and his son Mai Te Kai were stunned, then tears welled up instantly: "Oh… thank you for your support! Such encouragement makes my youth even more hot‑blooded!"

"Dad!"

"Kai!"

Seeing the father and son hugging and crying, Kakashi's eyes twitched twice; indeed, he just doesn't get along with people like them.

Qimu Chao couldn't help but laugh at the scene—how amusing!

From then on, Mai Te Kai became Kakashi's first peer friend.

Three days later.

"Kakashi, let's go train together!"

Early in the morning, the Qimu Family's gate was knocked by Mai Te Kai; since that day's meeting, Qimu Shuomao had invited Mai Te Dai and his son to their home, and thereafter Mai Te Kai came early each morning to invite Kakashi and Qimu Chao to train together.

Even though he already knew Qimu Chao and Kakashi together, Kai set his sights on Kakashi, deeming him his lifelong rival.

After hearing Kai's words, Kakashi's face turned dark.

Sometimes fate is that strange.

QiMu ChunNai opened the gate for him: "Kai, you're up so early. Kakashi stayed up late last night, so he's probably still asleep."

"Kai, have you had breakfast? Want to eat together?"

"Is that okay?"

Hearing QiMu ChunNai's invitation, Kai froze briefly, then shyly asked, his straightforward nature never being polite; QiMu ChunNai knew this, so the breakfast invitation wasn't mere courtesy.

"Of course you can."

At that moment, Qimu Shuomao came down from upstairs and said, "You're at the stage of growing your body now; it's fine to eat more."

When Kai knocked, Kakashi had already been woken up by the noise; he sat up blank‑eyed and sighed.

To him, the bond with Mai Te Kai was definitely a Fated Enmity.

Why does that guy avoid his brother and come looking for me instead?!

Thinking that, he couldn't help but sigh.

When Kakashi went downstairs, he found the whole family, except him, already at the breakfast table, and Kai was sitting in his own seat.

Seeing Kakashi come down, QiMu ChunNai smiled and said, "Sorry, Kakashi, Kai ate your portion; Mom will make you another shortly."

That guy…!!!!

After breakfast, the three left the house; Kai stretched and issued an invitation: "Kakashi, Chao, let's race—from here to Training Ground No. 7—to see who can finish first!"

"Spare me…"

Kakashi sighed, and before he could speak, Kai slapped his shoulder hard: "Morning is the best time to train. If you stay so lazy, the flame of youth will be extinguished!"

"Run, Kakashi."

Since meeting Kai, Kakashi's whole mindset has changed, and both Qimu Shuomao and Qimu Chao are glad to see this shift.

Hearing his brother's words, what else could Kakashi say? He could only run.

He's still a kid; despite appearing mature, the current Kakashi can still get carried away easily.

He initially intended just a casual run, but after noticing Kai's speed surpassing his, he voluntarily accelerated; the two chased each other while Qimu Chao paced calmly behind them, never falling behind no matter how fast they went.

In the end, Kakashi still finished first, overtaking Kai.

After all, although Kakashi's current training intensity isn't as high as Kai's, it remains intense; with Qimu Shuomao's guidance and his own talent, he even surpasses Kai in Body Technique.

"Truly a destined opponent for my life, Mai Te Kai! Since you didn't beat Kakashi in the run, now do a thousand push‑ups, then after that walk a thousand meters around the training ground while inverted!"

The moment the words finished, Kai dropped to the ground and began rapid push‑ups.

Hearing Kai's words, Kakashi was shocked: "That guy… does he always train this intensely?"

"So, Kakashi, even if Kai isn't actually stronger now, if you slack off, you might not only fail to keep up with me but could even be overtaken by him."

Qimu Chao smiled, then drew the long sword he'd been gripping in his left hand; the blade sliced through the air, leaving a slash on the ground.

"Let me see what progress you've made these past days!"