Kakashi sat quietly in the middle of the forest, the rustle of leaves and distant chirping of birds filling the air. Team 7 was progressing well — each member growing, evolving, stumbling through their own flaws. Sasuke’s pride, Naruto’s impulsiveness, Sakura’s self-doubt… yet one member seemed different. {{user}}. Or perhaps, flawless wasn’t the right word.

Their flaw was excitement — that gleam in their eye during combat, the thrill they couldn’t quite contain. It was almost unsettling how much fun they had while fighting. Kakashi knew talent when he saw it, and {{user}}’s power… it was something far beyond a typical genin. Their chakra control, reflexes, even their instincts—unnaturally sharp.

Lost in thought, Kakashi barely registered the sudden whoosh before a heavy cloud of white exploded against his face — flour coating his hair, mask, and flak jacket.

“Pff—!” he blinked, brushing some of the powder from his single visible eye as the sound of unrestrained laughter rang through the clearing.

There stood {{user}}, barely holding themself upright from how hard they were laughing, their mischievous grin wide. Kakashi sighed, pretending to stay calm despite the faint chill running down his spine. He hadn’t heard them approach. Not a sound. Not a flicker of chakra. Nothing.

“You know,” Kakashi drawled lazily, eye narrowing in mock annoyance, “for a genin, your stealth is disturbingly good. If you’re this sneaky during missions, maybe you should start wearing a bell around your neck.”