It's already nine o'clock in the evening, a bit late from a timing standpoint.
This training was somewhat special for Yamato. Although he usually didn't reject cultivation, and even looked forward to Shimura Danzo's guidance, he lost track of time for the first time during this session.
"Thank you for your instruction, Teacher Mokgetsu. Goodbye." Although reluctant, Yamato respectfully bid farewell to Mokgetsu.
Ninjas like Mokgetsu must have many tasks to attend to, so it was not easy for him to spare time to mentor him.
After Mokgetsu and Yamato each returned to their respective homes, the Root Ninja spying on them also returned to the Root to report to Shimura Danzo, detailing the process of Mokgetsu's instruction.
"A solid training program, but not exactly special. Is it a matter of capability?" Shimura Danzo pondered.
He didn't worry about Mokgetsu being careless with his teaching; Shimura Danzo was just curious about Mokgetsu's methods.
He had observed Mokgetsu's training of Anbu Ninja but hadn't really focused on how Mokgetsu nurtured his disciples.
Based on the report from the Root Ninja, Shimura Danzo could only describe it as standard.
"Test Ka in a month. If it's no good, let Mokgetsu change the training plan." Shimura Danzo thought Mokgetsu's training was too gentle.
Considering Mokgetsu's past teaching achievements, Shimura Danzo chose to trust first, then question.
This is the privilege of the strong. If it were another Root Ninja, Shimura Danzo would question them first and foremost.
After five days of surveillance, Shimura Danzo withdrew the Root's monitoring of Yamato.
Many in the Root were undergoing training, and with the Root already understaffed, Shimura Danzo didn't have the resources to allocate to such meaningless things.
...
Another Sunday, and because of the holiday, Mokgetsu shifted Yamato's training time to the day.
At the same time, Mokgetsu also informed other disciples to come to the training ground where he usually instructed Yamato.
"It's daytime today. I wonder if Teacher Mokgetsu will teach a bit longer." Yamato, having arrived early at the training ground, looked at the rising sun with some anticipation.
Yamato's most anticipated activity every day is cultivation, specifically under Mokgetsu's guidance.
This was the first time he received Mokgetsu's instruction during the day; for the past six days, they started at half-past six and usually finished by half-past nine at the latest.
"If only today's session could last the entire morning." This was Yamato's current wish.
Suddenly, Yamato noticed a figure walking unhurriedly toward the training ground.
Yamato's expression didn't change, as it definitely wasn't Mokgetsu; the figure was only slightly taller and just a few years older.
As the figure got closer, Yamato became more certain because the person's hair was white.
When the white-haired ninja approached Yamato, he didn't pay much attention, assuming it was just a passing Konoha Ninja.
Yamato didn't mind Kakashi, but Kakashi was somewhat interested in Yamato.
He didn't know why, but he found the long-haired ninja with the face guard-style forehead protector before him familiar.
No matter how Kakashi recalled familiar faces in his mind, he couldn't find any information relating to the ninja before him.
Suddenly, a flash of insight crossed Kakashi's mind, and a figure not belonging to this time overlapped with the unfamiliar ninja before him.
Kakashi touched his head, squinting his eyes slightly, as his gaze turned somewhat dangerous.
A certain annoying guy had taken the chance to knock him on the head three times, each time with considerable force.
To avoid wrongly accusing someone, Kakashi first carefully examined the long-haired ninja, confirming the many similarities between him and the Yamato he had seen in Loulan.
"Hello, may I ask your name?" Kakashi asked politely and kindly.
Because of Kakashi's good attitude and Yamato's inherently kind nature, he directly answered Kakashi's question.
"I'm Yamato." Yamato replied with a smile.
He always remembered Mokgetsu's words, that Ka was just his codename in the Root, and Yamato was his real name, the name Mokgetsu helped him choose.
"Finally, I found you." The kindly smile on Kakashi's face grew more pronounced.
If Obito saw this scene, he would instinctively take a few steps back because Kakashi rarely smiled, and when he did, it was usually not a good thing.
Yamato was somewhat puzzled; he didn't know Kakashi. Could it be a ninja known to Mokgetsu?
"What's your current relationship with Teacher Mokgetsu?" Kakashi didn't immediately retaliate but first inquired about Yamato's relationship with Mokgetsu.
He believed Yamato being at this training ground was certainly not a coincidence; it was likely Mokgetsu who called him here.
"Teacher Mokgetsu is responsible for guiding my cultivation." Yamato first answered Kakashi's question, then asked:
"Are you also a ninja training under Teacher Mokgetsu?"
He noticed Kakashi also referred to Mokgetsu as Teacher Mokgetsu.
"I'm a disciple of Teacher Mokgetsu." Kakashi didn't hide the truth and informed Yamato of his relationship with Mokgetsu.
"You've recently started training with Teacher Mokgetsu, right? I've been training with Teacher Mokgetsu for over two years, so I'm considered your senior."
Yamato looked at Kakashi with envy. He didn't know if his relationship with Mokgetsu could be considered master and disciple, nor how long he could continue training with Mokgetsu.
"Senior Kakashi." Yamato politely addressed him.
Kakashi was older and had received Mokgetsu's teachings earlier, making him indeed Yamato's senior.